November 2012 Issue 3
a mult-university international affairs magazine
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THE FUTURE
FUELING
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T HE HID D EN T R A NS CRIP T
November 2012 · Issue 3
Editorial staff Editor-in-Chief Reid Standish Associate Editor Alexander Dirksen Associate Editor Adam Kingsmith Design Editor Adam Cristobal Communications Director Kaisa Hartikainen
This issue’s writers Ryan Grey Adam Kingsmith Dulce Nunez Aske Bonde Keleigh Annau Atul Menon
The Hidden Transcript progress since our second issue. A new website was launched in April, making for a more interactive and easy to use experience for our readers. With the website reNlaunch we have also welcomed a host of new columnists to our team. This new roster of writers brings an exciting diversity of expertise to The Hidden Transcript that has never existed before. With
We would also like to thank SFU School for International Studies Nick Standish
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articles tackling a variety of topics, from the resurgence of Communism to naval warfare; from the political impact of social media to the War on Drugs, our new site now offers thought provoking insights mixed with a current focus to the headlines of the day. We welcome our new additions to our team and look forward to the insights that they have to offer. It has been a period of great growth for The Hidden
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— Reid Standish, EditorBinBChief, and Alexander Dirksen, Associate Editor
THE HIDDEN TRANSCRIPT
Stay Silent The key to a healthy and prosperous future is more civil disobedience Ryan Grey
Long Live the Iron Fist The autocrats of the future will be smarter and more cunning than ever before
04 08
Moving beyond the dark side of development theory
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Adam Kingsmith
The Free Market’s Shackles How globalization and neoNliberal reform has impacted bonded labour in India
The weak foundations of global statistics Aske Bonde
Socioeconomic Savior or Red Herring? A look at oil and gas development in the arctic
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Climate change, resource development and the geopolitics of the artic
16 18
The need for presidential reform in America Alexander Dirksen
sion and growing concerns surrounding the impact of climate change, such a declaration was met with introspection rather than enthusiasm, as the world ciety in order to ensure our planet is able to withstand the strain of our rapidly expanding population. As we struggle to adapt to our growing population, we are also confronted with strains within our existing demoN graphics N growing calls for democracy are continuing to be met with resistance within the Middle East, while been put to the test. How we handle these challenges in the decade to come may prove to be crucial in determinN ing the fate of future generations. In light of these crucial questions, we are pleased to present to you the third issue of The Hidden Transcript, centered upon the key trends that are “Fueling the FuN Ryan Grey, who examines the underlying perceptions and norms of contemporary protests and opposition to make a case for the role of civil disobedience in a healthy democN racy. Our EditorNinNChief, Reid Standish, confronts the opposite end of the political spectrum, as he looks towards the tactics employed by contemporary dictators in order to ensure their future longevity. In “No Darkness but IgnoN rance” Associate Editor, Adam Kingsmith offers a critique and alternative to the traditional development model. The issue delves further into conditions within the deN veloping world with the work of Dulce Nunez, who focuses upon bonded labor in India. Next, Aske Bonde challenges
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Atul Menon
X Marks the Spot
people. In the midst of an enduring economic recesN
ture.” The work opens with a thought provoking work by
Keleigh Annau
True, North, Strong and Free?
that world population estimates had exceeded 7 billion
economic linkages within the European Union have
Dulce Nunez
Global Guesstimates
On October 31, 2011, the United Nations announced
struggled to determine how we can transform our soN
Reid Standish
No Darkness but Ignorance
November 2012 · Issue 3
the mainstream’s take on population estimates, arguing that development and economic planning is actually based upon a weak foundation. Particularly timely in light of onN going discussions regarding the future of energy in North America is the work of Keleigh Annau, who discusses the destructive powers of oil and gas exploration in Canada. Atul Menon continues the artic theme as he analyzes the
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issue of artic sovereignty through a Canadian lens in his piece “True North Strong and Free?” The issue concludes with a journey back to the ballot box with Associate EdiN tor, Alexander Dirksen’s look to possible alternatives to the American election system.
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STAY SIL ENT. THINGS COULD ALWAYS BE WORSE RYAN GREY
THE HIDDEN TRANSCRIPT
November 2012 · Issue 3
For this issue, the editors of The Hidden Transcript have asked us to articulate how we see the future unfolding. Concerns about escalating environmental destruction, increasing population, and limited resources to predict – every isolated event, even the most mundane, has been predicated by countless other events – a culmination of uncertainty. It may be appropriate to survey the current social and political landscape, our current attitudes and behaviors, to establish some perspective on the future. One issue (amidst many) that impacts our ability, as citizens, to contend with the aforementioned loci is the underuse of alternative forms of political participation, namely civil disobedience and a growing negative sentiment against those who do engage in such acts. At a time when we are facing a convergence of man-made problems, we need more political participation and that means we need more acts of civil disobedience... tion towards it? Recent revolutions and uprisings in far the past, civil disobedience played an instrumental role
away lands have made inroads towards dethroning and
in overcoming various forms of oppression, providing the
uprooting, displacing power and authority, albeit most
masses an avenue through which to express their disN
often into a sort of limbo. Yet at home, we remain largely
content with the status quo. These achievements should
apathetic towards forms of civil disobedience.
be emulated and valorized – oppressed disenfranchised
Such developments raise a number of important quesN
groups have been able to overthrow centuries of coloN
tions. Firstly, how can we explain these phenomena?
nial rule and segregation, uproot entrenched laws and
That is to say, why is it that civil disobedience faces ridiN cule and what can explain acquiescence from the masses
the social standing of minority groups. Through power
when civil disobedience used to have so much meaning?
in numbers, solidarity and unity, these en masse politiN
Currently, there is little to suggest that the gap between
cal acts were able to undermine dominant power strucN
the rich and poor – both domestically and globally – is
tures. As we know, power has slowly concentrated itself
narrowing. The Occupy movement that swept across the
into fewer hands, thus becoming an increasingly scarce resource. Could the emancipatory potential of largeNscale
reality. Yet while the absolute gap between the rich and
civil disobedience explain to some degree the indignaN
poor is growing, there has been a relative increase in the
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November 2012 · Issue 3
‘middle class’. It is hard to be sure if this has created a fog, obscuring the actual disparity between rich and poor, or has simply become a welcomed distraction. Either way it seems there are two parallel attitudes explaining the lack of protest and acquiescence. First, the middle class is reluctant to vocalize their concerns or step out of line
The beautiful achievement
because for them, things really aren’t that bad in relation
of civil disobedience is its
lot worse. They accept without protest the world around
ability to be successful on
of civil disobedience and struggle. The second attitude is
multiple levels. A protest can be deemed successful if it brings about a change to existing laws or policy, or similarly helps the enB actment of new laws or policies.
