On day 2 of the conference, we talked about global ethical idealism and global security – two topics that have a significant impact on us as future business leaders. When we expand our businesses to overseas markets, the political situation can have a significant impact on how (or if) we operate. As a multinational company, do we have a responsibility to develop the cities and neiborhoods in which we work in? This round of talks will focussed primarily on the role of multi-national organizations such as Nato, the UN and the European union.
Peter Busch
Mr. Busch is the Director of Research Studetns & Postgraduate Admissions, Department of War Studies, King’s College, London.
- Is NATO obsolete? Is there a future for NATO and other similar multinational organizations?
- Enlargement and partnerships are possible onlife of partners agree on its purpose.
- NATO has three main divisions in its military operations that need to be transformed:
- Operations Forces
- Balistic Missiles
- Reaction Forces
- They must decide on the focus of their operations: Reconstruction? Fighting opposition forces?
- How do they deal with the drug economies in the theatres they’re in (Particularly in Afghanistan where the drug economy is the sole source of income for many farmers)
- Representation of NATO in Kosovo in the media, was initially highlighted very well.
- In Afghanistan, the media has hardly shown NATO’s role in this country, probably resulting in mistrust and lack of confidence in NATO’s ability to keep the peace there – and opposition to member state’s involvement in the area.
Dr Gwyn Prins
Dr. Prins is the principal research fellow of the European Institute of the London School of Economics. Prior to his current position, he worked with the NATO secretary general as an advisor. He also works as an advisor for the UN.
- NATO, the UN, the EU and other multinational organizations face a very big problem – they find it difficult to develop a useful framework to find solutions to world problems. Why?
- The Law of Unintended consequences
- This law is the one that matters the most
- For example, the 9/11 terrorist attacks resulted in the following:
- It reversed a decline in Sino-American Relations
- It resulted in the entry of China as a strong power
- Problem: The balance of power between nations is changing so quickly from Countries to individuals.
- For example, a group of terrorists, with little money and with little political power was able to drastically change the foreign policy of the United States by flying planes into the financial center of the world.
- Inside each civilization, there is a huge clash of ideologies.
- Muslim extremists vs. Muslims
- All major multilateral institutions are losing power.
- UN – North and South couldn’t make a deal because the South got too greedy
- EU – It’s dying. People who run it are trying to use a scorched earth policy to make it difficult to leave the UN.
- It’s going back to the 19th Century. We should study the 19th century to learn about how to deal with Europe
- Take a look at the recent midterm elections – the nation was able to change the focus of the government by electing a Democrat government
Shadi Hamid
Shadi Hamid is founding member and Associate at The Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED), a newly-incorporated organization dedicated to examining how genuine democracies can develop in the Middle East and how the US can best support that process.
- The role of idealism is very crucial when dealing with Democracies in the Middle East
- There has been a shift in US policy on how they perceive the US role in the region from establishing Democracy to maintaining stability
- A definition of Idealism: Power can be used to promote noble ends.
- We, the US, need a democracy centered on Foreign policy
- However, we have a conflict:
- Reason of intellect vs. Idealism
- In reacting to the US perversion of idealism (Our Democracy is the best and we can force it on a country) we’ll move away from true democracy and away from the protection of human rights.
- Neocons (Bush) have taken idealism for themselves and now it’s associated with the Conservative agenda
- Now, the establishment of Democracy (idealism) is associated with the Conservative agenda. Pity. Establishing democracy is a good thing.
- If unchecked, it can be abused (Bush agenda)
- We must back our rhetoric with policies and actions