The Chains of Supranationalism

     Last week we talked about, and even had a debate about, supranationalism. This is the idea of countries giving up some of their sovereignty to come together for a better cause or economic power. The UN, the EU, NATO, NAFTA, and the Arab league would all be examples of Supranationalistic Organizations. I, for the most part, am not a big proponent of supranationalism. I want the U.S. to keep a fierce control of its sovereignty and it should not give up any of it's rights for a so-called "greater cause". I guess I am kind of old school that way. Supranationalism to me is just a bigger government to limit my freedoms.I think its always good to have a healthy fear of the government. If the government has too much control, gradually, I am not going to have any rights for myself, like for instance: how much money I can make or how many children I am allowed to have. Like any good American I like my freedom. Supranationalism just brings this to a new level where entire other countries will tell you what to do with your money. If you love governmental control I can see how one would be for Supranationalism because to me it is a form of higher governmental control. I for one love my own freedom and do not want my own country along with an entire group of other countries telling me what to do.
      I believe that it was in Washington's Farewell Address that he said we should not interfere in other countries' businesses. I agree with him for the most part. A few weeks ago in my Middle Eastern Geography class, we skyped with students my age from Egypt. My teacher encouraged them to say what they did not like about America. One of the things they complained about was how the United States always interferes in other nations that is should have nothing to do with, especially Israel. In many ways I agree with them. Why can't we just worry about our own problems and stop getting involved in other places around the World? We have plenty of our own internal issues to worry about. I guess one argument to this would be that the U.S. is a model for democracy and economic growth and we should share our ideas with other nations and help out those striving for democracy who are trying to gain their freedom. This is a good argument but we can spread these ideas without having to get involved there ourselves. Also, our model of freedom is not going to work in every country and we often cause more problems by being there. I believe that in most of the cases where we have gotten involved with other nations we have caused more harm than good. We as a nation should learn from this. The only time we should get involved with another country is when that country threatens our own freedom.
     The only time I think supranationalism can be a good thing is in foreign aid to other countries. If people are starving to death and we have more than them, I believe it is our duty as a Christian nation to help them out. But even this has to be done carefully. People often complain that the U.S. exploits Africa by giving different countries food and those countries give them valuable resources in turn. This giving has to be unconditional with nothing expected in return.
     The argument that supranationalism is good for trade is also valid. If a country can gain economically through supranationalism, a country should go for it. The U.S. simply must seek ways to do it that do not give up any of its sovereignty. Otherwise, countries will use trading power to gain control of us. I do not believe Mexico and Canada have very much control over the U.S. at the moment but I can see how a country could gain control over another using trading.
      Except in a few cases, I believe that avoiding suprantionalism is the best way for the U.S. to keep its sovereignty, keep its own people's sovereignty and avoid conflict in other nations.