them, forgetting how much of it has been shaped by acts essentially one of contempt, playing off their reluctance, towards those who do protest, thus legitimizing their own apathy. people are not aware (and traditional channels of disN semination are failing to elucidate) that civil disobediN ence is both a legitimate and necessary action within a democracy. It is a form of active participation by citizens within a democratic system that should be welcomed rather than denigrated. Why? The act of voting is probN ably the principal act of participation by citizens within a democracy as it allows society to choose who is given positions of power based upon their proposed policies and political ideology. Yet once this ballot is cast (particularly in places in which voting is corrupt or infrequent), the citizenry has a dramatically reduced voice regarding the laws and policies enacted by the government. Does this mean the citizenry should accept without protest actions undertaken by the government in between elections? No. Citizens have a right to express their collective dissatisN faction, and take a stand against injustices. Moreover, citizens have a right to be presented with information, allowing them to be made aware of said dissatisfactions and injustices. Given the obvious proclivity for selfN preservation the bias of governments is to be expected, and even less can be said about the honesty of the media. In this regard civil disobedience is an equally necessary form of participation within a democratic system – it ofN fers alternative sources of information. The beautiful achievement of civil disobedience is its ability to be successful on multiple levels. A protest can be deemed successful if it brings about a change to existing laws or policy, or similarly helps the enactment of new laws or policies. For example, student protests across Austria in 2009 helped ensure education remained essentially free, while in the workforce, unions utilizing tactics similar to those of civil disobedience are able to routinely win better working conditions for employees. On a higher level, however, an act of civil disobedience is
THE HIDDEN TRANSCRIPT
always a success because it functions symbolically N the act of disobedience demonstrates that people are still able to unite in solidarity, that not everyone is content with the status quo and that not everyone is willing to acquiesce. It is this symbolism embodied in disobedience that must be supported, even if the message itself is not supported or always effective. If groups are coming together, amassing in the thouN sands, as is the case for those supporting and engaging in the student protests in Quebec (or in London a few years ago for that matter), maybe there really is a legitimate
November 2012 · Issue 3
Disobedience demonstrates that people are still able to unite in solidarity, that not everyone is content with the status quo and that not everyB one is willing to acquiesce.
grievance or injustice taking place. But maybe there isn’t, and that in itself is cause for celebration. Civil disobeN
has demonstrated that policies and laws can be changed,
dience stirs debate and stimulates discussion – it gets
even when the ideologies upon which they rest are heavN
people talking about issues. In this way, citizens engagN
ily entrenched in the fabric of society, and even when up
ing in acts of civil disobedience are trying to have their
against powerful opponents. Martin Luther King thought
opinion heard and hopefully taken into consideration,
that another America was possible and Mahatma Gandhi thought another India was possible. The world needs
government. As a communicative tool, civil disobedience
more acts of civil disobedience – more protests, marches,
is a means for citizens to publicize issues that, because
sitNins, boycotts, strikes, and in general, more solidarity.
of dominant ideologies, fail to receive adequate attenN
Carrying on their zeitgeist another world is possible. A
tion. Such actions allow stakeholders to add their voice to
better world is possible. But it must be demanded and
the discourse, providing an alternative viewpoint about
fought for if it is to become a reality.
a particular issue that may otherwise remain biased. If mainstream politics is not adequately representing the people, or failing to be a voice for the people, then the people should be their own voice and represent themN selves. Unfortunately, if the present is any indication of what the future will hold, we are facing an uphill battle. Judging by poor voter turnouts and the unsupportive attitudes leveled against those engaging in acts of civil disobedience, an increasing percentage of the population is becoming apolitical. This complacency comes at a time when our species is collectively confronting a convergence of problems. These issues impact everyone. Civil disobeN dience allows those traditionally without a voice, whether it be the oppressed or the disenfranchised) opportuniN ties to not only engage in but also add to the deliberaN tive process. Worldwide social movements have already started occupying political space and it is the job of the citizenry to endorse and partake in these movements in order to maintain discordant, alternative, or dissenting viewpoints within various political discourses. History
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LONG
LIVE THE IRON
THE HIDDEN TRANSCRIPT
The autocrats of the future will be smarter and more cunning than ever before REID STANDISH
November 2012 · Issue 3
THE IRON FIST AND THE VELVET GLOVE
Il rained supreme in North Korea for 17 years, Fidel Mubarak was Egypt’s modern day pharaoh for nearly 30. A commonality amongst these leaders was their ability to manipulate the tools of the state at their disposal to ensure their continued preeminence in the leadership of the state. Those dictators that remain in power today are
It was an image forever etched into the history of the
even more cunning and shrewd than their predecessors
20th century. On one side stood a row of tanks, a symbol
— Putin is not Stalin, and Hu Jintao is not Mao Zedong.
of brute force and the repressive system that sent them
Perhaps most troubling is a realization by this new class
there. Opposite, stood a single man: unassuming, alone,
of modern dictators that it’s in their best interest to
but completely resilient. It was June 5th 1989 in Beijing.
maintain the appearance of democratic norms even while
Despite the harsh crackdown by the Chinese government
they’re subverting them. The methods of retaining power
against the Tiananmen Square protests, communism and
might have changed over the years, but the main theme
authoritarianism appeared against the ropes. People had
still stays the same: adapt or die.
taken to the streets and their government had responded with force. Surely, the forces of freedom and democracy
well. The 13Nyear president loves the election process, and on election day, Venezuelans can pretty much vote
T
for whomever they want. The fact that most Venezuelans he promise of democracy in China proved to be short lived. Not only is the Chinese Communist
effort he has put into manipulating the media, the courts,
Party still in power today, but it is thriving N China
and the bureaucracy every other day of the year. MoreN
continues to possess the world’s second largest GDP,
over, Chávez has implanted these black arts of corrupN
while playing an increasingly important role upon the
tion and power politics into Venezuela’s political culture
international diplomatic stage. Such longevity appears
so deeply that it’s hard to imagine how even the admiraN
to be part of a larger, global trend N over the last century
bly revitalized opposition can compete. The president’s
many dictators have managed to cling to power far longer
control of the airwaves is so deft that he appears to have
than they or their people had any right to expect. They were brutal and they were evil, but you certainly can’t
a skyrocketing murder rate. It could well be that only naN
call them dumb. In fact, measured by their own criteria,
ture, in the form of the cancer now ravaging the leader’s
they were actually quite successful at employing ingeN
body, is capable of putting an end to Chavez’s reign over
nious strategies to maintain their hold upon political
the South American petroNstate.
