The amount of control a government maintains in the economy and over its people can be controversial in any modern society. Citizen response has varied from an overwhelming sense of respect for government officials to a deep hatred for those who run (or “ruin”) their nation. In the 21st century nations are more diverse than ever; socialism reigns over Europe while neighboring continent Asia is predominantly defined by communism and dictatorships. With that said, governments should have an undeniable amount of responsibility for their citizens. They should remain protecting and occasionally advising (but more of a watchful guardian rather than an overbearing parent). With moderate government control, the economies of the world could be far
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While actual free trade is nonexistent, first-world nations are pretty darn close to it. America, being the worldwide superpower it is, might just be the closest to free trade a nation can get, but that is far from a good thing. The lack of governmental control has led to mass consumerism in the United States; companies will do anything to make consumers purchase their goods, no matter the effects those goods can have on civilians. According to “Facing The Future,” American corporations spend a combined 200 million dollars a year on advertising, and in 2004 it was revealed that the United States is responsible for a third of global consumption (despite making up only 5 percent of the population). Because of this non-stop focus on consumption, American citizens have actually suffered. In the past decade not only has the U.S. become the second most overweight nation of the earth, but also a nation coated with debt (which, at this time sits above 17 trillion dollars). By embedding stricter purchasing restrictions and more REQUIRED consumer education courses, America’s youth can be the generation to turn this economic downfall around. Regulations should also fall upon massive corporations, as they’ve effectively spiked American unemployment by moving factories overseas, where workers can be paid little to nothing for their …show more content…
may eventually vanish. Yes, governments are full of corruption, they often can’t be trusted and are responsible for America’s intense amount of debt, but they are necessary for any society to survive. Somalia, for instance, had no government whatsoever from 1991 to around 2012, and it has become a literal state of anarchy. According to the BBC, more than 20% of the nation’s residents have fled since ‘91, and the lack of any law enforcement has led to the rise of the now infamous Somali Pirates. The lack of work has led many Somali men into piracy, in many cases just to feed their families. Not only have these pirates attacked Somali ships, but they have been slowly increasing their boundaries, putting neighboring nations (and eventually continents) at risk. Some, like Benjamin Powell of the Independent Institute, believe anarchy has helped the nation of Somalia, suggesting that after the United Nations ended its affiliation with the nation things improved: “Once the U.N. withdrew, a relative peace developed in Somalia.” If things have improved so much why do countless children starve every day in Somalia, and why has the nation continued to maintain one of the lowest life expectancies on earth? (Which, according to the C.I.A. Factbook is about 51.4 years). The government before was also ruthless dictatorship, so of course, conditions from back then would be
While actual free trade is nonexistent, first-world nations are pretty darn close to it. America, being the worldwide superpower it is, might just be the closest to free trade a nation can get, but that is far from a good thing. The lack of governmental control has led to mass consumerism in the United States; companies will do anything to make consumers purchase their goods, no matter the effects those goods can have on civilians. According to “Facing The Future,” American corporations spend a combined 200 million dollars a year on advertising, and in 2004 it was revealed that the United States is responsible for a third of global consumption (despite making up only 5 percent of the population). Because of this non-stop focus on consumption, American citizens have actually suffered. In the past decade not only has the U.S. become the second most overweight nation of the earth, but also a nation coated with debt (which, at this time sits above 17 trillion dollars). By embedding stricter purchasing restrictions and more REQUIRED consumer education courses, America’s youth can be the generation to turn this economic downfall around. Regulations should also fall upon massive corporations, as they’ve effectively spiked American unemployment by moving factories overseas, where workers can be paid little to nothing for their …show more content…
may eventually vanish. Yes, governments are full of corruption, they often can’t be trusted and are responsible for America’s intense amount of debt, but they are necessary for any society to survive. Somalia, for instance, had no government whatsoever from 1991 to around 2012, and it has become a literal state of anarchy. According to the BBC, more than 20% of the nation’s residents have fled since ‘91, and the lack of any law enforcement has led to the rise of the now infamous Somali Pirates. The lack of work has led many Somali men into piracy, in many cases just to feed their families. Not only have these pirates attacked Somali ships, but they have been slowly increasing their boundaries, putting neighboring nations (and eventually continents) at risk. Some, like Benjamin Powell of the Independent Institute, believe anarchy has helped the nation of Somalia, suggesting that after the United Nations ended its affiliation with the nation things improved: “Once the U.N. withdrew, a relative peace developed in Somalia.” If things have improved so much why do countless children starve every day in Somalia, and why has the nation continued to maintain one of the lowest life expectancies on earth? (Which, according to the C.I.A. Factbook is about 51.4 years). The government before was also ruthless dictatorship, so of course, conditions from back then would be