Economics as an Instrument of Power to Curb Pakistan Nuclear Weapons Buildup - Term Paper Example

? Economics as an instrument of power to curb Pakistan nuclear weapons buildup Economics can be of importance to a country in two aspects. One is that it is a dominant element of power and the other as a weak point for a nation. By power it includes the ability to create wealth, produce goods and services, influencing or weakening possible enemies. The United States of America have had all of this along with human and physical capital, labor, a good system of law and order, entrepreneurial activity and geography, that have made it one of the leading economic powers. For many countries which do not have proper international trade relations, economics had been a point of weakness, with lower standard of living and wealth. Economics as a subject is at the centre of world attention, as it is through it that nations could face problems in their societies, ranging from stock market crash, to disasters, to devaluation of the currency or depression, economics involve the use of limited resources, its management and procuring additional resources. It is the method procurement which often runs debates in the local, as well in the international circles. Locally, the government might agree or disagree to views, and internationally rivals may limit the access to strategic resources (Chun, pp 4-5). The following report explores how economics is an element of national power and how has it helped to curb possible terrorist threats from certain third world countries like Pakistan. Pakistan’s nuclear arms build up Pakistan is a developing country situated in Asia, and suffers from many economics problems. It requires billions of dollars in foreign aid to feed its people, impart education to children and to fight insurgents, yet it was in the process of building a fourth nuclear reactor to produce more weapon fuel. Experts suggest that even without a reactor it had manufactured fuel for additional weapons and can soon be the world’s fifth largest arsenal, ahead of India and Britain. Threats include a possible takeover by the terrorists or the extremists by toppling the government of Pakistan and that can lead to a disaster. The biggest threat for Pakistan is not India, but rather the Taliban, and this has to be understood. Policies that can stop this mad race for nuclear arms can be taken by the United States by simply stopping all its financial help, but it can lead a whole lot of complications and destabilize Pakistan. What the US realizes is that stopping it is very difficult as countries such as India and China are also involved in the arms build ups, but slowing it down can be of significant help (Pakistan's Nuclear Folly, 2011). How economics can be used as an element of power Most people think of national power related to military power, there actually a lot more to it than the use of military power. A strong economy is that which can allow its leaders to choose some appropriate or desired end. Initially the United States had defined what people used to call an economic power. It had led the war against the Axis powers, fed millions of people around the world in aid and supplied materials wherever required. As times have changed and with the advent of Globalization the United States and other countries have to go beyond shores to get what they need. National leaderships can take various economic approaches to address any impending security concerns, by various economic methods. A country can always persuade or use its influence to change certain policies of other countries, such as reducing a trade import policy can make another nation agree to certain terms. A powerful country like the USA could force to change the behavior of any of its adversaries if they pose any threat to international security. Lastly, a nation can end certain capabilities of the other nation by defeating them in some aim, such as overproducing something which the rival aims to produce to a certain capacity (Chun, pp.8-9). How the US achieves its goals as an economic power Foreign aid is a major component of the US budget and important for the US foreign policy. It has become even more strategic after the September 11 attacks and has been mostly contributing to the global fight against terror (Tarnoff and Nowels, p.40). Apart from fighting terrorism, the US had also embarked on other separate goals, to promote economic growth, to reduce poverty and to reduce the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. It aims to help those countries that have strong commitments of economic, social and economic reforms. Other important reasons for foreign aid include peace in the Middle East, democracy in many small countries, checking drug and trafficking (Tarnoff and Nowels, p.40). Israel and Egypt are two countries that have received cash flow funding from the US, that is, to acquire defense goods and services that can be paid over time, in installments. This is one of US assistance programs that are designed to support US government interests, such as taking care of transnational threats, closer military ties and protection of democracy, all in the form of financial assistance (Christoff, pp 8-9). When India and Pakistan conducted their nuclear tests in 1998, many world countries condemned the act and many of the