power. Regardless of events such as the Arab Spring and other democratic breakthroughs over the course of 2011,
Similar tactics have been deployed in Russia, where reigning strongman, Vladimir Putin, has managed to
the durability of these dictatorships is set to become a major phenomenon in the future, especially as regimes continue to rule with a balanced mixture of authoritarian repression and technocratic vision.
to SovietNstyle extremes. Unlike previous generations, N plore the Internet largely to their heart’s content. Since
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Putin understands that completely isolating his citizens from the world at large is a game with rapidly diminN ishing returns, he instead, like Chávez, has focused on controlling the media outlets that matter (like national
A commonality amongst these leaders was their ability to
TV) and carefully manipulating laws to tilt the political
manipulate the tools of the
that Putin can avoid having to throw large amounts of
state at their disposal to
political opponents into concentration camps, like RusN sia’s most famous authoritarian, Joseph Stalin. THE WINDS OF CHANGE In terms of avoiding the mistakes of previous dictatorN ships, no regime has invested more into studying how to avoid the erosion of power as China. Such power studies serve as the backbone of Will Dobson’s new book, The
ensure their continued preemB inence in the leadership of the state. Those dictators that reB main in power today are even more cunning and shrewd
Dictator’s Learning Curve: Inside the Global Battle for
than their predecessors —
tug of war between democracy and authoritarianism. The
Putin is not Stalin, and Hu
Chinese Communist Party, Dobson concludes, is the least complacent of today’s modern authoritarians. They’ve deN
Jintao is not Mao Zedong.
voted intense study to the collapse of previous dictatorial regimes, from Ceausescu to Suharto, and they’ve worked hard to draw corresponding lessons—so far with remarkN
ments to concentrate power, thus chipping away at the
able success. The Communist Party has weathered many
very essence of authoritarianism. A rumor of governN
storms and has still managed to come out on top and in
ment misbehavior in one part of China, for example,
charge. “The Chinese Communist Party understands
can immediately trigger riots in other regions thouN
what its vulnerabilities are,” writes Dobson, and “no one
sands of miles away. This represents a new phenomN
needs to lecture that government on what they need to
enon that remained largely foreign to authoritarian
worry about at night.” It is no surprise that, according
leaders in the past. However, the winds of change blow
to Dobson, these key areas of concern are the rampant
slowly and for the short to medium term, dictatorships
corruption and wealth inequality that plagues the world’s
will continue be able to learn from past mistakes and
largest economy.
use their savvy to maintain their grip on power. EroN
However, like all good strategies, its success may
sion is a slow process, and in the meantime the iron
ultimately be its undoing. The fact that authoritarian regimes feel compelled to act like they’re really listenN of democratic opposition and demonstration. norms have become part of the political culture. It’s no coincidence that Russia’s new culture of civic protest has been galvanized precisely by government voteNrigging. Nowadays, Russians actually expect their votes to count, so going through the motions of an election no longer more or less real elections for years—but the evidence is mounting that people there want their votes to be more than a carte blanche for a benignly despotic state and the political landscape is shifting accordingly. In the long run, such trends are pointing towards the eventual erosion of undemocratic regimes. The rapid spread of information is making it harder for governN
THE HIDDEN TRANSCRIPT
NO DARKNESS BUT IGNORANCE
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November 2012 · Issue 3
raditional development is a weapon. Wielded aggressively by the Western world, it relies upon various exploitative forms of foreign aid which
ignore the realities on the ground, instead serving to signal diplomatic approval, strengthen military allies, reward governments for behaviour desired by donors, needed by donors for resource extraction from recipient countries, and gain other kinds of commercial access. When addressing development’s priorities from a refreshingly alternative point of view, Iranian diplomat, “what we call aid money serves only to strengthen the structures that generate poverty. Aid money never reachN es those victims who, having lost their real assets, look for alternative ways of life outside the globalised system of production which are better suited to their needs”. Unfortunately, it does not take more than a quick look at the BBC’s headlines or your Twitter feed to see that the shameful and exploitative nature of ‘development projects’ today reiterate Rahnema’s point. This year alone (and it’s not even halfway through), ‘development’
Illuminating post-development theory
has already been the root cause of widespread famine in Somalia, pervasive deforestation in Peru, and recurring droughts everywhere from the Congo to Cambodia. REDEFINING AND RETHINKING
ADAM KINGSMITH
DEVELOPMENT While development is not to blame for every problem in reinforcing colonial structures which keep the rich richer and the poor poorer. In response to what is becoming an increasing exploitative trend in development practices, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni reiterated at a recent African Union Summit that “Western, OECD countries must get out of the habit of trying to use aid to dictate the management of our countries”. Furthermore, regardless of the propaganda that multilateral institutions such as the United Nations Development Programme and philanthropic capitalists such as Jeffery Sachs preach from their cushy perches in New York City, development in its current form has not sought to create a fair set of rules that promote the wellN the current system staunchly resist change, and these selfNprofessed oligarchs are very powerful. According to much ‘Southern’ scholarship, the ‘NorthN ern’ model of development is simply a mechanism for the imposition of economic control over less developed
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peoples to an extent that is equally, if not more pervaN
and the environment.
sive than the colonial system from which it sprung. The
Postdevelopment is that reimagining, and it gestates
opposition between ‘civilised’ and ‘primitive’, which was
in the emerging consciousness of those who refuse to be
instrumental in justifying colonialisation at the height of
‘objects,’ and declare their intent to become ‘subjects’ of
imperial incorporation was no longer viable, so developN
history. The basis of this postdevelopment thought lies in the argument that, prior to the emergence of international
global identity of exNcolonies in a way that was incorporaN
developmental processes and policies implemented by forN
tive and universalistic, yet still hierarchical.
mer colonial powers and their institutions, many countries,
Following this logic, it not surprising that academics
though lacking in Western institutions such as healthcare,
and leaders in the Global South have argued that deN
postNsecondary educational opportunities, and sanitation,
velopment in its current forms as a process has reached
were not by their own perceptions, poor.
an impasse and as a goal should be abandoned. MoreN
According to postdevelopment theorist Arturo Escobar,
over, they claim that the ‘end of development’ should
it was only when external expectations and norms were
be recognised. This end should not be seen as an end to
introduced through the intervention of international agenN
the search of new possibilities of change, for a relational
cies such as USAID, the Red Cross/Crescent, and the IMF,
world of friendship, or for genuine processes of regeneraN
that those countries came to be seen, both internally and
tion able to give birth to new forms of solidarity.
externally, as poor and underdeveloped, and thus in need
Instead, as Rahnema reiterates, “it should mean that
of ‘development’. Hence, development as experienced by the
the binary, the mechanistic, the reductionist, the inhuN
Global South is a manifestation of WesternNcentric philosoN
mane and the ultimately selfNdestructive approach to
phies which impose Western socioNeconomic values and
change is over”. For this present impasse does not call
systems, subsequently destroying indigenous cultures and
for a ‘better’ way of doing development in the traditional
the sustainability of natural environments.
