Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: In this paper I examine the challenge that open source journals present to traditional modes of scholarly publication, and research dissemination. I situate these new forms of information distribution and supply as a reaction to the previous political economy of the (now globalised) publishing industry. This new form of publishing has prompted a re-evaluation of how research should be accessed and distributed internationally, and has a potentially profound effect on the structures of value that have hitherto patterned the distribution of research findings, scholarly exploration and important informational resources. If knowledge is power, then these new information flows may allow a reshaping of the global development agenda.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The World Social Forum (WSF) developed out of the transnational movement challenging corporate globalization and was intended as an” open meeting place for reflective thinking, democratic debate of ideas”. As a global movement of movements the WSF has had to bridge distances and cross a range of diverse languages and cultures which has brought a reliance on digital technology. But while the WSF relies on this technology it has not yet fully exploited its potential. Moreover it is faced with the challenge that such technology and networks are increasingly owned and controlled by the very global, corporate entities which it seeks to challenge and resist. In addition many of those whose voices most need to be heard are victims of a global digital divide that limits their access to these networks. The WSF, since its inception in 2001, has faced the challenge of both adopting processes that model communication alternatives and provide a space for organizing resistance This paper examines the WSF’s promotion and pioneering use of open source software as well as its role in facilitating the development of a transnational campaign on the right to communicate, a key right in an information intensive and digital world. It focuses in particular on the forums from 2003-7.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The area of international relations in Brazil has grown greatly during the last two decades, as the country has become more internationalized, new interests and domestic actors have emerged and certain external issues have been very politicized. The increased interest in international relations has generated new research on the appearance of domestic non-state actors with diverse external preferences and agendas. However, this has not been followed by the development of new analytical perspectives centering on the way foreign policy is formulated and implemented. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry, for instance, continues to be considered as a monolithic entity, with no internal disputes or little adjustment arising from change of governments. The objective of this paper is to present an innovative way to explore Brazilian foreign policy by looking inside the “black box” of Itamaraty. By focusing on internal organizational transformations and changes in the way the Foreign Ministry relates to other public and private actors, we will try to explain the evolution of the formulation of Brazilian foreign trade negotiations policy from 1964 to 2007, analyzing, specifically, the evolution related to the emergence of “open regionalism” (1991-2002) and the following transition to “posliberal regionalism” (2003-).

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Scholars studying incumbency advantages have focused on identifying and measuring variables that explain and enhance the good chances that incumbents enjoy (Hogan, 2000,2004; Erikson 1971; Mayhew 1974; King 1991;). However, until now, little research has considered the incumbent advantage outside the United States case. Moreover, almost no efforts have been made to investigate the effect that different electoral rules have on the matter. Here, I move beyond the American case and try to explain incumbency advantages in legislative elections under PR closed-list and open-list systems. Building on the premise that in preferential systems (PR-OL) electoral competition tends to be candidate-centric and in PR-CL it tends to be party-centric, I show that incumbency advantages are stronger in cases where voters are entitled to rank their preferences. Colombia offers an interesting scenario to test the previous premise given that in this context parties can choose whether to present open or closed candidate lists. Using electoral data from the 2006 legislative election, I compare the incumbents' advantage in open and closed lists, while controlling for other confounding factors such as length term, term limits and constituency services.

Publication Type: Presentation Proposal