As a student of international political economy and a practitioner in this space, I am fascinated with the spider web that stronger countries have set up in multilateral institutions and corresponding treaties to manage or constrain economic development in the world, with an emphasis on the developing world. Besides the fact that global and regional hegemonies somehow cede some of their sovereignty and powers through joining regional and international organizations - I find that countries of the North are prepared to go as far as possible in protecting each others interests at all times. I can cite several examples to illustrate what I am talking about. (1) This week I am attending an international event on mining at UNCTAD in Geneva. UNCTAD - together with WIPO, Red Cross, WTO, etc. - are amongst the bodies of the UN that are located in Geneva, Switzerland. Switzerland got the right to host these institutions in post-WWII period withstanding the fact that it was not even a UN member at the time. Switzerland only joined the UN in 2002. One can imagine the economic benefits that Switzerland has enjoyed for having these UN bodies and thousands of diplomats within its borders. A proxy of France, Germany and the U.S.? (2) The U.S. is not signatory of the Rome Statute on international war crimes, yet it uses fellow developed states in the EU like Netherlands to prosecute wayward leaders in Africa to effect regime change and facilitate instability in countries like Kenya and Soudan. As regards to the latter it has paid dearly for its natural resources, starting from the tumultuous situation in Darfur to eventual split in 2011. President Al-Bashir cannot move. President Uhuru Kenyatta is being stripped naked in Den Haag at the behest of developed countries. Kenyas promise for massive oil and other natural resources makes it a target for external takeover. (3) In some countries, some states provide consular, migration and other services on behalf of other states. For instance, Switzerland manages diplomatic and consular affairs of the Kingdom of Liechtenstein. Switzerland also offers security personnel to the Vatican. Mexican authorities allow people to enter the Mexican territory as long as travelers are in possession of a US visa. (4) A myriad of institutions have been set up to manage developing states in the international system; and developed nations rarely disagree in public on matters of mutual interest. One of the biggest lies in international relations is that no two well-established democracies have ever gone to war with each other. Why should France fight the US or Germany when they are in a complicit with one another? They loot and peddle lies... They attack other countries and kill innocent people all over the world. One can list a hundred of examples in the contexts of international trade and human rights; wherein the assertion of this post passes with flying colors. The global system is an organized and well-planned anarchy. This anarchy serves the interests of a few states and weaker ones feel the pinch. International trade, politics and business are a farce.... I am interested in your views.
Posted on: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 11:45:31 +0000
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