Debate over Ma Ying Joeu Three No Policy

     Realizing that the timely conclusion of Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (EFCA) with China is vital for the future of his country, President Ma, a US-educated lawyer, spares no effort, for the sake of 1993 Consensus, pushing for the normalization of cross-strait relations. In his inaugural speech, Ma stresses the importance of Three No Policy which covers: 1. No unification during his term in office 2.No crusade for independent, the words coined by Portuguese, disadvantage. A Taiwanese Scholar argue that China will be able to put strong pressure on Taiwan should EFCA is completed. We cannot say that we are having a prosperous democracy as our mouth is getting stuck. The conclusion of EFCA will be the end of Taiwan Economic Security Net, implying that China is going to enjoy both economic and political leverage over Taiwan. Moreover, the singing of EFCA will flood Taiwan with cheap Chinese goods which are setting the stage for losses of hundreds of thousands of job. Taiwan SMEs will be suffering from fierce competition from their counterparts. However, Ma used to say that Taiwan cannot afford not singing EFCA if it is to survive. We, as well as North Korea, have become the Orphan of Asia because we are excluded from the tendency of Free Trade Agreement, Regionalism and Globalization. Taiwan is now dealing a terrible blow as the ASEAN-China FTA is drawing to close. He went on that Taiwan is feeling the rotten-apple effect of the FTA. Taiwan will lose its competitive edge if we are unable to have our duties cut. Supporter of Ma policy argue that EFCA allows Taiwan Economy to be more competitive. The agreement, for Taiwan, is a short-term pain but long-term gain. Taiwan industries will be more profitable because they don’t have ship their products to Hong Kong and then to China, biggest export destination for Taiwan. EFCA enables Taiwan to have duty-free and direct access to Chinese Market and picks up its Output. Asked if China will allow Taiwan to negotiate with other countries, Ma replied that it is in every both country interests for Taiwan to become a pro-active citizen of global village. Currently, Taiwan is conducting first round of Free Trade Agreement with Singapore.          

Some Essential Characteristics of UN Peacekeeping Operations

              First, it must have the consent of the parties involved. The UN cannot impose peacekeeping upon two unwilling parties. It has to wait until they are ready for it. Ironically, the consent can be withdrawn. This happened in 1967 when President Nasser of Egypt requested the UN Peacekeeping force to leave Sinai. As a result, the act was considered as one of the principle factors which brought about the Arab-Israeli War, 1967.

               Second, a UN Peacekeeping Operation must enjoy the support of the international community. Take the UN Charter, the mandate to establish the force must have the support of the five permanent members of the Security Council as well as at least of the remaining ten non-permanent members.

                Third, the troops of the UN Peacekeeping Operations are provided voluntarily by the member states to the General Assembly. In principle, the costs are to be shared by the member states. In practice, however, many of the member states have not harbored their obligation under the Charter to pay their share of the cost of Peacekeeping Operation. The United Nations is beset by severe and controversial financial problems. There are three elements to the extended UN budget. The first is the core budget for headquarters operations and the regular programs of the major UN organs. Then, there are peacekeeping forces. The third element is called the voluntary contributions budget, which funds agencies such as WTO, UNICEF and so on; it also includes voluntary contribution to peacekeeping expenses.

                The UN is entirely dependent on the assessment it levies on member-countries. This assessment is fixed by the UNGA based on a complicated formula that reflects the ability to pay. According to the UN Charter, this is a valid binding to all signatories; members are required to meet this assessment and may have their voting privilege in the General Assembly suspended if there are seriously in arrears. 

                  Fourth, a Peacekeeping Operation is under the command of the Secretary General, who is, in turn, accountable to the Security Council. This is an important principle because if Peacekeeping Troops are thought to be serving their counties interest, they will lose the impartiality which must be at the heart of peacekeeping.   

A Brief on Legislative Process in the United States of America

      The first step in the legislative process is the introduction of a bill to Congress. Anyone can write it, but only members of Congress can introduce act. However, some important bills are traditionally introduced at the request of the President, such as the annual federal budget.

       After being introduced, bill is referred to appropriate committee for review. According to White House 2008 statistics, there are 17 senate committees, with 23 House committees, with 104 subcommittees. Each committee oversees a specific area, and the subcommittees undertake more specialized area. 

       A bill is first considered in a subcommittee, where it may be accepted, amended or rejected entirely. If the members of the subcommittee agree to move the bill forward, it is reported to the full committee, where the same progress is repeated again. During this stage of the process, the committees and subcommittees are constitutionally having the power to call hearing to investigate the merits and flaws of the bill. They invite experts, advocates, and opponents to appear before the committee and provide testimony, and can compel persons to appear using “Subpoena Power” if necessary.

