Global security and politics after September 11

The day of September 11 is one which will be remembered for many generations to come. It was the day that shattered whatever confidence and safety many felt in their own country. Like all historic tragedies, it did not simply impact one particular city or country, it rippled throughout the globe.The aftermath of 9/11 was a decrease in leisurely activities such as travel and tourism, a decrease in the stock market and sales as well as an increase in global security and military power. As it was to be expected, the American economy suffered greatly but according to Lee Price, the drop was not necessarily due to the attacks themselves. He states: […]Because of that trauma, we are spending more on security…our economic output is no lower today because of 9/11 and it may well be higher than it otherwise would have been . War is, and always has been, very expensive. Money is being put towards military funding rather than back into the economy. Tighter security may be the cause for low travel rates. The tighter security is not something that has only affected the Americas, many countries rely on tourism as the main source of income.I do not, in any way, claim that security is less important than economic expansion. I do believe, however, that the military has been given too much freedom to attack, with permission, when faced with minimal threat. “the UN Security Council adopted a Resolution in late September 2001 that declared that terrorism was sufficient grounds for constituting a threat to peace for which military self-defence may be invoked.” This particular concept is closely tied in with the second concept for many people are still debating the true nature of the war. An article by George L. Perry sheds light on the position of the US when it comes to oil “(as of 1980) U.S. consumption rose 16 percent over the following decade. U.S. oil production declined slowly and its share of world production fell to below 12 percent in 2000 from near 24 percent in 1970” .This debate is one which needs to be closely looked at by all those in powerful positions. The 21st century needs to be a time of strength, togetherness, co-operation and tolerance. We are slowly working backwards to a time where foreign affairs was strictly military-operated. A crash course in democracy may be what all politicians need.

ANNE L. FOURNEL