The idea of creating green jobs drew great attention as the stimulus package made its way through Congress. Defining those jobs is difficult, however, and economists say many may simply displace existing jobs in the old carbon-based economy.

This module features teaching notes for Reforming U.S. Patent Policy: Getting the Incentives Right by author Keith E. Maskus, along with other resources to supplement the text. This Council Special Report acknowledges the importance of patent protection for innovation but also warns against blind adherence to the mantra that more protection will necessarily produce more innovation.

The resignation of South African President Thabo Mbeki has exposed a rift in the ruling ANC party, raising questions about the future of one of the continent's champions and a regional powerbroker.

Michael Clemens of the Center for Global Development says that the migration of skilled workers is not to blame for Africa's weak health systems.

Michael Greenberger urges quick action regarding energy market manipulations and federal enforcement regimes.

Since its creation in 1989, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has worked to ensure that its 40+9 Recommendations are recognized globally as the international standards for anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). The work of the FATF, covering more than 170 jurisdictions, has had a significant impact on the global detection and prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing, and is critical to the implementation of more robust AML/CFT regimes around the world.

A look at the basics of the North American Free Trade Agreement, its overall economic impact, and its effect on workers in the United States.

Jeffrey J. Schott, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, and Thea M. Lee, policy director for the AFL-CIO, debate what the next president should do on the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Jonathan Jacoby of the Center for American Progress and Robert Lane Greene of the Economist debate the shape of trade policy for the next U.S. administration.

The Center for American Progress report argues for the necessity of an immigration reform that not only creates a well-regulated, legal, global labor market but also protects U.S. workers.

Listen to Jagdish N. Bhagwati, CFR's senior fellow for international economics, discuss his book In Defense of Globalization with students as part of the CFR Academic Conference Call Series.

Walter Russell Mead argues that “a Sarkozy who overcomes the transport unions will take a decisive step toward the modernization of France.”

France’s new president has ambitious plans for the country’s economy. But to push through reforms, he will have to face down nationwide strikes.

Newspaper and magazine stories refer to a "loss of nerve", even a "loss of faith" in free trade by economists. When presidential candidates are challenged by free trade proponents, they typically say: "Ah, but economists no longer have a consensus on free trade." But the truth of the matter is that free trade is alive. The analytical arguments in favor of trade have hardly been dented by its critics, such as Alan Blinder, arrayed against it.

With fears over globalization growing, Congress may overhaul legislation aimed at protecting U.S.workers adversely affected by trade.

Many are viewing the UAW-GM strike as Exhibit A for how globalization damages America . Matthew Slaughter argues that America ’s automobile industry is a prime example of the aggregate gains generated by the dynamic and interrelated forces of trade, investment and technological change.  He questions how the presidential contenders will craft an American economic policy that both allows greater globalization and also spreads its gains as widely as possible.

A flexible labor market and an open economy are crucial to economic competitiveness, but can sometimes cause prime-aged and older workers to suffer large, long-term income losses. This report explains why existing government programs, which emphasize retraining and insurance for short-term job loss, don't assuage workers' fears about globalization. It also proposes a shift of resources from existing programs to wage insurance.