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I cannot understand how nation states can willfully enter into an agreement that actively curbs their sovereignty and moreover empowers global corporations to l

by fsloth 12y ago

I cannot understand how nation states can willfully enter into an agreement that actively curbs their sovereignty and moreover empowers global corporations to leverage profit mechanisms that can hurt their national interests. Sure, western capitalism especially in anglosaxon countries has always been neck to neck with foreign policy and had been able to leverage considerable national resources (including military) to the benefit of their shareholders. So this is a continuation of that tradition. I understand bilateral treaties where USA has considerable leverage but this... this is so many countries unanimously lowering their pants expectantly to wallstreet. What the fuck. Sure, most of the corporations that benefit from this have issued stocks so in a way 'everyone can benefit' but what I do not understand is this: why are so many countries passing away their sovereignty to companies. Or, to look this in another way, enable companies to tax countries for legislation that is incompatible for their nexy quarter strategy.

rayiner 12y ago
National sovereignty is unpopular these days, on both sides of the aisle. Liberals started it decades ago with their love of international criminal tribunals and increased UN power, and now the conservatives are getting in on the act. The underlying premise of both movements is that your pet issue is more important than the sovereign right of nations to have domestic processes free from foreign influence.
- api 12y ago
  There's a long history of conservatives co-opting liberal ideas and techniques. During the 2000s the right played both identity politics and deconstructionism to great effect. The deconstructionism went into play in areas like the "intelligent design" assault on evolutionary science -- if you read the IDist arguments they are basically deconstructionist attacks on the validity of induction and reason in general. The right has always done identity politics better than the left.
Nursie 12y ago
It's not nation states as a whole entering into a deal. It's the legislatures of nation states, most of whom have come from big business and will probably go back to business at some point, who are acting in self interest. They are giving our sovereignty away. IMHO.
crdoconnor 12y ago
Japan is resistant. There is some hope.

by fsloth 12y ago

rayiner 12y ago

National sovereignty is unpopular these days, on both sides of the aisle. Liberals started it decades ago with their love of international criminal tribunals and increased UN power, and now the conservatives are getting in on the act. The underlying premise of both movements is that your pet issue is more important than the sovereign right of nations to have domestic processes free from foreign influence.

api 12y ago
There's a long history of conservatives co-opting liberal ideas and techniques. During the 2000s the right played both identity politics and deconstructionism to great effect. The deconstructionism went into play in areas like the "intelligent design" assault on evolutionary science -- if you read the IDist arguments they are basically deconstructionist attacks on the validity of induction and reason in general. The right has always done identity politics better than the left.

Nursie 12y ago

It's not nation states as a whole entering into a deal. It's the legislatures of nation states, most of whom have come from big business and will probably go back to business at some point, who are acting in self interest. They are giving our sovereignty away. IMHO.

crdoconnor 12y ago

Japan is resistant. There is some hope.