Tournament: TOC | Round: 5 | Opponent: Lexington AX | Judge: Garrett Abelkop
Advantage 1: Oil dependence

====Cuban Oil dependence is increasing and guts economic stability and growth====
Perez 13 (Ricardo Torres Perez, Americas Quarterly. "Some Contradictions in Contemporary Cuban Economic Development" Summer 2013. www.americasquarterly.org/some-contradictions-in-contemporary-cuban-economic-development)

Energy, Agriculture and Foreign Dependence¶ In late May, the Russian state-
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All of which have narrowed Cuba’s chances of building a sustainable energy industry.

====Cuban economic crisis causes internal instability ====
Coons 03 (Kenneth Coons, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF, "U.S. Foreign Policy Toward Cuba In An Evolving Post-Castro Era," Air University, April 2003, http://dtlweb.au.af.mil///exlibris/dtl/d3_1/apache_media/L2V4bGlicmlzL2R0bC9kM18xL2FwYWNoZV9tZWRpYS8zNjYwNw==.pdf)
This potential hazard in regard to Cuba is articulated by Alberto Coll of the Naval
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would likely result in the flight of hundreds of thousands of refugees.38

====That causes US intervention and guts hotspot management====
Gorrell, 5 - Lieutenant Colonel, US Army, paper submitted for the USAWC STRATEGY RESEARCH PROJECT (Tim, "CUBA: THE NEXT UNANTICIPATED ANTICIPATED STRATEGIC CRISIS?" http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA433074-http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA433074  GWOT=Global War on Terrorism

Regardless of the succession, under the current U.S. policy, Cuba’s
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in an effort to facilitate a manageable transition to post-Castro Cuba?

====Global hotspots are inevitable and threaten global nuclear war. Effective management is key.====
Bosco 06 (David Bosco, a senior editor at Foreign Policy magazine, "Forum: Keeping an eye peeled for World War III," July 2006, http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06211/709477-109.stm_)
The understanding that small but violent acts can spark global conflagration is etched into the
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-long Cold War, what has the world learned about managing conflict? 

====Independently, Oil dependence is key to Cuba-Venezuela relations ====
Johnson 14 (Keith Johnson, Foreign Policy writer for The Tico Times. "The link between Venezuela and Cuba" February 27, 2014. www.ticotimes.net/2014/02/27/the-link-between-venezuela-and-cuba)

But Venezuela hawks such as Rubio are making a second argument: tougher action against
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the distributor for Adidas eyewear in Venezuela," Carlos Alviarez told the newspaper.

====Iran is pursuing an alliance with Cuba and Venezuela against US interests====
Press TV 14 ("Iran Delegation Departs for Venezuela, Cuba in Russian Airliner" March 3, 2014. www.capitolhillcubans.com/2014/03/iran-delegation-departs-for-venezuela.html)

An Iranian parliamentary team has embarked on a six-day trip to Cuba and
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trip was aimed at further strengthening Iran’s relations with the Latin American countries.

====And, a complete Cuba-Venezuela-Iran Alliance leads to cyber-aggression====
Mauro 11 (Ryan Mauro, geopolitical analyst for Tactical Defense Concepts and for the Northeast Intelligence Network, founder of WorldThreats.com, national security advisor to the Christian Action Network, and an intelligence analyst with the Asymmetrical Warfare and Intelligence Center (AWIC). "Iran, Venezuela, Cuba and the Cyber Threat" December 23, 2011. www.frontpagemag.com/2011/ryan-mauro/iran-venezuela-cuba-and-the-cyber-threat/)

Cuba, Iranian and Venezuelan officials have been caught actively considering cyber attacks on the
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-backed terrorists in Venezuela engage in money-laundering and drug trafficking.

====Cyber-vulnerability causes great power nuclear war====
Fritz 9 Researcher for International Commission on Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament ~Jason, researcher for International Commission on Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament, former Army officer and consultant, and has a master of international relations at Bond University, "Hacking Nuclear Command and Control," July,  http://www.icnnd.org/latest/research/Jason_Fritz_Hacking_NC2.pdf-http://www.icnnd.org/latest/research/Jason_Fritz_Hacking_NC2.pdf~~
This paper will analyse the threat of cyber terrorism in regard to nuclear weapons.
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its own, without the need for compromising command and control centres directly.

Advantage 2: Proliferation

====Sanctions on Cuban nuclear development undermine the credibility of international non-proliferation agreements====
Benjamin-Alvarado 1 (Jonathan Benjamin-Alvadaro, Report for the Cuban Research Institute, Florida International University, PhD, Professor of Political Science at University of Nebraska at Omaha, Director of the Intelligence Community Centers of Academic Excellence Program at UNO, Treasurer of the American Political Science Association. "Nonissue: Cuba’s Mothballed Nuclear Power Plant" 2001. web.gc.cuny.edu/bildnercenter/cuba/publications/occasionalpapers/nonissue.pdf)
U.S. interests in perspective ¶ Given Cuba’s progress in meeting international nuclear
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violate the ¶ very international accords we worked so hard to obtain.  

====Specifically the NPT—it’s a pre-requisite to any other form of anti-proliferation====
NPT solves prolif
-Legal underpinning for inspections, safety, and accountability of de-escolatory bodies
-Foundation of other disarmament efforts
Williams 13 (Heather WIliams, Research Fellow, International Security, Chanham House. "The NPT’s Credibility Dilemma" May 12, 2013. www.chathamhouse.org/media/comment/view/191337)

Credibility depends to some extent on advancing the three pillars of nonproliferation, disarmament,
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new initiatives emerge and evolve, not necessarily mutually exclusive from the NPT. 

====Potential nuclear proliferation threatens NPT credibility and puts it on the brink now====
Ishida, 14 – Visiting International Fellow at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses and Ph.D. from the Centre for International Politics, Organization and Disarmament at Jawaharlal Nehru University (Yasuyuki, 1/1/14, "The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), 1958-2000: Issues, Interests, and Ideas", p. 1, KONTOPOULOS) PDF
This study seeks to explain and understand the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT
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/approaches shed light on various aspects and meanings of the subject issue.

