2007 February « Center for Liberal Leadership

Your Vote, Your Choice, Your Future!

February 26, 2007 at 6:59 am | In Election, Politics &Governance | Leave a Comment

The outcome of the coming May 14, 2007 elections will be decided by the youth. Either through active participation or through passive indifference our choice will determine the nation’s fate for the new millennia.One cannot over emphasize the importance of the coming elections and its would-be outcome. After EDSA 2, “EDSA 3”, the “Hello Garci” scandal, two aborted impeachments and the failed automation of the election process, it is this election that could salvage the country from ruin.

Amidst all this, the emotional stirrings, the nonstop bickering of politicians, the political carnival has begun! And one sector is left pondering in the middle – the youth. While the issue of whether ‘to vote or not to vote,’ is still there for some of us, the dilemma who to vote for in the upcoming national polls is one of the biggest challenges we are facing. More

In Defense of Free Trade

February 13, 2007 at 5:03 am | In Economy, Globalization & Dev't. | Leave a Comment

By Kai Jager

The embodiment of free international trade has been a matter of interest for liberals for centuries. Free trade is closely related to globalization, but trade between people from different countries is not a new appearance and has always existed in human history. The theoretical explanation why free trade benefits the economy was developed by Adam Smith and David Ricardo in the 18^th and 19^th century. Since then, a lot of controversial discussion on the issue have taken place. Nowadays, there is a going outcry against free trade by globalization opponents. Their message is that these “neo-liberal” market reforms will lead to higher unemployment in the developed world and exacerbate the situation in poorer countries. What can liberals offer in the debate to refute these arguments?

Originally posted at FNF Asia publication site