Introduction
This treatise aims at discussing at length on state and its effects on foreign and security policy, paradox of US being the most economically and military powerful nation, effects of globalization and economic interdependence to stability and security and finally the effects of water shortage in the Middle East.
Discussion
The paper will give limelight to the issue of national security by following various relevant aspects which will be discussed at length.
The nation state as a primary unit of action
Whether state remains the primary unit of action in world affairs will indeed matter as far as issues related to U.S foreign and security policy is concerned1. The state remains the primary political unit in all areas of political life2. It is obvious that the state will continue being powerful but that does not mean that the conflicts of global politics and foreign policies will end.
The nation cannot at all profess to remaining pertinent in a world that is full of insecurity. As it continuously remains to be the main geo political influence in the global affairs, there will always be challenges that do result from ethnic, tribal, socioeconomic and religious issues3.
The state still remains as the main form of political organization locus of authority as well as point of reference as far as world affairs are concerned. With that, It is clear that as an influential component, it is quite important as far as foreign and security policy is concerned as it is the main authority over the foreign affairs and the national security4.
The future of nation as a primary unit of action as far as world affairs is concerned can entirely be said to be insecure. This is because of the heightened global interconnection. Also, the whole idea of globalization has intensified the connection internationally which leads to a nation that is interconnected to various institutions of politics, economics and society.
The challenges that have been posed to the nation by the aspect of globalization are numerous. First, there is reduction of the aptitude of the nation to influence the economy as all the economic transactions are usually done in the global stage.
Moreover, it heightens the transnational bodies which could be economic or political. Also, it allows emergence of sub national and super power centers and finally it increases non governmental organizations as well as world migrations importance.
The insecurity of the states has adverse effect on US security and foreign policies. Through introduction of globalization systems the US policies are undermined and hence a negative impact on its main role as far as security issues is concerned. Moreover, the United States will end up losing its control as far as international economy is concerned which will ultimately lead to other countries undermining the policies. The decline will widen the security scope as well as stability hence affecting the US security policies.
Finally, the state will not be in a position to control the security requirements for instance controlling the technological assets as well as information which ultimately threatens the security policies as well as the US foreign policy.
Paradox of US being the most military and economically powerful nation
There has been a paradox of the US being the most economically and military powerful nation globally. The American citizens have always taken pride due to the fact that other nations do recognize it as the most influential nation as far as economic and military issues are concerned.
However, the main question still remains why despite its predominance, it has always been engulfed with security issues. It is also the aim of this paper to discuss on the reason why America is considered to be the most powerful nation and how it can handle the alleged paradox and maintain its power.
The reason behind America being the most powerful nation as far as military and economic aspects are concerned is for instance in their use of soft and hard power. For example, soft power played a major role in unifying Europe despite the fact that most military conquests in the region had failed earlier. Another reason why America has been a powerful economically is due to the fact that it has been given the mandate to print gold, hence making it quite influential as compared to other nations.
In “the US foreign policy: the paradox of world power”5,Hook explains on the sources as well as the conditions of American power giving the readers a prescription on how they can maintain as well as extend the country’s power and might. The author asserts that so as to handle this paradox, the nation must be able to combat criminal activities such as sale of illicit drugs and deal effectively with international terrorism.
They should endeavor to maintain and enhance democratic values as well as political stability. The U.S in handling this power paradox should shape the foreign policy so as to combat issues of international security such as terrorism. Additionally, The US should engage other powers in policymaking so as to heighten positive outcomes. It should do away with unilateralism and engage coalitions so as to come up with solutions to their main threats.
America ought to use its power in enhancing long term interests and set rational goals and priorities which will not in any way affect its resources’6.
In addition to that, U.S should enhance their power as it is important for the country’s security and foreign policy. Hook avows that the U.S can handle their power paradox by effectively using and maintaining their soft power attributes as far as foreign policy is concerned so as to protect the people, promote values and enhance superiority7.
Also they should eliminate parochialism, unilateralism and arrogance so as to handle the power paradox. This is because, such factors can undercut on the effectualness of the American power especially the influence as well as the attractiveness of its leadership and soft power8. It is hence clear that America is the most powerful nation and if the US can handle the paradox effectively, it will continue being a powerful nation economically as well as military.
Globalization and economic inter dependence in relation to security and stability
Economic interdependence and globalization is closely related to international stability and security. The immense sense of security issues that terrorism has inspired unto the American government and economy which are the main forces behind globalization, has led to reassertion of sovereignty by the America as well as other nations.
The fear that liberal standards which are as a result of globalization are facilitating terrorism has been causing the US to control the transborder transactions. It is hence clear that globalization and economic interdependence facilitates security and stability.
The effects of economic interdependence and globalization are wide ranging. The political, economic as well as security environment is vastly shaped by interdependence and globalization. The affirmative effects of globalization are obvious as it leads to rapid rising of standards of living. However, globalization has exhibited negative effects in matters of national security.
Globalization has profound effects on economy as well as security, though this does not mean that globalization on its own is capable of creating such immense changes in the areas of security in US.
It is clear that security and foreign policies has a major role to play in the area of national security. Globalization is one aspect that tends to influence local and foreign policies such as policies that govern the borders. Globalization influences foreign policies that are related to communication technology, expansion of the global borders and factories, emergence of markets among other policies9.
