Paper
In the years since the end of the Cold War, the United States has confronted global challenges on many different fronts. Of the many, economic, environmental, and strategic challenges pose the greatest of problems to the U.S. Currently, at the beginning of the twenty-first century, U.S. policymakers have focused around these issues in an attempt to prioritize certain global challenges in future U.S. foreign policies.
One of the goals of U.S. foreign economic policy has been economic security, including a promotion of domestic prosperity and minimization of negative foreign economic impact. However, the U.S. has had trouble realizing this goal. The U.S. role in global economics took off shortly after WWII. The U.S. emerged from the war having not suffered destruction, as many other countries had. Taking advantage of this situation, the Marshall Plan was implemented. The Marshall Plan entailed giving monetary aid to developing democracies, which would aid the replacement of the old model with a new liberal, free trade, free-market capitalist system. It also established international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund, to regulate the free markets. However, the global economic situation began to take a turn for the worse. Between the late 1960s and into the early 1970s, U.S. power declined as the balance of trade became negative. The U.S. went into one of the largest debts in the world. Consequently, the value of the dollar decreased and was no longer the world’s currency. From this spawned the Euro market, autonomous to U.S. control. In the next decade, the U.S. would try to promote more globalization, get even more liberal, and reduce trade barriers. However, this plan backfired resulting in declined wages and growing unemployment within the states. This is the dilemma facing the U.S. economic policy. An increase in free trade and free markets can result in one of two situations: lower global conflicts but dependency on other countries (deficit) or an increase in internal conflicts such as unemployment or U.S. companies relocating to other sites with less pay. The other alternative is protectionism, which only goes against the very reason the U.S. entered the global economic race over half a century ago, global exploitation.
At a more alarming level is the issue of the strategic dilemmas facing the U.S. in this post-cold war era. The main threats to U.S. and global security are the rouge states including countries, such as China, Iraq, and Cuba, terrorism, and regional conflicts such as with India and Pakistan. These threats are amplified by the possibility of the use of nuclear, biological, and other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) as aids to rogue states, terrorism, and regional conflicts. As WMDs have been a concern of the U.S. since the cold war era, efforts have been taken to control the production of such weapons. Both the U.S. and USSR engaged in a number of negotiations in the past to reduce significantly the number of WMDs possessed by each power. Proliferation is still as much, if not moreso, an interest of the U.S. and is present in its policy towards strategic challenges. However, as there is an uncertainty as to whom has these weapons or when they will be used, a sense of urgency has been created along with this problem.
The last of the global challenges to the U.S. is what is viewed by many as the least important while being the least controllable and potentially having the most global impact. Environmental problems have always been a concern in the global arena. However, as it has yet to manifest itself, this problem is ignored. The environmental problems are two part: global and regional. The global problems have been cited as climate change (global warming), erosion of the ozone layer, preserving biological diversity, rainforests, and oceans, and toxic chemical. Regional problems include water resources, air quality, energy resources, and land use (overpopulation). This is truly a global problem as it involves both domestic actors (Executive, Congress, Beuracracy (state dept., DOE, DOC, DOD), Interest groups (business, environmental), non-governmental organizations (Greenpeace), experts, the media, and the public) and international actors (154 different governments, non-governmental organizations, and intergovernmental organizations (UN)). These problems are human made. In addition, as the most industrialized power, much of the blame has been placed on the U.S. To solve this problem requires some global initiative with leadership. Thus, the dilemma facing the U.S. is taking this leadership role (as it is responsible for the majority of the problem) while at the same time not making more concessions than it has to.
In addition to the presence of these dilemmas, the U.S. faces another one, arriving at a solution. In any of these situations, environmental, strategic, and economic, there are possible but difficult answers. In terms of global economy, I believe that the U.S. should essentially stop being greedy. The U.S. does not have to have its hands in everything that occurs in the world. If the U.S. is going to engage in global economics, it should act as a regulator or establish a body that will indeed act as a regulatory force and not let companies abuse power. Domestically, the U.S. should conduct an economic policy that will preserve jobs while at the same time satisfy the companies so that they do not flee to other markets. One of the major obstacles in this realm is the conflict of interest between the U.S. government, companies, and other government. As for the environment, global regulation is needed to reduce the amount of pollution produced per country. This problem cannot be solved by military force (except in a situation like Hussein using biological weaponry) but by diplomacy with a global body and a leader. The U.S. should be this leader as it contributes greatly to the world pollution percentage. Furthermore, there needs to be an incentive to force countries and companies to cut down on pollution. This incentive will most likely need to be in the monetary form. If countries are uncooperative, then perhaps legislation needs to be established to make these companies buy the right to pollute or tax on pollution that surpassed a certain set level. Regardless of the specifics, the fact is that to even begin to solve this global environmental problem, a global collective effort is imperative. Lastly, towards what, in my opinion, should be the number one priority of the U.S., the strategic dilemma requires certain actions before it can begin to be solved. First, the U.S. must define its security interests and identify the threats to those interests. After prioritizing these threats, methods to deal with them can be developed. Most likely these methods will be in the forms of military (terrorism and rogue states) and diplomatic negotiations (regional conflicts). Out of these three main policy challenges facing the U.S., I believe that the U.S. should focus on the strategic problem. The fact is that in this post-cold war era, one of the main problems is WMD use. Global warming is at least 50 years away, and the U.S. economy is doing well, because of the Clinton administration. However, there is still ambiguity as to the location of the nuclear weapons possessed by the USSR at the time of its collapse. The issue surrounding WMDs is so volatile because of the reality that tomorrow some radical terrorist can enter the U.S. borders and detonate a weapon. It is because of the very nature of this problem that I believe special attention should be dedicated to this problem over the others in U.S. foreign policy.
