RJ Stangherlin

Keystone Technology Integrator and STAR Discovery Educator

This site is for Mrs. Stangherlin's classes at Salisbury High School.

Highlighting Student Voices: Fatema Rajmohamed

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Economy, Allies, and Philanthropy: The Fates of Postmodern Societies

America, at her fullest potential, will be able to regain her superpower status. However, she will first have to solve her economic crisis. To do so, she will have to take advantage of the dollar’s position as the world’s reserve currency. America will also have to ally herself with China. China, over the years, has grown in power, and must be schemed into a position of managed submissiveness rather than political enmity. Finally, America should uphold the responsibility to keep world peace. The first step would be by addressing genocide. However, the status of superpower lies in increasing America’s monetary value.

America’s superpower status lies profoundly on the dollar’s function as the world’s reserve currency. Over the decades, the dollar’s role has been jeopardized due to the ignorance of American trade deficits. As this trade deficit mounted, debts owed to foreigners increased. Payments to foreigners coupled with the outpouring of dollars have resulted in an enormous supply of dollars in foreign lands and because foreigners keep their reserves in dollars, the surplus has benefited them. The depreciation of the dollar against the pound, the yen, the euro and gold decreases the enthusiasm with which private investors accumulated U.S. government bonds. To regain America’s status, she will have to increase her exports in relation to imports by selling more overseas and buying less from other nations, which means Americans must use less. If Americans consumed less, the federal government’s budget would be balanced. Another strategy would be to reduce budget deficit, thus reducing the supply of government bonds. The newly found strength in the dollar would persuade countries such as China to continue supporting the dollar by purchasing U.S. government bonds.

If America truly wishes to remain the lone superpower, then she must maneuver China from a position of political rivalry to a position of supervised subservience. China has been able to maintain diplomatic relations with nations like Iran, North Korea and Pakistan--all of whom America has had trouble with. With China’s help, America may be able to lessen world tension without immense expenditures for military interference and shuttle diplomacy. China would also be able to help America economically by investing in America and creating jobs. In order to ally America with China, she must send out a new message that dollars in Chinese hands are as welcome ans anyone. Guidelines on permissible investment need to be clearly outlined so that Chinese companies know where they stand in advance. The U.S. export control policy towards China needs to be restored and the antagonistic bias removed so that China can receive the same respect as any other consumer. China’s high-tech goods are too important for the American export market to continue a policy that undermines her aggressiveness. By treating China as a comrade, America would gain an ally that could shrink America’s military spending, offer diplomatic cover in parts of the world vital to world stability and help save America’s economy--a foundering economy that begins with philanthropist actions.

A superpower is a nation that people all over the world turn to in times of emergency. America, time and again, has responded to the call of aid. However, recent actions undertaken by America have diminished her role as superpower. Nonetheless, America has the most passionate devotion to liberty and the most powerful military to regain her status. In the past, it has asserted its demeanor over Cuba and Korea. The problem at hand is the issue of genocide, which has rampaged the world. This initiative should embrace an effort to inform people about genocide. Education and awareness are imperative components of any solemn effort. Once Americans are aware of what is going on, it is harder to turn their backs and be onlookers. Efforts such as scheduling a meeting of the Security Council in Darfur should be undertaken as a primary step. Only when the Americans attain the mental construct of being a superpower, will be when America becomes a superpower.

America’s superpower status is hanging by its’ last threads. Failing to meet with her problems could result in drastic changes. Giving up her status along with the privileges that go along with it, are among many of the changes. However, meeting the demands of the nation are not far from grasp. Adhering to the advice of economic, political and social experts would give America another chance to dominate the world. A nation is a superpower because other nations believe so, and more specifically, because its citizens believe so. It is this doctrine that lifts a nation above exclusively being politically active to being a superpower that governs the world. The American people owe it to themselves to rise above their challenges ans attain this desired goal.

Fatema Rajmohamed
Guns, Germs, and Steel
economic decline
China
Turbo Tagger

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