====NPT is vital to reducing nuclear proliferation—-legality and legitimacy—-it’s reverse causal====
Ludeking, 07 – Ambassador and Deputy Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Germany for Arms Control and Disarmament (Rudiger, 2007, NATO and the Future of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, p. 38, KONTOPOULOS)
The end of the Cold War did not mark the end of history but only
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dominated by a bipolar confrontation of rational actors. (p. 55)

====The Middle East is uniquely susceptible to a nuclear arms race now—-the risk is linear and sanctions don’t work====
Bahgat, 13 - Professor of Political Science at the National Defense University in Cairo (Gawdat, Spring 2013, "A WMD-Free Zone in the Middle East?", Middle East Policy, Vol. 20, No. 1, p. 30, KONTOPOULOS) PDF
In recent months, several developments have heightened regional and global concerns over the proliferation
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on nonconventional-weapons disarmament. The prospects, however, are dim.

====Middle East arms race ensures extinction—-no restraint or de-escalation ====
Bar, 11 – Ph.D. in History from Tel-Aviv University and Director of Studies at the Institute of Policy and Strategy in Herzliya (Shmuel, 2011, "Can Cold War Deterrence Apply to a Nuclear Iran?", p. 12, KONTOPOULOS) PDF
A nuclear Middle East will be very different from the Cold War in a wide
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secondstrike capability may well strengthen the tendency to opt for a first strike.

====Only the NPT can prevent a nuclear Middle East====
Barnaby, 08 - Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics from Southampton University and Harold Stassen Chair of International Relations at the University of Minnesota (Frank, 12/31/08, "A Nuclear Renaissance in the Middle East?", http://scitizen.com/stories/Future-Energies/2008/12/A-Nuclear-Renaissance-in-the-Middle-East/-http://scitizen.com/stories/Future-Energies/2008/12/A-Nuclear-Renaissance-in-the-Middle-East/, KONTOPOULOS)

It is difficult to see how the security threats raised by the spread of nuclear
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option of developing nuclear weapons that a civil nuclear programme would give them. 

====Nuclear verification measures from IAEA experience ensure successful disarmament====
Allison and Sreenivasan et al., 08 - *Director of the Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University AND Former Ambassador of India (*Graham AND T.P., May 2008, "Reinforcing the Global Nuclear Order for Peace and Prosperity - The Role of the IAEA to 2020 and Beyond", p. 16, KONTOPOULOS) PDF

What the IAEA’s future role in disarmament might be remains to be determined. International
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of nuclear warheads themselves, other veri?cation approaches and institutions may be needed.

====Successful nuclear reductions prevent large-scale nuclear war—-it’s a unique existential threat due to miscalc and false warnings ====
Allison and Sreenivasan et al., 08 - *Director of the Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University AND Former Ambassador of India (*Graham AND T.P., May 2008, "Reinforcing the Global Nuclear Order for Peace and Prosperity - The Role of the IAEA to 2020 and Beyond", p. 15, KONTOPOULOS) PDF

But the nuclear weapons states still possess some 25,000 nuclear weapons. The
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the broader international community to con?rm that these important steps are being accomplished.

====Cuba has a key role in an effective IAEA====
CEIS 13 (Caribbean Energy Information System, Caribbean’s energy information arm established to provide a regional information service through a network of Caribbean countries, in support of planning and decision-making. "IAEA Highlights Cuba"s Role in Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy" October 3, 2013. www.ceis-caribenergy.org/iaea-highlights-cubas-role-in-peaceful-use-of-nuclear-energy/)

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya Amano,
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the fight against cancer, aging, and cardiovascular incidents, he said.

====But sanctions on Cuba interfere with the IAEA, undermining institutional credibility====
GSN 12 (Global Security Newswire, News on Nuclear, Biological 26 Chemical weapons, Terrorism and Related Issues. "U.S. Interferes With IAEA Activities in Cuba: Official" November 7, 2012. www.nti.org/gsn/article/us-interferes-iaea-activities-cuba-official/)

The International Atomic Energy Agency is struggling to deliver certain technologies to Cuba as a
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Peninsula and backed calls for a Middle Eastern nuclear weapon-free zone.

Plan

====The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic engagement toward Cuba with regard to nuclear energy. ====

Solvency

====Plan  solves external energy dependence and economic stability====
Benjamin-Alvarado 2k ((Jonathan Benjamin-Alvarado, Report for the Cuban Research Institute, Florida International University, PhD, Professor of Political Science at University of Nebraska at Omaha, Director of the Intelligence Community Centers of Academic Excellence Program at UNO, Treasurer of the American Political Science Association. Power to the People: Energy and the Cuban Nuclear Program. books.google.com/books?id=W8KTAgAAQBAJ26dq=cuban+oil+dependence+economic+stability26source=gbs_navlinks_s)

Energy and Energy Security The development of centrally generated electricity may offer unique eco-
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) or advanc-ing the policy to safer and more secure levels. 

====The US is key to effective development of Cuban nuclear reactors and bolsters the legitimacy of the IAEA====
FAS 12 (Federation of American Scientists, highly skilled team with professional experience with various scientific fields, works to provide science-based analysis of and solutions to protect against catastrophic threats to national and international security. "Cuba Special Weapons" last updated May 30, 2012. www.fas.org/nuke/guide/cuba/)

Cuba did not become a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT
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accept International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards on all present and future nuclear facilities.¶ 

====US Sanctions are a barrier to effective nuclear development in Cuba====
Hernandez 13 (Yadira Ledezma Hernandez, UN representative from Cuba. "Weighing Atomic Energy Agency’s Report, Speakers Express Concern over Nuclear Terrorism" November 5, 2013. http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/ga11448.doc.htm)

YADIRA LEDESMA HERNÁNDEZ( Cuba) said nuclear applications in health and water resource management
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, she said, calling for it to take place before year’s end.

====US is key to effective energy development and Cuba says yes====
Benjamin-Alvarado 6 (Jonathan Benjamin-Alvarado, Report for the Cuban Research Institute, Florida International University, PhD, Professor of Political Science at University of Nebraska at Omaha, Director of the Intelligence Community Centers of Academic Excellence Program at UNO, Treasurer of the American Political Science Association. "Prospects for Sustainable Energy" 2006. web.gc.cuny.edu/bildnercenter/publications/cubaintransitionbookcomplete.pdf~23page=33)

Regardless of the American foreign policy vis-à-vis the Castro regime,
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remain isolated and beyond the reach of U.S. business interests. 

