The Economy, Global Finance, and Inequality - Research Paper Example

? The Economy, Global Finance, and Inequality The foreign policies of different countries vary according to the events that take place in the countries. Certain events can occur in a country and influence its foreign policy; for instance, terrorist attacks or declaration of war by certain groups. This assignment will discuss the 9/11 attacks on U.S. and how they influenced the foreign policy of the United States. Moreover, the paper will lay emphasis on how the 9/11 attacks affected global finance in the United States. In a special way, the paper will look into the impacts of the terrorist attacks on the GDP, fiscal and monetary policies, investments, and the balance of trade. The Economy, Global Finance, and Inequality Introduction After the 9/11 attacks, America realized that it could not trust anyone entering her borders. In response to the terrorist attacks, U.S. immediately began to develop an aggressive foreign policy. Resulting from the attacks, George Bush increased spending on defense and focused on protecting the country against future attacks (Wright, 2007). Changes in strategies, which focused on cracking down terrorists, were established; for example, the Department of Homeland Security was developed. This ensured safety of citizens and promoted domestic peace. The country also began investigations of illegal immigrants entering its borders. In addition, America also strengthened ties with Japan, Pakistan, and India. Change in the U.S. foreign policy was directed towards protecting businesses and citizens and defeating terrorist groups. The 9/11 attacks refer to a sequence of four suicide attacks which were committed in the U.S. on 11th September, 2001. The attacks were coordinated to strike Washington D.C. and New York City (Gow, 2002). The attacks were done by 19 terrorists from the terrorist group known as al-Qaeda, which is an Islamist militant group. During the attacks, the terrorists hijacked four jets carrying passengers. The group intentionally piloted two of the planes into the Twin Towers, making the towers collapse. This destroyed the World Trade Center complex located in the New York City. The group also directed American Airlines Flight 77 to the Pentagon in Virginia. However, the group’s intention to direct the fourth plane to a target in Washington failed after the plane crashed near Shanksville when its passengers tried to take control of the plane (Wyndham, 2011). The attacks led to deaths of approximately 3000 people: all the passengers boarding the four planes died together with all the 19 hijackers, and 227 civilians died from the attacks. Osama, the leader of the terrorist group, admitted responsibility for the attacks after several investigations. Osama and his group gave the United States reasons for establishing the 9/11 attacks. Some of the reasons for the attacks include support of Israel by the U.S, the existence of U.S. army in Saudi Arabia, and U.S. sanctions against Iraq (Bodden, 2007). The United States responded to the 9/11 attacks through initiating the war on terror policy and invading Afghanistan with a mission of disposing the Taliban, who had harbored al-Qaeda. The attacks made most countries strengthen their antiterrorism laws and develop law enforcement powers (Scott, 2007). Political and Non-State Actors Both political and non-state actors were involved in one way or another during the event of 9/11. The political actors involved include the president and the Congress. The president during the event was George Bush, who reacted to the event with a lot of aggressiveness. The president played a role during the event through acting swiftly in addressing the issue of rescue and recovery. The president addressed the issue through setting up relief funds which assisted the victims of the attacks (Wyndham, 2011). The relief funds provided financial assistance to several survivors of the attacks and to the different families of the victims. The president also played a role in guiding the Congress in amending changes, especially in the foreign policy of the country. Through the president assent of such changes, citizens’ hopes were revived after the 9/11 attacks. The Congress helped in overseeing the passage of some bills. After the attacks, the Congress passed the Homeland Security Act which was geared towards the advancement of security of citizens. The Congress also established the USA Patriot Act which could assist in detecting and prosecuting terrorists. On the other hand, non-state actors in the event of 9/11 attacks comprised the non-governmental organizations and the terrorist group. The terrorist group played the role of hijacking the four planes and initiating the attacks on the Twin Towers. The terrorists were also responsible for killing of innocent civilians during the attacks. Non-governmental organizations helped in the life saving mission. The organizations were involved in rescuing injured victims and providing medical services to the injured (Scott, 2007). Major Factors Affecting Foreign Policy Decisions and International Relations The need to change the foreign policy of the United States after 9/11 attacks was influenced by three principal factors. One of the factors was the need for security. America reviewed its foreign policy in order to provide security to its citizens, business and the country at large. The need for security was crucial since, without security, businesses, citizens and the entire