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Post-Soviet Infrastructure: Potable Water and Sanitation Struggles in Armenia and Azerbaijan

By Cara Halford

This article examines the lack of access to clean water and adequate sanitation in Armenia and Azerbaijan, as both countries struggle to establish stable post-Soviet infrastructure systems. This topic is both important and relevant to explore, as the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict continues to permeate between the two countries and military action from that conflict has degraded or destroyed already crumbling infrastructure. Rural communities in Armenia, specifically schools, contend with water shortages and a lack of adequate sewage systems, with no substantial financial resources or government support to remedy these problems. In Azerbaijan, the water supply system is more robust, yet still faces challenges as facilities built during Soviet rule start to age. This article analyzes post-Soviet sanitation and water infrastructure in Armenia and Azerbaijan from the 1990s to the present day and seeks to show how both countries have addressed these issues amidst ongoing ethnic and territorial conflicts. Although both countries may have been outfitted with similar infrastructure initially, their foreign alliances and access to international aid today could decide how they maintain their infrastructure moving forward.

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A Wide Inequality Gap between Algeria and Namibia, but for How Long?

By Oliver Hinson

This article examines the difference in economic inequality levels in Algeria and Namibia. While Algeria has a relatively low Gini index, Namibia has one of the highest in the world. Namibia is still dealing with lasting effects from apartheid, and it struggles to help the large proportion of its population that live in rural areas. Meanwhile, Algeria’s oil resources have allowed it to make advances in infrastructure, which together with other redistributive social policies have helped keeping inequality low. However, more recently, based on some indicators, Namibia has been lowering its inequality levels faster than Algeria, and its fiscal policy is more effective in reducing inequality. Hence, Namibia could be a more equal country than Algeria in a few decades.

Read the full article: A Wide Inequality Gap

Curbing the Climb: Analyzing Population Growth in Relation to Contraceptive Access in Chad and Zimbabwe

By Samantha Jaffe

This article explores the impact of contraceptive access on population growth and socioeconomic development in Chad and Zimbabwe. Both countries experience high population growth rates that inversely affect the economic growth and development of each country. In Chad, efforts have been made to improve family planning, but contraceptive access remains limited. In contrast, Zimbabwe has made strides in integrating reproductive education into its health system and improving access to contraceptives through both public and private sectors. Zimbabwe’s more structured approach to reproductive education and contraceptive access correlates with more significant improvements in health outcomes and a slower population growth rate compared to Chad. The article will delve into the critical role of contraceptive access in managing population growth and achieving sustainable development.

Read the full article: Curbing the Climb

Free Trade or Fair Trade? Impacts of Free Trade Agreements on Equitable Development in Mexico and Vietnam

By Jason N. Papamichos

This article examines the economic and ethical impacts of the implementation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) on equitable economic development in Mexico and Vietnam. Mexico was a member of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) from 1994 to 2020, when NAFTA was replaced by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Vietnam is a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) since 2019. While trade liberalizations are often credited with driving economic growth, there are concerns whether the benefits are distributed equitably amongst citizens, particularly vulnerable populations. By analyzing a variety of economic and social indicators trade, this study reveals a complex interplay of positive and negative outcomes, highlighting the ethical implications of FTAs in fostering or undermining long-term sustainable and inclusive development.

Read the full article: Free Trade or Fair Trade