Severus Snape
November 3rd, 2009, 05:47 PM
This is a three minute speech I have to deliver. A five minute debate will follow. My points have to be broad.
America’s economic, military, and political power and influence is in decline. While the US has not been in any was emasculated internationally, it is mandatory that the arrogance and insensitivity to the concerns of other nations comes to an end before America is replaced by China or other nations as the world’s superpower. The United States should be more willing to work with other nations to not only help itself, be to be seen as a big brother and a global leader by other nations. The survival of the country depends upon the ability to maintain America’s position as the clear leader of the free world. Unfortunately, in the past ten years, even some of America’s most vigorous allies have had their loyalty tested by increasingly difficult requests and expectations of the United States.
Economically speaking, the United States would be committing financial suicide if it does not become more multilateral. Again, one would have to be living under a rock not to understand America’s present economic difficulties. In the face of a tumultuous global economy, America cannot risk losing valuable trade partners and business because of political disputes.
Throughout the nation’s recent history, several multilateral measures were fostered by the United States that led to numerous international economic policies to be set. Recently at the World Trade Organization summit in 2003, representatives from one hundred and forty two different countries met including recently admitted members China and Taiwan . Those countries present at the meeting constitute 90% of the world’s trade. That is to say that of those nation’s present, policy and law governing international trade between these nations were negotiated. As of 2005, thirty additional countries were suing for membership simultaneously. The United States has been crucial in establishing and maintaining this organization. Membership almost seems natural, if not necessary, because the WTO serves as a forum for merchants and officials of each nation to negotiate terms of trade, set uniform standards of procedure, secure free trade, and arbitrate disputes with one another. This is agreeable with the capitalist worldview and the notion that free trade is an honorable model for business.
Another example of a multilateral economic agreement sought after by the government of the United States is the North American Free Trade Agreement. This multilateral pact signed by The United States, Canada, and Mexico provides for free trade between these countries. A major result of the treaty was a reduction in Mexican poverty levels . What does America stand to gain from reduced levels of poverty in Mexico? Well, the US stands to save a lot in terms of the headaches caused by high levels of illegal immigration which includes deportation costs, drug smuggling, the problem of ‘anchor children’, public education and more.
Obviously, the importance of participating in international councils regarding economics is not lost on the ears of American leaders. America has benefitted from these economic unions both politically and economically. What I can’t understand is this: if America has prospered by working alongside other nations in the economic arena, why do we still resolve to be obstinate politically? Money is important, but so are the lives of the citizens of foreign nations the US has in its hands. The government should be equally responsive and concerned with international opinion regarding the actions of the military and the government’s foreign policy as a whole.
The nation’s unilateral system is borne from its isolationist roots. As a global world leader, America cannot afford to make the mistake of assuming the correct course of action is to rely on policies that benefit only itself. Isolationism has made America selfish, and the idea of unilateralism hinges upon America’s continued dominance of the world’s economic and political theatres. I am sorry to say that America’s position as the world’s sole superpower may be slipping away. Since America has effectively rendered many international treaties and legislatures impotent such as the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, the International Criminal Court, The Convention of the Rights of the Child, and the Kyoto Protocol, much will have to be answered for . All of these efforts were blocked simply because they would hinder America’s ‘progress’. I fail to see how efforts aimed to minimize carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, ensure a decent standard of living for children, establish an international tribunal aimed to prosecute individuals for genocide, violation of humans rights, and crimes against humanity, or the ban the testing of nuclear weapons could be a bad thing. Yet, the government of the United States has opposed all of the aforementioned international initiatives. Not only has the US opposed them, but the US has rendered them ineffective by their refusal to participate.
I find it disturbing that the United States only wants to play nice with other nations when there is money at stake. If America claims to be based on any sort of moral principle, it only follows that America would support initiatives to foster enterprises that would promote justice and basic human rights. The best path of action is to change course before it is too late. In an era of seeming decline, America still has the chance to positively impact the world for her benefit. The legacy America threatens to leave is not one that would leave her remembered kindly in history books. Multilateralism does not mean bending to the will of other nations. Multilateralism does not mean doing what other nations want the United States to do simply to make them happy. The concept of multilateralism is to work with other nations to resolve internationally significant issues by negotiation, concession, and amicability.
