International Relations and the World of Trade - Essay Example

Answer Globalization and advancing technology have significantly influenced international relations. The inter dependency of s in the processof socio-economic development has become a highly pertinent issue. In the international relations, while the state remains the central focus, Waltz (1979: 93, 94) asserts that ‘states are not and never have been the only international actors….importance of nonstate actors and the extent of transnational activities are obvious’. Indeed, the role of non state actors like inter-government organization or IGOs, transnational corporations and non government organization or NGOs have increasingly become more prominent in the national and international forum. Indeed, the economic integration through liberalization of trade and de-regulation by the states has redefined global economy in terms of inter-dependency of resources. Most importantly, it is designed towards more equitable distribution of resources vis-à-vis goods and human capital across the geographical boundaries. Role of non state actors is emphasized in conflict resolution, negotiation process and raising issues that influence common interests like international peace, environment and sustainable development, human rights, financial aid etc. The barriers in cooperation develop due to exigencies and political dichotomy within the states and nexus between goals of non state actors and international trade (Gourevitch, 2002). The external factors like socio-economic, political and environment have huge impact on trade. They create a nexus between the non state actors and issues that considerably impact civil society. Stiglitz (2007) says that interests of nations are compromised by the American hegemony in the international financial institutes like World Bank and IMF. NGOs mostly use social concerns to influence international trade policies and methods of operations. As such, major barrier to cooperation occurs when the wider interests of the society are threatened by the vested interests of the few like TNCs and international agencies and financial institutions which are influenced by powerful nations like America. (words: 302) Answer 2 Within the broader precinct of security, the national and international policies that address the factors which are threat to people and climate, have emerged as vital issues in international relations. Climate security is intrinsically linked to human security (ipcc, 2008). The limited natural resources like water, land and fresh air are being taken for granted with scarce regard for future. The unprecedented population growth has further jeopardized the security of people as it not only increases burden on natural resources but is also a key constituent of climate change. The dramatic change in climate across the globe has resulted in major natural disasters like Tsunami, hurricane Katrina etc which have impacted human security and unparallel economic loss not only for the people but also for the nations. As such, climate security has become important issue. It promotes guidelines for sustainable practices that would ensure sustainability of natural resources. It helps in continuous supply of natural resources like land, water, clean air, energy and food with proper waste disposal system. Hence, the issue is increasingly being viewed as serious security threat for the survival of human race. The challenges of environment conservation and preservation which results in climate change are gigantic. The threat to human security due to causes and consequences of climate change are real and require collective actions. Pielke et al (2003) believe that extreme weather conditions and natural disasters caused by climate change can be contributed to the regions having poor infrastructure, huge populations etc. Moreover, it adversely impacts the living conditions across the globe. Various global initiatives like Kyoto protocol was an important framework of Convention of Climate change that had developed guidelines for its member states to restrict greenhouse emissions. But Cancun Climate Change Agreement was highly successful in uniting developed countries in curbing their carbon emission (Cancun, 2010). It had identified drivers of climate change and promoted action plans to mitigate those factors on a global basis. (words: 322) Answer 3 The pandemic of HIV/AIDS threatens not only the local population but it has widespread implications for the rest of the world. According to UNAIDS Global Report (2010) more than 33 million adults and children are affected with HIV/AIDS. In recent times, it has emerged as single most powerful reason that can destroy not only families and communities but also fracture the socio-economic and political system of a nation. The pervasive nature of HIV/AIDS has become a major international threat because it impacts the international trade as well as peacekeeping efforts. Ostergard (2004) says that peacekeeping forces coming from nations with higher rate of AIDS are likely to adversely impact the operational efficiency of the troop. The response to international threat is not only impeded by the ability of the peacekeeping forces but it also has adverse impact on their national security which is unable to act quickly due to debilitating effects of HIV/AIDS. Though, Sub Saharan countries have the highest prevalent rate of HIV, the need to include African forces in the UN peacekeeping troop is heightened due to their proximity to strife ridden African nations like Somalia, Ethiopia etc where UN intervention is required at short notice. The HIV/AIDS therefore become a major international threat for military and other security agencies. It is also a key factor that threatens the involvement of global business community to participate in the development processes of under developed and developing nations. Rotberg (2002) believes that high incidence of AIDS weakens a nation that subsequently become failed states and become easy target for terrorists. Afghanistan is prime example of failed government machinery that had helped to strengthen terrorist activities of Osama Bin Ladin. Hence, it is very important to address HIV/AIDS in order to reduce the threat to international security. (words: 296) Answer 4 Organized crimes can broadly be described as illegal activities which are carried out in systematic manner by a group of people for gaining power and monetary benefits. The organized crime operates at all level of hierarchy from regional, state to transnational operations. Mallory (2006) says that organized crime may comprise of supplying illegal goods and services, including but not limited to gambling, prostitution, loan-sharking, narcotics, labor racketeering and other activities of the members of the organization. In recent times, terrorism has evolved as most menacing format of transnational crimes that has resulted in unparalleled violence. Terrorism, money laundering, narcotics, human trafficking etc. are seen as threat to the stability nations and critical element of international security. Indeed, with strong nexus across borders, the organized crime undermines the autonomy of the state and affects the state sovereignty. Shanty and Mishra (2008: 295) say