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Robert Samuelson Discovers the Secret of Obamacare: President Obama's Big EgoDean Baker / March 26, 2012
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WSJ Lets Bernanke Play Fast and Loose in Lecturing About the Fed and the EconomyDean Baker / March 24, 2012
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Bank of America Shows Fannie Mae How to Build a Better Mouse TrapEileen Appelbaum / March 23, 2012
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Labor Market Policy Research Reports, March 19 – 23, 2012CEPR and / March 23, 2012
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February Existing Home Sales Should Not Have DisappointedDean Baker / March 23, 2012
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Latin America and the Caribbean
Obama and Clinton Ignore Democrats’ Pleas to Stop the Killing In HondurasMark Weisbrot / March 22, 2012
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Kolbe: Political and Social Marginalization Behind Increases in CrimeIn early March, social scientists Athena Kolbe and Robert Muggah released a study, backed by Canada’s International Development Research Centre and the Igarapé Institute of Brazil, showing increasing crime rates in the capital of Port-au-Prince. Based on household surveys, the authors found that “[f]or the first time since 2007, the incidence of violent crime and victimization has shown a consistent increase”. While the homicide rate in Haiti’s capital is lower than in many other Caribbean cities, the authors note the current rate in Haiti makes it one of the highest recorded rates since the post-coup period of 2004. At the same time, the authors found a reversal in citizens’ support for the Haitian National Police.
In an interview with HRRW, Kolbe, a clinical social worker affiliated with the University of Michigan, explains the social context of the current study and explores some of the causes and implications of the results. Kolbe finds that most of the victims of violence and criminal activities were residents of low-income neighborhoods where the population has experienced “social and political marginalization.” The ending of aid programs has also had a “profound impact on the people who need the services the most.” Kolbe notes that the bypassing of the Haitian government by NGOs and donor governments has created a situation where these entities and not the Haitian state “provide basic social and municipal services.” With a government that cannot guarantee its citizens access to services, Kolbe notes that “simply increasing the number of police on the street isn’t going to solve Haiti’s crime problem.” What is needed is to “focus efforts on improving the conditions in society that create the climate where crime is a viable option.”
Read more for the full interview:
Jake Johnston / March 22, 2012
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The Rent Is Too Damn High: Apple EditionDean Baker / March 21, 2012
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Housing Starts Fall in February, WAPO Talks About PermitsDean Baker / March 21, 2012
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The Post Forgot to Mention that the Ryan Plan Would Eliminate the GovernmentDean Baker / March 21, 2012
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"Right to Work" Means the Government Redistributes from Union Supporters to Non-SupportersDean Baker / March 21, 2012