====Cuba has the capability, but international cooperation is key====
Benjamin-Alvarado 6 (Jonathan Benjamin-Alvarado, Report for the Cuban Research Institute, Florida International University, PhD, Professor of Political Science at University of Nebraska at Omaha, Director of the Intelligence Community Centers of Academic Excellence Program at UNO, Treasurer of the American Political Science Association. "Prospects for Sustainable Energy" 2006. web.gc.cuny.edu/bildnercenter/publications/cubaintransitionbookcomplete.pdf~23page=33)

One should also bear in mind that Cuba still possesses a large and well-
AND
perhaps ¶ could emerge as a Latin American leader in global nonproliferation efforts.

Tournament: Greenhill Round-Robin | Round: 1 | Opponent: Greenhill MR | Judge: Whisenhunt, Tallungen

WTO

U.S. failure to comply with the WTO ruling on Havana Club undermines the credibility of the dispute settlement body.

New 13
New, 3/26/2013 (William – Intellectual Property Watch, United States Chided As TRIPS Scofflaw at WTO, Intellectual Property Watch, p. http://www.ip-watch.org/2013/03/26/united-states-chided-as-trips-scofflaw-at-wto/-http://www.ip-watch.org/2013/03/26/united-states-chided-as-trips-scofflaw-at-wto/)
"The conduct of the United States unscrupulously discredits the WTO dispute settlement system and
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multilateral system of trade," Venezuela said in its statement (unofficial translation).

Section 211 has kept the U.S. in noncompliance with TRIPS for a decade

Riley 07
Michael, JD candidate at the University of Miami. "Cigars and Rum: Hazardous to the Health of Intellectual Property Law? How the Cohiba Cigar and Havana Club Rum Cases Reveal a ’Carve-Out’ for Intellectual Property Disputes with a Cuban Nexus" The University of Miami Inter-American Law Review, Vol. 38, No. 2 (Winter, 2006/2007), pp. 457-486)
On July 7, 1999, the European Community formally took issue with Section 211
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with European trade retaliation, there has been no realization of those threats.

Repeal is necessary to TRIPS compliance

Taylor 04
Emily, J.D. Candidate, 2004, Northwestern University School of Law; B.A. Duke University, 2001. "The Havana Club Saga: Threatening More than Just "Cuba Coke"" http://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=157826context=njilb)
Certainly, the potential for future U.S. investment in Cuba is threatened
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its obligations under the TRIPS Agreement and under the WTO Dispute Settlement system.

Compliance with TRIPS is key to the credibility and survival of the WTO

Levy 2k
Charles S. Levy, Partner, Wilmer, Cutler 26 Pickering, Washington, D.C., 2000
~"Implementing Trips—A Test of Political Will," Law and Policy in International Business, 31 Law 26 Pol’y Int’l Bus. 789, Lexis~
The significant noncompliance with TRIPS that we are facing now poses a challenge to the
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areas that may also require members to adopt new legal or regulatory systems.

Scenario 1 is Protectionism

Collapse of the WTO doesn’t end trade —- it results in great-power regionalism and spheres of influence

Baldwin 08
Baldwin, 7/1/08 ~Richard Edward Baldwin has been Professor of International Economics at the Graduate Institute, Geneva, since 1991 and Policy Director of CEPR since 2006, "The WTO tipping point", http://www.voxeu.org/index.php?q=node/1345~~
The World Trade Organisation is losing its place at the centre of the global trading
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climate change, pandemics, water scarcity, and the Millennium Development Goals.

Regionalism causes preferential trade blocks —- causes war and global economic crisis

Cho 07
Sungjoon Cho, Assistant Professor of Law, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, Doha’s Development, 25 Berkeley J. Int’l L. 165, 2007
Second, the mercantilist natureof the current competitive regionalism tends to evoke the strikingly similar
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seriously lest we repeat the same historical errors and are punished for them.

Economic crisis causes war

Royal, ’10 ~2010, Jedediah Royal is the Director of Cooperative Threat Reduction at the U.S. Department of Defense, "Economic Integration, Economic Signaling and the Problem of Economic Crises, Economics of War and Peace: Economic, Legal and Political Perspectives", ed. By Goldsmith and Brauer, p. 213-215~
Less intuitive is how periods of economic decline may increase the likelihood of external conflict
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not featured prominently in the economic-security debate and deserves more attention.

Collapse of the TRIPS system causes global protectionism

Straus 06
Professor of Law at the Universities of Munich and Ljubljana2006
~Joseph, also Chairman of the Managing Board of the Munich Intellectual Property Law Center and Director at the Max Planck Institute for Intellectual Property, Competition and Tax Law in Munich, The John Marshall Law School Review of Intellectual Property Law, Fall, 2006 6 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 1 lexis~
Eleven years after the WTO Global Economic Order was established, with GATT 1994 and
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result of the abolition of quota regulations on December 31, 2004. 104-http://web.lexis-nexis.com.turing.library.northwestern.edu/universe/document?_m=fac6f42432633d2b2223d98f1aa277a326_docnum=126wchp=dGLbVlz-zSkVb26_md5=8e0f97736b79d9026cf4585ebf2d2d12

Trade protectionism causes nuclear war

Panzner 8
Michael, faculty at the New York Institute of Finance, 25-year veteran of the global stock, bond, and currency markets who has worked in New York and London for HSBC, Soros Funds, ABN Amro, Dresdner Bank, and JPMorgan Chase, "Financial Armageddon: Protect Your Future from Economic Collapse," p. 136-138)
Continuing calls for curbs on the flow of finance and trade will inspire the United
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between Muslims and Western societies as the beginnings of a new world war.

Empirically true —- WTO prevents the trade breakdowns that fuel conflict

Sevilla 07
Christina Sevilla, Asst. U.S. trade representative for intergovernmental affairs 2007 ~stefan a. riesenfeld symposium 2007: article: "The WTO Doha Development Agenda: What is at Stake", 25 Berkeley J. Int’l L. 425, LEXIS~
The economic history of the 20th century provides a potent demonstration of the vast benefits
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rule of law, and allow for countries to settle their trade disputes peacefully

Scenario 2 is Multilateralism

WTO credibility key to the inclusion of growing economies into multilateral talks on trade and agreements

The Economist 13 
The Economist, US newspaper on international politics and business news and opinion. ’The other conclave Can the WTO save itself from irrelevance?" http://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21573549-can-wto-save-itself-irrelevance-other-conclave 3/16/2013
But the fundamental source of strain on the multilateral system is the shifting economic balance
AND
is some common ground with the choice that faced the cardinals this week.

