Transcript Foreign Policy for All - Massachusetts Peace Action

Left Forum
May 30, 2015
“I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of
the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a
radical revolution of values. We must rapidly begin the
shift from a `thing-oriented’ society to a `personoriented’ society. When machines and computers, profit
motives and property rights, are considered more
important than people, the giant triplets of racism,
extreme materialism, and militarism are incapable of
being conquered… America, the richest, most powerful
nation in the world, can well lead the way in this
revolution of values. There is nothing except a tragic
death wish to prevent us from reordering our priorities,
so that the pursuit of peace will take precedence over
the pursuit of war.”
Martin Luther King, 1967
Outline
 Causes
of US hegemonist foreign
policy
 Values that should guide us
 Principles of a foreign policy for all
 Political strategy – how do we get
there
Why Relook at U.S. foreign
policy?

U.S.’ military-first, interventionist policy is
not working

This is proven by the endless cycle of war
and violence

Military spending is increasing uncontrollably
What is the Goal of the
Foreign Policy for All
(FP4A)?

Analyze and critique our current foreign
policy approach

Offer an alternative vision and policy

Link to overall progressive agenda
Driving Principles of Current
Foreign Policy

Military dominance; at same time supplies
weapons to other countries

Ensure that all nations conform to US in
matters of trade and security

Push forward neo-liberal economic policies
worldwide
Strategies that Facilitate our
foreign policy

Always have an “enemy” out there

Promise security and protection through
increased military capability

Objections to increasing military budget
minimized (“unpatriotic”)
Is There Support to Reconsider
U.S. Foreign Policy?

Polls show lack of public support for current
direction of US foreign policy
Moral principles, not narrow self-interest
US is less respected today
Do not approve of intervention in other countries’
affairs

Academic community, intellectuals, policymakers searching for alternatives
Does Over-Militarized Foreign Policy
Increase Security?

US is less secure if our actions make other
nations insecure

Security achieved through negotiations and
diplomacy

Greater global security achieved through
international cooperation
 Climate change and care for mother nature
 Equitable sharing of resources
 Political oppression and civil wars
 Disease
 Persistent poverty
In Spite of Growing Skepticism Why Does
Current Foreign Policy Direction Persist?

Economic elites benefit and dictate terms of
our Foreign Policy

Immense concentration of wealth equals great
power

Corporate interest in key government
decisions:
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The manufacture and trade of weapons
Energy policies
Trade policies
The military budget
Regulation of Corporations and Media
Foreign policy and decisions about war and peace
How Do Corporations and
Economic Elites Exert Such
Control Over the Government?

Big $ from corporations to elections

Many members of Congress feel beholden to corporations

Corporations hire former public officials as lobbyists: revolving
door

The Policy-making apparatus (also known as the National
Security State) is deeply influenced by the private sector

Corporations control of mainstream media

War is good business
How Do We Turn Our Foreign
Policy in a New Direction?

Regain our democratic rights -- challenge government/
corporate collusion. Foreign policy is a people’s issue

Organize against wars, occupations, military spending

Be positive. Show how Foreign Policy for All would work
better in specific cases

Show that militarist policies have systemic causes

Link peaceful foreign policy to a progressive alliance
Values
Democracy for all

Ordinary people, not elites, not money, should
make policy from the grassroots up

But foreign policy is dominated by a narrow
group of elites

Presidents make war, surveil citizens, without
Congressional approval

Elections are bought by corporate interests
Values
Peace and international
cooperation for all

Cooperation and respect for other nations are widely
shared values worldwide

But “American exceptionalism” supports a unilateralist
foreign policy in which the U.S. has the duty to “lead” the
world

UN charter forbids the use of force except in self-defense
or as part of UN-authorized collective security actions. We
must honor this principle
Values
Justice for all

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” –
Martin Luther King Jr.