sense. Rather, if there is to be a deconstruction and reN
Clearly, the West continually reiterates to the poor and malnourished that they need institutions and ideals such
about real change, it must be born from experiences
as consumer capitalism, resourceNextraction industries,
nurtured in a Global South matrix.
and massNscale livestock and farming to become ‘develN oped’. However, since the detrimental nature of WesternN
ENTER A POSTDEVELOPMENT
centric development has been recognised, postdevelopment
WAY OF THINKING
theorists see the future of growth lying within alternative conceptions of change that emanate from people themselves
Traditionally, sustainable development has been meaN
deciding how to live their lives. Critical thought can rouse
sured in economically aggregate terms. This means that
this social awareness regarding the power that development
a country is catergorised as ‘developed’ when its per
still presently has, through experimenting with different
capita GNP has reached a level of between 500 and 1000
ways of organizing societies and economies, in order to recN
USD, and has independently sustained an annual growth
tify the damage done from over four decades of relentlessly
N
imposed ‘development’.
panded by others beyond merely economic growth to argue that development also requires a structural transformation
Countering the Critics Major critiques of this reimagining could argue that is
of the economy, and a movement from a traditional value
has been an exercise in an entirely idealistic rethinking of
system to a ‘modern’ one.
developmental theory, a rethinking that is not based upon
However, social scientists tend to subordinate value judgN
in reality because it does not address the power politics of a
ments about human goals to the achievement of economic
bottom line, or provide overarching instructions regarding
growth, creation of new social divisions of labour, quest for
the implementation of such an approach. These may seem
modern institutionalisation, or spread of attitudes deemed N
N tive, but that is the point N as it is founded in a postdevelN
tant to note that the counter logic to development must be
opment rejection of the Eurocentric paradigm, this way of
found not in the projection of a new and infallible approach
thinking seems incomparable with contemporary expectaN
to it, but in the radical grassroots reimagining of alternative
tions of empirical growth.
futures. This requires a theoretical and practical transforN
Postdevelopment does not strive to create a universal
mation of the existing notions of development, modernity
set of prescriptions that can be neatly implemented across
THE HIDDEN TRANSCRIPT
the board in order to keep the ‘developmental colonialN
November 2012 · Issue 3
promise requires a complete theoretical and practical transformation of the existing notions of development,
community on the outskirts of Western Nairobi and a rural
modernity and the environment. Despite this daunting
tribe in Northern Mongolia will obviously have different
task, on truth remains N the imperialistic cycle of developN
requirements for development. As needs across the developN
ment has not, and will never be, broken by simply giving
ing world vary considerably, trying to create development packages that will solve everyone’s problems is a dated Eurocentric approach that will not yield healthy results. As an alternative grassroots movement postdevelopment theory argues that development should be internally rooted in domestic values and institutions and that every expanse should be selfNreliant and aware of ecological potentials and limits. It is clear that by its very nature that postdevelopment theory cannot unanimously say what will work and what will not, because development from the ‘bottom up’ is differN ent depending upon who is on the bottom. Instead, inspiraN tion must be drawn from the examples of postdevelopment theory that have already been successfully employed that rethinking of development. One such example is the ‘Soils, Food and Healthy Communities’ (SFHC) projects in northN ern Malawi and southern Mozambique. Although lackN ing the conventional hierarchal structure of mainstream development approaches, SFHC it is a participatory project reliant on farmer research teams formed in twelve village areas who received training in research methods, agriculN tural data collection, legume intercrops, child nutrition, and leadership facilitation skills. In its short history, farmers exN perienced improved maize growth, soil status, and increased yields of maize and edible legumes, as well as an increase in food availability. Moreover, households gained knowledge on the processing and use of different foods and on healthy feeding practices for young children. Gender relations have also changed. as women are taking an increased leadership role in the communities while men are taking a greater role in child care and feeding. Finally, the farmer leadership and research capacity has increased, with local farmers now taking an active role in research and sustainable developN ment activities. In short, the SFHC shows that when both approach to development can be both environmentally benN It is important to note that critics of development do not deny the need for change. What they argue is that in order for change to be undertaken properly, it needs to be conceived in different terms. Endogenous development outside the ‘modernNcomplex’ has the potential to provide marginalized peoples with what they need to live healthy lives, not what the North tells them they need. Yes, such
will be achieved through asking them if they even want
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THE FREE MARKET S SHACKLES How Globalization and Neo-Liberal Reform has Impacted Bonded Labour in India
bonded to their employer by the debt (and interest) that they owe. While bonded labour doesn’t necessarily mean that the indentured are bonded in chains while working, they have restricted freedom of mobility to move freely to other villages or cities and even in their mobility to leave the land or facN tory where they work. How the worker falls into the position as bonded labourer can vary depending upon both the region and the industry. Globalized trade based on the demand of the international as new modes of the production of common resources such as cotton and sugar were introduced in order to meet global economic demands. Colonization introduced India to indusN trialization and wage labour, market forces which accelerN ated in the postNcolonial period. Since its independence, the state has gone through a number of economic and political reforms, which have further transformed India from a traN ditionally agricultural state into an upNandNcoming center of technological innovation. With the neoliberal promise of increased employment through global free trade, it would seem logical that rates of poverty would reduce and thus cases of bonded labour would also diminish through the process of modernizaN
DULCE NUNEZ
tion, as bonded labour in India was traditionally found in agricultural settings. Yet this is not the case. In India’ newly industrialized areas the rich continue to hold economic and
Bonded labour, also known as debt labour, is one of the
political power, and are in the position to achieve the higher
oldest forms of slavery and still remains both present and
education that is required to obtain highly paid and ranked
prevalent today. Bonded labour can be found across the globe
positions. The poor in industrialized areas are left with lowN
in a variety of industries from rubber plantations in the BoB
paying, unstable employment, or are left to create their own
livian Amazon, to rug weaving mills in Nepal. In some cases,
employment in order to make ends meet. The poor are left
bonded labour is even a part of a nation’s social history and
at the mercy of the global market economy which invariN
thus is part of its social makeup and cultural basis, as is the
ably dictates what employment opportunities are available
case in India. Despite the effect globalization that has had on
to them. Furthermore, bonded labour has been introduced
social reBstructuring by reducing levels of inequality through
into new industries that didn’t exist prior to colonialism and
economic and political policies that promote increased free
the recent boom in global trade. Although globalization has
trade, it has had very little impact in regards to eradicating
brought more awareness to modern day slavery, it has yet
bonded labour. How then, has the recent economic and politiB
to cede the driving force that demands debt bonded labour
cal shift in India affected bonded labour?
in so many regions and industries across India N poverty.
