Global Policy Studies and International Security

U.S. foreign policy is often morally barren. In their pursuit to further U.S. national interests, American policy makers hide behind the words of Mr. Kennan to justify some of the more unsavory actions taken by the U.S. government abroad. Mr. Kennan’s oft-quoted statement encapsulates the dominant school of thought in international relations: namely, political realism.

The military is undeniably the most popular institution in Turkey. Seen as the protectors of Atatürk’s legacy and famously non-corrupt, the Turkish military challenges the belief that people enjoy less democratic freedoms in countries where militaries are strong. Decades of harsh military dictatorships in countries such as Chile, Paraguay, and Argentina have given politically involved militaries worldwide a well-deserved negative image. The Turkish military is a rare exception to this norm. For over 80 years, it has established a reputation as the protector of secularism and an advocate for democracy. It has never wished to govern the country, but rather to “guide Turkey on a steady course toward social progress and the embrace of universal ideals.”¹ Ironically, this goal requires that it play an intricate role in Turkish public life, in effect meaning that Turkey is not yet a true democracy.

The question over who or what governs the Internet is a hotly debated topic in the U.S. and internationally. Many are under the impression that the Internet is not governed or regulated. This is not the case, though, since organization and administration is necessary to ensure smooth functioning of the Internet.¹ This includes oversight of domain names, root servers, and the accompanying name registration services, among other important maintenance functions. For most people, these functions seem technical and non-political—mere formalities in a system that allows for universal participation in global financial markets, online educational tools, increased communication, and many other helpful and empowering functions. However, since the United States’ decision in 1998 to incorporate Internet governance into the responsibilities of the Department of Commerce,² many people have questioned the legitimacy, accountability, and transparency of such an entity with direct control over a global information and communications network. Critics argue that technical decisions are indeed political and embedded in U.S. politics and history.

On September 29, 2006, the 109th United States Congress approved building a fence along a major section of the U.S.-Mexico border. The price tag of the fence is up for debate—estimates range from the $1.2 billion approved by Congress to over $7 billion in materials to erect the structure. Yet there are also inherent costs and benefits to this immigration policy that go beyond the price of materials. This article examines the costs and benefits of three major types of immigration reform initiatives—enforcement, legalization, and guestworker programs— from a market failure perspective.