America’s economic, military, and political power and influence is in decline. While the US has not been in any was emasculated internationally, it is mandatory that the arrogance and insensitivity to the concerns of other nations comes to an end before America is replaced by China or other nations as the world’s superpower. The United States should be more willing to work with other nations to not only help itself, be to be seen as a big brother and a global leader by other nations. The survival of the country depends upon the ability to maintain America’s position as the clear leader of the free world. Unfortunately, in the past ten years, even some of America’s most vigorous allies have had their loyalty tested by increasingly difficult requests and expectations of the United States.
Economically speaking, the United States would be committing financial suicide if it does not become more multilateral. Again, one would have to be living under a rock not to understand America’s present economic difficulties. In the face of a tumultuous global economy, America cannot risk losing valuable trade partners and business because of political disputes.
Throughout the nation’s recent history, several multilateral measures were fostered by the United States that led to numerous international economic policies to be set. Recently at the World Trade Organization summit in 2003, representatives from one hundred and forty two different countries met including recently admitted members China and Taiwan . Those countries present at the meeting constitute 90% of the world’s trade. That is to say that of those nation’s present, policy and law governing international trade between these nations were negotiated. As of 2005, thirty additional countries were suing for membership simultaneously. The United States has been crucial in establishing and maintaining this organization. Membership almost seems natural, if not necessary, because the WTO serves as a forum for merchants and officials of each nation to negotiate terms of trade, set uniform standards of procedure, secure free trade, and arbitrate disputes with one another. This is agreeable with the capitalist worldview and the notion that free trade is an honorable model for business.
Another example of a multilateral economic agreement sought after by the government of the United States is the North American Free Trade Agreement. This multilateral pact signed by The United States, Canada, and Mexico provides for free trade between these countries. A major result of the treaty was a reduction in Mexican poverty levels . What does America stand to gain from reduced levels of poverty in Mexico? Well, the US stands to save a lot in terms of the headaches caused by high levels of illegal immigration which includes deportation costs, drug smuggling, the problem of ‘anchor children’, public education and more.
Obviously, the importance of participating in international councils regarding economics is not lost on the ears of American leaders. America has benefitted from these economic unions both politically and economically. What I can’t understand is this: if America has prospered by working alongside other nations in the economic arena, why do we still resolve to be obstinate politically? Money is important, but so are the lives of the citizens of foreign nations the US has in its hands. The government should be equally responsive and concerned with international opinion regarding the actions of the military and the government’s foreign policy as a whole.
The nation’s unilateral system is borne from its isolationist roots. As a global world leader, America cannot afford to make the mistake of assuming the correct course of action is to rely on policies that benefit only itself. Isolationism has made America selfish, and the idea of unilateralism hinges upon America’s continued dominance of the world’s economic and political theatres. I am sorry to say that America’s position as the world’s sole superpower may be slipping away. Since America has effectively rendered many international treaties and legislatures impotent such as the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, the International Criminal Court, The Convention of the Rights of the Child, and the Kyoto Protocol, much will have to be answered for . All of these efforts were blocked simply because they would hinder America’s ‘progress’. I fail to see how efforts aimed to minimize carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, ensure a decent standard of living for children, establish an international tribunal aimed to prosecute individuals for genocide, violation of humans rights, and crimes against humanity, or the ban the testing of nuclear weapons could be a bad thing. Yet, the government of the United States has opposed all of the aforementioned international initiatives. Not only has the US opposed them, but the US has rendered them ineffective by their refusal to participate.
I find it disturbing that the United States only wants to play nice with other nations when there is money at stake. If America claims to be based on any sort of moral principle, it only follows that America would support initiatives to foster enterprises that would promote justice and basic human rights. The best path of action is to change course before it is too late. In an era of seeming decline, America still has the chance to positively impact the world for her benefit. The legacy America threatens to leave is not one that would leave her remembered kindly in history books. Multilateralism does not mean bending to the will of other nations. Multilateralism does not mean doing what other nations want the United States to do simply to make them happy. The concept of multilateralism is to work with other nations to resolve internationally significant issues by negotiation, concession, and amicability.