Neoliberalism after Cold War
The period after the cold war did not end the tensions existing between the United States and other countries around the world. It is essential to evaluate the aftermath of the cold war, stakes by various countries, and the flow of politics after the end of the war. Multiple issues come forth with the mention of labor issues, unions, human rights, and environmental issues. This essay seeks to examine the interconnectedness of globalization as it connects with issues such as immigration, neoliberalism, free trade, and unilateralism. After the Cold War, countries felt the need to secure their different interests in various countries. The effect of globalization in the world makes the interconnections between different countries remotely possible. Serving the interests of the broader population also revolves around the policies created by the specific government and how the government treats immigration and any foreign-related issues.
To begin with, the period after the Cold War ushered in a new era of development. Countries were looking for ways to make alliances with others while the rest of the world was looking for ways to remain competitive in a stable global economy. The U.S. had crashed the influence of communist politics in preference for a worldwide capitalistic economy. Immigration remains one of the most sensitive issues that involve the movement of people from one country to the other (Holdon & Zolov 123). Moving from one country to another requires the individuals to have proper documentation to move to different countries. However, the proceeds of the Cold War had left countries in South America ravaged and economically impoverished. Typical of almost all war zones around the world, it was essential to evaluate the status quo in the originating country to assess any viability of people moving in. Inevitably, the migration of people during challenging times exposes them to exploitative treatment in other countries. Still, the period post-Cold War left many of the populations around Latin America disenfranchised, which made citizens seek ways to find better countries from which they could make a living.
Globalization as a concept gained significantly after the Second World War. In the period, different countries were struggling to find their footing in the economic map. Most countries were putting up infrastructure that would spur the growth and development of each country. However, states could not achieve much progress without cooperating with other countries. Globalization is referred to as the interconnection between different individuals, organizations, and countries around the world as they seek to promote global activities even with the challenge created by distance. Globalization created the need for cooperation between countries (Holdon & Zolov, 126). However, other countries see globalization as an opportunity to ravage other countries and exploit their information. Countries such as the United States and China continue to push their agenda around the world with the promise of a better future for citizens. For countries such as Cuba, the not-so-well relationship with the USA leaves it at risk of implementing measures that will take care of the needs of the country. It is only in states that tow the line with the United States that projects to aid in the development of the country are approved. Without approval, most of these countries continue to suffer in poverty.
The interconnection of globalization and liberalism stems from the effects of the Cold War and the history of relations between countries across the world. The United States and the Russian Soviets were among countries interested in achieving global dominance over seemingly low-cadre countries, mainly in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. Liberalism refers to the concept of implementing measures to liberate the social, political, and economic conditions in a given country. After the Cold War, the insistence of neoliberalism requires governments to undertake measures to reduce the burden of doing business in a country, elimination of price controls, and the deregulation of capital markets. Additionally, governments may opt to lower any trade barriers in the country to ease the flow of trade between countries (Holdon & Zolov 128). The state’s influence in the economy is usually controlled in various countries. According to the neoliberalist economic proposition, reducing the role of government in private business is encouraged. However, therein lies the problem. Allowing business people and organizations to trade unlimited exposes the population to various instances of exploitation, both internally and externally.
The post-Cold-War period relied on the influence of already powerful countries to guide the growth of businesses around the world. The political manifestation of the struggle of nations after the war required close attention to the powerful elites who controlled the flow of business around the globe. For Latin America, the population was dismayed by the opportunities presented in the United States. Immigration is a different topic that has affected the more significant part of the world. Today, every single country has a semblance of foreign blood. The reasons for immigration are varied. For instance, migration is much fueled by unstable political conditions in a country. Weak economies also record a massive exodus of people seeking to find employment in seemingly better-performing countries. As such, it is necessary to create a platform for immigration where foreign nationals are accepted, registered, and included in the host countries’ database as part of the new economy.
In the United States, the end of the Cold War left most of the Latin American populations devastated. Over 200 000 people had died of politically motivated violence (Pettina & Jose, 01). Additionally, the economic sanctions in different Latin American countries served to impoverish the populations as fueled by the CIA Act provisions on the politics of the U.S. The proper implementation of U.S. legislation over other countries speaks of the control and influence that the country developed over the Second World War and the Cold War as well. Human rights abuse has been prevalent in post-Cold War economies because of the need to create a tower of power. In some countries such as Nicaragua, Panama, and Ecuador, the U.S. government has, in most recent times, been viewed to meddle in the internal affairs of the country. According to Perks (144), the murder of the Ecuadorian and the Panama presidents serve to show the inhumane approach towards human rights abuse. Whereas the United States prides itself as the beacon of democracy, the country continues to impose their objectives in various countries without the need for consultation or consent from the country’s leadership.
Immigration is one of the most controversial issues in globalization and global politics post-Cold War. After the revolution in Nicaragua, several challenges abounded. For instance, the quality of life lived by Nicaraguans was very poor. Hart chronicles the story of Yamileth and her journey through to the United States. After the revolution, Nicaraguans were a devastating lot. For instance, there were no employment opportunities for the large population (Lucky 119). The aftermath of the war also brought in various challenges. For example, the death of Yamileth’s mother signaled her assumption of parental duties in her home. The disavowed society was always judgmental, expecting the girl to ‘to turn to the streets for survival’ (Hart 9). However, Yamileth avoids any association with the streets where life is brutish and painful. Yamileth instead continues to court his American boyfriend with a wife and two children. As it seems, the only way out of the problems in Nicaragua was through a connection with a foreign country. Because of the challenges faced in war-torn countries, most of the population seeks to move out of the United States to seek greener pastures in Europe or the United States.
The law on immigration in the United States prohibits the admission of any citizens coming from countries with poor relationships with the USA. Neoliberal thoughts require individuals to view the overlapping nature of globalization as it relates to immigration. Where immigration involves a citizen from a familiar country, U.S. immigration officials will quickly process the documentation. However, desperate cases usually struggle to enter foreign countries based on their contribution to the United States. The interconnectedness of the various issues gives the more developed countries an advantage to determine the flow of populations from one state to the other. The immigration policies that have been developed by the U.S. favor reciprocal countries. Only countries that accept the domination of the U.S. advancing their interests are saved. As provided by the legislation, Treaty law, and policy, the agenda of popular countries continues to affect the general flow of people in and out of their nations around the world. Sanctions are, however, imposed on those who conform. The interconnectedness of the various issues, including immigration, foreign policy, and neoliberalism, influence the economic growth and security of the country concerning other international actors.
Works Cited
Hart, Dianne Walta, Undocumented in L.A.: An Immigrant’s Story
Holden, Robert H., and Eric Zolov. “Latin America and the United States.” A Documentary (2000).
Loucky, James. “Undocumented in LA: An Immigrant’s Story.” Journal of American Ethnic History 19.2 (2000): 119.
Perkins, John. Confessions of an economic hitman. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2004.
Pettinà, Vanni, and José Antonio Sánchez Román. “Beyond U.S. hegemony: the shaping of the Cold War in Latin America.” Culture & History Digital Journal 4.1 (2015): 001.