Militarism diverts enormous resources from social
programs, jobs, environmental protection

Justice demands that we unite with the victims of extreme
inequality, migration, economic and climate disaster,
violence

Return to respect the International Court of Justice
Values
Human Rights for all

U.S. initiated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
but then refused to ratify 3 of the 6 fundamental human
rights treaties that resulted

U.S. preaches human rights but only applies it to its
adversaries, never criticizes its allies

Human rights violations within the U.S. include our 2
million incarcerated citizens and our continued use of the
death penalty

Human rights provide a strong basis for advocacy
Values
Sustainability for all

Reverse the environmental costs of industrialism and
capitalism, threat of climate change, dangers of nuclear
energy, nuclear weapons, and war

Continued globalized development will ensure the end of
life as we know it

To avoid climatic catastrophe and wars for natural
resources, we need a long term vision of a sustainable
economy and society

International cooperation is absolutely necessary
Values
Security for all

People must be safe from aggression,
dehumanization and deprivation

Manipulation of fears of insecurity is a huge
source of support for the national security state

We must assert an affirmative security agenda

Human security reminds us that security includes
economic and social issues as well
Values
Community for all

It’s one world

We are responsible for and need each
other

Individualism must be curbed
Policies
#1: Nuclear Disarmament

Meet our treaty obligations by
immediately starting negotiations leading
to the elimination of nuclear weapons
worldwide
Policies
#2: Limit the Military

Reduce military spending by 50% or more

Close overseas bases

Refocus the mission of our military on
defense of the national territory and
participation in UN missions
Policies
#3: Arms Trade

Ratify the Arms Trade Treaty

Shut down the international arms trade
Policies
#4: Peacebuilding abroad and at
home

Support international grassroots, civil society efforts to
address the root causes of violence.

Develop women’s leadership role

Diplomacy, economic development, and social provisioning

End mass incarceration

Build a social expectation for peaceful conflict resolution

Build local constituencies for peace
Policies
#5: Priority Regional Issues
New approaches to
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China
Korea
Middle East and the Persian Gulf
Israel/Palestine
Africa
Cuba
Venezuela
Marshall Islands
NATO and more
Policies
#6: Climate Justice

Mount an urgent national effort to stop climate
change
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Make cities energy efficient
Create a new green energy grid
Impose an escalating carbon tax
Stop building new fossil fuel infrastructure now
Rapidly develop solar, wind, geothermal
Support green economic development in less
developed countries
◦ US and developed countries must commit resources
Policies
#7: Protect the Global Commons
 Protect
and demilitarize
◦ The oceans
◦ The atmosphere
◦ Outer space
◦ The polar zones
◦ Cyberspace
Policies
#8: Development

Meet people’s needs for jobs, housing,
education, and healthcare using funds
released by limiting the military

Contribute generously to world green
economic and social development

End poverty
Policies
#9: Trade Justice

Base trade and investment policy on cooperation,
solidarity, sustainable development, and
democratic scrutiny

Fair Trade to foster cooperation, solidarity,
sustainable development, and peace

Facilitate equitable distribution of the world’s
wealth

Open to public scrutiny and democratic debate
Policies
#10: Just Transition

Transition to a sustainable economy and
foreign policy must not be accomplished
at the expense of workers now employed
in the military-industrial complex and
fossil fuel industries

Companies, not workers or communities,
must pay for the transition
Policies
#11: Strengthen international law
and international organizations

“Armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest”

Reform the United Nations to democratically apportion decisionmaking power and increase effectiveness

Recognize the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice

Join the International Criminal Court

Ratify many international treaties
Policies
#12: Nonalignment principles

Mutual respect for sovereignty and
territorial integrity

Mutual non-aggression

Non-interference in the internal affairs of
another country

Equality and mutual benefit

Peaceful coexistence
Policies
#13: Non-intervention

End the pattern of intervention in the affairs of
other countries – military, political, and economic

Renounce the Bush doctrine of pre-emptive
strikes

Humanitarian interventions must be led by a
reformed UN reflecting the will of humanity – not
by a single country or a self-selected grop of
countries
Policies
#14: Polycentrism

Embrace the transition from US
hegemony to a polycentric world

Leadership by different societies, cultures
and social systems is more democratic
and offers richer potential for
development
Action Steps: Discussion

How do we put it into practice?
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How do we get there from here?
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What are the obstacles?

What actions are people in the room
prepared to take?
FP4A Project Plan

Working paper was posted in October 2014
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Conference discussions Nov 2014
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Local Workshops Jan 2015
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Revise paper based on feedback

Mass. Peace Action adopts as working document: Feb 2015
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Present and network nationally in spring/summer 2015
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Continue to present more local workshops
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Writing/study group to apply it to topical issues
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Join us!