National Differences in Political Economy. How do political, economic, legal systems of a country: – Differ among countries? – Influence economic progress?
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National Differences in Political EconomyNational Differences in Political Economy
National Differences in Political National Differences in Political EconomyEconomy
How do political, economic, legal systems of a country:– Differ among countries?– Influence economic progress?– Change during our times?– Influence benefits, costs, risks of business?
What are ethical issues that arise from doing business internationally?
National Differences in Political National Differences in Political EconomyEconomy
Political System:
– System of National Government– Varies by country on the basis of
values and beliefs about Collectivism and Individualism Democracy and Totalitarianism
CollectivismCollectivismPrimacy of collectivist over individual
goalsEmphasis: “good of society”, “common
good”Plato,427-347 BC, to Socialists, Marx,
1818 - 83Communists-revolution,
Social Democrats-democratic outlook
IndividualismIndividualism
Individual freedom over economic
and political action
– Individual diversity and private
ownership are desirable
– Private property is more productive
whereas communal property receives
little care
Without private property, no man will be seen to be liberal and no man will ever do any act of liberality; for only in the use of money is liberality made effective
-- Aristotle, 384-322 BC
– An individual who intends his own gain is “led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention. Nor is it always worse for the society that it was no part of it. By pursuing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it. I have never known much good done by those who effect to trade for the public good”
-- Adam Smith, 1723-1790
Democracy:
- Government is by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives
- Safeguards hold elected representatives accountableTotalitarianism:
One person/party exercises absolute control over all spheres of human life
– Communist totalitarianism (PRC, Vietnam, Laos, N. Korea,Cuba)
– Theocratic totalitarianism (Iran, S. Arabia)– Tribal totalitarianism (Zimbabwe, Tanzania)– Right wing totalitarianism
Economic SystemsEconomic Systems Market economy: what is produced in what quantity
determined by supply/demand and through a price
system
Command economy: planned by government
Mixed economy: a balance of both of the above
State-Directed economy: state directly influences
investment activities of private enterprise through
“industrial policy.”
National Differences in National Differences in Political EconomyPolitical Economy
A Legal System is:– rules - laws - that regulate
behavior– process through which
laws are enforced grievances are redressed
Businesses must observe
– Home country laws– Host country laws– International Laws and Treaties
Different Legal Systems– Common Law– Civil Law– Theocratic Law
Dispute resolution– Where to arbitrate?
Mediate?– Validity of contracts
and decisions
Contract Law Contract Law
A contract specifies– conditions under which an exchange will happen
– rights/obligations of parties
It is based on a country’s legal system.
Systems differ based on legal tradition– common law system
– civil law system
Legal Systems Legal Systems
Disputes need to be resolved based on a
particular legal system– Which country’s? Home? Host?
UN Convention on Contracts for the
International Sale of Goods (GIGS)
International Court of Arbitration of the
International Chamber of Commerce in Paris,
France
Legal Systems and Legal Systems and International BusinessInternational Business
Property rightsuse of a resourceuse made of income from resourceenforcement issuesPublic vs private action violations
Legal Systems and Legal Systems and International BusinessInternational Business
Protection of Intellectual Property– patent: inventors’ exclusive rights to manufacture,
use, sell an invention– copyright: same for authors, composers, artists,
publishers– trademark: unique design and name, often
officially registered Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial
Property (96 countries) WTO/GATT
Public Action and Public Action and CorruptionCorruption
Public Action can violate property rights
– Legal mechanisms
– Illegal means: corruption
Corruption across countries is tracked by
Transparency International
High corruption levels reduce Foreign
Direct Investment and economic growth
Public Action and Public Action and CorruptionCorruption
US foreign corrupt practices act:
– illegal for US managers to bribe government
officials
OECD Convention on Bribery of Foreign
Public Officials in International Business
transactions
Legal Systems and Legal Systems and International BusinessInternational Business
Protection of intellectual property– Patents, copyrights, trademarks– Paris convention for the Protection of
Industrial Property– TRIPS (WTO)Trade Related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Product safety and product liability
– Product safety laws– Criminal / civil liability
GDP per capita: does not factor cost of living differences
Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) index: adjusts per capita GDP by cost-of-living
Human Development Index: life expectancy, literacy, PPP based average incomes
Differences of Economic Differences of Economic DevelopmentDevelopment
Amartya Sen: development– Should be assessed by material output
measures– Is an economic AND a political process that
requires “democratization”Human Development Index (HDI) =
f{life expectancy, educational attainment, PPP based annual incomes sufficient to meet basic needs}
Broader Conceptions of Broader Conceptions of DevelopmentDevelopment
Innovation >> Engine for Growth
(products, processes, strategies, organizations,
management practices)
Innovation requires:
– market economy
– strong property rights
– the “right” political system
Economic progress is related to democracy
Political Economy and Economic Political Economy and Economic ProgressProgress
States in TransitionStates in Transition
Democratic systems spread in the ‘80s and ‘90s
Totalitarian regimes failed to deliver economic progress
Spread of information trough new communication technologies
Emergence of prosperous middle classes
States in Transition: Universal States in Transition: Universal or Clashing Civilizationsor Clashing Civilizations
New realities: Russian reemergence, Zimbabwean racial unrest, China’s resurgence
New world order and terrorism– Fukuyama: “… the end of history…” and
harmonious existence– Huntington: new conflicts, e.g., Islamic
fundamentalism
States in Transition: Spread of States in Transition: Spread of Market-Based SystemsMarket-Based Systems
Nature of economic transformation– Deregulation: legal changes– Privatization: transfer of state
property/industries to private individuals Auctions IPOs
– Evolution of legal systems– The road of transformation is rocky
Implications for International Implications for International BusinessBusiness
Country’s political, economic, and legal environment– influence attractiveness– raise ethical Issues
Country attractiveness– balance long-term risks with short-term benefits for business– benefits depend on: size, wealth, future economic growth
first mover advantages identify “star” future economies
– costs are affected by: economic sophistication (may be more costly to operate in
LDCs, no infrastructure) legal framework impact on costs political payoffs
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