Clinton and NAFTA

Business > International
Economics
Labor Studies

Clinton and NAFTA

Examines President Clinton's acceptance of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) through a discussion of Robert Putnam's two-level game theory.

1,946 words () | 32 sources | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses the link between international policy, especially international economic policy, and domestic issues. The writer notes that Robert Putnam has developed the view that a President negotiating an international economic agreement stands in two spheres. He deals in the international arena, and he deals in the domestic arena. The writer maintains that the negotiation and adoption of NAFTA fits the two-level paradigm that Putnam developed. Indeed, it shows that often American presidents can secure international agreements more easily than domestic compromise. In this case, Bill Clinton had to build a coalition to get NAFTA through. The writer concludes that negotiating the supplemental agreements proved easier than getting the enabling legislation through Congress.

From the Paper:

"It was a difficult issue for Clinton, because labor opposed the pact vehemently, while business interests thought it was a major breakthrough.
"On September 8, Bush released the text of NAFTA, a 7-inch thick document. Trying to fend off Clinton, Bush criticized him as indecisive on the pact. Notably, Mr. Bush had early secured extraordinary legislative authority to negotiate NAFTA. The President would submit the Agreement, which had in effect been given prior approval by the Congress. The key vote would come later, when Congress would adopt or reject enabling legislation that would put the Agreement into effect. While the legislation could supplement NAFTA, it could not contradict it."

Sample of Sources Used:

Bradsher, Keith, "Bush, Salinas and Mulroney To Sign Trade Pact Dec. 17," New York Times, Dec. 4, 1992, sec. D; p. 1. ["Bradsher #3"]
Bradhser, Keith, "Clinton to Name Republican To Aid in Selling Trade Pact," New York Times, Sep. 3, 1993, sec. A; p. 16. ["Bradsher #9"]
Bradhser, Keith, "Clinton Offers Job Training For Trade Pact Casualties," New York Times, Oct. 14, 1993, sec. B, p. 8. ["Bradsher #11"]
Bradhser, Keith, "Democratic Whip In House To Fight Free-Trade Pact," New York Times, Aug. 28, 1993, sec. 1; p. 1. ["Bradsher #8"]
Bradhser, Keith, "The Free Trade Accord: Dealing;