On the occasion of the second anniversary of the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the positive & negative effects are analyzed. Concludes that the data is inconclusive.
3,375 words (approx. 13.5 pages), 14 sources, 1996, $ 119.95
From the Paper "The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is intended to promote free trade among the countries of North America by removing trade barriers, tariffs, quotas, and other such barriers. The agreement is quite extensive and includes many provisions related to such things as plant inspection and even wages. The agreement was negotiated among Mexico, the United States, and Canada, and as it was being considered, it was much discussed in terms of what it would mean for the United States and whether on balance it could be considered a positive or negative move for the U.S.
The same questions were raised with reference to Mexico and to the benefits that might accrue to Mexico, and the emphasis on Mexico was related to the perception of economic need in that country and the effect the Mexican economy has on the U.S. ...
Examines the effectiveness of an Asian coalition and how much it serves the interest of the region compared to the self-interests of the United States.
Abstract The idea for a regional block in Asia, to a large extent, was conceptualized by the United States. U.S. President Lyndon Johnson presented the ASEAN concept as an alliance of all the free nations of the Pacific and Asia and invited the Asian countries to come together in a co-operative effort to bring about economic development of the region, promising them the U.S.'s financial assistance and support. For all intents and purposes, this is what everyone believed ASEAN would accomplish at the time, including the ASEAN member nations themselves. However, the cooperative development of the nations was only the covering for the U.S.'s real agenda: to halt the progress of Communism and use the ASEAN nations and Japan as the roadblocks:
While the goal of the ASEAN member countries has been acquiring an "Asian identity" and achieving regional economic cooperation, the objective of the United States has been largely strategic in nature.
Such reality poses a number of implications for ASEAN. On one hand, it leaves ASEAN as a pawn for the United States and its allies, making the possibility of upholding real ASEAN interests difficult in the face of a hegemon's (the United States) interests. In addition, it also renders the concept of ASEAN regionalism in question because of the massive outside influence that it is vulnerable to under U.S. "guidance."
This leaves the question of whether ASEAN is truly a Southeast Asian regional block or not. Thus, as this essay argues, ASEAN although originally intended to be an organization that upholds Asian regionalism and reduce dependence on foreign powers and markets, was intentionally used by the United States and its allies to uphold their own political and economic interests - the industrialization of Japan within a neoliberal paradigm and the expansion of U.S. ideals to counter the communist treat, among others - in Asia and the rest of the world.
In order to prove this point, the paper first provides the theoretical foundations of its thesis using the theories of Structural Power and Hegemony. The next section then provides an analysis of the roles that the U.S. and its main ally, Japan, played in the development of ASEAN and the effect of their influence in ASEAN. China's role and effect in ASEAN are also discussed. The paper then provides a historical account of the development of ASEAN to show the facts that support the case. The next section then sketches the future of ASEAN. The essay ends with concluding remarks. It includes figures and graphs.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
Theoretical Foundations of U.S. Influence in ASEAN
The Role of the US
The Role of Japan
The Role of China
Three Contesting Powers
ASEAN Evolution in the Face of a Global Power Structure
Cooperation in the State of Turmoil (1967-1984)
The Birth of ASEAN in 1967
Vietnam Policy and ASEAN
ASEAN and the Promotion of Asian Capitalism
The Cambodia Crisis
Cooperation in the Age of Growth (1985-1996)
The Plaza Accord
Flying Geese Model
Economic Cooperation
Cooperation in the Age of Crisis and Recovery (1997-2005)
The Asian Financial Crisis
The IMF in ASEAN
ASEAN+3
China: A Potential Regional Rival
Japan's Assistance Measures
Post 9-11 Security: ASEAN as a Pawn of U.S. Policy
The Future of ASEAN
The Evolution of Cooperation between ASEAN and Japan
ASEAN and the G3 Bloc
Human Rights Issues Facing ASEAN
Toward a Regional Community
Conclusion
Works Cited
From the Paper "ASEAN was founded in 1967 to deepen economic interaction and cooperation within the region. When it was first formed, the ASEAN member nations intended it to draw them together into a unified regionalist entity that would reduce dependence on foreign powers, particularly economically. The member nations were third world countries that had up to that time relied heavily on foreign markets, and one of the goals of regionalism was to combine the resources of the countries and convert them from five individual weak entities into one strong entity capable of standing on its own."