Multilateral institutions prevent great power nuclear war

The Toronto Star 04
"The end of war", 12-30-04, lexis
War is deeply embedded in our history and our culture, probably since before we
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solve the problem of war within the context of the existing state system.

Multilateral cooperation through the WTO solves climate change —- spurs reciprocal adoption by other "big emitters" —- ~and reduces likelihood of conflicts with WTO rules~

Syunkova 07
Alina Syunkova, National Foreign Trade Council, "WTO – Compatibility of Four Categories of U.S. Climate Change Policy", December 2007, http://www.nftc.org/default/trade/WTO/Climate20Change20Paper.pdf
Climate change is fundamentally a global problem requiring comprehensive, global solutions. The goal
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that could positively affect areas of diplomacy outside the sphere of climate change.
Warming causes extinction of every species
Cahill 12
10/17/12,Abigail E. Cahill, Matthew E. Aiello-Lammens, M. Caitlin Fisher-Reid, Xia Hua, Caitlin J. Karanewsky, HaeYeongRyu, Gena C. Sbeglia, FabrizioSpagnolo, John B. Waldron, Omar Warsi and John J. Wiens. "How does climate change cause extinction," http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/wienslab/wienspdfs/2012/Cahill_et_al_2012_PRSL.pdf~~
PROXIMATE FACTORS CAUSING EXTINCTION FROM CLIMATE CHANGE We brie?y review and categorize the diverse proximate
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or positive impacts on the species that are interacting with the focal species.

There’s no alternative to a multilateral trade system —- collapses causes instability and great power conflict.

Panitchpakdi 04
Panitchpakdi, 2/26/2004 Supachai – secretary-general of the UN Conference on Trade and Development, American Leadership and the World Trade Organization, p. http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/spsp_e/spsp22_e.htm-http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/spsp_e/spsp22_e.htm
The second point is that strengthening the world trading system is essential to America’s wider
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constrained, not by multilateral rules, but by the absence of rules. 

IPR

Repeal key to intellectual property leadership for US

Pava 2011 (Mindy Pava, Executive Symposium Editor, Emory International Law Review; J.D. Candidate, Emory University School of Law (2011); B.S., Northwestern University (2004). "COMMENT: THE CUBAN CONUNDRUM: PROPOSING AN INTERNATIONAL TRADEMARK REGISTRY FOR WELL-KNOWN FOREIGN MARKS" LexisNexis 2011)
With an outright repeal of Section 211, the United States could again prove that
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States cannot afford to have its intellectual property threatened and subjected to reprisals.

It spills over reinforces global IPR and trade objectives

Reinsch 10 (Bill Reinsch, president of the National Foreign Trade Council, representing some 400 companies on focuses—and focuses on trade policy issues, a member of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. "DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL TRADEMARK IMPLICATIONS OF HAVANA CLUB AND SECTION 211 OF THE OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 1999." HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION. MARCH 3, 2010. http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-111hhrg55221/html/CHRG-111hhrg55221.htm)
Repealing 211 would deny the Castro regime any rationale for retaliating against trademarks of U
AND
to the Patent and Trademark Office and to the courts where it belongs.

Scenario 1 is disease

First is innovation —- IPR incentivizes research and development. Copycat drugs don’t fill-in.

Kaufmann 08
Kaufmann, 4/23/2008 (Judith – retired foreign service officer and former director of the U.S. State Department’s Office of International Health Affairs, Intellectual Property Rights and the Pharmaceutical Industry, Focus on Intellectual Property Rights, p. http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/publication/2008/04/20080429230451myleen0.4181027.html~~23axzz2ZG5uBh4Z-http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/publication/2008/04/20080429230451myleen0.4181027.html)
Drugs that cure AIDS and many other diseases are available precisely because of patent protection
AND
, are not being used to further scientific knowledge and find new cures.

Second is trademark protection. Strong trademark protection is the best defense against counterfeit drugs.

Powell 10
Powell, February 2010 (Adam – Research Fellow for the Law 26 Bioscience Project, J.D. Candidate at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, Benchmark Legislation: A Measured Approach in the Fight Against Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals, Hastings Law Journal, p. Lexis-Nexis)
Traditionally, the first line of defense for pharmaceutical companies is a portfolio of strong
AND
their intellectual property and ensure maximum punishments for criminals by maintaining strong trademarks.

Third is harmonization. IPR harmonization undermines the ability to market counterfeit drugs.

Ferrill 07
Ferrill, Spring 2007 (Elizabeth – Law Clerk to the Honorable Liam O’Grady, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Clearing the Swamp for Intellectual Property Harmonization: Understanding and Appreciating the Barriers to Full TRIPS Compliance for Industrializing and Non-Industrializing Countries, University of Baltimore Intellectual Property Law Journal, p. Lexis-Nexis)
In 1994, the Agreement on the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights
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difficult over the past decade. There are a number of possible explanations.

Counterfeit drugs bolster antibiotic resistance.

Washington Post 13
Washington Post, 2/5/2013 (How fake drugs cause the spread of untreatable TB in developing countries, p. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/02/05/how-fake-drugs-cause-the-spread-of-untreatable-tb-in-developing-countries/-http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/02/05/how-fake-drugs-cause-the-spread-of-untreatable-tb-in-developing-countries/)
Tuberculosis, a disease that destroys lung tissue, is more commonly associated with the
AND
morph into new strains, making them harder and more expensive to treat.

Antibiotic resistance is a doomsday scenario involving superbugs and life-threatening infections that cause extinction

Castillo 11
Castillo, 10/28/2011 (Rafael, Doomsday scenario with ’superbugs’, Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. http://business.inquirer.net/27353/doomsday-scenario-with-E28098superbugsE28099)
From time to time, we get reports about emerging superbugs—microbes which are
AND
compromised immune systems—is ill-fated prey to these ogre microbes.

Infectious diseases are inevitable. Rapid evolution and adaptation risk extinction

Walsh 13
Walsh, 7/10/2013 (Bryan, From AIDS to SARS to MERS, Emerging Infectious Diseases Remain a Dire Threat, Time, p. http://science.time.com/2013/07/10/from-aids-to-sars-to-mers-emerging-infectious-diseases-remain-a-dire-threat/)
Now the world is facing another emerging infectious disease. MERS — Middle East respiratory
AND
as experts like Morens and Fauci know, we won’t be lucky forever.