that increased globalization and opening of national borders has provided ‘greater opportunities for transnational criminal operations than ever before’. The technology has further aided and abetted the criminal activities through increased mobility across borders and communication which has been redefined by internet. Indeed, while the history of organized crime is not new, the expansion of the same across nations has now become a major concern for the nation state as they endanger the democratic structure and pose serious threat to is national security. Another important aspect of transnational organized crime is access to information through mass media and exploiting the same to increase nefarious activities in liaison with legitimate business activities. Indeed, the money laundering, big financial scams and arms trafficking are often done under the disguise of legitimate business dealings. The diversity and ethnicity of region also leads to transnational network of organized criminal activities that are designed to promote their vested interests on global platform (Myers, 1995). (words: 301). Answer 5 WHO (1996) has defined food security as when all people have access to sufficient, good nutritious food at all times so as to maintain good health and active life. Food and Agricultural Organization estimates that 850 million people across the world are under nourished and have little or no access to sufficient and nutritious food. Around 39 countries are living under severe food insecurity and require external aid to service (FAO, 2009). They live under extreme condition of poverty with scarce resources. Sub Saharan countries are important examples where colonial rulers had stripped them of the resources and derived them of basic human needs like clean water, housing and food. The food security therefore has emerged has priority area for international agencies and the world at large. In other words, food insecurity is intrinsically linked to abject poverty and is an inconsolable process of cyclic and degenerative continuity where resources are sold to fulfill the current hunger requirements. It is also often accompanied by insufficient food; inadequate quality or social mechanisms that highlight low accessibility. Badgley et al. (2007) assert that food insecurity has strong linkages with the organic agriculture and land reforms that can provide people with fertile land so that they can grow food for survival as well as to improve the standard of living. Furthermore, sustainability of resources is vital to the development of society. Sustainable farming and agriculture have become hugely critical issues within sustainable business practice. The concept of sustainable farming facilitates multidimensional perspectives of economic activities that help the people to understand and exploit the land on a long term basis. Most pertinently, in poverty ridden countries, one of the major reasons for food insecurity is the migration of agricultural labor to urban areas. The rented farming had also exploited farmers and benefited the owners. The reforms in agricultural law would therefore, considerably motivate the farmers and may induce reverse migration of farm labors. (words: 320) Answer 6 Migration of people from one region to another and from one country to another has been influenced by hordes of issues but the most important one being that of economic prosperity. In the recent times, rapid globalization and technological advancement have greatly revolutionized the labor processes. Hanson (2009) says that America has more than 12 million illegal immigrants. In fact, the concept of temporary employees is increasingly becoming popular amongst the employers for various reasons. Indeed, it has also encouraged illegal migration of workers across the borders. The cheap labor for employers and better economic prospects for illegal immigrants who come from poorer nation provide win-win situation for business but great administrative problems for the state. The state is therefore faced with myriad challenges of managing unauthorized migration. Various issues like education of children, basic human standard of living with adequate supply of food, house and income have become critical factors for managing illegal immigrants. Sobel (2009) argues that while the root cause of migration, legal or otherwise, ‘lies within the developing nations, but trade, investment and aid policies of the industrial nations can accelerate migration reducing changes’. This is a very pertinent issue in the context of globalization when sharing of human capital can be judiciously exploited by nations. Illegal immigration is also seen as infringement on the rights of legitimate citizens. Khadaroo (2011) strongly believes that they are outsiders who are depriving legal immigrants and citizens of their right to employment and other benefits. Indeed, illegal migration of people adversely impacts the nation’s economy in terms of taxes and extra burden of food and other services that are not accounted for. Most importantly, the interests of marginalized population of legal immigrants are also impacted and they are unable to integrate with the mainstream population. Hence, state’s role and responsibilities are challenged in the new scenario where legal immigrants are often deprived of their rights vis-à-vis education, employment and social justice. (words: 322) Reference Badgley C., Moghtader, J., Quintero, E., et al.  (2007) ‘Organic Agriculture and the Global Food Supply’, Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, vol. 22, pp. 86-108. Cancun Climate summit. (29 November, 2010) Available: http://www.guardian.co.in FAO. (October, 2009) Food Security and Agricultural Mitigation in Developing Countries: Options for Capturing Synergies. Available: http://www.fao.org/docrep/012/i1318e/i1318e00.pdf Gourevitch, Peter (2002) ‘Domestic Politics and International Relations.’ In Handbook of International Relations, ed. W. Carlsnaes, T. Risse and B. A. Simmons. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Hanson, Gordon N. (2009) The Economics and Policy of Illegal Immigration in the United States. Washington DC: Migration Policy Institute. Available: www.migrationpolicy.org. IPCC. (2007) Climate Change 2007: impacts, adaptation and vulnerability – contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Inter-government Panel on Climate Change. UK: Cambridge University Press. Mallory, Stephen L. (2006) Understanding Organized Crime, NY: Jones & Barlett Publishers. Myers III, W.H. (1995) ‘The global webs: the structure and activities of transnational ethnic Chinese criminal groups’, Transnational Organized Crime, vol. 1, pp. 1-36. Ostergard, Robert L. (2004) HIV/AIDS, the Military and the Future of Africas Security. In Paper presented at the ISA annual convention, Montreal, Canada, March 17-20, 2004. Montreal, Canada. Pielke, R.A., J. Rubiera, C. Landsea,M.L. Fernandez and R.Klein. (2003) ‘Hurricane vulnerability in Latin America and the Caribbean: normalized damage and loss potentials’, Natural Hazards Review, vol. 4, pp. 101-114. Rotberg, Robert I. (2002) ‘Failed States in a World of Terror’, Foreign Affairs vol. 81, no. 4, pp. 127 - 142. 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