The
Common Link
Britain R. Henry
September, 07
bhenry13@uga.edu
?The theory of realism is the one
concept in International Relations that has stood the test of time, Realism
started with the Melian dialogues more than 2,000 years ago but its inherit
truth is equally as applicable in present time. The theory of realism
essentially denotes that, strong nations do that which pleases them and weak
nations accept what they must. For the past 60 years, America has greatly
benefited from its position as the single most powerful country on the planet.
America has been in a position that has allowed it to use the combination of stick
and carrot its dealings with other nations, and for the most part, has greatly
prospered. However, the emergence of China casts a looming shadow on America,
threatening the superpower's continued domination and western ideology around
the world. The idea that China’s intentions are hostile is still widely open to
debate, but the concept of Asian ideology taking command as the leading
ideology around the world is not as easily denied. While Asian ideology in its self
is not bad thing, one may still be jarred by the idea that this ideology will
be of a country that is un-democratic, brutally oppressive, and environmentally
negligent. America is no longer large enough to act as the moderator of world
affairs, yet it cannot simply relinquish its title and assume that world will
follow a peaceful and prosperous path. America must join in a Grand Alliance (a
concept conceived by Dr. Carlo Pelanda), a union with the other democratic
countries of the world, using its size and economic power to continue to be the
guiding light for the rest of the global community. The key to the alliance is
that America and Europe must first unite, after which the other democracies of
the world will willingly and eagerly join the alliance. Understandably, this is
a task much easier said than done; however, with proper communication, mutual
respect and a complete understanding of the goals of the alliance, and perhaps
a little help from the Canadians, this movement towards long term power becomes
feasible.
?First, in order for the Grand
Alliance to emerge, it is necessary to prove that the intentions of the Chinese
are to not only take control of global affairs, but to dominate them with their
own ideology. One must simply consider the “Mandate of Heaven?to conjure some
concern over the increasing power of the Chinese. It must be stated though that
the intentions of the Grand Alliance (despite how the language of domination
may come across) is absolutely against conflict with China. In fact, China
would be a welcomed member of the Grand Alliance, only after converting to a
democratic government. However, the likelihood of the ruling party in China to
switch to a democratic government is minimal, while the likelihood of China
reaching the dominate position in the global community is growing everyday.
China is currently the third-largest merchandise-trading nation, the world's
second-largest energy consumer; it has an economy that has grown more than 9.5%
a year on average for the past 26 years, and in 2005 the United States ran a
trade deficit with China of $201.6 billion[1]. With
China’s ascension to power, the problems that currently face America will only
become greater. Elizabeth C. Economy emphasized this notion: ?span
style='color:black'>U.S. job losses and trade deficits are going to be part of
the picture as long as China has 1.3 billion people, its labor is cheap, and
its labor protection, environmental, and health and safety standards are much
lower.?a style='mso-footnote-id:ftn2' href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title="">[2]
?As stated before, the global economy
should not be anchored in a country that shows little regard for its own
citizens and land, nonetheless those of foreign countries. Instead, it should
be backed by a country or an alliance of countries that champions the ideals of
free trade, economic responsibility and accountability, as well as the
prosperity of every human being. America pushes for these goals; the European
community does similarly, as well as the other legitimate democracies around
the world. Therefore, it is only of common sense to try to build an alliance
amongst those who share similar, positive interests and goals. After 60 years
of exporting everything American to the rest of the world, isolationism is no
longer an option for America. Europe can no longer sit by idly and watch its
sway in international affairs disintegrate, its economy continue to stagnate,
and its ability to secure crucial items, such as oil, diminish. Before these
possibilities become reality, the solution, which is only the Grand Alliance,
must be carried out.
It is hard to conceive the notion of America openly
asking for the assistance of the Europeans, and equally as difficult to believe
that the Europeans would ask for American assistance. Sovereignty is at stake
as well as global reputation, and neither is easily surrendered. With the
creation of the European Union and the NAFTA agreements, the Americans and the
Europeans have shown willingness to cooperate with other nations for the
overall benefit of a regional block. These agreements could be extended to
benefit all those who believe in the principles of a free market and a free
society, i.e. democracy. The key to uniting these two powers (America and
Europe) lies in the ability to bring both powers to a mutual understanding of
what is to be gained by aligning themselves; this can not be achieved with out
communication between parties. A statement at the Summit of the United Stations
and the European Union in Gutenberg supports this: "Experience has taught us that, when the EU and U.S.
work hand-in-hand, either bilaterally or multilaterally, we can be an engine
for positive global change, nurturing the development of democratic regimes,
opening trade and investment, working to reduce poverty, and protecting the
environment"[3]. However, the recent events of global
affairs, most notably the war in Iraq, have demonstrated that there is a
distinction between European rationale and American rationale, but hope still
exists.
