|
|
|
| Current Issue |
|
|
| Resources |
|
|
|
Preventing Resource Conflicts
| Article
# : |
19789 |
|
|
Section : |
MODERN THOUGHT
|
| Issue
Date : |
3 / 1991 |
4,613 Words |
| Author
: |
S. Fred Singer
S. Fred Singer, Visiting Eminent Scholar at George Mason
University and former director of the U.S. Weather Satellite
Program, is a pioneer in unmanned space science. His early
work included study of primary cosmic radiation and the
discovery of the equatorial "elctrojet" current in the Earth's
ionosphere. He also proposed to NASA the manned mission to
Phobos and Deimos now referred to as the Ph-D Project. |
Throughout human history, conflicts over natural resources, clans, tribes, and nations, have been pervasive. In the twenty-first century, resource conflict will probably be a major concern, due to the growth of the global population, the increased need for resources, dependence on international trade, and increasing awareness of the impact of human activities on the global environment. Indeed, our major challenge is to provide for human needs while avoiding armed conflict and, through the misuse of the environment, the destruction of nature. Unless we can solve the resource conflict problems, we will see more "cod wars" more depletion of fishery stock through irresponsible fishing methodology, more fights about pollution and the assignment of water from rivers that traverse a number of countries.
On a local and national level, resource conflicts are generally handled by markets and the established legal and political processes. In some counties, the political process dominates; in other countries, it plays a lesser role. Such conflicts seldom lead to armed conflict or loss of life, at least in the liberal democracies. Resource conflicts between neighboring states, or international conflicts, are not so easily adjudicated and can often lead to loss of life. Hopefully we may yet learn how to resolve such conflicts and thereby remove them as one of the prime causes of warfare.
It is the main thesis of this article that conflict over resources is best avoided by the use of markets and market processes. But market processes can only be used when rights of property ownership are clearly established and--most importantly--when rights to a resource or technology can be transferred (bartered, sold, or leased) freely (and not extorted by force) for a consideration in the marketplace.
Today, the marketplace exists in the context of an emerging global economy, which is marked by the development of trade blocs centered on America, Europe, Japan, and the Pacific. To ensure a viable world economy, we must develop an international consensus and agreement on laws and institutions that safeguard free trade. The powerful blocs must avoid tariff wars, trade exclusions, or other possible sources of conflict. No bloc can separate its own interests from the good of the entire global economy. Ultimately, trade restrictions hurt everyone concerned.
The role of the developed nations, bloc economies, and international legal, scientific, and political organizations in the twenty-first century will be to lead the development of an equitable global
...
Read Full Article
Look for this article in Ask.com
|
|
