How Successful is America's Policy in Promoting Democracy since World War II - Coursework Example

How Successful is Americas Policy in Promoting Democracy since World War 2? Total Number of Words: 2,500 Table of Contents I. Introduction ………………………………………………………………… 3 II. Definition of Democracy ………………………………………………….. 4 III. Reasons Why US Promotes Democracy ……………………………….. 4 IV. The Need to Shift from the Use of Military Forces to Nation Building .. 5 V. Importance of International Relations …………………………………… 6 VI. Most Recent Issues on the Development of International Relations … 7 a. About Kyoto Agreement ……………………………………… 8 VII. Different Possible Approaches that the United States can Use in Maintaining its Political Power in the World Politics …………. 10 VIII. Contemporary Trends and Developments of International Relations with the Asia-Pacific …………………………… 11 IX. Conclusion ………………………………………………………………… 12 References ……………………………………………………………………… 13 - 15 Introduction Since the early 1900s, the United States has been using their military forces as a way of gaining democracy (Schoenherr, 2005). Despite the negative consequences of going into war1, the United States has been strongly determined in invading foreign countries and eventually exerted a lot of effort in establishing a democratic system which could benefit the US economy and strengthen its political power within international markets (Robert & Jervis, 2008: p. 466). Since the use of military failed to enable the United States to accomplish its mission, the US government was forced to shift from use the traditional military forces towards the promotion of nation building. For this study, the word ‘democracy’ will first be defined followed by discussing the valid reasons why the US promote democracy, the need to shift from the use of military forces to nation building, and the importance of international relations to give the readers a better idea of the subject matter. Eventually, some of the most recent issues with regards to the development of international relations will be identified and critically examined. In the process of discussing the developments in international relations, the different possible approaches and strategies that the United States can use in maintaining its political power despite the uncontrollable changes in the governance of the world politics will be thoroughly discussed. Prior to conclusion, the most recent contemporary trends and developments of international relations with the Asia-Pacific will be tackled in terms of its importance. Definition of Democracy Democracy is “a governmental system that provides for peaceful competition for positions of power at regular intervals, open participation in the election of leaders and policies, and civil and political liberties that ensure the legitimacy of competition and participation” (Diamond et al., 1999: p. 2). On the other hand, the US Department of State defines democracy as “a government by the people in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system” (International Information Programs, 2008). Based on the definitions of democracy, a democratic form of government allows the local citizens to have the power to vote and influence the development of major economic and political policy or decisions made by the government officials (Hill, 1994: p. 4, 21). Reasons Why US Promotes Democracy Among the main reasons that had strongly encouraged the United States to invade one country after another is to strengthen its own political and economic power. For this reason, the administrations of Bush and Clinton has been so much focused on establishing and strengthening a government policy that promotes the spread of establishing a democratic government around the world. (Hillman, Peeler, & Da Silva, 2002: p. 103) Basically, the use of democratic form of government is prone to develop the culture of having political corruption (Gay & Alekseeva, 2004: p. 2). Having successfully established a corrupt political government such as in the case of the Philippines, it will be much easier on the part of the US government to indirectly control some of the Philippine government’s decision which will be in favor of the US economic growth. Aside from economic purposes, the US government also established a strong relationship with the Philippines to enable them to maintain a stable US military base within the Philippine jurisdiction in case the US government would decide to enter into war with other countries nearby Asian countries. Even though the US military bases treaty for Subic Naval Station and the Clark Air Force Base2 ended back in 1992 (Peoples Daily Online, 2008), the United States has been persistent in re-establishing a permanent US military base at the Southern island of Mindanao (Scarpello, 2006). Since the US government is very much determined in establishing permanent US military bases in foreign countries, it is possible for the use of democratic government to promote global violence (Gay & Alekseeva, 2004: p. 24). The Need to Shift from the Use of Military Forces to Nation Building After many years of using the US military in spreading democracy across the world, the US government realizes the long-term negative impact associated with the excessive use of military forces in terms of gaining international political and economic power. The problem with using military forces as way of gaining democratic power is that some countries that the United States has once dominated would eventually regain its economic and political power over a certain period of time. As a result of having back their freedom, some of these countries end up developing their own democratic policy such as in the case of Haiti (Stotzky, 2002: p. 125) making it difficult on the part of the United States to manipulate. In some cases, countries like the Arab chose to remain strong in terms of avoiding the use of political, social, and economic democracy even though the United States had once invaded and controlled them (Robert & Jervis, 2008: p. 