My sincere appologies for not posting sooner. We had some internet problems on the homefront this weekend. This blog is due Tuesday, 12/8. +5 points for completing it before Monday's class.
I could see the crowd from a mile away.
It was then I knew I had to stay.
People shouting fair trade,
With a human barricade.
Determination on their face,
Everyone from every race.
There they were joined together,
In a protest that will be remembered forever.
Untitled Poem by April Smith, 16 http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/14_03/wto143.shtml
1. Read the article “The Meeting: The Battle In Seattle” http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,992681,00.html
and/ or,
“A WTO Primer” http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,35294,00.html
(Published in TIME two weeks before the WTO conference and subsequent protests.
Identify and discuss THREE perspectives (from different interest groups, nations, leaders, etc.) and explain how they author of the article expected their interests to pan out during the meetings and protests.
2. View the photo essay Time Magazine published about the 1999 anti-WTO protests entitled “The Battle in Seattle”
http://www.time.com/time/daily/special/photo/wto/index.html
Explain what you see and how it relates to the issues at hand in the 1999 WTO proceedings.
3. Read “Carrying the Spirit of Seattle Today” NPR
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120976363
According to the NPR article, what were they major effects of the 1999 protests? 10 years later, to what extent do you believe the efforts of the 1999 protests to promote fairer global trade have been effective? (Draw on the turtle dispute, these articles and your knowledge of current events to support your answer.)
4. What questions do you have about the WTO and the 1999 “Battle in Seattle?”
minimum 250 words
The WTO was formed in 1995. Its main purpose it to serve the global economies by gathering and making decisions based upon current circumstances for the well being of the people. It’s similar to a court, since leaders decide upon what has to be done for the world. President Barack Obama is one of the many leaders that participate in these conferences. Obama had predicted that all the leaders gather around, take votes on decisions and follow up with the decisions made and he was correct. Furthermore, the WTO had many cases held against it claiming that it was a scam and useless, but the times today show that its effect was use full after all. The photo essay published in the Time Magazine shows that many protesters faced off in a battle against the Seattle police in order to gain their rights. Many people were injured and many were arrested. These protestors believed that the WTO was a scam and so they decide to rebel against it. Moreover, after the protestors demanded change 10 years back, their demand still has effect today. Trade is now being evaluated to an extent where it is fair to all. Also, since technology has advanced to a higher level, trade has become easier and more countries are developing. Mostly every country is now advancing and trade is now fair between everyone.
ReplyDeleteIf the protestors had a stronger effect, how would trade be different today?
Tirath Singh C Block
1. “The Meeting: The Battle in Seattle”
ReplyDelete• The WTO doesn’t do as much for member countries as they say they do. They speak all languages of the people that are involved, and they sit around in private and talk. They make up rules, and then put them into motion so all can abide by them. They aren’t elected by the people of the nations. The article says that people think of them as “the rich man’s club.” This was on what Bill Clinton thinks of the WTO, and feels how other people look at them too.
• The WTO increases trade for its member countries, which helps them all economically. Some countries, like the US, owe a lot of their profit and economic stability to the TWO. Even though the US economy is experiencing a down fall right now. Cooperation is not a choice. It is indispensable to survival." This is how Mike Moore the New Zeeland Prime Minister feels about the WTO.
• People are against the fact that trade is monopolized by international large companies. The WTO will try to control as much as they can, and they are imposing on the rights of people. “The WTO is an octopus with an arm into every little crevice of democracy. It trumps domestic laws and international treaties and imposes one-size-fits-all rules." This is what Lori Wallach thinks of the WTO.
2. The photo essay starts off with the protesters being calm, and then goes to them becoming violent. The cops got their and then the people went crazy. The broke store windows and started a riot. Then the police were violent, and started to attack the protesters. They both got violent, so in the end it didn’t matter who started it. Many people were hurt and there was no going back.
3. Many of the protesters were animal activists, and the whole fight with the turtle dispute was the fact that other countries were capturing turtles along with shrimp. The US didn’t like this because it was against their animal’s rights laws. The WTO didn’t favor on the US side, and said that the US could not control what other counties do. The protesters and animal rights activist were against this, which was the reason for the protest.