Scenario 2 is Technology

Excellence in R26D is key to maintaining U.S. leadership - loss in innovation poses agreater threat than any potential conflict.

Task Force on the future of American Innovation, 2005
The Knowledge Economy: Is the United States losing its edge? www.futureinnovation.org-http://www.futureinnovation.org/
For more than half a century, the United States has led the world in
AND
post-9/11 era especially, we should heed this warning.

Innovation solves great power war

Taylor, 2004~4/1/04, Mark Taylor is a professor of Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "The Politics of Technological Change: International Relations versus Domestic Institutions," http://www.scribd.com/doc/46554792/Taylor~~

Technological innovation is of central importance to the study of international relations (IR),
AND
production, and war, international systems would not exist in the first place

Now is key – Other countries are criticizing the U.S.’s failure to resolve the Havana Club case.

Agence France Presse, 6/25/2013 (EU, Cuba spar with US over ’Havana Club’ rum, p. Lexis-Nexis)

The European Union and Cuba locked horns with theUnited States on Tuesday at theWorld Trade
AND
that enough was enough, a message echoed by members, including China.

The plan can restore IP credibility without removing the current embargo.

Pava 2011 (Mindy – Executive Symposium Editor for the Emory International Law Review, J.D. Candidate at Emory University School of Law, The Cuban Conundrum: Proposing an International Trademark Registry for Well-Known Foreign Marks, Emory International Law Review, p. Lexis-Nexis)

2. Does Section 211 Erode the United States’s International Standing? Since Fidel Castro’s
AND
the human rights arena, and the United States should make that clear.

Plan

The United States federal government should repeal Section 211 of the 1998 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

Tournament: Greenhill Round-Robin | Round: 5 | Opponent: Carrollton GR | Judge: Aaron Kall, Talon Powers

Same as round 1, but we removed warming scenario (Syunkova and Cahill) and added:

WTO improves food security -~-- self-sufficiency fails

Supachai Panitchpakdi, Director General, Why trade matters for improving food security, 4-13-05, WTO NEWS: SPEECHES — DG SUPACHAI PANITCHPAKDI, http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/spsp_e/spsp37_e.htm
Today there is, however, the realisation that a sustainable domestic
AND
that markets will remain open at critical moments. 

Global war

Bill Van Auken, 4/15/08 Politician and activist for the Socialist Equality Party and was a presidential candidate in the U.S. election of 2004, “Amid mounting food crisis, governments fear revolution of the hungry”,  http://taraqee.wordpress.com/2008/04/16/amid-mounting-food-crisis-governments-fear-revolution-of-the-hungry/
If food prices go on as they are today, then
AND
in the bucket in the face of thelooming global catastrophe.

Tournament: Greenhill | Round: Doubles | Opponent: Westminster BG | Judge: Schirmer, Shore, Voss

1AC

Plan

The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic engagement toward the government of Cuba by repealing Section 211 of the 1998 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

Contention 1: WTO

U.S. failure to comply with the WTO ruling on Havana Club undermines the credibility of the dispute settlement body.

New 13
New, 3/26/2013 (William – Intellectual Property Watch, United States Chided As TRIPS Scofflaw at WTO, Intellectual Property Watch, p. http://www.ip-watch.org/2013/03/26/united-states-chided-as-trips-scofflaw-at-wto/-http://www.ip-watch.org/2013/03/26/united-states-chided-as-trips-scofflaw-at-wto/)
"The conduct of the United States unscrupulously discredits the WTO dispute settlement system and
AND
multilateral system of trade," Venezuela said in its statement (unofficial translation).

Section 211 has kept the U.S. in noncompliance with TRIPS for a decade

Riley 07
Michael, JD candidate at the University of Miami. "Cigars and Rum: Hazardous to the Health of Intellectual Property Law? How the Cohiba Cigar and Havana Club Rum Cases Reveal a ’Carve-Out’ for Intellectual Property Disputes with a Cuban Nexus" The University of Miami Inter-American Law Review, Vol. 38, No. 2 (Winter, 2006/2007), pp. 457-486)
On July 7, 1999, the European Community formally took issue with Section 211
AND
with European trade retaliation, there has been no realization of those threats.

Repeal is necessary to TRIPS compliance

Taylor 04
Emily, J.D. Candidate, 2004, Northwestern University School of Law; B.A. Duke University, 2001. "The Havana Club Saga: Threatening More than Just "Cuba Coke"" http://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=157826context=njilb)
Certainly, the potential for future U.S. investment in Cuba is threatened
AND
its obligations under the TRIPS Agreement and under the WTO Dispute Settlement system.

Compliance with TRIPS is key to the credibility and survival of the WTO

Levy 2k
Charles S. Levy, Partner, Wilmer, Cutler 26 Pickering, Washington, D.C., 2000
~"Implementing Trips—A Test of Political Will," Law and Policy in International Business, 31 Law 26 Pol’y Int’l Bus. 789, Lexis~
The significant noncompliance with TRIPS that we are facing now poses a challenge to the
AND
areas that may also require members to adopt new legal or regulatory systems.

Scenario 1 is Protectionism

Collapse of the WTO doesn’t end trade —- it results in great-power regionalism and spheres of influence

Baldwin 08
Baldwin, 7/1/08 ~Richard Edward Baldwin has been Professor of International Economics at the Graduate Institute, Geneva, since 1991 and Policy Director of CEPR since 2006, "The WTO tipping point", http://www.voxeu.org/index.php?q=node/1345~~
The World Trade Organisation is losing its place at the centre of the global trading
AND
climate change, pandemics, water scarcity, and the Millennium Development Goals.

Regionalism causes preferential trade blocks —- causes war and global economic crisis

Cho 07
Sungjoon Cho, Assistant Professor of Law, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, Doha’s Development, 25 Berkeley J. Int’l L. 165, 2007
Second, the mercantilist natureof the current competitive regionalism tends to evoke the strikingly similar
AND
seriously lest we repeat the same historical errors and are punished for them.

Economic crisis causes war

Royal, ’10 ~2010, Jedediah Royal is the Director of Cooperative Threat Reduction at the U.S. Department of Defense, "Economic Integration, Economic Signaling and the Problem of Economic Crises, Economics of War and Peace: Economic, Legal and Political Perspectives", ed. By Goldsmith and Brauer, p. 213-215~
Less intuitive is how periods of economic decline may increase the likelihood of external conflict
AND
not featured prominently in the economic-security debate and deserves more attention.