country would live under threats, which would affect developments in the country. Another chief factor, which influenced changes in the foreign policy of America, was the need to eliminate terrorism (Fenster, 2009). Through changing its foreign policy, America could curb terrorism in the country. After the 9/11 attacks, America discovered that it could not trust any of the individuals entering its borders, and, hence, had to establish the Patriot Act in order to decrease cases of terrorism. Moreover, in its attempt to eliminate terrorism, it had to eliminate Taliban which harbored the terrorist group, al-Qaeda. This affected the international relations of America and Afghanistan, but America had to continue with its policy of eliminating terrorism. In addition, another chief factor influencing the foreign policy decision was the need to enhance peace in the country and with other nations. Through the elimination of terrorism, citizens in the country could live in peace since there would be no threat to security. In addition, through the policy of preventing and eliminating terrorism, the United States could live in harmony with other nations since there would be no blame or conflicts emanating from such attacks. Hence, the decision to change the United States foreign policy assisted in promoting international relations since there could be no conflicts emanating from terrorism cases between America and other nations (Beardsworth, 2012). Analysis Using Theories of International Politics The 9/11 attacks made Bush administration declare war on terror, and subsequent initiation of war in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan invasion received support from the international community because the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) had lawfully endorsed the mission (Beardsworth, 2012). On the other hand, the Iraq was not legally supported by the international law. The United States applied the doctrine of pre-emption in attacking Iraq and its goal was to change the regime. It can be argued that trailing of U.S foreign policy after the 9/11 attacks disproves idealist perspective that realism is obsolete. Despite the legality of the Afghanistan war, the subsequent Iraq war depicts that international institutions, hence, international law can be disregarded in case they become obstacles to the national interests of principal powers. The declaration of war by the United States led theorists of international politics to figure out the reasons and justifications for the origin of the war. This led to just war theory. This theory suggested that declaration of war is not the last resort under the idealist supposition; instead, war becomes a tool of foreign policy. The invasion of Iraq presents an example of this shift because the United States had other alternatives like calling for international sanctions or considering police action. According to this theory, it can be assumed that the United States had hidden agendas behind its initiation of war on terror (Waltz, 2010). Another theory of international politics which analyzes the U.S. foreign policy decision is the realist theory. According to this theory, the United States invasion on Iraq and subsequent policies can be explicitly viewed as the reemergence of a dominant power’s sphere of influence. According to this theory, U.S. exercised dominance over Iraq in initiating war (Bunyavejchewin, 2012). Conclusion The 9/11attacks were coordinated to strike Washington D.C. and New York City. The attacks were done by 19 terrorists from the group al-Qaeda which iss an Islamist militant group. The need to change the foreign policy of the United States after 9/11 attacks were influenced by three principal factors which include the need for security, elimination of terrorism, and promotion of peace. The United States applied the doctrine of pre-emption in attacking Iraq and its goal was to change the regime. It can be argued that trailing of U.S foreign policy after the 9/11 attacks disproves idealist perspective that realism is obsolete. Despite the legality of the Afghanistan war, the subsequent Iraq war depicts that international institutions and international law can be disregarded in case; they become obstacles to the national interests of principal powers. According to realist theory, the United States invasion on Iraq and subsequent policies can be explicitly viewed as the reemergence of a dominant power’s sphere of influence. References Bodden, V. (2007). The 9/11 Terror Attacks. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Beardsworth, R. (2012). American policy on terrorism. Journal of International Political Theory 8 (2). Bunyavejchewin, P. (2012). Theories of International Politics after the Incident of 9/11. Journal of the richness and weakness of realist tradition in the twenty-first century 4(6). Fenster, M. (2009). Conspiracy Theories: secrecy and power in America culture. New York: University of Minnesota Press. Gow, M. (2002). Attack on America: the Day the Twin Towers Collapsed. New York: Prentice Hall. Scott, D. P. (2007). The Road to 9/11: wealth, empire, and the future of America. London: University of California Press. Waltz, N.K. (2010). Theory of International Politics. Washington: Waveland Press. Wright, L. (2007). The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11. New York: McGraw-Hill. Wyndham, D.J. (2011). The Pentagon Attack: Problems with Theories Alternative to Large Plane Impact. Journal of international policy 32 (3). Read More