Abstract Global marketing, one of the elements in globalization, is becoming more important nowadays. This means that the whole world is now becoming a universal market where firms and individual can trade freely regardless of place, time and cost. This essay identifies and explains forces that encourage global marketing activities. Some of the forces discussed are the saturation of domestic markets, worldwide dedication to trade, the advancement in communication and transportation technology and cost saving factors.
From the Paper "Global marketing, one of the elements in globalization, is becoming more important nowadays. This means that the whole world is now becoming a universal market where firms and individual can trade freely regardless of place, time and cost. One of the globalization measurement, the ratio of world imports to gross world product (GWP), has grown from 7% in 1938 to 10% in 1970 and finally to 18% in 1996. This shows that global trading activities is more active and global marketing is getting more important from time to time. This assignment aims at identify and explain forces that have resulted in increased global integration and the growing importance of global marketing."
Abstract This paper deals withs the issue of economic cooperation and integration within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The opportunities and challenges facing Vietnam in its regional economic cooperation and integration are also discussed.
Outline
Introduction
ASEAN and the Issue of Economic Integration
ASEAN Mechanisms
ASEAN Developments
ASEAN Free Trade Agreement - A Vehicle for Economic Cooperation and Integration
VIETNAM and AFTA Vietnam's Present Economic Situation
Vietnam and ASEAN Economic Relations
Opportunities and Challenges Facing Vietnam
Conclusion
From the Paper "Industrialization and modernization of Vietnam's economy is a paramount goal pursued by the government. Industry is a crucial sector that has nearly doubled its output from 1991-1997, while recent growth rates have been in the 10-15% a year range. Billions of dollars have been invested in industrial foreign direct investment, and manufactured exports have grown rapidly, albeit from low bases. In an unusual development that is consistent with the goal of the government, most of the growth in industry came from the state sector. Growth in industrial output has exceeded 10% per year since 1991. Industry and construction together constituted 30% in 1995, compared with 23% in 1990. Similarly, the service sector has grown to 43%, compared with 39% in 1990. All of this indicates that Vietnam's economic structure has been shifting rapidly from agriculture towards industry and services."
Abstract This paper presents an analysis of the push toward regionalization of the economies, markets, and governments in Asia, including an explanation of why the path to regionalization in the area will likely not mirror those of the EU and NAFTA.
From the Paper "The global trend in regionalization includes adoption of democratic markets and economic institutions. Such neo-liberal economic reforms have been adopted in North America ..."
An evaluation of the economic data and trade policy presented in "A Trading Nation: Canadian Trade Policy from Colonialism to Globalization" by Michael Hart.
Abstract This paper reviews Michael Hart's book, "A Trading Nation: Canadian Trade Policy from Colonialism to Globalization" in order to argue the case that Canadian trade policy is often created around subjective and biased economic information that create Canada's trade policy. The paper further analyzes how Hart uses both trade policy and empirical economic data in his research, rather than using market fluctuations and government interaction, to define how Canada's trade economy will function for the best interest of the nation.
From the Paper "Finally, Hart uses trade policy to define how Canada will co-exist with America as a major trade partner in multilateral trade policy. Although the 1995 AFTA agreement helped to open the borders with American trade, the actually trade policy issues within the agreement were often not in the best interest of Canada. Often the issue of privatization in the American economy helped to defy the "openness" of the agreement, which helps to solidify Hart's thesis of data that stays close with policy initiatives. In many ways, the data revolving around Canada's markets and the way that politics plays into the mix, does not reflect the serious issues that limit the true autonomy of Canada's part in the NAFTA."