T
Bonded labour can be found in many industries, villages, he conditions and complexities of bonded labour are
and cities across India, and targets people of all ages, from
variable, but at its simplest form bonded labour is the
young children to ailing seniors. But the Indians who are
relationship between an employer or supervisor and
most vulnerable to some form of bonded labour come primarN
an indentured servant that can last several years. The inN dentured person works daily to pay off a debt that they have
ily from areas with high rates of poverty. With limited opportunities to pursue higher education
incurred, either alone or as part of a group setting. Whole
and thus obtain a stable, well paid position, many Indians
families may work collectively to pay off the debt, and in exN
live below the poverty rate. Due to these persistently high
treme cases some people inherit their parent’s debt and have to work for generations until the debt and interest has been paid. Those who are in the position of debtNrepayment are
in the informal economy and/or industrialized sectors, such
THE HIDDEN TRANSCRIPT
November 2012 路 Issue 3
With the neoliberal promise of increased employment through global free trade, it would seem logical that rates of poverty would reduce and thus cases of bonded labour would also diminish through the process of modernization, as bonded labour in India was traditionally found in agricultural settings. Yet this is not the case. construction business in Indian cities has been a recent
bonded labour and other forms of unfree labour to an end.
phenomenon and demands fast, reliable labour. To ensure
If globalization and neoNliberal efforts have failed to provide
that these conditions are met, contractors recruit the poor
equal employment and education opportunities to disenfranN
and bind them into construction work by giving out loans.
chised Indians, Indians will always have the last ultimatum
Recruiting Indians into construction work can take place in
to bond themselves to destitute treatment and working conN
either the urban or rural setting. Those who have been reN
ditions by incurring debt as a means of survival. Proactive
cruited from within an urban setting can sometimes be miN
strategies aimed at reducing poverty through the creation
grant workers who have come to the city to look for employN
of increased opportunities for both higher education and fair
ment due to lack of options in their homeNvillage. Yet to live
and equal employment will make great strides in reducing
in the city is costly for a migrant worker, and thus bonded
the lure of bonded labor for those existing within the poverty
labour in the construction sector is unfortunately an answer
trap. Such strategies, coupled with increased international
to many Indians who are in need of an income to support
awareness of bonded labour and its complexities and causes
their families. Other times, contractors will send recruitN
will hopefully transform bonded labor into a phenomenon for
ing envoys to nearby towns and villages to recruit men into
the history books in the years to come.
bonded construction work. The men who are enlisted into bounded construction work are short of employment, poor, and in need of money to perhaps buy medication, pay for a wedding, or just to support their family. These needs which serve as driving factors that send individuals into bonded global trade and industrial development, as they remain in economic situations dire enough to bind themselves and their families to loans for survival. Bonded labour is full of complexities and varies across historical time frames, regions, and industries, changing over time as new initiatives are introduced and old customs are forgotten. But what remains the same is poverty, the causal factor of bonded labour. NeoNliberal and globalizaN tion practices were introduced to the world as initiatives that would encourage the expansion of free trade, and in turn would lead to more job opportunities with the hopes of reducing poverty. While poverty in India has gone down, it has not gone down to the extent that it needs to to bring
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T HE HID D EN T R A NS CRIP T
November 2012 · Issue 3
GLOBAL GUESSTIMATES ASKE BONDE From calculating adequate levels of aid to determining the
have not carried out more than two reliable censuses since
reach and impact of civil wars, the international commuB
their independence, which in most cases occurred over half
nity relies upon demographics in order to craft an adequate
a century ago. Such realities are problematic when inquirN
response. At the domestic level these numbers prove to be
ing not just about the past and present, but also when such
equally as crucial, as they determine the distribution of
numbers are used for future predictions and estimates.
national funding and resources. Yet despite the pivotal role
The United Nations Population Fund states that “the most important capital a society can have is human capital.
many humans inhabit earth, and current estimates are not
Assessing the quantity and quality of this capital at small
nearly as accurate as we would like to believe...
area, regional and national levels is an essential component
G
of modern government.” Far too often, however, governN lobally, demographics hit the headlines as the UN stated that the world population had reached 7
assessment of contemporary regional needs of government
billion on October 31st, 2011. Half a year later the
services such as infrastructure, education and health care
World Population Clock of the US Census Bureau reached
N ures lay the foundation for nearly every political decision N by
It would be highly improbable that either of the two organN
not knowing a country’s human capital it becomes imposN
isations is right. This is not because they are poor at estimatN
sible for a government to predict future needs and potential
ing population sizes, but because the numbers remain nothN
economic growth. A lack of reliable demographic data is a
ing more than exactly that N estimates. We may be well above
particularly eminent problem in subNSaharan Africa, where a
or still below 7 billion people N simply reproducing a number
high number of countries have no adequate census informaN
does not make it true. national population count in 2009 after relying for decades natural) upon initial glance N hundreds of babies are born
upon a dataset which dated from 1956 and included only
every second, and not all countries register births. Yet the
the European minority. In Angola, there has been no census
issue of lacking data is aggravated further if a person is
at all since independence, but even during colonialism its
never counted throughout his or her life. Every country and
sporadic census was cancelled in 1970 due to racially conN
territory is expected by the international community to carry out a population census at least every ten years, but not all
larger problem N we think we know how many people live in
countries do so. Of the 55 countries in Africa about a third
Angola, and blindly embrace numbers provided by the UN or
THE HIDDEN TRANSCRIPT
November 2012 · Issue 3
the World Bank, while failing to consider the source or origin
inhabitants has a tremendous impact upon virtually every
of the very statistics themselves.
aspect of the policy planning process. The policy implications
Without an adequate dataset collected through regular
of this realisation are considerable N accurate local, regional
census taking, countries become “statistical deserts” as
and national demographic statistics are crucial to any govN
many subsequent country statistics are calculated on a per
ernment that wishes to secure even modest social services in the future, and are equally important to the international
statistics are incorrect and merely the result of wild guesses
realm of politicians, economists, aidNworkers and scholars. Incorrect statistics can result in mistaken categorisations
example of inaccurate guesswork is from Nigeria. While it
as a leastNdeveloped instead of a middleNincome country, or
is said to be Africa’s most populous country, it is notoriN ous for fraud with census results, primarily stemming from ethnic rivalries. In 1990, Nigeria’s population was estimated to be 119 milN lion, a number accepted and reproduced by international
result in possible ineligibilN
Without an adequate dataset
most recent remotely credible census from 1991 searched all corners of the country, but
viceNversa. An example of
collected through regular census
this is the government of
taking, countries become “statistiB
that the 1980 census would
cal deserts”. If the actual capita
had reached 1 million.
organizations and the govN ernment alike. However, the
ity for development aid or
Gabon which was hoping
This magical number was required in order not to be
statistics are incorrect and merely
considered a microNstate by
the result of wild guesses or
thus be eligible for more
development agencies and aid. Not coincidentally,
found that there were only
the Gabonese government
88 million Nigerians —
claimed that the threshold
a whopping 31 million fewer than the world thought. As
at best.