?When looking for American allies in
the European community, there is little question of the United Kingdom’s
commitment.?Looking strictly at
alliances for the Iraq war, Poland, Italy and Spain are additionally on the
list of allies. The main point of concern is thus winning the support of the
French and Germans, even more so since they and the United Kingdom represent
the three largest economic powers of the European community. French sentiment
towards America will undoubtedly be changing with the recent election of
President Sarkozy, who has made no attempt to hide his desire to strengthen the
ties between the French and the Americans. This can certainly prove to be a
catalyst for future change occurring in the minds of the French. The Germans,
who have been far less vocal about their disapproval for the Iraq war, were
nonetheless non-allies; this is not to indicate that the Germans were enemies,
but they were hesitant to give support for a war that was less than popular at
home, much like the French. However, the German government's perception towards
America is different than that of its citizenry. The German Embassy writes that
“[t]he United States is Germany’s closest ally and partner outside the European
Union. The European Union and the United States are important partners in a
transatlantic relationship based on vital mutual interests and values. We share
a deep commitment to the advancement of democracy and human rights around the
world?a style='mso-footnote-id:ftn4' href="#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title="">[4].
?Despite the French's possible change
in sentiment and the German government's stated friendship with the U.S., it
would be naive to believe that a union of France and Germany to the United
States will be easily achieved; but to achieve the Grand Alliance, true desire
to cooperate with all parties must be demonstrated. For this to take place,
America must show a desire to listen to the concerns of other nations, as well
as a willingness to relinquish some of its authority in world affairs for a
governance of many democracies. Neither the Americans, nor the French, the
Germans, or the British will offer to be the first party to promote this agenda
and initialize discussion; a country that is respected by both the Americans
and the Europeans and that shares the same western values must take this role,
i.e. Canada.
?Canada is the perfect candidate for
this task because first and foremost, it is a democracy. It is not only a
neighbor and close ally of America; it is the most important trading partner,
as well. The European Union ranks second only to the United States in exports
and imports with Canada, and the fact that the majority of the population of
Canada is of either British or French origin helps maintain very strong ties to
Europe. Furthermore, the Canadian desire to push not only for multilateralism
in international affairs, but its commitment both to NATO and to the UN
bolsters its respect around the world as a country of peace, which will be
necessary to counter fears of aggression that the Chinese might feel.
?The role of the Canadians would be
to bring both the Americans and the Europeans together, and to ask them to take
the first steps in building the Grand Alliance. Canada is needed for this task
simply because it would be unwise to assume either power would initiate the
talks and risk being viewed as worried or weak in the other's eye. Canada would
be a welcomed negotiator for both the Europeans and the Americans because it is
a country that has never once showed a desire to create an empire, nor have the
Canadians ever been accused of trying to “Canadianize?people. Their intentions
would be considered genuine, and their cause just. The United States would be
unable to refuse to listen to the Canadians simply because they would not want
to jeopardize relations with their most important trading partner. The
Europeans would also listen to the Canadians for the same economic reasons, but
also because they share a common concern about international affairs and the use
of a multilateral position to defend freedoms and promote democracy. The
incentive for the Canadians would be the obvious fact that they would suffer
both security and economic losses if the Chinese were allowed to secede the
Americans as the dominate power in the world. By being offered a place in the
Grande Alliance, the Canadians would be offered incomparable security. In
addition, they should have little reserve about initiating it because of their
peaceful history.
?It would be immature to assume to
know what will take place in the future. All that is possible is to make predictions
based on history and trends. In reviewing the evidence, it is apparent that
China will at some point surpass America in terms of global authority. If the
hope to spread peace, democracy, and overall human development is desired, this
cannot happen or these very values will be challenged. America and Europe must
unite, and through this union, pull the rest of the democracies into the Grand
Alliance. For this alliance to ever be achieved, America and Europe must first
see the common ground that they share, and with the assistance of Canada, their
common link, this may be achieved.
[1] Quoted from U.S. Department of State
website, found at http://usinfo.state.gov/eap/Archive/2006/Apr/19-36721.html.
[2] Refers to an interview with Elizabeth
C. Economy, the C.V.Starr fellow and director of Asia Studies at the Council on
Foreign Relations.?Interview can be
found at http://www.cfr.org/publication/6255/asia_expert_says_uschina_relations_booming.html.
[3] Refers to the article on U.S.
Department of State website found at http://www.state.gov/p/eur/rls/rm/2001/3661.htm.
[4] German Embassy of Washington DC, found
at http://www.germany.info/relaunch/politics/german_us/facts.html.