Green is Great, Tom Friedman, But It Won't Make Us a Beacon Posted by David Shorr

Putting environmetal concerns at the center of geostrategy and economics is crucial and helpful in oh so many ways, but Tom Friedman's proposed eco paradigm shift won't help America "get its groove back" as he claims in the lede of his cover article in today's Times Magazine.

Depending on how you look at it, Friedman's idea is the wrong solution for the right problem, or the right solution for the wrong problem. In terms of the latter, the argument for the public and private sectors to join efforts to stem climate change is unimpeachable. Friedman also makes a convincing case for the international political ill effects of high oil prices (actually he made this case nearly a year ago in Foreign Policy).

Cleaning up our environmental act is the wrong solution, however, for the problem of "reconnecting America abroad," set out in the opening of Friedman's piece. There's a clue why in a Michael Mandelbaum quote in the next-to-last graf. Friedman's strategic big-thinking pal says "This issue doesn't pit haves versus have-nots." And therefore, by definition, it will not help the biggest "have" of all to earn a warm place in the rest of the world's heart.

To do that, the superpower is going to have to deliver something of real interest to others that represents a significant political/economic concession -- with a more immediate benefit than lower carbon dioxide emissions and green technology. I suggest a Doha trade agreement that makes good on the promise of promoting development. Here's a proposal from Center for Global Development and Institute for International Economics.

Comments

[Cal]

"The best approach is a “grand bargain” that would include deep cuts in agricultural tariffs and subsidies in industrial countries..." -- Achieving a Grand Bargain

Shouldn't we admit by now that this is probably impossible politically? We've been promising to cut ag subsidies for 20 years, and despite the Washington Consenus our subsidies have increased. It might be better to just take agriculture off the table, regardless of the economic inefficiency.

[Zathras]

Access to developed-world markets for agricultural commodities is a key point for numerous "southern" countries, from Brazil to much smaller countries in West Africa. A trade deal that excludes agriculture is not one they would see as doing much for them.

From their perspective, also, the ag. protectionism that matters most is Europe's (and to a much lesser extent Japan's), not ours. American farm policy is most problematic for another reason, namely that it encourages overproduction of certain crops, particularly cotton, which are then moved onto world markets at prices lower than other cotton-producing countries can sell their product profitably. The major exception -- that is, the American commodity program that is most protectionist -- is the program for sugar, which is based on very restrictive import quotas.

With respect to trade-distorting subsidy programs, this year's reauthorization of the farm bill is the forum Congress will use to address them. They retain strong support, particularly among delegations from southern "white crop" (i.e. cotton, sugar, rice) producing states. However, the biofuels boom has raised market prices for corn, and promises to for soybeans, so much that the more numerous corn and bean farmers don't see the money from USDA commodity programs they used to. Moreover the United States has a strong incentive to reform its farm programs to make them compliant with existing WTO rules against programs that directly distort trade. Finally, while European farmers would mostly suffer from a more liberal world trade in farm products, plenty of American farmers would do just fine. Under these conditions it makes little sense to take agriculture off the Doha table.

[J Thomas]

Anything that encourages consumption in foreign countries will require that the USA cut consumption, barring cheap alternate energy. Tell US voters they need to reduce their standard of living....

Well, but we could encourage "development" where the foreigners produce more for us and get pieces of paper for it, or better yet electronic blips in the international banking system.

Or we could try to produce less CO2 etc and reduce our standard of living that way.

Or we could give up on negotiating away our standard of living and build up our military. We can tell the rest of the world to give us what we want or else.

Which approach will the voting public prefer? Not stated like that, put in pretty words....

[cheap coach handbags]

Thank you for your sharing! I like i very much!

[northen]

harmony stores

These agencies and export defective retailers new harmony to offer for their unwanted inventory items expense a fraction of the original, stores, north face outlet
and outfits boutiques. These solutions are the last outcomes of your new harmony itself, but simply because they were marketed in discount retailers and even the brand it is possible to get some flaws throughout the failure of the company's rigid excellent standards. The benefits of those items is which they throughout the other hand use high-quality manufacturing skills and materials - to produce sure durability, the breathtaking design and support life.
Sponsored runners are recognized to be most perhaps just among the most efficient marketing and marketing strategy, major to the corporation in its ultimately successful. These ugg boots
are inspired by Mr. Bowerman, including his signature waffle coach in 1974 present in his wife's waffle maker.YQ

[louboutin shoes]

Christian Louboutin uggs outlet is an iconic designer
For ugg outlet women whose sense of fashion doesn't match their purchasing price range, there are these two well known solutions: finding a retail store with wholesale price ranges and a terrific provide of authentic footwear or, discovering a website site like ours, with astounding replicas and reasonably priced costs. Christian Louboutin is an iconic designer whose designs are entirely embraced by most well-liked superstars these days - Madonna, Kylie, Rihanna...absolutely everyone is sporting his signature heels. That is why his accessories instantaneously flip heads all over you, anytime you place them on. If you have a black American Express, then fortunate you - go forward and obtain as several pairs as you desire.For the rest of us, uncomplicated buying guidelines nonetheless use: wholesale costs - decrease expense larger satisfaction stage, and superior replica indicates very good get. Come across the fantastic pair, purchase them and really feel charming, charming and elegant. That christian louboutin outlet is what Louboutin footwear give you - pure enjoyment! Your face expression are very important thing in your catwalk. if your face expressions are not good it can easily ruin your entire effort. don't stare at a viewer during catwalk.look straight ahead. always keep your chip and eyes level.never hide your face during catwalk people are there to see you, don't let your head and shoulder fall away. avoid excessive movements and also don't over exaggerate arm movements, during cat walk your head and shoulder should work together both at the same time like tough coat hanger Swing your louboutin shoes hips more than in usual routine. .ST