4. What happened to the protesters of the WTO? Were they punished for protesting?
The WTO (World Trade Organization) is an international organization which replaced the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) in 1995. The WTO deals with the rules of trade between member nations. The WTO is controversial amonst many. Although the WTO ensures smooth trade, increases competition/number of choices consumers have, and makes international trade more economically efficient, there are also negative aspects. The WTO takes power away from elected governments, meetings are not accountable to the public and interests are often in conflict with the health and safety of the people as well as the environment.
ReplyDeleteIn 1999, the WTO Ministerial Conference was held for the first time in the United States. Thousands of people protested this meeting in the streets of Seattle, where the meeting took place. The protest began peacefully but built up to extreme violence. As stated in the first article, "protesters aren't against trade, but they want corporation-friendly rules to include social concerns--the environment, labor rights, Third World poverty." These protesters felt that the WTO should focus more on moral problems than just focusing only on trade. They believed that The WTO was ignoring environmental and humane problems. They felt as if the WTO was responsible for world wide hunger and disease. For example, the WTO allowed fishermen to export shrimp to the U.S. even though their nets lacked hatches for endangered turtles. Another example includes the U.S. shipping hormone-fed beef to France. The environment wasn't being protected and peoples' health was gambled just to keep trade "fair". Developing countries needed more time to comply with rules of the WTO. Third world ministers argued that highly develoiped countries could import and export more which would hurt developing countries. European nations fought to stop the import of genetically modified crops. They wanted to keep their high standards of living and their cultural identity in the world. These three groups are amongst the many groups that wanted their interests and concerns to be heard during the protest.
The photo essay that was published in Time Magazine about the 1999 anti-WTO protests knows as the "Battle in Seattle" depicts several vibrant images. People held signs and dressed in turtle suits to portray their thoughts about the case of the endangered sea turtles. The pictures become more and more violent. Police are shown wearing gas masks as they bombard the protesters with tear gas. Many protesters were severely injured by the polive trying to clear the streets. The photo essay illustrates how determined and passionate the protesters were about their concerns and feelings towards the WTO.
According to the NPR article, the 1999 protest "sparked international mobilizations for social, economic and environmental justice and set in motion strategic, determined and cross-border organizing." Ten years of determined activism has helped prevent the loss of water resources to third world countries, resist gentically modified crops, and many other issues. The 1999 protest inspired ordinary people to stand up for what they believe in.
One question concerning the WTO and the "Battle of Seattle" is: Has there been other major protests towards the WTO and if so what were the main issues about?
Aggeliki (Angela) Tsetsakos
C Block
The World Trade Organization have been the governing body of global international trade and an advocate for peace and prosperity since it's creation in 1995.The organization has been very effective to many nations as well as controversial. Some members have experienced nothing but success since joining the organization, while other nations continue to fold. In recent times, there have been a cycle of some countries abiding against the WTO's regulation for personal interests, which tends to be very productive and other countries beginning to pour out their discontentment with the organization's lack of productivity, in terms of regulation, for example, European and Japanese leaders continue to heavily subsidize their farmers, which affects the competitive outcomes of major food exporting countries like the U.S., Canada, Australia and Brazil, aggravating many domestic farming communities, still many European and Japanese leaders claim its for the sake of food safety and consumer protection. Another issue was the The United States policy to reduce tariffs on e-commerce, biotechnology and financial services and enforcing anti-dumping legislation on steel imports, which some countries strongly disapproved; many leader criticized the U.S for these reasons claiming the United States' agenda has something to annoy everyone. "The U.S is single-mindedly pursuing its own narrow agenda while showing little interest in others' needs.", a statement made by Hong Kong's Secretary for Trade and Industry Chau Tak-hay for U.S' decision to reduce tariffs. It is another issue the World Trade Organization is had a tough time with, another controversial issue was when five aids activists chained themselves to the balcony of U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky's office, protesting WTO patent rules that have made AIDS medicine expensive for poor countries, they hoped to send out a message to the the organization and to public. One of the protest involving the WTO was "The Battle in Seattle". It started off as a civil protest against WHO, the next day the police began to counter-act, fighting back the disturbers and rioters, which suddenly erupted into a violent face-off, causing fatal injuries, arrest and public damage at the end, some major reason for the riot was due to the W.T.O's non- democratic fashion in electing officials and the W.T.O's failure to protect aquatic creatures, among others. Based on the NPR article, the 1999 protest occurred mainly due to WTO's position in terms of sea turtle endangerment and protection. 10 years later, although the 1999 protest was some what tragic in regards to violence and injury, it brought international spotlight to the issues of sea turtle endangerment and also helped conserve many sea creatures, making the riot very worthy
ReplyDeleteQuestion
Does the 1999 protest prove the claim of other nations accusing America as being single- minded and less concerned about others interests?
