Several of the Library databases contain very recent research in the form of working papers, policy briefs, or specially commissioned reports.
The database CIAO (Columbia International Affairs Online) includes the complete text of working papers, policy briefs, and books covering international issues. Two recent policy briefs are:
The database CQ Global Researcher contains specially commisioned reports on global issues.
- Felton, John. Aiding Refugees: Should the U.N. Help More Displaced People? March 2009
Extract
Some 42 million people worldwide have been uprooted by warfare or other violence, including 16 million refugees who are legally protected because they left their home countries. Most live in refugee camps and receive aid from the United Nations or other agencies but cannot work or leave the camps without special permission. Another 26 million people who fled violence are not protected by international treaties because they remained in their home countries.
Forthcoming reports are:
- Weeks, Jennifer. Urbanization.
Extract:
More than half of the world’s citizens live in cities, a percentage that is expected to grow as people continue moving to cities in hopes of improving their lives. Nearly all urban growth today is occurring in developing countries, and a third of the world’s city dwellers – about one billion people – live in slums.
The database CQ Researcher Plus Archive contains reports on issues facing the United States. The latest report is
- Billiteri, Thomas J. Middle-Class Squeeze. March 6, 2009.
Extract
Millions of families who once enjoyed the American dream of home ownership and upward financial mobility are sliding down the economic ladder – some into poverty. Many have been forced to seek government help for the first time. The plunging fortunes of working families are pushing the U.S. economy deeper into recession as plummeting demand for goods and services creates a downward economic spiral.
Forthcoming reports are
- Katel, Peter. Vanishing Jobs.
Since the recession began in December 2007, U.S. companies have laid off more than 3.6 million workers. The rate of unemployment – people without jobs looking for full-time work – now stands at 7.6 percent, but the rate rises to 13.9 percent when those who have given up looking for work, or could find only part-time jobs, are counted.
- Greenblatt, Alan. Republican's Future
The GOP is clearly at a down moment. The party lost the presidential election decisively and faces Democratic majorities in both chambers of Congress that are going to be hard to overcome for the foreseeable future. The picture isn’t much brighter among governors and legislatures. The big question is whether the downturn is temporary, reflecting backlash against an unpopular incumbent as well as voters’ natural desire for change after a party has been in power for a while – or whether the GOP has a long-term problem.
CQ Global Researcher and CQ Researcher Plus Archive can be accessed through the database CQ Electronic Library.