What's at Stake in the New World Order: Part I
A few weeks ago I wrote about the Chinese-American relationship and how important it is to make sure that downed reconnaissance planes don’t bring an end to the economic freedom of the globalization era. It raised the question of what is at stake in this ‘New World Order’?
What is at stake is the establishment and entrenchment of globalization as the ruling paradigm of international relations and how to maintain it. Maintaining it cannot be accomplished without the leadership and power of the United States. This is not imperialist dogma but prudent use of the world’s last super power to carve out rules and systems to ensure that globalization works.
Former head of the World Trade Organization, Renato Reggiero, articulates Globalization and its system by “saying that we find ourselves in a new international system-one called globalization. And this new international system requires a new way of looking at the world-new approaches, new institutions, a new mental landscape.”
It has only been 100 days since George W. Bush was sworn in as president and he has already shed light upon the direction of America in International Relations. Already some small events have impacted on the larger picture to reflect a new candor and frankness in international dealings.
Last week Bush clarified a two-decade old policy. In an ABC Good Morning America interview he shattered the ambiguity towards the island of Taiwan by stating that the US would do, “whatever it took to help Taiwan defend herself.” Explicitly committing the US to its defense under every circumstance except in a case of a unilateral declaration of independence had the media talking. He later clarified his position by stating that he still remained committed to the ‘one-China’ policy but would defend Taiwan if it were attacked.
Perhaps this is not the revelation that some have suggested. It is really more in line with President Kennedy’s inauguration speech some forty years ago. “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and success of liberty.”
Bush’s policy change really is not a ‘sea change’. The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 commits the US to, “make available to Taiwan such as defensive articles and defense services in such a quantity as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability.”
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