Nigeria’s assumed populaN
was reached in that census, this did not happen before
tion had suddenly dropped by more than a quarter all other
1993. Consequently, census results can both underN and
national statistics had to be adjusted accordingly.
overshoot the actual population because of political and
Another issue statisticians face is deciding who has the leN standard. The National Statistical Bureau in Mozambique
ethnic interests, poor enumeration, or simply the prospect of The need for improvements in the practice of censusNtakN
has accused the UN of consistently putting the Mozambican
ing in Africa is obvious, and with several key economic and
population to one million higher than it is according to data
demographic factors changing within the region this demand
obtained through national censuses. The UN has based all
is more greatly felt now than at any time before in its history.
of its demographic statistics in Mozambique on projections
Africa has now surpassed Asia in generating the world’s fastN
from 1977, according to which the population today ought
est population growth his year, as the continent is believed to have now passed the 1 billion people mark, or one seventh of
prolonged civil war and droughts that have lowered this
the world’s population (although, this article has argued, we
recent national censuses. According to Mozambique, the
riencing substantial economic growth, with positive growth
consequence of this overshooting number is an incorrectly
estimates from the IMF for 2012. On a global level the need
low per capita income and thus an excessively negative light
for more accurate and timely population censuses is equally
on the state of development in Mozambique.
felt N it is indisputable that inaccurate data about a populaN
N
The examples from Nigeria and Mozambique come to
tion increases the risk of misplaced investments and poor government planning. All these factors make it all the more
of African countries should not be taken at face value as
imperative to gather accurate data on the population and the
truth, but merely as guesses that may or may not be close to
human capital available N in order to understand the needs and potential of tomorrow we must know the
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T HE HID D EN T R A NS CRIP T
November 2012 路 Issue 3
SOCIOECONOMIC SAVIOR OR RED HERRING? Oil & gas development in the arctic KELEIGH ANNAU
THE HIDDEN TRANSCRIPT
I
n the 1960s, Marion King Hubbert, an American
November 2012 · Issue 3
disastrous for the current Conservative government. As a reN
geoscientist, predicted that the world would reach peak oil production in 1995. Colin Campbell, of the
a faith in its practices time and time again, as it continues
Association for the study of Peak Oil & Gas (ASPO)
to remain steadfast in the face of criticism from the opposiN
explains that the term “peak oil” refers to “the maximum
tion and international peers N in tough economic times, it is
rate of the production of oil in any area under considN subject to depletion.” ASPO claims that Hubbert was not
vs. long term impacts. Extractive industries may be fueling
far off in his prediction, as the world’s production of oil
Canada’s economic future, but for how long and at what cost?
and gas plateaued in 2005. While we may be reaching a
As the European Union and OECD countries move in
petroleum plateau, global demand has far from followed
the direction of renewable resources, Canada is being left
a similar trajectory N as the world continues to require
behind. The Harper Government is actively targeting groups
higher levels of oil the companies that meet these energy
that speak out against nonrenewable resource development, labeling them as radicals and threatening to remove their
endeavor. In response to this rising global demand, the
charitable status. On June 5, 2012, The Globe and Mail
oil and gas industry is scouring the globe for untapped
reported that an energy advisor to the European Union
sources of this nonrenewN able resource, with those able limited supplies expecting to be heavily rewarded for their efforts. Canada is no stranger to this trend, with the nation’s oil and gas epicenter being based in Northern Alberta’s Tar Sands. The extractive industry operatN ing there is undoubtedly one of the Canadian economy at
called Canada’s decision to pursue
The Harper Government is
an energy strategy founded solely in nonrenewable resources a grave
actively targeting groups that
error and one that could result in
speak out against nonrenewB
country” behind those of Europe
able resource development, labeling them as radicals and threatening to remove their charitable status.
present as the world’s hunger
Canada becoming a “secondNtier and Asia. Climate change is another variN able that must be considered in weighing Canada’s energy options, with both the extraction and use of current energy sources having a N erbation of climate change effects. HumanNinduced greenhouse gas
for oil has yet to be satiated. But the extraction process is not
emissions are causing the gradual increase in the Earth’s
without its costs N to produce oil, fresh water is blasted at the
average temperature, and the world is rapidly approaching
tar sands to separate the bitumen from the sand, with 90% of
runaway climate change (the point at which the impacts of
the water used in the extraction process being disposed of in
melting ice sheets and glaciers, rising sea levels, and extreme
toxic tailing ponds that pose a threat to wildlife (with tailing
weather phenomena will become exponentially worse). The
ponds posing a threat to fragile ecosystems) and the people
process of oil and gas extraction is far from environmentally
that rely on surrounding water supplies (as these other
friendly, and once these resources are converted to fuel, they
fresh water supplies show elevated levels of cancerNcausing
are then incinerated and released into the atmosphere, perN
carcinogens).
petuating the climate change problem.
The industry defends these costs by declaring that the
The heated debate about economic gain at the expense
and that the sands are a source of job growth. The Harper
surrounding British Columbia’s northwest coast and the
Government, an unwavering supporter of these developN
proposed pipeline to transport oil from the Tar Sands to BC’s
ments, describes the Tar Sands as a source of “ethical oil,” in
coast to allow for access to Asian markets. On one side of
comparison to oil acquired from undemocratic regimes in the
the debate lies the Harper administration (who seeks to see
developing world. Furthermore, the Canadian economy relies
the project expedited for economic gain) and Enbridge (who
upon the extractive industries operating out of the Tar Sands
launched a multimillion dollar public relations campaign at
to generate a considerable percentage of Canada’s economic
the end of May this year). On the other lie numerous enviN
growth, and shutting them down would be economically
ronmental and aboriginal groups across British Columbia,
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T HE HID D EN T R A NS CRIP T
November 2012 · Issue 3
Canada and North America, who view such developments as N
melt to generate the economic revenues necessary for their future wellNbeing. There have been divergent calls from Inuit thus far, with some leaders in favor of the economic windfalls
gallons of tar sands leakages over the past 12 years according
that could accompany oil and gas development, and others
to Tar Sands Action.
