VOA常速英语2008年-Report Finds Property Rights Essential for Econ

By Tendai Maphosa
London
26 February 2008

The new edition of the second annual International Property Rights Index says physical and intellectual property rights are necessary for economic growth.  From London, Tendai Maphosa has more in this report for VOA.

The 2008 International Property Rights Index was compiled by the Property Rights Alliance, a U.S.-based non-partisan international advocacy organization intended to help protect physical and intellectual property rights.

In its report, the Alliance says property rights contribute to increased levels of stability and provide people with the knowledge and comfort that their property will remain theirs.  Its 2008 index focuses on three areas, legal and political environment, physical property rights, and intellectual property rights. 

Alec van Gelder of the International Policy Network contributed to the report.  He told VOA that property rights are key to economic growth.

"I think that an environment where property rights, both physical and intellectual are secure and legally enforceable and clearly defined greatly expands the incentives¹ that are required for businesses to make everyone's lives better, to develop new products, deliver new services in a sustainable way," van Gelder said. "Those incentives are crucial for keeping the global economy growing."

Of the 115 countries ranked this year, Northern European countries are once again at the top end of the index, with Finland adjudged the best protector of property rights.  Norway is second along with Denmark, The Netherlands, and Germany.  Britain shares sixth position with three other countries.  The United States is ranked 19th.  The worst observer of property rights is Bangladesh at 115th.  Zimbabwe is second to last at 114th.

IPN's van Gelder said even resource poor countries could do well when property rights are guaranteed.

"All you have to do is look at the countries where there have been very few natural resources that are currently wealthy," van Gelder said. "Countries like Singapore and South Korea are phenomenally wealthy precisely² because they strove to protect the property rights that are now contributing to their economic growth."

He also said that the absence of property rights lie at the heart of many problems, from poverty in rural India to exploitation in Colombia.  He said the current troubles in Kenya were in part ignited by the theft of property rights by the political elite³.  This, he says, has caused resentment⁴.

The compilers of the index hope it will help under-performing countries in their efforts to develop robust⁵ economies by emphasizing sound property law.  

1 incentives   

激励某人做某事的事物( incentive的名词复数 )； 刺激； 诱因； 动机

参考例句：

• tax incentives to encourage savings 鼓励储蓄的税收措施
• Furthermore, subsidies provide incentives only for investments in equipment. 更有甚者，提供津贴仅是为鼓励增添设备的投资。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

2 precisely   

adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地

参考例句：

• It's precisely that sort of slick sales-talk that I mistrust.我不相信的正是那种油腔滑调的推销宣传。
• The man adjusted very precisely.那个人调得很准。

3 elite   

n.精英阶层；实力集团；adj.杰出的，卓越的

参考例句：

• The power elite inside the government is controlling foreign policy.政府内部的一群握有实权的精英控制着对外政策。
• We have a political elite in this country.我们国家有一群政治精英。

4 resentment   

n.怨愤，忿恨

参考例句：

• All her feelings of resentment just came pouring out.她一股脑儿倾吐出所有的怨恨。
• She cherished a deep resentment under the rose towards her employer.她暗中对她的雇主怀恨在心。

5 robust   

adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的

参考例句：

• She is too tall and robust.她个子太高，身体太壮。
• China wants to keep growth robust to reduce poverty and avoid job losses,AP commented.美联社评论道，中国希望保持经济强势增长，以减少贫困和失业状况。