Monday 13 June 2016

Panama leaks reveal of flaws in governance structure

Panama leaks reveal of flaws in governance structure

 http://dailythepatriot.com/panama-leaks-reveal-of-flaws-in-governance-structure/

“When sorrows come, they come not single spies. But in battalions!” The maxim explains Pakistani politics of last decade more than any situation of Elizabethan times as the Pakistani political landscape, marred by internal political strife and numerous surfacing scandals, is constantly drifting to uncertainty in its viability as a sustainable system. The latest and strongest of all the jolts to the system are Panama Leaks that have challenged legitimacy of many ruling houses in Pakistan. Nonetheless, no matter what happens to the fate of ruling Nawaz family, one of the main questions behind the biggest leak of private documents seen on the Internet is whether we should care at all about the existence of a global web of corruption, and whether something will be done about it. The answer is positive on both counts. In a world of extreme inequality and massive social problems such as ours, the economic, social, and political effects of tax avoidance due to the existence of tax havens are enormous. Without taxes, societies will struggle to function as they will be unable to provide essential public services. But while workers and small-to-medium-sized businesses are paying the full tax rate, global corporations and the super-rich have been paying fewer and fewer taxes over the years with the concomitant growth of the world economy and the spread of offshore tax havens. Welcome to global capitalism, tax injustice, and the undermining of democracy. The involvement of influential names in the leak, such as that of Russian leader Vladimir Putin and the sitting presidents of Argentina and Ukraine, and the prime minister of Iceland and Pakistan, to name just a few of world leaders implicated in the Mossack Fonseca scandal, will undoubtedly produce global political shocks and may lead, one hopes, to a global spring on global governance.
The Panama Papers leak reveals that offshore companies such as Mossack Fonseca need to come under very close scrutiny as they are not illegal in themselves but aim to conceal the identity of the true company and fund owners. They prove beyond doubt that corruption and massive tax avoidance are pervasive throughout the world, not confined merely to lands where only authoritarian and oppressive regimes exist.  The important aspect the Panama Papers leak reveals that, it is not just the global tax system that is broken, but global governance itself. Panama Papers’ leakage have opened up a new debate about ethics of governance as the papers carry information about how specific class is manipulating our governance system for not paying taxes and transferring the ill-gotten money through parallel banking systems to various tax heavens and later on layering of the same money through off shore companies in buying expansive properties across the globe. The process, on one hand is widening the economic divide within a society as the non-tax payer rich getting richer at the expanse of the poor who pays his taxes but is deprived of his share of social guarantees in return. Unfortunately, being part of the ruling elite or getting knotted to the power corridors, this affluent class is not answerable or accountable to anyone. These documents have resurrected classic concepts of philosophers like Plato, Joseph Ellul, Thomas Dye and Aristotle about ethics of governance and formation of a just society.
Conferring to Aristotle, dynamics of governance are the concepts of oligarchy (egalitarianism and tyranny) and aristocracy (polity). In today’s political structure Oligarchies are one presiding in the governance system; it’s a group of well-heeled people, landlord, businessman, royalty or powerful military persons, ruling for their own personal gains. Politicians are ethically certain to take decision for the people they represent and their decisions are bound to result into a tangible outcome in the form of betterment of their people. But Panama Papers reveal breach of this trust between ruled and the ruler, as the latter is found manipulating and designing the system to allow riches to avoid taxes.  This process of personal gains results in change of important pillars of governance (constitution, legislation). Through circumstantial breakdown of this subject, it gives us proper insight of flaws in our ruling authorities and our power structure.
In Panama leaks, the prominent names of Pakistan’ business community and politicians are included.  These are people who belong to specific ruling class in Pakistan and are representative of majority of Pakistan’s population living below the poverty line. This difference in ruling class and general public is so high that it actually gives them space to rule according to their needs. Panama papers are portraying the flaws in power dynamics of Pakistani society at certain levels. In contrast, when we question why Americans’ have no single name in panama paper? The simple answer is that in US executives there is proper scrutiny of those who are part of governance.  Discerning the American governance structure is somewhat portraying the optimistic side of America. US governing bodies elect the participant on defined facets and even on presidential level respective person is accountable for his assets during his retro of stay. Proponents of American of political structure have to show their assets, sources, at every step they are examined by proper firms system. In Pakistan the case is opposite, here business class is the ruling one though there isn’t issue with which class is governing but concern is they have to work in interest of general public and not for their personal gains. Here there is not comparison of US and Pakistani governance system its simple a process of check and balance that is in applied form and visible in US but not in Pakistan.