Ola Afolabi
F-block
12-06-09
1. “A WTO Primer”
ReplyDelete• The WTO is seen as type of court. This is because they make rules when the members of each state/country are in an argument or there is a problem. European governments tried to stop hormone-added meats to America, but the WTO refused to make a law or treat this problem. The WTO did not acknowledge the problem; instead, they gave the members the right to do whatever.
• The WTO tries to create free trade among all nations and countries. The expansion of trade between countries has helped some rich, developed countries and some poor, under-developed countries. Each decade, the world’s economy increases basically based on the international trade that occurs. The only thing that seems to be making trade expand and be prosper-able in the world is by making sure everything is fair and no disputes take place.
• People worry or protest against the WTO because of the concerns about labor rights, democracy, and dangers to the environment. The protestors believe that no one should have the power to rule over everything, especially when there should be other concerns besides the environment and labor rights. The WTO is enforcing laws in other countries, but neglects these laws in America.
2. Photo
In this photo, protestors are wearing turtle suits while holding signs. The reason they are wearing the turtle suits is because they want the WTO to worry about protecting animals. The turtle suits also show that they want to help the endangered turtles that are being killed from fisherman scooping them in their nets. The people and the police became very violent. Once they could not get the anti-WTO protestors out of the streets, the police was ordered to bombard them with tear gases. In the photo, the police seem to be wearing gas masks. The police injured some people with this tearing gas.
3. Article
There were many effects from the 1999 protests. One of them was the dispute of the turtle endangerment. Many of the protestors were animal activists, so by the WTO not trying to prevent this they were going to try to persuade them. Ten years later, this protest showed the concerns of endangered animals and the fairness of trade between countries.
4. Questions
Are there protestors in the world today that dislike the WTO? If there was to be a meeting today, what do you think the protesters would fight against like they did in 1999?
Dana Pistilli C-Block
1.-Protesters saw the WTO as a way of destroying the democratic way of life. Joining the WTO was not an American decision, and the officials representing America were not voted in. Protesters believed that the WTO was just a way of countries avoiding taxes and a way of getting free trade. Also protesters felt that the WTO put money above human rights because of greed. Leaders of the WTO saw this as an opportunity to gain respect from other nations.
ReplyDelete-Countries such as America who is apart of NAFTA and the European nations who are apart of the EU have more of a say in what happens in the WTO. Not only did some nations have more of a say in the WTO but some of the WTO's environmental regulations would hurt rather then help developing nations.
-Leaders who were involved with the WTO were overjoyed with it. It gave leaders a chance to have free and fair trade with other nations. It also let them avoid laws that were set in place by there own or other countries because they were able to follow the WTO's regulations.
2.This picture reflects the WTO's lack of environmental regulations. Endangered sea turtles in India and other ocean countries are being harmed due to unsafe shrimp nets. There are nets that could collect shrimp but also let the sea turtles go unharmed. But the WTO has yet to make any regulations in order to protect the endangered species. The picture reflects how the WTO is supposed to protect the environment but is letting this endangered species be affected by the shrimp harvesting. This issue relates to the 1999 WTO proceedings because it shows how the WTO is ignoring the environmental issue in order to make money.
3.The battle in Seattle has defiantly had a huge effect on the WTO. There was never another WTO proceeding held in the United States due to the massive protest. Also the WTO meetings are now only held in Sweden due to the fact that it is a neutral country. I do not believe that the WTO has made much of an attempt to further its regulations on environmental and human rights regulations. Whether it was forcing hormone enhanced food on to European countries, or the endangered sea turtle crisis being ignored, the WTO seems to only be worried about their profit. It is a shame that free trade has to come at such a high price, that it is actually doing more damage to the things it is supposed to protect.
4.My main question is to the WTO is after the battle in Seattle why did the officals not change their policies instead of there location?