remaining wary about the numerous unanswered questions
Similar debates are taking place in Canada’s Arctic region
regarding the environmental, social and cultural impacts
as well, as corporations have begun exploring the area for
upon communities. Yet to state that the only two options
potential for oil and gas development. The Aboriginal Affairs
at hand are to pursue oil and gas or to maintain the status
and Northern Development website states that “oil and gas
quo is to propose a false dichotomy. A recent report by the
exploration and development is a key component of the fuN
Pembina Institute outlines renewable energy potential in the
ture economic wellNbeing of northern Canada,” due in part to
Arctic, listing solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and biomass as
the potential present within these territories N the expanses
options worthy of exploration. Indeed, by 2007, Pembina was
of land north of Alberta and BC contains approximately oneN
bringing together community members and wind experts to
third of Canada’s potential reserves.
explore the possibility of launching wind power projects, a
Several years ago, former Inuit Circumpolar Council PresiN
meaningful start in the advancement of the usage of alterN
dent, Jimmy Stotts, supported the idea that the revenues
native sources of energy. Such projects have the potential
of drilling could be used as a means to overcome poverty in
of generating revenue in a manner similar to the extractive
the Arctic, but now cautions against trusting this approach.
industries without the harmful environmental effects.
In an article in Nunatsiaq News, the Alaskan Inuit leader
From the current tar sands initiatives of Alberta to the potential future projects in British Columbia and the Arctic
yet to be seen in places where such development has taken place, with a loss of culture and language accompanying the
and long term gains N while revenues generated through
presence of the extractive industry. Further fueling these concerns is the lack of a contingency plan should a spill ocN cur, particularly in light of recent political developments. In 2009, the Harper Government loosened regulations such that offshore drilling are in the hands of the company, with the National Energy Board defending this decision as a means to ensure that companies could use cuttingNedge technologies instead of being tied down by burdensome restrictions. In the 2011 Review of Offshore Drilling in the Canadian Arctic by the National Energy Board, Arctic inhabitants expressed a great deal of concern over the threat of a spill on the scale of Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico, which saw 5 million barrels of oil spill into the ocean in 2010. If history were to repeat itself in the Arctic, Northerners could face an oil spill that would be virtually impossible to clean up for long stretches of time due to the extreme weather conditions, darkness in the winter months, and the lack of technology designed for cleaning spills in icy waters. As much key lessons learned from past oil and gas disasters, a recent publication, entitled Oil and Gas in Canada’s North N Active Exploration and New Development, does not mention acN countability measures, and only vaguely references sustainN able development. preserving the land that they have lived on for millennia and beckoning in the very industry that is causing Arctic ice to
future, their long run environmental effects may be far more
THE HIDDEN TRANSCRIPT
TRUE NORTH D STRONG & FREE?
November 2012 · Issue 3
Climate change, resource discovery and rapid developB ment and investment has transformed the northern Arctic landscape into one of today’s most diverse and dynamic environments. And with so much at stake, a race by the “Northern Nations” to lay claim to the region is set to beB come one of the key geopolitical battles of the 21st century. For Canada, these struggles will create new questions about our northern security, economic perspectives and territorial rights. Facing diplomatic, military and ecoB nomic challenges from some of the world’s most powerful nations, our true north is becoming a little less free. Does Canada have what it takes to defend it? uring the Cold War the principal threat to the Arctic was the stationing of Soviet submarines and other naval vehicles. Today, interest in the
region has expanded far beyond the Cold War superpowN ers, and now includes Russia, Canada, Sweden, DenN mark, Iceland, Norway and the United States. This rapid expansion of interested actors can be primarily attribN uted to the region’s abundance of natural resources N the Arctic lands are estimated to possess roughly 25 percent of the world’s undiscovered oil and natural gas hydrates, a considerable sum in a world in which such assets are in increasingly short supply. Further contributing to the economic lure is the region’s energy resources N while estimates vary, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that 30 percent of the world’s natural gas and 13 percent of the world’s oil remain untapped in the Arctic.
The artic as the future of geopolitical struggle
While the prioritization of the Arctic by the Harper administration may appear to be a new development, Canada has historically played an important role in the diplomatic discussions regarding the northern territories. Ottawa was instrumental in the formation of collabN orative Arctic initiatives and organizations with other “Northern Countries” in the postNCold War period. The
ATUL MENON
creation of the Arctic Council (consisting of Russia, CanN ada, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, USA) in the 1990’s, for example, went a long way in allowing Canada to pursue a policy of peace, collaboration and trust among the Northern players. The spirit of collaboration and coN operation created through such developments in the 90s remains a key part of Canada’s policy in the north, but the nation may face considerably greater pressure to take a stronger, less diplomatic approach in the future. The claiming of new Arctic territories (beyond the 200 miles of coastline that they are already afforded by the N lenges Canada faces in the new millennium. The process
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T HE HID D EN T R A NS CRIP T
November 2012 · Issue 3
of claiming Arctic lands requires the submission of proN posals to a reviewing body called Commission on Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) by showing the research conducting by Northern nations in support of their terN ritorial claims which can include both water territories as well as sea bed territories. The Harper and Martin govN ernments combined have spent more than $110 million million in the 2008 budget) in funding the research and analyses needed to craft the proposal which is to be sent to the CLCS by December 6th of 2013. Canada will need to be assertive in such claims, for as the deadline draws
The process of claiming Arctic lands requires the submission of proposB als to a reviewing body called Commission on Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) by showing the research conducting
nearer the assertiveness of various other (competing) players’ increases. Furthermore, the need for a strengthN ened military presence in the Canadian Arctic becomes increasingly important as the NorthNWest Passage becomes more navigable N with passage still considered to be international waters by the European Union and the United States, the ability to monitor and safeguard the Arctic against those who will be using the passage will become increasingly more urgent in the years to come. While traditionally a peacekeeping nation, geopolitiN cal struggles in the north may require us to increase our military capabilities, a process that is already well underway. As a result of the emerging challenges noted above, Ottawa has already begun to take great strides in
by Northern nations in
ensuring that its eyes and ears are on its Arctic territoN
support of their territoB
have researched and developed satellites such as the
rial claims which can include both water territories as well as sea bed territories.
ries. Under Harper’s government, Canadian scientists RadarSat I and RadarSat II with a federal budget of would allow Canada to obtain high resolution, high detail and real time monitoring images of activity in the north. The Martin and Harper governments have additionN ally directed greater funds and an increased emphasis towards training and increasing the number of Canadian N the northern aboriginals whose sole purpose is to survey the northern lands and report to the Canadian governN ment. Other monitory measures include an increase in Arctic patrol vessels, the development of new northern ice breakers, the employment of new long range patrol N ment of bases in Resolute bay for training purposes. Many of these policies remain in various stages of planN ning and development. If Canada seeks to remain an active participant in the ongoing Arctic geopolitical strugN gles, it must ensure that they are implemented. Canada’s armed forces and defense budget has been declining
THE HIDDEN TRANSCRIPT
sharply since the 1950’s, and in 2002 the Auditor General of the Canadian Forces (CF) released a report stating that unless the CF’s were given more resources and fundN ing to operate, the risked completely shutting down. If this were to occur, the report suggested that “Canadian security, wellbeing, including national sovereignty, would Canada mobilize its military and technological resources to better handle the security of the Arctic, lest they risk losing their foothold in the region or are forced to rely on an American presence, which would work to undermine Canada’s future claims to this vital geopolitical region. In today’s dynamic Arctic landscape, it seems that the structure of the international political system has pushed the northern nations into a continuously assertive and aggressive race to the north. While any large scale battle for the Arctic may seem far from being on the table, the increasing importance of its oil and as the Arctic becomes increasingly navigable due to climate change, the Arctic possesses the potential to become tomorrow’s a politicalN that the steps taken and those that are to be taken are enough to allow it to be a formidable contender in this “Race to the North”.