Saturday 11 June 2016

Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton; a chauvinist and globalist perspective.




US foreign policy structure from the decades is wavered between the two major concepts of isolationism and interventionism. When we look at the past policies of presidential order of US, Bush went for engaging in the world politics and interventionist outlook, while in the presidential tenure of Barack Obama, important stand point was back to the normalization to withdraw America from Wars and focus on American domestic and international progress.  US is in the phase of semi isolationism for 8 year as in the tenure of Barack Obama. So, the important question arises here is, of what policies the coming presidency will imply in the America foreign policy structure? The important and expected candidates for the presidential campaign would be Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. The prognosticators are focusing on explaining the tough campaign and foreign policy perspective of both candidates on different viewpoints. One of the important lenses through which we can judge the role of both participants in formulating the foreign policy structure of US is, their electoral agendas in this serious tremor. Over the years, the individual personalities and interests of American Presidents have molded the American image. For the formulation of important analytical base one of the aspects that is visible in their foreign policy is of chauvinism or nationalism vs. globalization.
When we look at the perspective of globalists, they are concerned with the humanitarian impulsion and self-generating power for the progress of American people.  This self-generating power system through deceits and ruse though embraced the universal policies of cooperation and coordination but leads towards aggressive strains and impulse of domination in the world order. On the other side, nationalists focus on the self-interest of the nation and don’t want to involve in other matters by dominating the world proceedings. The concept of self-development and national interest is their main agenda.  They want their country to be more powerful and don’t care about the fate of other people fraught around until and unless their fate is linked with their national interest.
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, both, to some extent are portraying the agenda of chauvinism and globalism. Donald Trump in his speeches focuses on realistic point of view towards world and considers the national interest and isolationist agenda for the establishment and rule of America.  Safeguarding US and providing policies like closing borders, economic sanctions on China, taking actions against Muslim and immigrants, these all policies somehow show the nationalist agenda of Trump. Trump wants US to go back to partial isolationism and secure its objective. he focuses on diplomatic cut down and serious sanction rather than military intervention and he doesn’t care about the world stance towards his agenda and he is considering  hard core policies to keep America as single major power of the world.
Trump policies are nationalist in their look as trump wants his country to be powerful and with plenty of military reach.  He doesn’t care about the fate of other states which are struggling around. Major issue that is overturning the whole outlook of trump policies is that rich political neophytes are also anti globalist and this factor promotes the agenda of nationalism and strengthens the base of Trump in business sector of America.
One of the perspectives that is built about Hillary Clinton on the other side, is of her hawkish policies but when we look at her involvement in Middle Eastern issues North Korean negotiation and Iran nuclear deal and moves in the South China sea, they clearly depict her engagement in the world through soft power, economic cooperation and diplomacy by secrete and direct means.  Mrs. Clinton has more of the globalist agenda and focusing on the underlying correctness in political and economic terms.  She more focuses towards continuation of Obama policies in more globalist manner as in the new world order according to globalist states, which are focusing on internationalist outlook to peruse their objectives. Hillary Clinton on one hand is focusing on domestic build up to strengthen her political identity and on the other hand she is working brilliantly with globalist agenda of chasing masses of money throughout the world to support her ongoing political mechanism in terms of soft power stance.
Both of the participants of American election campaign are showing two different outlook towards American’s coming foreign policy structure. Understanding the demographic structure of both participants, they have to look at the frustration with the economic and political system in the past years and need to consider the corporations, unions and institutional society to vote for them. Both having different perspective of conservative and unconventional attitude but they need to look at the ideological terms to strengthen their position.
Just along with xenophobic agenda Trump cannot sustain the image of America in the world system as world is now a cosmopolitan society and with these aggressive policies Trump has raised the concern of world in terms of economics and politics. Hilary Clinton using the soft power politics is focusing on serving America’s national interest but one of the major issues that globalists are facing now a day is of regional prejudice which is flagging the web strands of Americans in the world politics. One of the important perspectives that is needed to keep in mind is, of party politics. In recent scenario Hilary Clinton has support from the party agenda and is somewhat portraying the democratic perspective while when we look at the Republicans’ stance, Trump is posing danger to Republicans’ attitude in the political picture which is a concerning issue for the party. Both of the participants are presenting two different agendas which in the future might lead to the new outlook of US foreign policy in the world’s order.