Katie McSherry
Block: C
1. “The Meeting: The Battle In Seattle”. Bill Clinton openly says that many people believe the WTO is rich guys who make rules that don’t apply to already wealthy people, but to the people who are not wealthy. However, the protestors are not against trade, they expect corporation-friendly rules to include concerns such as environment and labor rights. Developing countries argued that they are opening their markets but had few benefits. They want more time to comply with rules on financial services and property. The author allows the different groups to exert their opinions.
ReplyDelete2. The photo essay began calmly and peacefully. Then the officers use tear gas and are holding arms. Protestors start to riot and protest back to the police. Police used pepper spray to hurt them. People fought back, people got injured and everything was totally out of control by the end.
3. The major effects of 1999 protests continue today. The Battle at Seattle called for ordinary working people to stand up and take back their streets and its nation. It ensured that democracy is wrenched from corporations and that it remains of the people, by the people and for the people. Many of the protestors were animal activists. They were fighting to save the sea turtle because shrimp catchers were also capturing sea turtles that were going extinct. Many were trying to protect them.
4. Did the protest of the WTO end with worse riots?
Jackie King
PHOTO- In the photo, protestors are wearing costumes resembling turtles and holding signs with slogans and phrases on them. They wore these costumes and held these signs because they disagreed with the way the WTO was handling the situation on protecting the turtles. Police were given orders to tear gas all the protesters that were against the WTO’s actions. Once this started happening the protestors became violent towards the police and they both began fighting with each other.
ReplyDeleteARTICLE- The protest of 1999 had long term effects on the WTO. The protest lead to the start of many other organizations that fought for things other people cared for just as much as the protection of Turtles. The protest inspired many people to fight for what they believe in even if there may be consequences, as long as they’ve gotten their point across.
QUESTION- Is the group that protested in 1999 still relevant today and have they protested anything else since then?
Brian Lopez
1. -The World Trade Organization, which makes rules for international trade in global economies. Protesters didn't agree with the WTO's countries joining to avoid their taxes. Protesters were also against WTO trade routes endangering sea turtles. Protesters believed that the WTO put money before people and thought that they were greedy.
ReplyDelete- America and the European Union had more say in the WTO than other countries.
- Leaders involved in the WTO wanted free trade and thus they would have the opportunity for free trade.
2. In this image, I can see that many different races come together to fight something they don't agree with. The protesters were for animal protection and wanted to stand up for what they believed was right, such as fighting animal abuse.
3. A lot of the protesters were animal activists so one of the main effects of the WTO was the dispute over the sea turtles. The protesters showed sympathy towards the endangered animals.
4. Are there still WTO protests in the world today?
Bethany Greenman
F-Block
The World Trade Organization (WTO)is viewed differently by many different people. Though the purpose of the World Trade Organization was to make trade smooth, there have been many problems that have been created since the start of the WTO. Though the WTO is supposed to help in the advancement of every nation that is apart of the World Trade Organization many nations refuse to change their national laws. Many nations believe that other nations are somewhat trying to sabotage their economy in order to advance in their own economy. This idea seems true in many cases where advancements were trying to be made to help people on a national level. One example personifies that fact when Bill Clinton tried to pass a minimum labor standard through the WTO to help working conditions of workers in third world countries. Third world countries felt as though the United States were trying to take away the only true "advantage" that developing countries possessed. Third world countries feel as though they are being used to benefit America which could be feasible but seem also very ignorant seeing that workers in third world countries suffer from terrible working conditions. This is not to say that the United States is not also apart of the problem of greed. America has also contributed to the problem when the United States disregarded the health of European nations. The United States believed that the banning of hormone treated beef in Europe was a ploy to help European farmers which, seems very drastic if that were true. Countries are not the only ones that have strong opinions of choices of the WTO. Public advocacy groups feel strongly that the WTO is only out to help large corporations. Public groups feel as though WTO does not care for public health or nature preservation. The author to me seemed as though they knew how many problems would be created. Also how many nations are defensive when a law would be passed that would hurt their own economy which is seen through the article's tone.
ReplyDelete2)These pictures show how hypocritical the WTO is in it's "peaceful" attempts to try and keep order. By using brute force to move protestors the WTO has proven to many activists that animal protection is not important to the WTO. These pictures also show how the WTO would harm peaceful protestors without fair reason. These photos relate to the Seattle proceedings in 1999 because many advocates were hurt when the city had advocated that all protestors would be handled without violence. These photos also relate to the conference because some protestors are dressed in turtle costumes to show how the WTO does not care for endangered animal species over economic advancement.