467). Considering the negative economic, political, and social consequences caused by using military forces, a lot of countries are now actively participating in the establishment and strengthening of the worldwide movements against the use of military forces. Since the United States is somehow convinced that excessive use of the military forces will only result to a temporary economic and political gain, the country has started to shift its political approach from the use of excessive military power towards the global promotion on the importance of nation building. This is primary the main reason why the United States has introduced the concept of globalization in the world market. Since the United States has personally experienced the consequences of using military forces, the modern use of democratic rule that we have today is no longer accompanied with the use of military takeovers (Hillman, Peeler, & DaSilva, 2002: p. 3). Importance of International Relations International relations is basically referring to the study of developing international policy by examining the past and current international relations between two countries, the global economic development, diplomacy, and foreign policy which could significantly affect a country’s economic growth. (American Military University, 2008) Since we are now facing the era of globalization, it is important for each country to be knowledgeable on the past and present developments of international relations. China, having as much as 60% of its GDP being traded around the world (Annual Conference in Queens Centre for International Relations, 2005), the country is considered to be one of the most active players in the world economy. For this reason, the World Trade Organization (WTO) among other important groups had given China the benefit to actively participate in the development of international relations. As a result, China has a strong power to influence major decisions in the development and implementation of issues related to international relations. In the past, only the United States and Europe were significantly influencing the global system (Robert & Jervis, 2008: p. 560). Since there were only few countries that rules the global system, United States was able to make use of its relationship with Europe for its own political and economic benefits. Even though the Unites States is still a part of the major decision makers of internal relations, not only China but also other non-western countries like Brazil, India, and Japan have been invited to join the development of international policies as a result of globalization (Diringer, 2007). This makes the modern global systems more complex, denser multi-layered governing institutions. (Robert & Jervis, 2008: p. 561) Most Recent Issues on the Development of International Relations After a short span of 10 years, two major non-western countries like China and India have been showing positive signs of being able to outperform the economic performance of the United States and Europe as the top five major economic players in the world system (Robert & Jervis, 2008: p. 560). As China and India continue to grow in terms of its economic progress, these two major non-western countries were able to establish a very strong political force in the world market world politics as they try to implement significant changes within the existing global systems (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Peoples Republic of China, 2008). During the past few years, Chinese government has been actively participating in analyzing the trend and development of a multilateral diplomacy which in-charge them in handling the political, economic, social, and cultural issues of the United Nations and other inter-governmental international organizations (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Peoples Republic of China, 2008). As part of the most recent issues on international relations includes: (1) the United Nations Convention against Corruption (Jinzhang, 2006); and (2) the climate change rolling work plan in relation with the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Peoples Republic of China, 2006 & 2005) among others. Similar to China, India is also actively participating in the on-going development of Kyoto Protocol (Diringer, 2007). Aside from strictly implementing the punishment on corruption, the strengthening of the Kyoto agreement alone is already very sensitive issue on the part of the United States. About Kyoto Agreement Entered into force back in March 1994, the Kyoto Agreement is an international convention on climate change that sets a framework for the intergovernmental efforts to handle the challenges in relation to the climate change. (UNFCC, 2007) This pact is the first world international agreement to fight global warming. (White, 2007) It recognizes the shared climate system wherein its stability could be greatly affected by industrial activities as well as other emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. As part of the agreement, a total of 191 countries gather and share information with regards to the greenhouse gas emissions, national policies and best practices (UNFCC, 2007). Based on the gathered information, the authorities behind this convention would launch national strategies in order to address the greenhouse gas emission problems. The countries that signed for the ratification of the contract would then adopt these strategies. Surprisingly, the United States accounts for 25% of the global greenhouse emissions all over the world. Even though President Bill Clinton signed the Kyoto agreement back in 1997, the U.S. Senate refused to implement the agreement because of its potential damage and slow down to the U.S. economic growth. Because of the high investment cost and opportunity loss associated with implementing the Kyoto agreement, a large number of local businesses will be highly affected and millions of job opportunities will be lost in case the U.S. continues to join the Kyoto (White, 