Collapse of the TRIPS system causes global protectionism

Straus 06
Professor of Law at the Universities of Munich and Ljubljana2006
~Joseph, also Chairman of the Managing Board of the Munich Intellectual Property Law Center and Director at the Max Planck Institute for Intellectual Property, Competition and Tax Law in Munich, The John Marshall Law School Review of Intellectual Property Law, Fall, 2006 6 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 1 lexis~
Eleven years after the WTO Global Economic Order was established, with GATT 1994 and
AND
result of the abolition of quota regulations on December 31, 2004. 104-http://web.lexis-nexis.com.turing.library.northwestern.edu/universe/document?_m=fac6f42432633d2b2223d98f1aa277a326_docnum=126wchp=dGLbVlz-zSkVb26_md5=8e0f97736b79d9026cf4585ebf2d2d12

Trade protectionism causes nuclear war

Panzner 8
Michael, faculty at the New York Institute of Finance, 25-year veteran of the global stock, bond, and currency markets who has worked in New York and London for HSBC, Soros Funds, ABN Amro, Dresdner Bank, and JPMorgan Chase, "Financial Armageddon: Protect Your Future from Economic Collapse," p. 136-138)
Continuing calls for curbs on the flow of finance and trade will inspire the United
AND
between Muslims and Western societies as the beginnings of a new world war.

Empirically true —- WTO prevents the trade breakdowns that fuel conflict

Sevilla 07
Christina Sevilla, Asst. U.S. trade representative for intergovernmental affairs 2007 ~stefan a. riesenfeld symposium 2007: article: "The WTO Doha Development Agenda: What is at Stake", 25 Berkeley J. Int’l L. 425, LEXIS~
The economic history of the 20th century provides a potent demonstration of the vast benefits
AND
rule of law, and allow for countries to settle their trade disputes peacefully

China perceives regionalism as US containment - causes US-China war

Fred Bergsten, Director, Institute for International Economics, "A new strategy for APEC," 9-6-2005, http://www.iie.com/publications/papers/bergsten0905apec.pdf
Second, when President Bush visits Seoul after this year’s APEC summit, the United
AND
relations and exacerbating the more immediate United States–China conflict already noted.

Extinction

Straits Times, 00 (Ching Cheong, Straits times, July 25 2000, l/n)
The high-intensity scenario postulates a cross-strait war escalating into a full
AND
should that come to pass, we would see the destruction of civilisation.

Scenario 2 is Multilateralism

WTO credibility key to the inclusion of growing economies into multilateral talks on trade and agreements

The Economist 13 
The Economist, US newspaper on international politics and business news and opinion. ’The other conclave Can the WTO save itself from irrelevance?" http://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21573549-can-wto-save-itself-irrelevance-other-conclave 3/16/2013
But the fundamental source of strain on the multilateral system is the shifting economic balance
AND
is some common ground with the choice that faced the cardinals this week.

Multilateral institutions prevent great power nuclear war

The Toronto Star 04
"The end of war", 12-30-04, lexis
War is deeply embedded in our history and our culture, probably since before we
AND
solve the problem of war within the context of the existing state system.

There’s no alternative to a multilateral trade system —- collapses causes instability and great power conflict.

Panitchpakdi 04
Panitchpakdi, 2/26/2004 Supachai – secretary-general of the UN Conference on Trade and Development, American Leadership and the World Trade Organization, p. http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/spsp_e/spsp22_e.htm-http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/spsp_e/spsp22_e.htm
The second point is that strengthening the world trading system is essential to America’s wider
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constrained, not by multilateral rules, but by the absence of rules. 

Contention 2: IPR

Repeal key to intellectual property leadership for US

Pava 2011 (Mindy Pava, Executive Symposium Editor, Emory International Law Review; J.D. Candidate, Emory University School of Law (2011); B.S., Northwestern University (2004). "COMMENT: THE CUBAN CONUNDRUM: PROPOSING AN INTERNATIONAL TRADEMARK REGISTRY FOR WELL-KNOWN FOREIGN MARKS" LexisNexis 2011)
With an outright repeal of Section 211, the United States could again prove that
AND
States cannot afford to have its intellectual property threatened and subjected to reprisals.

It spills over reinforces global IPR and trade objectives

Reinsch 10 (Bill Reinsch, president of the National Foreign Trade Council, representing some 400 companies on focuses—and focuses on trade policy issues, a member of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. "DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL TRADEMARK IMPLICATIONS OF HAVANA CLUB AND SECTION 211 OF THE OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 1999." HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION. MARCH 3, 2010. http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-111hhrg55221/html/CHRG-111hhrg55221.htm)
Repealing 211 would deny the Castro regime any rationale for retaliating against trademarks of U
AND
to the Patent and Trademark Office and to the courts where it belongs.

Scenario 1 is disease

First is innovation —- IPR incentivizes research and development. Copycat drugs don’t fill-in.

Kaufmann 08
Kaufmann, 4/23/2008 (Judith – retired foreign service officer and former director of the U.S. State Department’s Office of International Health Affairs, Intellectual Property Rights and the Pharmaceutical Industry, Focus on Intellectual Property Rights, p. http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/publication/2008/04/20080429230451myleen0.4181027.html~~23axzz2ZG5uBh4Z-http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/publication/2008/04/20080429230451myleen0.4181027.html)
Drugs that cure AIDS and many other diseases are available precisely because of patent protection
AND
, are not being used to further scientific knowledge and find new cures.

Second is trademark protection. Strong trademark protection is the best defense against counterfeit drugs.

Powell 10
Powell, February 2010 (Adam – Research Fellow for the Law 26 Bioscience Project, J.D. Candidate at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, Benchmark Legislation: A Measured Approach in the Fight Against Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals, Hastings Law Journal, p. Lexis-Nexis)
Traditionally, the first line of defense for pharmaceutical companies is a portfolio of strong
AND
their intellectual property and ensure maximum punishments for criminals by maintaining strong trademarks.

Third is harmonization. IPR harmonization undermines the ability to market counterfeit drugs.

Ferrill 07
Ferrill, Spring 2007 (Elizabeth – Law Clerk to the Honorable Liam O’Grady, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Clearing the Swamp for Intellectual Property Harmonization: Understanding and Appreciating the Barriers to Full TRIPS Compliance for Industrializing and Non-Industrializing Countries, University of Baltimore Intellectual Property Law Journal, p. Lexis-Nexis)
In 1994, the Agreement on the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights
AND
difficult over the past decade. There are a number of possible explanations.