November 2012 · Issue 3
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T HE HID D EN T R A NS CRIP T
November 2012 路 Issue 3
MARKS THE SPOT
THE HIDDEN TRANSCRIPT
November 2012 · Issue 3
The need for
of failing to capitalize upon political dominance early
American presidential
begun when he or she must brace for a debilitating blow
electoral reform
proval result in dangerous midterm election shifts in both
to their agenda should shifts in public opinion and apN the House and Senate. If one survives this harrowing test N
ALEXANDER DIRKSEN
paigns N Obama’s 2012 campaign website was operational a
Every American presidential campaign is remembered for
as a crucial and necessary measure in regards to AmeriN
a central theme or message which seemed to encapsulate
can electoral reform. Granting incumbent presidents
its discourse and debate. 2004 served as a brief legitimiB
a longer, single term or restructuring the elections of
zation of the “War on Terror” following the 9/11 attacks,
House and Senate representatives so as to better coincide
agenda and the Republican values upon which it had
seasons” as opposed to never ending ballot boxes) would
full 9 monthsN before the date for the upcoming election. For these reasons, term length changes would serve
(loosely) been constructed. The 2012 campaign has cenB tered largely upon that of the economy, with both parties
N
offering differing views on the best means through which
ately be felt, or to pursue unpopular, albeit necessary,
assist America in overcoming persistently uninspiring
acts aimed at ensuring continued growth and well being B
campaign is the American presidential campaign itself. As the very embodiment of American democracy it is arguB
in the future. ...AND MUCH SHORTER CAMPAIGNS
ably of equal importance to the long term prospects of the
The explosion of “Super PACs” may be deemed undemoN
nation as economic growth. While one has received far
cratic, but in the eyes of candidates, they have become
greater coverage than the other, the commonality between
crucial in order to fund what have become increasingly
these two drivers of the nation’s future prosperity are that
costly election campaigns. As of June 2012 the Democrats
few of the ways through which to address this American
million respectively, numbers which will only increase as
ailment in the years to come...
the date of the election draws nearer.
LONGER PRESIDENTIAL TERMS...
improbable, an agreement by the nation’s two political parties to only begin screening potential candidates after
For both the candidates and the electorate, there are times when it appears as though the political election
interests, as it would both reduce costs and ensure all candidates are provided an equal platform upon which
followed in quick succession by midterm elections, which
to express their ideological leanings and elaborate upon
appear alongside numerous state, county and municiN
their political agenda. As it currently stands candidates
pal ballots and referendums. The rapid pace of political
frequently attempt to gain a political edge by moving quickly to announce their presidential run earlier than
urgency, a phenomenon that is particularly evident and
their opponents, as it is believed the longer the voter has
troublesome in regards to the “Commander in Chief.”
to “get to know” a candidate the better they will perform
Long term visions are at times replaced with short term
in the polls. Yet as this election campaign has demonN
schemes which may be implemented quickly enough to
strated, such early starts often prove to be their downfall, as their popularity (and monetary backing) often peak
served as a grim reminder to politicians of the danger
long before the race for crucial primary states is over.
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T HE HID D EN T R A NS CRIP T
November 2012 · Issue 3
Shorter campaigns would address both these conN cerns. Were candidates to be announced jointly at a single party function (or within a window of a single week or month) costly popularity gambles could be
Granting incumbent
avoided, while crafting a realistic window of time in
presidents a longer,
also counter the rapid explosion of “super PACs,” an
single term or restrucB turing the elections of House and Senate repreB
which candidates could campaign. Such measures may issue discussed below. CAP THE COSTS In allowing the inclusion of corporate entities into the democratic election process through the controversial
sentatives so as to betB
Citizens United vs. Federal Election Committee ruling
ter coincide with those
tation has been lost N candidates once dependent upon
in 2010, a degree of accountability and fair represenN the support of a broad demographic may now appease the interests of a much smaller, influential subset of
creating true “election seasons” as opposed to never ending ballot boxes) would provide
the population, as the funding obtained from these sources can often serve to artificially prolong the lifesN pan and longevity of candidates long deemed unworN thy of the White House by voters (Ron Paul serves as a case in point). Yet even when a party candidate has been established, “super PACs” continue to have their presence felt N these groups have already accounted for 19% of the Republican party’s spending base for the 2012 campaign. Escalating costs have not only distorted the political arithmetic of representation, but have narrowed the
policies and programs
pool of potential candidates as well. Aware of the monN etary requirements necessary to fuel a campaign, worN thy individuals may be unable to generate sufficient funds by relying solely upon the common citizen whom
immediately be felt, or to pursue unpopular, albeB it necessary, acts aimed at ensuring continued growth and well being in the future.
he or she hopes to represent. Wealthy citizens with vested interests thus come to serve an ever greater and more influential role, allowing them to call in favors should their sponsored candidate assume the pinnacle position of political power. A reversal of the Citizens United vs. Federal ElecN tion Committee ruling, or new legislation issued by Congress which instated new restrictions upon both campaign contributions and campaign spending would be a positive first step towards overcoming the affront upon American democracy by corporate power. Such a move, while initially met by a degree of hostility, would ultimately be welcomed by those on both sides of the ballot box N candidates would no longer be tied to the objective of generating revenue, which would allow them to once again direct their energies towards securing the trust and interest of the common voter.
THE HIDDEN TRANSCRIPT
While it appears unlikely that the central issues of the upcoming presidential campaign will shift (particularly towards an issue such as electoral reform), it nevertheN less remains an important aspect of the continued efforts of the United States to shape a future in which the naN global stage. The process which ultimately determines
N should Americans hope to be led by the best suited for this prestigious position, it is a process which begins at the ballot box.
November 2012 路 Issue 3
27