2007). In relation with the negative impact of the need to participate in the Kyoto agreement, President George Bush pulled the U.S. out of the Kyoto accords in 2001. According to President Bush, “it is unrealistic and ever-tightening straitjacket” (White, 2007). Different Possible Approaches that the United States can Use in Maintaining its Political Power in the World Politics The case of the United States is a good example of a powerful but declining state. (Robert & Jervis, 2008: p. 561) In order to maintain its power within the global systems, the United States has no other choice but to strengthen its position with the G-8 and G-203 or consider the need to promote the implementation of a regional governance insitutions (Robert & Jervis, 2008: p. 562). G-8 is basically composed of France, the United States, Britain, Germany, Japan, Italy, Canada, and the European Community among others which started back in 1975. (G8 Information Centre, 2008a) Eventually, Russia decided to join G-8 in 2006 (G8 Information Centre, 2008b). As part of strengthening its micro- and macroeconomic activities, the G8 work as a group by carefully studying the different strategic ways that will enable them to continue building international trade with developing countries. Similar to the international relations, G-8 members are also active in tackling issues related to terrorism, energy, and environmental matters. Established back in 1999, G-20 is a relatively new group which is composed of finance ministers and central bank governors that manages the economic and financial policy used by the G-8 members (Kirton, 2008). Basically, minimizing the flaws of integrating its economic activities will still enable the United States to maintain and improve its economic performance in the near future. Considering that the Unites States is power over the international relations is gradually declining, the US should consider strengthening its regional governance institutions as a way of strengthening the economic progress of the country. For example, the US government may decide to increase the importation tax rate in order to promote a more healthy economic activities within the country. By increasing the importation taxes, US-based companies will have no other choice but to maintain the production within the country. As a result, more people will have the opportunity to be employed. Contemporary Trends and Developments of International Relations with the Asia-Pacific As compared to the US-led global system, the most recent trends and developments of the international relations within the Asia-pacific region is very much focused on giving the members of the international relations the benefit of not only being able to voice out their major economic and political concerns but also the economic protection these countries needed in order to enable them to sustain the challenges associated with globalization (Robert & Jervis, 2008: . p. 561). In the past, the members of the global system were being strongly manipulated by the United States in such a way that their selected alliances are given the priority to manage and rule over certain decisions which constitutes the world systems. Today, the World Bank together with the IMF decided to consider the economic performance of each country (Robert & Jervis, 2008: p. 562). Since China has the fastest growing economy in terms of its gross domestic product (GDP), the country is given more power to rule over the international relations. On the contrary, this form of qualification standards would eventually disqualify the United States to voice out their opinions over the issues related to the international relations. Conclusion The redistribution of world political power did not only seriously endanger the United States’ position in controlling the international policies but will also negatively affect its long-term economic performance. Even though the United States have large sum of trade deficits, the country will still able to rule the world system provided that the United States will remain an active member of the international relations. Considering that the World Bank and the IMF is serious on implementing the qualification standards when regards to the decision-making power over the international policies, there is a greater chance that the United States will lose its political power to govern the Asia-pacific part of the world. It is not clear whether or not the United States has really been successful in terms of exerting the effort to promote democracy across the world. Since there is a strong possibility that the United States will lose its voice on international relations as a result of introducing globalization in the world market, the US government has no other choice but to strengthen its economic performance. This is possible by utilizing its fiscal and monetary policy to encourage the promotion of the regional governance institutions. Another way to strengthen the US government ties with the G-8. By actively participating with this group, the United States can still have a political power over the world system. *** End *** References: American Military University. (2008). Retrieved September 14, 2008, from http://www.amu.apus.edu/international-relations/index.htm Annual Conference in Queens Centre for International Relations. (2005, June 14 - 16). Retrieved September 14, 2008, from Emerging Powers: Governance in a Changing Global Order. : http://www.queensu.ca/cir/files/Emerging%20Powers%202005.pdf Diamond, L., Hartlyn, J., Linz, J. J., & Lips, S. M. (1999). Democracy in Developing Countries: Latin America. 2nd Edition. In Hillman R.S., Peeler J.A., & Da Silva E.C. (eds) Democarcy and Human Rights in Latin America 2002. Praeger. Boulder, Colo: Lynne Rienner. Diringer, E. (2007, July 11). Global Security. Retrieved September 14, 2008, from The Kyoto Protocol and U.S. Climate Action: An Update Submitted to The Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment. 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