by Linda Lau

    As the century comes to an end, the gaps between nations also close. In the span of a century, the nations have successfully come together never seen before. Countries that have been warring for the past centuries caused be religious strife, territorial disputes or racial issues have created a common ground through economic associations.

    Taking a look at the scarce resources, everyone would realize that much of it is wasted producing unnecessary and redundant materials. For example, while United States produces cars of the brand Ford and Chevrolet, Japan industries compete with their Hondas. Moreover, even every day products such as clothing are being sold at different prices through the use of cheap labor or material. As an added bonus, big name companies try to differentiate their brand through the package in what it comes in. This is a real waste causing a heavy burden on the economies of each state even though many consider this good since this is competition. In our current state with overpopulation and unemployment, nations try their best to eliminate this problem through specialization and the division of labor. As long as there is a consensus of what is producing where, the nations can achieve better economic product that satisfy most of the needs without exceedingly diminish the available resources.

    A century ago, there were already economic associations, dominated usually by one nation. Such included NAFTA-North American Free Trade Association, and the EU-European Union. However, Asia only had the ASEAN-Association of Southeast Asia Nations-that governed mostly in the political arena. With a tougher group of economic fighters, Asia too needed a group in which economic regulations could be called for.

    Through the development of the economic standing in Asian communities, such an organization is on the way to be developed. Politicians speculate that such an association will be created by the year 2103 in order to prevent other unions to force the individual Asian national markets out of the big businesses. The committee for this association will necessarily set the tariffs and economic rights that each of its members are allowed thus securing the nations a place in the financial world.

    Currently, as a result of this newly found connection a nation has with its neighbor, a temporary peace has been found. But one must not forget that there is still competition going around between the three main economic associations and the fight is very vicious. Still, the World Trade Organization (WTO), formerly called the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) is being reformulated. If this organization actually works out, then perhaps world peace will be one step closer.