Changes

===Trade===

===Trade===

Beginning soon after the end of World War II, the western nations discussed agreements to reduce tariffs for trade among themselves.  In 1947, they entered into the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in order to decrease tariffs that interfered with trade.  This marked a significant change from how nations had used tariffs in the past to protect their domestic industries and raise revenue.  Under GATT, western countries first froze the tariffs (preventing them from increasing) and later began reducing the tariffs.  In 1995, this approach was taken one step further with the World Trade Organization (WTO), which included non-western countries and also established international courts for deciding trade disputes among nations.  There are 150 members of the WTO today, and Vietnam joined it last week (Jan. 11, 2007).

Beginning soon after the end of World War II, the western nations discussed agreements to reduce tariffs for trade among themselves.  In 1947, they entered into the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in order to decrease tariffs that interfered with trade.  This marked a significant change from how nations had used tariffs in the past to protect their domestic industries and raise revenue.  Under GATT, western countries first froze the tariffs (preventing them from increasing) and later began reducing the tariffs.  In 1995, this approach was taken one step further with the World Trade Organization (WTO), which included non-western countries and also established international courts for deciding trade disputes among nations.  There are 150 members of the WTO today, and Vietnam (which the communists won by war in the 1970s) joined the WTO in 2007.

Western European nations also joined the European Common Market after World War II, and then in 1958 joined the European Economic Community (EEC) to reduce tariffs among themselves.  The EEC later because the European Union (EU), which includes all Western European countries except Switzerland, which has never joined anything and fiercely defends its independence, and Norway.  In 2002, all of EU began using a common currency known as the “euro”, except for Denmark and the United Kingdom, which still use their own currencies.  In 2004, many Eastern European nations also joined the EU.  A map of the EU is attached.

Western European nations also joined the European Common Market after World War II, and then in 1958 joined the European Economic Community (EEC) to reduce tariffs among themselves.  The EEC later because the European Union (EU), which includes all Western European countries except Switzerland, which has never joined anything and fiercely defends its independence, and Norway.  In 2002, all of EU began using a common currency known as the “euro”, except for Denmark and the United Kingdom, which still use their own currencies.  In 2004, many Eastern European nations also joined the EU.  A map of the EU is attached.

The large Muslim nation of Turkey has requested to join the EU.  One opponent is the new Pope Benedict XVI of the Catholic Church, who succeeded Pope John Paul II in 2005 upon his death.  Pope Benedict has emphasized the need to keep Europe Christian, and he sparked Muslim riots in late 2006 when he repeated a provocative quote about Islam.

The large Muslim nation of Turkey has requested to join the EU.  One opponent is the new Pope Benedict XVI of the Catholic Church, who succeeded Pope John Paul II in 2005 upon his death.  Pope Benedict has emphasized the need to keep Europe Christian, and he sparked Muslim riots in late 2006 when he repeated a provocative quote about Islam.  One of President Barack Obama’s most significant statements after his election was to call for the inclusion of Turkey in the EU.

North America has also created a free trade zone (free from tariffs) with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was never ratified by the Senate as a treaty but which Congress passed into law anyway.  NAFTA establishes international courts that have already been used to force the United States to open its borders to Mexican trucks, which are less safe than American ones.  The importation of drugs into the United States from Mexico has increased since NAFTA went into effect.

North America has also created a free trade zone (free from tariffs) with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was never ratified by the Senate as a treaty but which Congress passed into law anyway.  NAFTA establishes international courts that have already been used to force the United States to open its borders to Mexican trucks, which are less safe than American ones.  The importation of drugs into the United States from Mexico has increased since NAFTA went into effect.

There are other free trade zones.  LAFTA is the Latin American Free Trade Agreement passed in 1961, and replaced in 1981 by the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI).  ALADI has not been very succesful and therefore several Latin American countries decided to form new free trade zones.  The most succesful free trade zone in Latin America is the South American Common Market (Mercosur) which has Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Venezuela as members.  Other trade zones in the Americas include the Andean Community, the Central American Common Market (CACM) and the Carribean Common Market (Caricom). These agreements Latin American countries develop economic independence from foreign powers.  There is CAFTA, a recently enacted Central American Free Trade Agreement that the United States joined.  There is ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, founded in 1967 by Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines to combat communism.  ASEAN signed trade agreements with Japan (1977) and the European Community (1980).  All these agreements and associations seek to reduce tariffs between member states and promote free trade.

There are other free trade zones.  LAFTA is the Latin American Free Trade Agreement passed in 1961, and replaced in 1981 by the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI).  ALADI has not been very successful and therefore several Latin American countries decided to form new free trade zones.  The most successful free trade zone in Latin America is the South American Common Market (Mercosur) which has Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Venezuela as members.  Other trade zones in the Americas include the Andean Community, the Central American Common Market (CACM) and the Carribean Common Market (Caricom). These agreements Latin American countries develop economic independence from foreign powers.  There is CAFTA, a recently enacted Central American Free Trade Agreement that the United States joined.  There is ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, founded in 1967 by Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines to combat communism.  ASEAN signed trade agreements with Japan (1977) and the European Community (1980).  All these agreements and associations seek to reduce tariffs between member states and promote so-called “free trade.”

The promotion of free trade has many opponents.  Conservatives object to sending money to foreign countries and the resultant loss of American manufacturing jobs to near-slave labor in foreign countries.  Unions object to their loss of jobs.  Many inside and outside the United States object to a culture of “consumerism”, such that people are encouraged to buy more than what they actually need.  Brand names like McDonalds, Coca-Cola and Nike dominate television and the culture of teenagers.  “McDonaldization” is when American advertising (as in the case of McDonalds) has an influence on the world culture, causing distant children (like Chinese) to repeat a McDonald’s slogan they heard on television.

The promotion of “free trade” has many opponents.  Conservatives object to sending money to foreign countries and the resultant loss of American manufacturing jobs to near-slave labor in foreign countries.  A consequence of “free trade” is an increase in illegal drugs from foreign countries into the United States, often hidden within other goods.  Foreign countries, particularly China, have been putting cheaper but dangerous substitutes into goods that result in injuring Americans, including children and pets, who end up using them.  Unions object to their loss of jobs that result from “free trade,” as it is cheaper to have goods manufactured outside of all the expensive regulations and lawsuits that occur in the United States.  Many inside and outside the United States also object to a culture of “consumerism”, such that people are encouraged to buy more than what is healthy or necessary.  Brand names like McDonalds, Coca-Cola and Nike dominate television and the culture of teenagers.  “McDonaldization” is when American advertising (as in the case of McDonalds) has an influence on the world culture, causing distant children (like Chinese) to repeat a McDonald’s slogan they heard on television.

===Energy===

===Energy===