Wednesday 8 June 2016

Pakistan US Relations ,Challenges and Hopes



Author : Zainab Abbasi
MPhil International Relations
Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad


Pakistan sharing bilateral ties with super power full of twist and turns in their relationship since the independence of Pakistan in 1947. General election of 2013 marked the era of renewed relationship between two states, when President Nawaz Sharif payed his first official State visit to U.S which opened up channel for the strategic dialogue. This renewed bilateral tie was meant to enhance their partnership and cooperation on different fields at international level which is obviously in interest of both US and Pakistan. Pakistan was demanding this kind of partnership with US since India in 2005, started its strategic partnership with America. After several years, to some extent similar deal was also signed with Pakistan in 2013. US was denying that deal to Pakistan because US didn’t want to hurt its nascent partner as both India and Pakistan are staunch rivals of South Asia and US had his greater interest in India in economic terms. On the other hand US is trying to boost India as a country that can curtail China in the region.
If one look at two countries relations in context of countering terrorism.9/11 was the phenomena that has changed the posture of the globe. In post 9/11 era U.S launched its war of terrorism against Afghanistan with the assistance of Pakistan as a frontline state.
Since then Pakistan became the front line ally of U.S in this region and cooperating with America to combat terrorism. Pakistan is fighting an internal war against terrorists as the result of Afghan war, as this resulted in spreading of anarchy across the border. Rise of the terrorists’ movement in Pakistan basically driven due to strong ideological and religious factors.
Combination of external and internal factors gave birth to worst kind of terrorism in the country which now has become threat not only for Pakistan itself but also a major threat to the existence of global peace. External factors like Afghan Jihad and support to America’s War on terrorism contributed a lot in internal contradictions in Pakistan and made it not only an exporter state of terrorists for the world but also the hub of worst kind of sectarian conflicts.
US used Pakistan as a frontline state and parted ways soon after the completion of their goals under the highlighted weight of altered international conditions and irretrievable strategic divergences. So what good has brought Pakistan today again being party with Americans?
 In Recent events, one can clearly notice the biasness of America towards its front line ally in South Asian region. Biggest hurdle both states are facing in their bilateral relationships is F-16s deal which US congress is not ready to crack with Pakistan. Another issue between strategic partners is of cutting military aid to Pakistan under 2016-2017 fiscal budget unless or until Pakistan show its willingness to crackdown the activities of Haqaani network working against US forces in Afghanistan. US claimed that Haqaani network have safe houses in northern areas of Pakistan and Pakistan is avoiding taking action against them which is not in favor of both countries relations.
Relationship between Pakistan and United States is facing imbalance due to these issues, sabotaging the progress of bilateral ties. Relations between two states remained under stress for three months in 2016 said by Adviser to PM Sartaj Aziz, because of the conditions attached to the funding of F-16 sale by US Senate.
 US attached the condition to take action against Haqaani only after that it will fund the sale of eight F-16s to Pakistan. On the other hand, Pakistan made it clear that they want those planes to fight against terrorists in northern areas, which earlier also help them to take out targets easily.  Pakistani senators called US a friend who cannot be trusted anymore and criticized it for expanding relations with India and ignoring Pakistan deliberately. Double standards of US towards Pakistan flamed the emotion of anger among Pakistani nationals because they feel that US did not care about all those sacrifices we made since the initiation of War on Terror.
One of the senators of Pakistan termed this blocked of deal as the success of Indian Lobby and failure of Pakistani diplomats regarding the issue. On the other hand US is claiming that ties with Pakistan are complicated but cannot be ignored as it is not in the favor of US national interest. US need to look beyond its conditions for cooperation on Pakistan security needs and how it can support the democratic nation to fight its enemies internal or external both. US policy makers need to realize that Pakistan itself is facing terrorism problem at home and it is not sole responsibility of Pakistani forces to fight terrorism alone, we do need assistance from other states to deal with this horrifying and complex problem of terrorism. If US want to Pakistan to do more, then it is must for US to acknowledge Pakistan’s efforts towards combating terrorism and to provide it assistance and funds. Blocking of military aid and F-16 sale is not in favor of these two complicated allies as both shares some interest towards each other which cannot be over shadowed. On the part of Pakistan, it needs to assure its counterpart that they will be working to live up to their expectations because in any relationship both sides are equally responsible to do best to keep things going smoothly.



