..And we come back once again to our sticky point on the nature of the authority of world bodies. Since I am sure you are quite loath to rehash our former discussion, I will make my points and leave it at that.
First, the nation-state does not surrender authority to a world body such as the WTO, they agree to *withold exercise* of that power in the expectation that entering a reciprocal agreement benefits them. The WTO no more exercises authority over US trade matters than you would exercise control over my musculature if I promised not to smack you upside the head. Such agreements are reciprocal in nature, depend on the sovereignty of the state for its enforcement and procedure, and are *not* instruments of authority.
To insist on the authority of the UN and other world bodies as if they exist independent of, and above, their constituent nation-states is ridiculous. If you want to divorce yourself from the realities of world politics in the name of idealistic dreamings of the UN uberwelt government, be my guest.
Now, before you get upset again, let's leave this academic discussion go... |
