(APEC) Looking past the hype
Looking past “The Chasers”, security, Bush’s endorsement(of sorts) of John Howard and all the hurrah, what does APEC acheive? Is it effective in its purpose in promoting free trade? Is commitment of its member countries to address the human rights issue that plague asia just lip service to placate and satisfy the media and the public? Are the minor countries side-lined in preference to the heavy hitters like the USA and China? Feel free to submit your comments to be discussed in the days leadinng up to the Summit held this weekend.
The purpose of this is so that all participants may come to understand what issues should concern us as christians and not be “smoked screened” by the trivialities of security and the pomp and parade of Heads of State and benefactors, (Refer Luke 22:25-26)
Observations On My Reading History In Library, May 9. 1731.
“That the great affairs of the worl, the wars, revolutions, etc are carried on and effected by parties.”
“That the view of these parties is their present general interest, or what they take to be such.”
“That the diffrent views of these diffrent parties, occasion all confusion.”
“That while a party is carrying on a general design, each man has his particular private interest in view.”
“That as soon as a party has gained its general point, each member becomes intent upon his particular interest, which thwarting others, breaks that party into divisions, and occasions more confusion”
“That few in public affairs act from a mere view of the good of their country, whatever they may pretend; and tho’ their actings bring real good to their country, yet men primarily consider’d that their own and their countrry’s interest was united, and did not act from a principle of benevolence.”
“That fewer still in public affairs act with a view to the good of mankind”
-Benjamin Franklin-
This taken in conjunction with what the bible states: “There is nothing new under the sun” it should be pretty clear what probably goes on behind closed doors.
Ambrose W
September 6, 2007
I don’t know if I tend to departmentalise issues a little to much but on face value I am all for a concerted effort to promote free trade, the distribution of wealth and the increase of commerce without having to deal with all the humanitarian issues that accomodate it. Like the increasing divide between rich and poor. The only way to deal with human right violations etc within the context of APEC is to have the voice of the people brought to bear during the Summit. Otherwise as Adam Smith states, “the only reason why groups and corporations are created is to further the interest of those who would benefit and subdue the concerns of those more helpless and in want”-paraphrase.
Ambrose W
September 6, 2007
Ambrose re: your comment
Free trade is the only way to reduce the gap between rich and poor. A huge part of the reason that Africa is poor is because of farm subsidies in Europe (most especially), the USA (a little bit). This is just one example.
Loved the quotes…
APEC is valuable because the leaders of countries MUST talk. If they all sit in their ivory towers doing nothing, how could we ever see change…?
Mat
September 7, 2007
I understand that Mat but maybe you can help me out here. I am trying to reconcile in my mind how effective are these “gatherings”. Dr Mahathir once said that free trade is alright as long as it is fair on both sides. Now I don’t know the intricacies of these agreements but when you have some small asian state trying to barter with the US you can pretty much guess whos gonna come out with the upper hand. But as an ideal I am all for free trade because I believe that on a tit for tat basis there are MORE benefits versus the disadvantages. Maybe you can help me make up my mind.
Ambrose W
September 7, 2007
Do you know what facinates me the most? The to and fro of discussions, forums and press conferences between the heads of state as I am watching the news right now. It was quite interesting to see Vladimir Putin standing side by side with John Howard discussing uranium deals. Democrat and ex-kgb side by side.
Ambrose W
September 7, 2007
Just as a side comment I thought Jokovic’s impersonation or Maria Sharapova and Nadal was too funny…:-)
Ambrose W
September 7, 2007
As usual Channel 10,9,7 only cover the superficial. Most of their news are devoted to the protest and most things “outside” the APEC Summit. I rarely see any coverage on comments and interviews from the heads of state and foreign journalist “watching” the Summit.
Compere
September 8, 2007
Hi, ok I’ve dropped in to say hi! I’ll be interested to see what kinds of issues you decide to raise on here and I’ll leave commenting for the times I can think of something intelligent to say!
F. Lokot
September 8, 2007
Thank you very much F.Lokot. Is there any other issues that you have on your mind concerning APEC?
Compere
September 9, 2007
To all participants this topic will be closed soon due to the “singular” event that APEC is so please contribute any afterthoughts that you might have about what you think APEC has achieved during this week. Please submit any comments concerning what you have learnt from your fellow participants in this forum concerning APEC.
Compere
September 9, 2007
This forum is now closed. Please refer to the archives for future references. Thank you.
Compere
September 11, 2007