Volume 6, Issue 10
1. the final resolution of the intricacies of a plot, as of a drama or novel.
2. the place in the plot at which this occurs.
3. the outcome or resolution of a doubtful series of occurrences.
As this relates to world history today, nation-states and societies find themselves in a great unraveling of systems as the culmination of complicated ‘plots, events, and doubtful occurrences’ proceeds to their final resolution.
Reflective of this final resolution of an intricate world drama is the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States and the subsequent policies of his Administration.
I originally thought that the unraveling of business as usual was measured in time as respective of the last two decades. I now believe that this cycle of national alliances and economic arrangements actually began in 1945. President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill began the discussion on world order restructuring at Malta in the closing days of World War II. The turmoil the world is now experiencing is an unraveling of a policy design that began at the end of that war.
At the conclusion of the World War II, much of the world’s manufacturing capacity had been destroyed. Eighty percent of the remaining capacity was located in the United States. The genesis to rebuild the world was tied to the existing infrastructure in place in America. The Bretton Woods Conference reestablished and recalibrated world currencies and banking systems. Through the Marshall Plan, the United States was instrumental in financing the reconstruction of Europe.
What is often overlooked is that, in that master economic plan for the western world, the United States was the designated import for initial goods and services produced in Western Europe. The purchasing power of the U.S. middle class grew exponentially from 1946 to 1973. Europe did not reach parity with the U.S. in middle class consumerism until about 1974. Once back on their feet, Europe continued to covet trade advantages.
China entered the world economic equation in 1991. Because of an eagerness by western governments to bring China online into the World Trade Organization, many legal variances and byes were granted, giving them advantages for economic trade. Again, U.S. consumers were the targeted market. In this then, the economic plot thickened.
The U.S. economy has, in fact, since WWII, been a great economic engine, pulling the world forward. U.S. economic foreign policy has, in part and parcel, intended to lift the standard of living of all nations through free enterprise. This unselfish humanitarian effort has been unquestionably successful. However, pressure is now building on the ability of the United States to carry the burden of world economic growth by allowing open domestic markets. Reciprocal trade benefits are necessary. As in most established protocols, the initial intent becomes the foundation rather than the desired result. Amended policy is then attached. In other words, instead of giving temporary advantages to a country to help it get back on its feet, over the years, the advantage becomes permanent policy.
The status of denouement is also relative in the analysis of several issues facing the United States and the world today.
On President Trump
The election of Donald Trump is the result of an unexpected series of occurrences. As the plot was unraveling to its final resolution, the scene was set for the election of an unconventional candidate. President Trump, therefore, is governing in an unconventional manner. Two things which seemed appropriate to him because of his experience, background and history of operation, were actually hindrances. One, Jared Kushner was given too broad a portfolio requiring unconventional administration. The President cannot extend his personality to another Cabinet officer. Only the President himself can be successful in implementing unconventional international foreign policy. Two, Donald Trump has no one in his inner circle who has been with him from the beginning of his career. Every President, with the possible exceptions of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, had a confidant who had been by his side since they were young men. For instance, Ronald Reagan enjoyed the friendship and counsel of Lyn Nofziger. Lyn was President Reagan’s public relations advisor before Reagan was governor of California. When times are tough, or in this case, chaotic, Presidents could retreat to an inner sanctum and discuss the options of a situation with friends in whom they not only had confidence, but a trust. President Trump lacks that continuity of counsel. The result of the catch-22 is this. If the President had a lifelong counselor, he probably wouldn’t have been given the proper advice to be elected President. In fact, all of his former associates left the campaign before the general election. Now in office when he needs a close confidant, the counselor does not exist. A daughter cannot fill that role because of the parent-child relationship. Hence, the catch-22 and a situation product of denouement.
On International Trade
The topic of debate today on whether the President will direct tariff increases on steel and aluminum, 25% and 10% respectively, has rattled the status quo. This is because of the status of denouement in relation to economic policy originated immediately following World War II. The Administration sees the edict as a first simple step in correcting a long overdue system adjustment. The rest of the world sees it as a threat to an economic trade system that they take for granted.
It is interesting to note that Angus King, Independent Senator from Maine, did not see President Trump’s decree as unreasonable. His only exception was that the policy needed to be thoroughly vented in the aggregate international trade analysis.
On U.S. – China Relations
China continues to take advantage of the lax enforcement of World Trade Organization laws and regulations of their banking system and currency management. No other country in the world is allowed, without discipline, to print currency for the sole purpose of funding a government planned economy. While China is offering money to developing countries for certain trade advantages, the United States is disciplining nations by seeking equal access for U.S. exports. All of this occurs while China continues to protect their own domestic markets.
The paradox that presents itself is that the world’s economy is built around the U.S. economic engine. And, for the U.S. economic engine to accelerate, the rest of the world must fairly and comparatively stand on their own. This includes China.
On Russia
The Russian investigation, led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, is important for the infrastructure stability of democracy. First, no one running for President of the United States should ever collaborate with foreign interests, including our allies. The United States stands alone in its commitment to democracy and the government’s subservient role to the people. Further, a strong signal must be sent to all nations that the United States holds the integrity of every citizen’s vote as absolutely sacred. Any intervention by a foreign power in the election process is not only a direct attack on our Constitution and laws, it is an abomination to the dignity of our democracy. It cannot be tolerated.
At the same time, such an investigation must respect and honor the office and authority of the presidency. It is the purpose of government to protect the people. It is the purpose of the President to discipline government to honor its mission.
On Media Perspective
The national news media continues to berate the President from their viewpoint that we are losing respect in the rest of the world. There is honor that must be maintained with our allies. But to use the rest of the world’s opinion as the total measure of validation of American foreign policy flies in the face of 1776. In our Declaration of Independence, the Founding Fathers basically asserted that the world order required reformation. It is the principle of government integrity and its purpose that should be the foundation of the debate. What foreign power respects the liberty of the individual more than the United States of America? And, where have current U.S. systems failed the people in the protection of liberty?
Media elites analyze the world as if the establishment of globalism is the standard of objective. No analysis is proffered as to the shortcomings of other countries. It is one thing to attack America. But doing so in a vacuum is incomplete reasoning.
There is merit in respecting the integrity of our trading partners. Yet, many countries that lean toward socialism survive their own inefficiencies, relying upon the open markets of the United States. As regards these countries, there is self-interest in their criticism of the unraveling of the status quo.
Where then shall the people find peace and security in this era of denouement? It is in the hope of democracy that binds us as Americans and is inherent in our national DNA. It is the confidence that in our democratic process our voices will be heard. The mid-term elections are upon us.
Participate!
For, the hope in these times is that the one element which has not cycled to its logical conclusion is the will of the people, ordained by God, and protected since 1776 in the liberty of democracy.
The Constitution of the United States will live on as long as we as citizens commit to its tenets of independence and freedom.
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?