3)The major effect of the 1999 WTO proceedings is obviously the location of where the WTO meetings are held. The placement of the meetings in Sweden shows how the 1999 WTO proceedings have been effected. The sheer number of protestors had made the United States an unlikely candidate to hold meeting regarding global trade. The WTO in my opinion has not made any real progress to promote fairer global trade. All of the regulations are hampered by the greed of other nations like the United States with their hormone treated beef or with the shrimp fishing problem. These problems have never been truly solved which shows how the WTO is more interested in the global economy then with the preservation of nature as well as humanity as a whole. The WTO has shown time and time again that money is first priority without exception.
4)How has the world changed it's opinion on the action the WTO has unleashed against the protestors when promising non-violent situations?
The WTO started of as the GAT in 1945 but fifty years later turned into the WTO. Their purpose is to make sure that trade works smoothly and peacefully. Yet many have different views on the WTO. They help make rules in which each country must follow so that trade is fair. Some people are against the fact that it is monopolized by large companies. Also they try to do everything in a manor that will help them in the end. Not really helping the people huh! The photo essay shows people nice and clam then all of a sudden an outburst of violence and hate. It shows how cruel the WTO can be during something that shouldn’t have been violent to begin with. Due to the 1999 WTO meeting people (mostly activists of other believe) came together to protest against the WTO. The WTO is more interested in making money then in the helping of the environment and humanity. Yet the protest helped to form other organizations that help with what the people really want or feel will help their environment. The main reason for them protesting was against the Indian ocean countries who shrimp fish and at the same time kill turtles that are already almost endangered. Like many others I feel that the WTO is kind of not doing their job because if they were then they would be helping make decisions that are moral and not money making. Most of the things in society today are based on what makes the most money not what can help the most people. This is how I feel the WTO is.
ReplyDeleteThe World Trade Organization (WTO) was created in 1995 and has 135 member nations within it. Together the nations make rules that help govern international trade. However, even though many rules are a democracy, people may disagree with the WTO. One perspective would be that that WTO is a fair court that resolves international conflicts on trade. Rules that are made in the court are unanimously made and agreed upon equally. A second view of the WTO is to try to ensure that member nations have the right to trade with each other without causing major problems. This organization aims to have little to no tariff barriers so there are no taxes on imports. Also, they want their rules to make sure that there are fewer subsidies therefore creating a more competitive trading system while avoiding trade wars. A second perspective would be that the WTO is unfair and does nothing to help its member countries. People against the WTO believe that there is no democracy and does little to help issues such as labor and environmental rights. An environmental concern of the past includes the use of Turtle Excluder Device or lack there of. The authors of the article, The Meeting: The Battle In Seattle, trust their thoughts that the WTO wouldn’t be affected at all and global issues will continue to happen.
ReplyDeleteIn the photo essay from Time Magazine on the Battle in Seattle protest showed how people wanted change. The issue of the sea turtle mentioned before is part of the peaceful protest. People protested that TEDs should be used to protect the endangered species of sea turtles. Protesters adorned handmade turtle costumes and held signs showing their want for a difference. Police arrested 68 people after the peaceful protest turned into a riot.
The effects of the 1999 protests affected various types of people, from teachers and students to farmers and environmentalist. It spread throughout many people’ lives and they had one thing in common. They all wanted the WTO to change the global trade agreement because this would affect many communities negatively. Ten years have passed since these historic protests but it still affects the present. People protest peacefully in order to get a point across. Yet, it hasn’t changed that much since then either. The WTO has overruled the shrimp-turtle debate and since the WTO has an abundant amount of issues to deal with now, issues that were protested over 10 years ago are still not addressed.
Question: Did the WTO not address the protesters’ issues fully and take the Battle in Seattle protest into consideration in their decision?