Monday 6 June 2016

US China Relations And How It Is Transforming/Impacting Foreign Policy Of US.




author Sabina Babar 
Mphil IR
 Quaid-e-Azam University Pakistan

      In the domain of foreign policy USA-china’s relations are very influential and impacts integral part of the decision making process in US.  Role of agency is important in this regard as opinions depict the political scenarios of the respective states; actors, parties, social and political issues etc. In this assignment articles have certain shared key points to define the common perspective in them. Those key points are china US ties in economic terms, acceptance of China by US public, specifically in term of ideological perspectives, and how US transformed its foreign policy and its foreign policy is in always a state of competition with china.   
  
China is in the unsettled condition and communist party is raising difficulties for US. The mantra of chines that is based on neo Maoist cocktails and opening up reform is conflicting with each other results in incomprehension. Formations of Chinese think tank in the white house to examine the policies and impact of Chinese clearly show the raising US concerns for china. China's rise is a challenge to America's embraced goals.  Schell further suggest that to avoid disastrous conflict, America should establish relation with China with mutual trust and respect.  The passive method for the United States to billet China’s rise, comprises a cautious combination of confrontation and cooperation.
 Both states improved the economic ties and are moving toward the cooperation road. But a part of all the cooperation between both states the point of contention is also increasing as both states have issues over the South China Sea claims by the china and both states blame each other on cybercrimes. Collaboration among China and the United States is mounting. Consensual monetary and trade bonds have excavated and endure to be commonly helpful. The China-U.S. sanctuary association is emerging. The important point of view is that the changing ties between both states and transformation of their policies as both states have basically incompatible political systems and antagonistic value arrangements.
it’s not the china rise that is posing the real diplomatic threat to US and its allies but it’s the soft power stance of china in its policies that is impacting US. As during the George bush time the focus on US strategies were to warfare against extremism but during Barack Obama times China had become much more persuasive.
US important comment in year 2016 by US President Barack Obama, who has always been rather discreet, said in a rather high-profile manner, "The United States of America is the most powerful nation. Period. It's not even close." When we look in the economic and domestic progress US has performed better in it in comparison to china.  Chinese media has reported US surveillances over china’s waters.   This issue of south china waters is bone of strife between both states policies. It is competition over overall national strength, and economic strength in particular and this is visible in policies of both states.
China and US both states are in condition of competition with each other. The concept of American exceptionalism is stranded in the Western thoughts that distinct political freedom. This concept should be a prototype for the world but it isn't common with China’s concepts of consolidation of Maoism and egalitarian.  The ideas of west world are based on Enlightenment and individual importance while the Chinese concepts are in contradiction as based on the Confucian ideal and centralized power positioned for the common good.
When we evaluate critically there is set pattern in foreign policy of US toward china that includes certain key agendas which are cyber threats, environmental exploitation, and integration. US followed specific pattern in its policies   and that specific pattern depend in the presidential tenure in US.  US china relationship needed to be analyzed on term of their presidential candidates and their impact on foreign policy making. As US wasn’t much concerned about china expansion during war on terrorism but during Obama tenure US policies engrossed china reformist growth on the regional bases and also on global level. This results in promotion of concept of US entrepreneurship in china and portrays china as less successful and chauvinistic in its concepts. When we analyze the economic development difference between both states yes US is sturdier but when we see the burden it’s the US facing more economic burden due to engagement in wars while on the other side China isn’t facing any problem by any economic outlook. The emerging china impact on the foreign policy of US as US always used the hard power stance while china on bases of soft power is rooting itself in most of regions of world. This strategic relationship and involvement on bases on economic perspective is a setback for the foreign policy of US that is mostly based on the Reason to protect principle or humanitarian interventions.  US had these principles a top place in its foreign policy which results in the negative image of US on the other hand china gaining economic objective and controlling commercial progress had positive image for the world. US transformed its strategies with time toward china and now China is influential character in US policies. 