Другие работы по теме:
Enlightenment Essay Essay Research Paper Life s
Enlightenment Essay Essay, Research Paper Life s experiences have the tendency to shape and mold us, influencing us to change our perspective. Certain events in life have prepared me to cope with such experiences and all the thoughts and feelings associated with them. Through this agonizing realization, I have gained personal wisdom, understanding, and ultimately been enlightened.
Job Letter Essay Research Paper To Whom
Job Letter Essay, Research Paper To Whom It May Concern: I am enclosing a copy of my resume for your files and review. I am an individual who responds to challenges and works both independently or as a part of a team,
Mcluhan Essay Research Paper While many McLuhanites
Mcluhan Essay, Research Paper While many McLuhanites consider the concept of the Global Village to be prescient, especially in terms of “predicting” the Internet, it is ludicrous to thus “Nostradamus-ize” McLuhan, leaving us to interpret each phrase in terms of some event or invention, nodding sagely at his brilliance each time we make a connection.
Letter To Shareholder Essay Research Paper March
Letter To Shareholder Essay, Research Paper March 5, 1998 Ms. Mary Ruiz 321 Orange Way Green Valley, Ca 90272 Dear Shareholder: This year has been an exciting and profitable one at Nomad. As a shareholder, let us tell you about our recent successes and the challenges we expect in the coming year and beyond. This letter summarizes the high points of the year and provides valuable details about our work in individual areas of the organization, including finance, communications, quality assurance, and travel.
Global Warming Essay Research Paper Like the
Global Warming Essay, Research Paper Like the glass in a greenhouse, certain gases that occur naturally in the atmosphere tend to trap the sun’s heat. This natural "greenhouse
How Would You Describe A Leader And
Leadership Essay, Research Paper A significant part of effective leadership is the close connection between the leader and the follower, which often determines the success of the leader?s mission. Unfortunately, this leader-follower relationship cannot be created according to some simple formula.
Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Teach
Us About Dealing With Challenges Essay, Research Paper The author of the book Sir Gawain and the Green Knight teaches the reader many different things about facing challenges such as how they come unexpecteantly and how they must be faced. Throughout the ballad there are numerous refernces to the challenges that Sir Gawain and the different ways that he must deal with them.
Epic Hero Essay Essay Research Paper In
Epic Hero Essay Essay, Research Paper In the movie The Matrix , there is a character by the name of Neo. Neo is pulled from the world he knows and is trust into the real one. After being shown what the matrix is, he goes on a quest to find truth and meaning in a world of lies and corruption. Neo is an epic hero because he has been chosen to fight an evil force and because he is brave.
The Hero
’s Journey Essay, Research Paper There are eight steps a person must take to become a hero, most noticably an epic hero, in Greek Mythology. These eight steps are the call, the threshold, the challenges, the abyss, the transformation, the revelation, the atonement, and the return.
Global Population Essay Research Paper One of
Global Population Essay, Research Paper One of the biggest problems with the world today is our rapidly growing global population. With the current population being at over 6 billion, every second five people are born and two people die
Global Warming Deforestation Nuclear Waste And Pollution
Essay, Research Paper Q. Discuss some issue of personal, local, or international concern and its importance to you. Through out my high school year I have researched on many issues and all of the issues are important to me. All of the issues are important to me because in a way all of the problems are connected to each other and one problem leads to another.
Global Warming Essay Research Paper My position
Global Warming Essay, Research Paper My position on global warming is that despite the media’s claim of a rising climate, in reality there is no cause for concern. Inane reports regarding global warming are yuppie-tree-hugger propaganda. The information defending their case is misleading and inaccurate.
Industrial Revolution Essay Research Paper How Global
Industrial Revolution Essay, Research Paper How Global Warming Relates to the Industrial Revolution Global Warming relates back to the Industrial Revolution in many ways. During the Industrial Revolution many new inventions were made that would make life easier for people back then and also in the future.
Autisim Essay Research Paper Autism is a
Autisim Essay, Research Paper Autism is a relatively rare occurence it is estimated that it occurs in between 2 to 5 peple in every ten-thousand births. The main factor that makes autistic childeren different from the norm is there lack of sociability. The autistic child does not appear to even want to interact with others and many times prefers self stimulation such as flicking there fingers in front of their face or biting.
