Liberal Democrasies and Hollowing Out - Coursework Example

Liberal democracy is an example of a type of government, whereby representative democracy is able to operate under the principles of liberalization. This involves the protection of the rights of individuals, as per the guidance of the various constitutions that guide the manner which these states are able to operate. Examples of liberal democracies include countries such as France, United Kingdom, India, United States, Italy, etc. Liberal democracies normally have a strong economy, however, because of external and internal changes, their economic power is non the decline (Higley & Burton, 2006). This paper examines the external and internal changes of liberal democracies, and the role they have played in the hollowing out of their power. Hollowing out refers to the deterioration of the manufacturing sector of a nation, and this is because producers are able to prefer low cost production facilities in oversea countries. Gunlicks (2011) explains that the economies of countries such as United States and Japan are being hallowed out, and this has the capability of increasing the levels of unemployment in these countries. In the past decades, the manufacturing sector of liberal democracies has experienced a significant contraction. For instance, in the year 1979, the number of manufacturing jobs in the United States stood at 19 million people (Vernon, 2001). However, as of the year 2013, this number significantly reduced, to twelve million manufacturing jobs. This was a decrease of seven million jobs, and this means that seven million people were rendered jobless because of a decrease in the number of these jobs. Another example is in Japan, which is experiencing a similar trend. The manufacturing industry of Japan has fallen from its previous 35% of output. Lazar (2009) explains that the hollowing out of the economies of liberal democracies is not a negative thing, and it does not hurt the community. This is because the domestic economy gets a chance of concentrating on high skill, and high wage jobs, such as marketing, design, etc. Furthermore, Gunlicks (2011) explains that consumers will benefit from low prices, when they are involved in purchasing products that are manufactured in overseas countries. Gunlicks (2011) explains that the debate on whether the hollowing out of the powers of liberal democracies is a positive or negative issue depends on the point of view of an individual. However, he manages to identify the internal and external changes in these democracies that have led to the hollowing out of their powers. Some of these changes include the appreciation of their currencies, increase of inflation, excessive regulation of their economies, globalization, etc. One of the best methods of examining the manner, in which external and internal changes have led to the hollowing out of liberal democracies, is through the use of historical sociology theory. Historical sociology is a theoretical framework that focuses on the manner which societies have developed, and this is by looking at their historical origins (Lazar, 2009). Historical sociology looks at the social factors that are determined by a complex social process, and these structures are able to shape the manner which organizations and institutions are formed and operate. This would in turn result to income inequality, gender bias, or even war. One of the internal changes, that is based on historical sociology that has played a role in the hollowing out of the powers of liberal democracies, is the strengthening of the trade unions in these countries. United States, which is one of the liberal democracies, has a strong history of trade unions, which began in the 19th century, with the formation of the National Labor Union. However, this union was able to fail without making any significant impact in the labor industry within United States. However, the formation of this union was able to create an important precedent in the labor industry of United States, which led to the emergence and increase of strong labor unions in the United States (Smith & Wolfish, 2001). Furthermore, the development of the Human Rights Act of 1964 was able to abolish discrimination in the work place, and increase equality of opportunity, wages, and employment on every people, irrespective of their religions, cultures, race, sexual orientation, etc. For instance, in the year 2005, a very strong trade union emerged in United States, and it was called, The Change to Win Federation, and it emerged, because it was able to split from AFL-CIO, a dominant trade union in United States, which is responsible for the protection of the interests of workers. One of the slogans of Change to Win Federation is, for employers to make work to be able to pay. This means that employers have the responsibility of improving thee working conditions of their employees, and giving them good salaries, that can make it possible for these people to live a comfortable life. This type of advocacy is not popular with manufacturing industries, and this is because they normally want to reduce their operational costs, so as to maximize on their profits (Diamond, 1999). This is the reason why these companies will look for overseas countries, which have a favorable environment, that can help them in gaining reducing their operation and manufacturing costs. An example of such kind of a company is Apples, and it has been recently accused of providing very poor working conditions for its workers in China. Historical Sociology theory can also be used to explain the emergence of trade unions in Japan, and how they have played in the hollowing out of the Japanese power. Japan started experiencing trade unions, during the periods of the Meiji rule, which was characterized by rapid industrialization. However, in the 1940s, the trade union movement experienced a drop in strength, only gaining in the 1990s (Cox, Ikenberry & Inoguchi, 2000). Because of the emergence of a strong trade union in Japan, which advocated for an increase in the payment of workers, and development of good working conditions, companies operating in the country sought new areas where they could manufacture their products at a cheaper price. An example is the Jebel Ali Free Zone, which is found in United Arab Emirates. Currently, there are more than 145 Japanese companies that have set up manufacturing units in the free zone, and they include, Sony, Toshiba, Nissan, etc (Gunlicks, 2011). Dean (2009) explains that the rise of trade unions is not the only factor that has played a role in the hollowing out of the power of liberal democracies. Another factor is the development of institutions that are responsible for the regulation of trade and manufacturing in these countries. Marxism is one of the theoretical frameworks that can be used for purposes of explaining the emergence of new regulations that play a role in the hollowing out of the power of liberal democracies. According to Marxism, relations between human beings can occur at two levels, that is through the base and the superstructure (Ramazani, Fatton & Horn, 2006). The base refers to the level of technology that exists within a country, while the superstructure refers to institutions that are created to regulate production. For instance, leading economies are concerned with the production of green house gas into the atmosphere. In the United States, EPA, an environmental regulation institution, constantly implores companies to use energy sufficient methods that can be used for purposes of reducing the emission of green house gas into the atmosphere. In the year 2013, the Japanese government also established a policy, on the need of reducing the emission of green house gas, by 3.8% (Moe & Midford, 2014). This is very uncomfortable to manufacturing industries, which are responsible for the production of more than 50% of the green house gas, in the atmosphere. It is because of these facts that most companies in these states are able to go to China, and United Arab Emirates, for manufacturing their products (Moe & Midford, 2014). Globalization is an external change that plays a role in the hollowing out of the powers of liberal economies. Marxism is a theoretical framework that can be used for purposes of explaining how globalization has played a role in making manufacturing companies to prefer other countries which are not democracies, as their manufacturing units (Scheuerman, 2004). Because of globalization, it is now possible for manufacturing companies to outsource their jobs, and hence reduce their manufacturing costs. This is the reason why manufacturing companies in Japan have managed to outsource most of their manufacturing and production jobs in United Arab Emirates, at the Jebel Ali Free Zone. In conclusion, the manufacturing power of liberal democracies has been affected, because of their external and internal changes. Amongst these include the rise of regulatory institutions in these countries the emergence of strong trade unions, and the emergence of globalization. Despite the hollowing out of their powers, liberal democracies still have a strong economy, and an example is United States, which is the leading economy in the world. Some of the theoretical frameworks that can be used for purposes of explaining this phenomenon is Marxism and Historical Sociology theories. References: Top of Form COX, M., IKENBERRY, G. J., & INOGUCHI, T. (2000). American democracy promotion: impulses, strategies, and impacts. New York, Oxford University Press. Top of Form DEAN, J. (2009). 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