      If the full committee votes to approve the bill, it is reported to the House or Senate, and the majority leader set the date for consideration. When the bills come up for consideration, the House goes through debate process. Each member, in the House of Representatives, only has few minutes to speak, and the number and kind of amendments are very limited. So, bills are easily enacted in the House. On the contrary, most of the bills die in the Senate because of so-called “Filibuster Rights.”  Unlike most of the Senates, which are from time to time considered as Rubber-Stamp Assembly, the debate on most bills in the US Senate is unlimited. Senators are given unlimited debate time. As a consequence, a disapproval of a senator may result in the death of a law. The senator, who disagrees with the passage of a law, can use the unlimited debate time to adjourn the vote on the bill. Some critics argue that the Constitution gives too much power the Senate and by doing so make the institution becomes the Club of Dictators. However, at the request of 16 senators and with the support of 3/5 of all members of the Senate can break the filibuster. Should the filibuster is broken; the senators who wish to continue to speak have only 1 hour to clarify their position.    

      A bill must pass both houses of Congress before its goes to the President for consideration. The President has several options which have already been mentioned. Thanks!!!

The Great Recession and Its Implication for the World

 Emerging from the harness of global financial crisis,the world economy is being haunted by fear of double-dip recession.Not only has the sluggishness of US economic growth been threatening global economic growth prospect, but also it has put every country long run interest at stake.In addition to the worst, the extraordinarily whooping debts of European Countries and Japan vividly indicate that second wave of Domino Effect is anything but an unlikely scenario.None of the aforesaid issues are far from making headlines.

  On the contrary, i believe that ,rather than in holding pattern or in crisis,global economy is in transition.The collapse of Lehman Brothers served as a powerful finishing touch to the tranformation of global growth paradigm.So severe as the crisis was,China,AKA World Factory,is able to maintain its status as a rising star.The core end of US-made crisis is to promote china rises;hence,China is nearly untouched.

  By the same token,Brazil and India are on a par with their counterpart.Should Emerging Market not grow fast enough,US will run a risk of long-term trade deficit.Lo and Behold,the Economic Miracle of China,Brazil and India,albeit during the crisis,will enable greater flow of trade and services which is at the expense of no country.

  Above all,the economic crisis also gave rise to the reform of US financial market which is otherwise ,given the status quo,difficult to initiate ,let alone come into effect.Moreover, It is a highly likely scenario that US,in conjuction with other advanced countries,will find a way of cutting back on budget deficit by taxing the banks.

  Many analysts predict that EU influences will greatly diminish thanks to its frail economic growth.Conversely,it is not the case.Economic crisis is the best pretext for most of European Governments to lauch austerity measures resulting hundred million dollars of savings,the amount of which will offset previous negative economic growth.

  Russia is an exception.Russian economic growth during the crisis time is not that strong.At the same time,economic crisis is sending a meaningful message to Kremlin that its current economic structure is no longer in its best interest.So, i expect that Russia will experience economic structure reshuffle at some point in the future. 

 Last but not least, all indispensable players get the blessings,rather than curse, from the economic crisis and the rest of the world,on the back of knock-on effect,vice versa.

An Overview of US Checks and Balances System

The main end of Checks and Balances system created by the founders of US Constitution is to prevent to powers from concentrating in the hand of a person. They believe that it is a disaster should the powers are not distributed equally. Here are some components of the system:

The Powers and Competence of Executive: the one has the duty to execute the laws cleared by the Congress and sometimes its veto (only the President who has privilege to do so) the bills. The President has three choices to do with the presented 1. If president signs the bill, it becomes law 2.

President can veto the bill by sending back to the Congress. However, the President decision can be overridden via two-third majority votes of both Houses and then the bill becomes law without President Approval. By contrast, the bill dies as long as it cannot afford two-third support from Senate and House of Representatives. 3. In some cases; the President takes no action on the bill; accordingly, the bill becomes law automatically after 7 days after of arrival, (Exclude Sunday), knowing that his/her veto cannot survive the override of Congress. Many people consider both face-saving and oppositional act. Moreover, in Clinton Administration saw the rise of Line –Item Veto, the powers of which enable the President to veto any article or section of the bill. In addition, the Executive has some checks over the Congress and Judiciary: the President has powers to convince special session, to adjourn Congress, and can pardon individuals convicted in federal courts. Also, the President appoints Judges for life- time position. The president serves as Commander-in-chief and negotiates treaties with foreign governments with the consent of Congress.

The Powers and Competence of Congress: The Congress has the powers to pass federal budget, collect taxes and fund executive functions, to establish lower federal courts, judicial positions, to approve treaties and federal appointments and declares war. Interestingly, the Congress can impeach and remove president/judges from office. Next, the Congress approves the appointment of judges at the request of President. The Congress can curb judicial power by adding new judges and creating new court systems or writing rules that may limit powers of judicial review in certain legislation.

The Powers and Competence of Judiciary: The Supreme Court has power to rule on constitutionality of Congressional legislation and Executive acts called Judicial Review of Legislation. Last but not least, Chief justice presides over presidential impeachment hearings in the case of serious of misconduct(s). Thanks @_@

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