Counterfeit drugs bolster antibiotic resistance.

Washington Post 13
Washington Post, 2/5/2013 (How fake drugs cause the spread of untreatable TB in developing countries, p. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/02/05/how-fake-drugs-cause-the-spread-of-untreatable-tb-in-developing-countries/-http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/02/05/how-fake-drugs-cause-the-spread-of-untreatable-tb-in-developing-countries/)
Tuberculosis, a disease that destroys lung tissue, is more commonly associated with the
AND
morph into new strains, making them harder and more expensive to treat.

Antibiotic resistance is a doomsday scenario involving superbugs and life-threatening infections that cause extinction

Castillo 11
Castillo, 10/28/2011 (Rafael, Doomsday scenario with ’superbugs’, Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. http://business.inquirer.net/27353/doomsday-scenario-with-E28098superbugsE28099)
From time to time, we get reports about emerging superbugs—microbes which are
AND
compromised immune systems—is ill-fated prey to these ogre microbes.

Infectious diseases are inevitable. Rapid evolution and adaptation risk extinction

Walsh 13
Walsh, 7/10/2013 (Bryan, From AIDS to SARS to MERS, Emerging Infectious Diseases Remain a Dire Threat, Time, p. http://science.time.com/2013/07/10/from-aids-to-sars-to-mers-emerging-infectious-diseases-remain-a-dire-threat/)
Now the world is facing another emerging infectious disease. MERS — Middle East respiratory
AND
as experts like Morens and Fauci know, we won’t be lucky forever.

Scenario 2 is Technology

Excellence in R26D is key to maintaining U.S. leadership - loss in innovation poses agreater threat than any potential conflict.

Task Force on the future of American Innovation, 2005
The Knowledge Economy: Is the United States losing its edge? www.futureinnovation.org-http://www.futureinnovation.org/
For more than half a century, the United States has led the world in
AND
post-9/11 era especially, we should heed this warning.

Innovation solves great power war

Taylor, 2004~4/1/04, Mark Taylor is a professor of Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "The Politics of Technological Change: International Relations versus Domestic Institutions," http://www.scribd.com/doc/46554792/Taylor~~

Technological innovation is of central importance to the study of international relations (IR),
AND
production, and war, international systems would not exist in the first place

Now is key – Other countries are criticizing the U.S.’s failure to resolve the Havana Club case.

Agence France Presse, 6/25/2013 (EU, Cuba spar with US over ’Havana Club’ rum, p. Lexis-Nexis)

The European Union and Cuba locked horns with theUnited States on Tuesday at theWorld Trade
AND
that enough was enough, a message echoed by members, including China.

The plan can restore IP credibility without removing the current embargo.

Pava 2011 (Mindy – Executive Symposium Editor for the Emory International Law Review, J.D. Candidate at Emory University School of Law, The Cuban Conundrum: Proposing an International Trademark Registry for Well-Known Foreign Marks, Emory International Law Review, p. Lexis-Nexis)

2. Does Section 211 Erode the United States’s International Standing? Since Fidel Castro’s
AND
the human rights arena, and the United States should make that clear.

Tournament: St Marks | Round: 4 | Opponent: GBS CM | Judge: Batterman

Contention 1: IPR

Repeal key to intellectual property leadership for US

Pava 2011 (Mindy Pava, Executive Symposium Editor, Emory International Law Review; J.D. Candidate, Emory University School of Law (2011); B.S., Northwestern University (2004). "COMMENT: THE CUBAN CONUNDRUM: PROPOSING AN INTERNATIONAL TRADEMARK REGISTRY FOR WELL-KNOWN FOREIGN MARKS" LexisNexis 2011)
With an outright repeal of Section 211, the United States could again prove that
AND
States cannot afford to have its intellectual property threatened and subjected to reprisals.

It spills over reinforces global IPR and trade objectives

Reinsch 10 (Bill Reinsch, president of the National Foreign Trade Council, representing some 400 companies on focuses—and focuses on trade policy issues, a member of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. "DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL TRADEMARK IMPLICATIONS OF HAVANA CLUB AND SECTION 211 OF THE OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 1999." HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION. MARCH 3, 2010. http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-111hhrg55221/html/CHRG-111hhrg55221.htm)
Repealing 211 would deny the Castro regime any rationale for retaliating against trademarks of U
AND
to the Patent and Trademark Office and to the courts where it belongs.

Plan key to overall IPR credibility

Esper and Conyers 10 (MARK T. ESPER, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CENTER, U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. John Conyers, U.S. representative from Michigan. "DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL TRADEMARK IMPLICATIONS OF HAVANA CLUB AND SECTION 211 OF THE OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 1999." HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION. MARCH 3, 2010. http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-111hhrg55221/html/CHRG-111hhrg55221.htm)
Dr. Esper, you are the only one on this panel that isn’t a
AND
chips away at our ability to credibly make those arguments in multilateral form.

Scenario 1: Disease

First is innovation —- IPR incentivizes research and development. Copycat drugs don’t fill-in.

Kaufmann 08
Kaufmann, 4/23/2008 (Judith – retired foreign service officer and former director of the U.S. State Department’s Office of International Health Affairs, Intellectual Property Rights and the Pharmaceutical Industry, Focus on Intellectual Property Rights, p. http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/publication/2008/04/20080429230451myleen0.4181027.html~~23axzz2ZG5uBh4Z-http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/publication/2008/04/20080429230451myleen0.4181027.html)
Drugs that cure AIDS and many other diseases are available precisely because of patent protection
AND
, are not being used to further scientific knowledge and find new cures.

Second is trademark protection. Strong trademark protection is the best defense against counterfeit drugs.

Powell 10
Powell, February 2010 (Adam – Research Fellow for the Law 26 Bioscience Project, J.D. Candidate at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, Benchmark Legislation: A Measured Approach in the Fight Against Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals, Hastings Law Journal, p. Lexis-Nexis)
Traditionally, the first line of defense for pharmaceutical companies is a portfolio of strong
AND
their intellectual property and ensure maximum punishments for criminals by maintaining strong trademarks.

Third is harmonization. IPR harmonization undermines the ability to market counterfeit drugs.