trading partners took away their economic sanctions. The US also prohibited foreign aid to the Pakistan when the country fell into debt. After 9/11 the US rescheduled the debt, and Pakistan became eligible to get aid from the US only if it conducted free and fair elections. In 2001, to maintain parity between India and Pakistan, the US President removed all sanctions against the two countries. However Pakistan continues be not legally eligible for benefits from the US since the Musharaf government took over forcefully from the democratic government (Rennack, pp.14-17). National Security Decision Making Some of the security stratifies of America can be listed as, to champion aspirations of human dignity, strengthen alliances to fight terrorism and prevent attacks, defuse regional conflicts, prevent threats, economic growth through free market and free trade, building infrastructure for democracy, cooperation among main centers of global power, improve America’s security to meet new threats and to auger globalization. Behind each of America’s policies lie the hands of many types of policymakers. Although the policies look plain and simple, there are often many factors that bias the decision making process, and the Federal Budget Process (Turregano and Mason, pp 273). There are many factors responsible for the decline in the power of the Congress in the field of national security decision making. There have been speculations regarding the presence of lobbyists. These groups have abundant power and have a great influence on the Congressional decisions. It is not that all Congress members are influenced, but many of them are. Money is power, and that is proved in such circumstances and cuts out the effectiveness of a decisions. Many important weapons acquisitions programs have been halted or the focus has been shifted from such issues, mainly due the influence of the lobbyists on the Congress. Most Congress members usually pay attention to short term goals, but the long term ones usually get shifted out of focus (Mearsheimer and Wal, pp 298, 299). It is said that the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee’s had had a major influence on the US policies in the Middle East. The influence of the lobbyists can have an adverse impact, such as a campaign for regime change in Syria can influence the US to attack the countries with potential disastrous effects. Lobby remains a powerful force and the bad effects of those are difficult to hide (Mearsheimer and Wal, pp 298,299; Friedberg, pp 353-354) Another important element which influences the decisions of the US think tanks is the interest groups. These have been regarded as the gatekeepers between the public and the government where it receives the public’s feelings and then channels it to the government as a public policy. These groups then act exactly like lobbyists after that and try to influence the members of the Congress (Calhoun, 2002, pp 288-289; Ben-Ami, 357, 358). Think tanks, another element of national security decision making, affect the decision making by giving original ideas and options for policies, providing ready pool of experts for employment in the government, offering venues for high level discussions, educating the people of USA about the world and helps US policy makers to solve international conflicts. Such think tanks include the Institute for International Economics (IIE), Centre for Strategic and International Studies, to name some. Think tanks offer many benefits, such as new types of thinking that changes the way the USA makes decisions, unaffected by political positions, they offer comprehensive unbiased reports and suggestions and help rank priorities. They also provide fresh talent to help in the decision making (Haass, pp.282-285). Conclusion Economic policies have helped America shape their foreign policies for a long time and will keep doing so in the future. Power, that we know is very flexible, and when it is used in a wise manner in addition to politics, military and informational elements, it is hard to win against. Economics is thus important for the rulers of a country to understand, it is a great tool to influence and change the course of action of any other country. As globalization spreads all over the world, economics as an element of power will gain greater influence in all countries around the world. References Ben-Ami, S. (2005), The Complex Truth, Hijacking America’s Middle East policy is not so easy. Foreign Policy Calhoun, W. M. (2002), Interest Groups Chun, C. K. S., Economics: American Element of Power or Source of Vulnerability? Christoff, J. A. Security Assistance: State and DOD Need to Assess How the Foreign Military Financing Program for Egypt Achieves U.S. Foreign Policy and Security Goals Friedberg, A., An Uncivilized Argument Claiming that the lobby endangers America is irresponsible and wrong. Haass, R N, Think Tanks and U.S. Foreign Policy: A Policy-Maker’s Perspective. Mearsheimer, J. and Wal, S., The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy Pakistan's Nuclear Folly, (2011), Opinion Pages, New York Times Rennack, D E., India and Pakistan: U.S. Economic Sanctions. Tarnoff, C. and Nowels, L., Foreign Aid: An Introductory Overview of U.S. Programs and Policy Turregano, C.G, and Mason, D, Congress, Constitution and The Federal Budget Read More