Critical Lens Essay Research Paper In life
Critical Lens Essay, Research Paper In life we come to many conflicts. Some are easy some are hard. The quote, “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph” by
Odyssey Essay Research Paper The great muses
Odyssey Essay, Research Paper The great muses are called upon by Homer to tell the great adventure of Odysseus in his travel back to his home. Prayers are given to the Greek Gods and muses by
Hungrey Essay Research Paper Global hunger is
Hungrey? Essay, Research Paper Global hunger is a major concern that effects the whole world. According to Peter Singer ?the whole way we look at moral issues-our moral conceptual scheme
Foreign Bribary Essay Research Paper Since moral
Foreign Bribary Essay, Research Paper Since moral standards vary across cultures, firms that develop in global markets have to face more complex ethical issues than if they just made business in one country and one culture. Laws and customs in one country don’t necessarily agree with the laws and customs from another country and that is what makes the international business system so complex.
Global Problems Essay Research Paper Global problems
Global Problems Essay, Research Paper Global problems affect the modern world. Today?s rapid changes have made countries more interdependent than ever before, shrinking the world into a global village. As the world grows smaller, events in any one area have a greater impact on other parts of the world. National borders do not limit the effects of pollution or environmental destruction.
President Clinton Essay Research Paper The content
President Clinton Essay, Research Paper The content of President Clinton’s speech was elaborated and over zealous. His focus was directed on three topics: the past, the present, and the future. In the introduction, he started by addressing the challenges that will be bestowed upon us in the next century.
England And Global Language Essay Research Paper
This essay will be about the prohibition of English words in France by law. It is quiet a big problem to forbid words only because the government is afraid that it s own language could die. The spread of English all over the world and it s position as global language can t be stopped or disputed and that is why I think that it is irresponsible to outlaw English words.
Global Warming Effects Essay Research Paper How
Global Warming Effects Essay, Research Paper How the World is changing due to the effects caused by Global Warming The reason for this topic is our increasingly changing climate. Every year our climate
Global Crisis Essay Research Paper In times
Global Crisis Essay, Research Paper In times of global crisis, is it reasonable to expect that nation-states will put aside rivalries and join together to deal with the crisis?
Canadian Film Industry Essay Research Paper ConclusionWe
Canadian Film Industry Essay, Research Paper Conclusion: We as Canadians watch movies on a weekly basis. On average, most people rent videos or attend the local movie theatre to attend and view the latest film. However, Canadians are not aware that they have become desensitized to the global Americanization of the U.S. film industry, which has been turned strong by Hollywood.
Education And The Global Economy Essay Research
Paper The idea of “getting rich quick” do to the global economy is very common these days. It is easy to see throughout the articles that many people have built multi-million dollar fortunes because of technology and global based business. It seems that ordinary people who had a vision of a global economy tailored their ideas to fit this new way of life.
The Problem Of Global Warming Essay Research
Paper The Problem of Global Warming The problem of global warming, an increase in the average temperature on Earth, is getting worse. The Earth has warmed 0.3 to 0.6 degrees Celsius since
George Sorors Essay Research Paper Many economists
George Sorors Essay, Research Paper Many economists agree that there is a significant imbalance between the growth of global economy and the development of a free society. One of these economists who agrees with this point is George Soros. Soros bases his dilemma mainly on the Thai crisis that hastened the currency meltdown in Asia.
Welfare Essay Research Paper In brief first
Welfare Essay, Research Paper In brief, first, the global economy has brought with it high rates of unemployment and economic inactivity in much of Europe. It has also generated strong pressures to de-regulate and create flexible labour markets with sharp rises in wage dispersion, part-time, temporary and casual employment particularly in the UK and USA.
Myths Essay Research Paper Is Information Technology
Myths Essay, Research Paper Is Information Technology a good thing? With the invention of the silicon chip, fiber optic cable and satellite communications the information superhighway is real. This global network of computers makes it possible to move massive amounts of information virtually anyplace.
Global Warming 2 Essay Research Paper Global
Global Warming 2 Essay, Research Paper Global Warming I have chosen to speak about Global warming because it is a major scientific issue in the media. Problems facing the environment today are vast and diverse. Destruction of the world’s rain forests, the depletion of the ozone layer, air pollution, water pollution, chemical pollution and global warming are just some of the problems that will reach dangerous proportions in the coming decades.
As The World Grows So Do Our
Challenges Essay, Research Paper As the world grows so do our challenges. Not only are our problems growing in number but they are also growing in complexity. There is scarcely a day that goes by when I don’t
How To Writing A Research Essay Essay
, Research Paper How To Writing A Research Essay The toughest part of the essay, for me, was taking all the information I had gained and reduce it to a mere few pages essay. After all, quality is better
The Human Comedy Essay Research Paper Human
The Human Comedy Essay, Research Paper Human Maturity William Saroyan s The Human Comedy, deals with ravages of life. Due to these trials, Homer is forced to mature. How he matures is a result of facing the challenges. Two very import themes that help homer mature are family and death.