The relationship between security and economics is quite a complex one depending on the features which tend to be powerful in the eyes of the decision makers. Often, concerns of sovereignty and nationalism can be so powerful that a country like the US can end up entering into an inter-state conflict despite the economic interdependence hence leading to economic loss.
Heightened interdependence in itself might not prevent conflict and insecurity. Nevertheless, while the likely threats can end up leading to conflicts with an increase of arms expenses, it is clear that the greater the country’s dependence on another, then the heightened cost of insecurity and conflict10.
If two countries are interdependent economically, then it is most likely that there will be conflict. Economic interdependence in US enhances security. It can hence be argued that globalization and economic interdependence in US contributes a lot to economic growth as well as economic dynamism in the entire region. As the well being of the American citizens heightens, the nation becomes increasingly stable hence enhances nation’s security.
Progressing globalization and economic interdependence has caused significant effects on the national security. The 21st century has brought with it a world in which the U.S economy as well as those of other nations has become more interdependent. Hence, the U.S National interests will not just expand but will also vary in its intensity.
Though globalization to a large extent enhances security, we cannot forget that it also leads to insecurity with the increasing demand of resources across the globe. The technology of globalization for instance links the world together with no any respect to cultures or borders. It is hence clear that as globalizations envelops more nations, it is quite inevitable that there will be both losers as well as winners as market competition heightens.
In such environment, there will be vast potential for the policies and interests of various policies. If this is indeed true, the scale of conflict that results from irreconcilable policies and interests on a global level might lead to war. Therefore, the cumulative effects of globalization and economic interdependence for most parts will be on the outcomes of the conflicting foreign policies among the actors involved.
This means that the U.S policy on future decisions to use military in order to protect the national interest will be affected. It is clear that globalization and interdependence has exposed us to new challenges changing the way in which the old challenges do touch our values as well as interests at the same time enhancing the capacity to respond.
Shortage of water in the Middle East and conflicts
Recently, various pressures such as water shortages and demand, population increase among others are increasing the need for water in most poor countries. One of the regions that have been most affected is the Middle East where lack of water has affected the region’s politics11.
This is a region where water related disputes go hand in hand with other known tensions such as ideological, political and religious conflicts. Even in those places that have immense water resources for example Tigris, Nile and Euphrates have been under pressure. Competition for fresh water is not new in Middle East, as people have been fighting over water issues for many years.
This trend hence plays down religion and ideology as the only source of conflicts and tensions pointing to the fact that other survival motivations such as competition for water can lead to conflict.
Water disputes have become a major issue in the Middle East to an extent the government has called for peace talks. Among some of the issues that ought to be solved in order to curb this problem once and for all is the allocation as well as control of water rights to rivers such as Jordan.
In the past, conflicts have emanated between regions such as Jordan and Syria as a result of ineffective operation and constructions of dams in River Yarmuk12. Other examples of disputes have emanated from the joint management of Euphrates River between Syria, Turkey and Iraq and ways to protect water quality for those who are dependent on such resources.
Conflicts among diverse nations are usually caused by various factors including ideological disputes, religious differences, economic competition, and arguments over borders among others. Though it is quite difficult to separate the various entangled causes of competition and conflict over natural resources as well as disputes, it is clear that environmental factors are also playing a major role in the international relations.
Such conflicts take various forms such as use of resources or even environment as major instruments of war or even motivations and goals as far as military conquest is concerned. Research shows clearly that water has offered a justification for engaging into war as it has been a major object of political and economic strength, military conquest as well as a tool of conflict. Shortages of water are understood that it constrains the nation’s political as well as economic options.
Water just like other known and common factors can cause rivalry due to its scarcity, extent of supply from one state or region to another, basin states’ relative powers as well as ease of access to other alternative freshwater sources among others. As the water delivery systems as well as the water supplies continue to be increasingly valuable in those regions that have scarce water, so does conflicts heighten.
Conclusion
It is clear that security issues are a major concern among Nations. This paper has at length discussed the nation state and its effects on U.S foreign and security policies, the paradox of U.S being the most economically and military powerful nation, effects of globalization and economic interdependence on security and stability as well as other factors that lead to insecurity and conflicts such as water scarcity in the Middle East.
Bibliography
Hook, Steven. 2010.U.S foreign policy: the paradox of world power. New York: CQ press
Morgan, Patrick. 2006. International security, problems and solutions. New York: CQpress
Nye, Joseph. 2002. The paradox of American power: why the word’s only superpower can’t go it alone. CA: Oxford university press
Rosenau, James. 1961. International politics and foreign policy: a reader in research and theory. New York: Free press of Glencoe
Scheumann, Waltina. 1998. Water in the middle East potential for conflicts and prospects for cooperation. New York: Springer
Zwass, Adam. 2002. Globalization of unequal national economies: players and controversies. New York: Illustrated
Footnotes
1 (Morgan 2006, 26)
2 Ibid, 1
3 (Rosenau 1961, 31-89)
4 Ibid, 1
5 (Hook 2010, 338)
6 (Nye 2002, 116-127)
7 Ibid, 5
8 Ibid, 5
9 Ibid, 5
10 (Zwass 2002, 56-119)
11 (Scheumann 1998, 22-76)
12 Ibid, 11