Allison Lee
F Block
The WTO or The World Trade Organization first came to light in 1995. The WTO took the place of the GATT or the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. The World Trade Organization is comprised of 135 nations that promote international trade; rules/regulations on foreign/domestic trade, international/global. Although the WTO follows and promotes their democratic oaths, some may disagree with their decisions in terms of a "Global Economy". Individuals such as anarchists and those who seek to "stick it to the man" see the WTO as tyranical and only promote a cash-flow that benefits themselves or personal interests. Commerce that is regulated to as the WTO sees fit. Their leadership is based upon money, what can and cannot be earned or achieved. The currency that is in constant flucts due to their actions are of potential interests that are a sure-fine way to keep the economy afloat. These decisions made by the WTO can be put into many different stanzas or perspectives: The WTO will do anything to promote a free or non-secular economy, or the complete opposite, the WTO is a product of corruption at its best and only supports those that benefit their cause or interests. The World Trade Organization showed their true colors in terms of international economic interests. The sea turtle incident proved that sea turtles were not as important as the commerce or money to be made by shrimp fishermen, estimated to be a 500 billion dollar industry. Now, revoking the rights of the sea creatures with a documented defense that: "The U.S had overstepped its place, and it's the WTO's place to regulate or dispute the flow of international trade". Actions that tarnished the WTO's reason for being created as an effort to better the global economy, but now to favor the side that's "producing".
ReplyDeleteThe photo presented in Time magazine on the Battle in Seatle protests depicts a call for justice. Every living organism on earth deserves a right at life and this is where the protestors were coming from. Their direct call for change was unanswered. The use of TED nets should have been implemented to reduce the amount of life lost. The protestors showed their devotion to the cause by wearing garments that fashioned a replica of a sea turtle. They wanted the WTO to revoke the decision that was made years early.
The 1999 protests was seen through the united states as a flaw in the system. This event captured the every day folk who didn't even know what the WTO even meant. People who watch the news and say how long ago did that happen, even though it happened only yesterday. The amount of people requiring change doubled from anarchists to a vast majority of the nation. However these significant odds are futile against an organization as large as the WTO. These matters on animal preservation are still protested till this day. The WTO has shown its political strength by avoiding these issues altogether. These issues are 10 years old, old enough to be forgotten within' years or maybe even months. It's a situation like the one presented before you today that proves commerce depicts what's right and what's wrong, justice is not always visible.
Question: Due to the WTO's callous acts that are in breach of the universal trade law articles 3,7 and 25, why are they still in power in terms of "Global Regulation"?
Jonathan Ayoub
Block:F
1.The WTO is consisted of many different interest groups that want to get better benefits for the countries they are representing. Third world countries make up a huge part of the WTO and what they need sometimes goes unheeded. They feel that the WTO members that are rich are obligated to help out the poorer nations. The United States and European nations how ever have their own agenda that they need to accomplish. The European nation are trying to maintain there moratorium on their genetically modified imports of plants. They feel that to much junk has entered the European market and that they don’t deserve Pizza Huts, American Bankers and Disney Movies. These thing are not “European”. The United States is trying to reduced tariff on e-commerce, biotechnology and financial services; industries in which United States clearly leads. Hong Secretary for Trade and Industry said the United States is pursuing its own agenda while paying little heed to other’s needs.
ReplyDelete2.These Photo Essays clearly depicts how the “peaceful protest” of the protesters had turned into mass chaos when the Seattle riot Control got involved. They were forcefully clearing the streets using Tear Gas, Pepper Sprays and Rubber Bullets. While this was happening the media was censoring what was going on. This demonstration showed the determination that was possessed by them to active fairer global trade and Health care.
3.The 1999 protest shows the determination possessed by people to get their goals across. They wanted to make the WTO make more fair and ethical decisions. The 1999 protest have made a huge impact on the decisions made by the WTO. The protests brought down the Third WTO ministerial. Many improvements in the way problems are handles in the WTO have been made. In response to the 2008 food price crisis GM has produced native seeds for distribution among small farmers and improvised nations. As the world leaders and NGO’s meet in Copenhagen to discuss the global climate deal they are still reminded of the protest in Seattle.
4.How was the massive protest organized and how did the government not pick up on the organization of the protest?
Reuben G
Since its creation, the WTO has created countless controversies; there is a great deal of opposition against the organization regardless its agenda to promote free trade. Among those that object the actions of the WTO, the environmentalists, labor activists, and pro-democrats are some the major groups.
