Foreign policy: Organization membership package

[Lockesdonkey]

I will write this as a bill later, but the following is a list of organizations we ought to join right away if possible:
+ The United Nations
+ The World Trade Organization
+ The International Monetary Fund
+ The World Bank Group
+ The Commonwealth of Nations
+ The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
+ The Asian Cooperation Dialogue
+ The East Asian Summit
+ Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
In addition, I would advise that we apply for observer status at the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

Please discuss.
Thank you.

 

[Smidgey]

I could be persuaded to join some of these, but I would actually prefer to join none or at least enter the UN as an observer like the Vatican and Switzerland.

I wouldn't mind joining the Islamic one as an observer too. As we know, the Islamic world is volatile at the moment and anything that can be done to show the hand of peace and friendship may be better than the hand of aggression.

 

[Lockesdonkey]

I am of the opinion that increasing our membership in international organizations will put us in a better economic position overall as it more firmly and clearly establishing our links in the world; it makes it clear that we're here for the long haul.

UN membership in particular is a must; Switzerland actually joined the UN in 2002, and the Vatican refuses to join only because it feels that a) it's so small, and its interests are well-represented by Italy and b) the Vatican cannot in good conscience join the UN, whose stated aim is democracy, when it is determined to remain an absolute monarchy, however enlightened.

 

[Hackapell]

All of these sounds like good Organizations to join in order to increase Economic and foreign ties with other nations.
Can I just get a clarification? What is the Commonwealth of Nations?

 

[Smidgey]

An organisation of ex-British empire states.

 

[Leif]

I'd be game for the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations, however having read up on the World bank, World Trade Orginization and the IMF I would advise strongly against us joining.

 

[LightFang]

They all sound nice.

 

[Lockesdonkey]

I'd be game for the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations, however having read up on the World bank, World Trade Orginization and the IMF I would advise strongly against us joining.

These are key parts of the foreign policy I intend to follow, FYI. We are in a very pleasant position economically where globalization should not present too seriously the problems faced by the very rich or very poor countries; on the whole, Civilitas stands to gain from globalization. The WTO in particular is a must.

 

[Leif]

These are key parts of the foreign policy I intend to follow, FYI. We are in a very pleasant position economically where globalization should not present too seriously the problems faced by the very rich or very poor countries; on the whole, Civilitas stands to gain from globalization. The WTO in particular is a must.

However due to the wrongs the World Trade Organization has inflicted upon the world I believe we must stay out. While they may not be a negative force in our lucky little nation, they are in the bigger picture.

 

[LightFang]

That's only because some people believe that free trade results in the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.

 

[Lockesdonkey]

That's only because some people believe that free trade results in the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.

Economically speaking, that can only be true in the short run. I'm trying to set up a long-run foreign policy.

 

[LightFang]

Exactly; that's why I support joining the WTO.

 

[CCA]

Join all of them

I would also like us to join the Socialist Internationale

 

[ArneHD]

Well, the UN is a must, there is simply too much to loose by NOT joining. Furthermore, joining the WTO seem like a solid choice. We should also look into joining a free trade agreement with China, Japan and USA in particular, as these are probably going to be our main import/export partners.

 

[Leif]

We should establish trade agreements based off of economic profitability, worker's rights and environmental agreements.

Naturally all trade should create profit, but we must also take into account the worker's rights and human rights of the nations we trade with. Also, all nations we trade with must meet a certain environmental criteria. As a rather small island nation we have a lot to lose from global warming and the rising of the sea level.

 

[Provolution]

+ The International Monetary Fund
+ The World Bank Group
The United Nations

The three above cost money to join, as a percentage or something of GDP. (Quite possibly promilles)

 

[Lockesdonkey]

+ The International Monetary Fund
+ The World Bank Group
The United Nations

The three above cost money to join, as a percentage or something of GDP. (Quite possibly promilles)

Yes, but they integrate us (and ingratiate us) with the international community. The UN is an absolute must; there's no avoiding it. As for the IMF and World Bank, they 1) are just plain important and 2) are informal prerequisites to WTO membership. If you don't like the WTO, you're free to dislike joining these organizations as well, but if you are even remotely in favor of free trade you really have to get involved with the Bretton Woods establishments.

 

[jeps]

+ The United Nations - Yes. To those who dont like it, if we dont vote against the things we dont like, its partially our fault they pass.
+ The World Trade Organization - Yes.
+ The International Monetary Fund - Yes
+ The World Bank Group - Yes
+ The Commonwealth of Nations - A MUST. It is our heritage, and a way for us to maintain good relations with large parts of the world.

Spoiler :

+ The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development - Yes
+ The Asian Cooperation Dialogue
+ The East Asian Summit - yes. Every single one of our neighbours are in, as are the asian powers, with the possibility of russia. Especially if we reject the Japanese, Chinese, and Russian proposals, membership in this can help make up for it.
+ Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) - yes

 

[Ball Lightning]

+ The United Nations YES
+ The World Trade Organization YES
+ The International Monetary Fund YES
+ The World Bank Group MAYBE
+ The Commonwealth of Nations MAYBE
+ The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development YES
+ The Asian Cooperation Dialogue YES
+ The East Asian Summit YES
+ Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) YES

 

[Lockesdonkey]

We have little to lose and much to gain from membership in the Commonwealth. It aligns us with the [wiki]Anglosphere[/wiki] but not necessarily the United States, putting us in a pleasantly New Zealand- or Canada-esque situation.