Friday 3 June 2016

Russia’s Military Intervention In Ukraine, its impacts On US



Author : Ulfat Ahmad
MPhil International Relations
Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad Pakistan

Ukraine’s crisis continued intensify due to  former president Viktor Yanukovych cancelled his decision of signing association agreements with European union in November 2013.Moreover as a result a Russian invasion in Ukraine and a civil war in eastern Europe .Owing to military invasion of Russia a political change abrupt, due to this abruption of conflict not only Ukraine disturbed but international community (USA) was also effectuated  because the relations between the united states and its western allies on one  road and the other road Russia that plummeted stage not seen since the cold war. After the demise of Soviet Union, 1991, Russia was facing unpleasant possibilities at International environment , worst case scenario was socio-  economic crisis and political instability at domestic level. The arrival of the presidency of Vladimir Putin consequensed in good performance in critical situations that was characterized in nintes. Although Putin want internationally relaunch Russia, if not in global actor but also at the major regional power. Nonetheless, Russia emerged in hegemonic style, intervened in Georgia 2008 and then military intervention in Ukraine in 2014.
Hence, political attention of USA and its focused on European dynamics in terms of soviet leadership influence in continent , American presidency moved for strategic interest and in order to limit international ambitions put sanctions on Russia .” During those days, it was clear to the White House that it could not rely on either a response capabilities of the European Union, as evidenced by the appointment of the former Polish President Alek sander Kwasniewski as special representative for the Ukraine crisis, or an increase of support for the new Ukrainian government, too subject to the moods of the crowd and influenced by ideologically anti-Russian components”  . The economic sanctions also proved a short-lived boomerang effect for Russia because few of states willingly want to apply them effectively against importantly economic and political players whose dominance cause dangerous! So, sanctions played a role economic difficulties in Russia :energy sanctions , political sanctions and social sanctions .these sanctions prohibit western financial institutions from providing long term loan to Russia! These financial sanctions cut off Russia from global financial flows.
With the combination of structural impediments, lower oil prices, and sanctions, the World Bank estimates that Russia’s economy will now contract by around 2.9 percent in 2015”  . Very cautious estimate “ the Russian Finance Ministry estimated a 4.7 percent contraction in 2015, assuming oil averaged $60 per barrel. Some economists have forecasted the contraction for 2015 to be close to double digits”
However, Russian’s military intervention in Ukraine and USA effectuated in many ways: major security interest for both USA and its allies, impact on bilateral relations USA-RUSSIA .the most fundamental USA interest was affected by Russia intervening Ukraine was center of European security. So, Russia also play important role in middle east to prevent Iran for developing nuclear capabilities, on the other hand USA also reluctant see Russia as major actor in Asia pacific region. “Obama’s theory here is simple: Ukraine is a core Russian interest but not an American one, so Russia will always be able to maintain escalatory dominance there.”   Instead of this, USA’s support to Ukraine create difficulties for it in terms of sino-russian reltaions that were the expansionist policy. So in that context, US-RUSSAIN’s relations were deteriorated day by day . As long as Russia defend itself to oppose the west got victory in Ukraine crisis.
Neverthless,  multiple sanctions, diplomatic initiatives , foreign  assistance  unofficial engagement crisis showed no signs of end even Moscow felt itself isolated at international level. Meanwhile, a conflict cannot be solved by military  means , political solution will only get properly by negotiations , mediation  etc  therefore referendum held in Ukraine . This referendum went to favour for Russia fortunately and once again Russian’s dominance was reemerged at international level.