ReplyDeleteMany environmentalists disapprove the WTO because they believe the organization prefers commerce over the planet, and use the result of the Shrimp-Turtle Dispute as one their arguments against the organization. The WTO n the other hand would disagree because the shrimp turtle was a matter of discrimination among member nations, along with the lack of effort to follow the WTO rules on the U.S.’s behalf, not a disregard for the environment. The WTO actually stated its conclusion for the Shrimp-Turtle Dispute that the organizations highly supports environmental action and didn’t hope the dispute would discourage such action because of the dispute.
The labor activists similarly oppose the WTO because they claim it prefers the large corporations over rights of workers. According to these activists, the WTO fails to require nations to establish labor standards like the U.S. or some of the other developed nations, and as an outcome millions of workers suffer from hazardous working conditions and hours, along with low wages. However, nations without these standards argue that if rules were created unemployment would increase and poverty would grow even more than it already has. Additionally, some would argue that freer trade and outsourcing would help undeveloped nations catch up and build up their industries, ultimately resulting in a higher standard of living and more wealth for the poorer nations. Moreover, labor unions in the U.S. would also oppose the WTO because they allow jobs in the U.S. to be replaced by foreign workers who become victims of outsourcing companies, which highly profit from cheap labor.
Since the WTO members, representatives, and officials aren’t chosen by public voting, people think that the WTO is highly non-democratic. Furthermore, people believe that human rights are being violated by the WTO because the organization allows business to run the world, instead of governments and people. Conversely, the pro-WTO individuals believe that the WTO promotes diplomacy, peace, equality, and trade between countries.
There are plenty of reasons to both appreciate and despise the WTO and this is exactly why numerous groups gathered to protests against the WTO meeting in Seattle, while others hoped the meeting would occur and the WTO could make some progressive decisions.
Sadly, this protest was intense and violent; certain protestors disobeyed the law and the armed forces reacted extremely with rubber bullets and teargas. This violence from the police was emphasized by Time Magazine’s Photo Essay titled “The Battle in Seattle”. The essay highlighted the weaponless protestors unnecessarily damaged by the armed police.
Although the protest occurred several years ago, according to NPR its impact can be seen today. A great deal of activism in the Seattle protests has inspired Americans to be bold and exercise their first amendment rights. It appears that the animal activism from the “Battle in Seattle” initiated a stronger and more united effort to conserve endangered species, at least in the U.S.
Question: The battle in Seattle occurred a few years ago, so what is the WTO currently dealing with?
1)
ReplyDelete- The WTO has been promoting increased free trade amongst its member nations since its formation in 1995, thus increasing economic globalization and creating wealth in both rich and poor nations. The WTO was established to promote fairness and competition in foreign trade. So in light of the recent protests and meetings, it is expected that the protests will be confronted and resolved by government officials as free trade continues to increase.
- More people in the US are protesting with a growing concern for labor practices made in developing countries. Ex-president Clinton has been pushing for better labor standards than the current sweatshop conditions, but his intentions were misinterpreted as a way to protect American jobs at the expense of the Third World poor. The WTO will most likely resolve this conflict by simply leaving the labor standards in Third World countries unchanged.
- Others are protesting the WTO with a growing concern for the environment and health protection, arguing that the organization is putting commerce before the welfare of society. As an example, European health concerns over hormone treated beef imports were dismissed as an attempt to assist European farmers. However, in light of WTO’s support from nations disadvantaged by such trade barriers, the organization will most likely continue to dismiss and overlook these concerns.
2) The images in the photo are symbolic in a way that represents those in the WTO with commercial interest and those in the WTO with sociological interest. As the people (sociological) in the photos continue to fight against the police (commercial), the people are overwhelmed by the police’s brute strength. However, the people have strength in numbers and their resolve, and they manage to leave their mark, just as the sociological WTO members do, excluding the strength in numbers.
3) According to the NPR article, the “Battle in Seattle” event was an inspiration for people and social groups all around the world to fight for their rights against the tyrannical WTO. This inspired mobilization of revolt is evident in the international struggles for the right to water, against the 2008 food-price crises, and against the corporate takeover of the food and agricultural system. I believe that the efforts of the 1999 protests to promote fairer global trade have been very effective. Now, the people have a voice. They are fully capable of speaking up for themselves, as well as demanding for and obtaining what they need without help from the WTO, thus making the organization increasingly obsolete.
4) Have any other WTO proceedings been prevented?
Michael Appelgate
F block
The WTO formerly known as the GATT, rules trade between member nations. The WTO takes power away from elected governments, meetings are not accountable to the public and interests are often in conflict with the health and safety of the people as well as the environment. “the meeting: the battle in Seattle” many people believed that the WTO decision making do not include the concerns such as environment and labor rights. They believe the WTO rules apply to the wealthy people. Protesters have no problem with trade all they ask for is corporation friendly rules.
ReplyDeleteThe photo essay of the battle in Seattle started off as a very peaceful protest then gradually towards the end many protesters were beaten and police officers used pepper spray and many were arrested.
The protest of 1999 had long term effects A lot of the protesters were animal activists. one of the issues were the dispute over the sea turtles. The protesters expressed sympathy for the endangered animals through the protest.
where else in the world do WTO protests take place?
Samantha Wong
C block
Seattle of 1999 was divided into three spheres of people- those who approved of the WTO and its actions, those who disapproved, and those who quite simply did not care. According to "A WTO Primer," people who agree with the policies of the WTO supported free trade. They believe globalization of this grand scale could create "unprecedented wealth in both rich and previously poor countries" even more than technology alone, as it has to this day. Growth in economy, they believe, positively corresponds to growth international trade. Ideally, a border-less economic community would maintain equal proportions of prosperity. However, a large-scale global community would function only with an overseeing power, "a universally accepted authority." That is why the World Trade Organization is a necessity without which free trade and global prosperity would be unimaginable. On the other hand, leaders of the fight against the World Trade Organization refute the positive connection between free trade and prosperity. Prosperity to these protesters would mean full democracy, environmental awareness, and equal opportunities, all of which the WTO is accused of denying. Protesters dislike the concept of being governed by a non-elected board of politicians who can ignore citizens' rights and overrule domestic policies. The environment and human right's are ignored, it is said, while economic prosperity is sought. There are clearly pros and cons to both arguments.
ReplyDeleteThe photo could merely be a snapshot of the protests in Seattle, with no particular position of the photographer projected. Critical as I am, however, I believe that the photo portrays the protesters as foolish. Passionate protesters are waving neon-colored signed while dressed in colorful, TMNT- like turtle costumes. The woman centered in the photo appears to be smiling and enjoying the protest rather than focusing on making a serious point. Overall, through this photo, the protest is made to look silly and insignificant.
The final article emphasizes the ongoing effects of the Battle of Seattle today. "Seattle was, in fact, a tremor of courage that sparked international mobilizations for social, economic and environmental justice and set in motion strategic, determined and cross-border organizing that continues to this day." Of course, all forms of protest are inspiration to defend one's rights and make good use of the first amendment to the constitution. The WTO has not proven its success yet while it has defied social and cultural norms, making it still a controversial topic in 2009.
Aleksandra Makowska, C Block
The World Trade Organization (WTO)is a non-government organization that regulates trade between member nations. The WTo was formerly known as the GATT, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, but in1995 was turned into the WTO. The WTO takes power away from elected government officials and the meetings are not made public. "The Meeting: The Battle In Seattle” discusses how protestors felt that the WTO made rules that favored the wealthy and did not care for the environment or labor rights.
ReplyDeleteThe photo displays protestors wearing turtle suits. The turtle suits signifies that the WTO needs to take action in regulating trade, but their trade policies and decisions need to help the environment in the long run.
The article "Carrying the Spirit of Seattle Today” explains that what happened in Seattle in 1999 is still effecting the world today. The 1999 protest shows the determination and courage of people to prove their point and their use of their first amendment rights to display their passion. The WTO has not made much progress in global trade. The WTo is not showing a care for the environment as displayed in the sea turtle dispute but more of an interest int he global economy.
The World Trade Organization’s main objective is to be in the service of global economies by meeting and resolving decisions based upon current conditions to better society. Leaders around the world participate in these meetings. One person who is present at WTO meetings is Barack Obama. WTO has proved itself to be very useful after allegations of it it being a scam and unavailing. The photo essay distributed in Time Magazine displays that many opposers were arrested and injured in order to gain their rights. Protesters were confident that the World Trade Organization was a scheme and because of this they decided to riot against it. Although this revolt was many years ago their request still effects society today. Due to advancement in technology trade has become easier and neutral to all.
ReplyDelete1) Are their still WTO protesters present in todays society?