Ferrill 07
Ferrill, Spring 2007 (Elizabeth – Law Clerk to the Honorable Liam O’Grady, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Clearing the Swamp for Intellectual Property Harmonization: Understanding and Appreciating the Barriers to Full TRIPS Compliance for Industrializing and Non-Industrializing Countries, University of Baltimore Intellectual Property Law Journal, p. Lexis-Nexis)
In 1994, the Agreement on the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights
AND
difficult over the past decade. There are a number of possible explanations.

Counterfeit drugs bolster antibiotic resistance.

Washington Post 13
Washington Post, 2/5/2013 (How fake drugs cause the spread of untreatable TB in developing countries, p. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/02/05/how-fake-drugs-cause-the-spread-of-untreatable-tb-in-developing-countries/-http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/02/05/how-fake-drugs-cause-the-spread-of-untreatable-tb-in-developing-countries/)
Tuberculosis, a disease that destroys lung tissue, is more commonly associated with the
AND
morph into new strains, making them harder and more expensive to treat.

Antibiotic resistance is a doomsday scenario involving superbugs and life-threatening infections that cause extinction

Castillo 11
Castillo, 10/28/2011 (Rafael, Doomsday scenario with ’superbugs’, Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. http://business.inquirer.net/27353/doomsday-scenario-with-E28098superbugsE28099)
From time to time, we get reports about emerging superbugs—microbes which are
AND
compromised immune systems—is ill-fated prey to these ogre microbes.

Infectious diseases are inevitable. Rapid evolution and adaptation risk extinction

Walsh 13
Walsh, 7/10/2013 (Bryan, From AIDS to SARS to MERS, Emerging Infectious Diseases Remain a Dire Threat, Time, p. http://science.time.com/2013/07/10/from-aids-to-sars-to-mers-emerging-infectious-diseases-remain-a-dire-threat/)
Now the world is facing another emerging infectious disease. MERS — Middle East respiratory
AND
as experts like Morens and Fauci know, we won’t be lucky forever.

Scenario 2: Tech Leadership

Excellence in R26D is key to maintaining U.S. leadership - loss in innovation poses a greater threat than any potential conflict.

Task Force on the future of American Innovation, 2005
The Knowledge Economy: Is the United States losing its edge? www.futureinnovation.org-http://www.futureinnovation.org/
For more than half a century, the United States has led the world in
AND
post-9/11 era especially, we should heed this warning.

Innovation solves great power war

Taylor, 2004~4/1/04, Mark Taylor is a professor of Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "The Politics of Technological Change: International Relations versus Domestic Institutions," http://www.scribd.com/doc/46554792/Taylor~~

Technological innovation is of central importance to the study of international relations (IR),
AND
production, and war, international systems would not exist in the first place

Scenario 3: Clean Tech

IPRs are key to renewable energy innovation and diffusion

IRENA 12 (International Renewable Energy Agency. "IRENA’s Workshop/Roundtable on Assessment of Intellectual Property Rights for Promoting Renewable Energy." 25 October 2012, Bonn http://www.irena.org/DocumentDownloads/events/2012/October/IPR/summary.pdf)
Innovation is essential for the accelerated development and deployment of renewable energy technologies (RET
AND
, as well as an understanding of practical ways of using patent information.

Shift to renewables is vital to solve warming

Leonhardt, 12 – Washington bureau chief of the New York Times (David, 7/21. "There’s Still Hope for the Planet." http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/22/sunday-review/a-ray-of-hope-on-climate-change.html)
Behind the scenes, however, a somewhat different story is starting to emerge —
AND
pricing, "so it does make sense to think about other things."

Warming is real and anthropogenic – 97 of studies concur

Institute of Physics 5/16/2013 (The Institute of Physics is a leading scientific society. We are a charitable organisation with a worldwide membership of more than 50,000, working together to advance physics education, research and application, "Study reveals scientific consensus on anthropogenic climate change", http://www.iop.org/news/13/may/page_60200.html, t.c.)
A comprehensive analysis of peer-reviewed articles on the topic of global warming and
AND
all interested parties have the opportunity to review the same data and findings."
Warming causes extinction of every species
Cahill ’12 ~10/17/12,Abigail E. Cahill, Matthew E. Aiello-Lammens, M. Caitlin Fisher-Reid, Xia Hua, Caitlin J. Karanewsky, HaeYeongRyu, Gena C. Sbeglia, FabrizioSpagnolo, John B. Waldron, Omar Warsi and John J. Wiens. "How does climate change cause extinction," http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/wienslab/wienspdfs/2012/Cahill_et_al_2012_PRSL.pdf~~

PROXIMATE FACTORS CAUSING EXTINCTION FROM CLIMATE CHANGE We brie?y review and categorize the diverse proximate
AND
or positive impacts on the species that are interacting with the focal species.

Contention 2

Reversing judicial application of section 211 would reinvigorate the importance of international law in the U.S. and solves separation of powers

Bradica 02 (Assoc. Attorney - Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg 26 Ellers LLP and former
Notes and Comments Editor, Temple International and Comparative Law Journal. "NOTES 26 COMMENTS: HAVANA CLUB RUM: ONE STEP BACK FOR U.S. INTERNATIONAL TRADEMARK POLICY" Temple International and Comparative Law Journal Spring, 2002 16 Temp. Int’l 26 Comp. L.J. 147. LexisNexis)
The rigid application of 211 to these circumstances shows a narrow minded, shortsighted approach
AND
present law and not direct the judiciary how to decide a case. n231

Incorporation of International Law ensures global harmonization and modeling

Benvenisti 8 (Eyal, Professor of Law, Tel Aviv University, RECLAIMING DEMOCRACY: THE STRATEGIC USES OF FOREIGN AND INTERNATIONAL LAW BY NATIONAL COURTS, 102 A.J.I.L. 241)
Courts that wish to signal readiness to cooperate will tend to use the language that
AND
the one that backs away has to offer an explanation to its peers.

Inconsistent application of international law will destroy the international legal system

Jonathan I. Charney, Professor of Law, VanderbiltUniversity. "The Impact On The International Legal System Of The Growth Of International Courts And Tribunals," Summer, 1999 31 N.Y.U. J. Int’l L. 26 Pol. 697
Despite this optimistic prognosis, as we enter deeper into a period of a multiplicity
AND
system and be careful to avoid actions that might pull the system apart.

International law is key to stopping nuclear war

Richard Butler, Executive Chairman of the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM), July 13, 2001, New York Times
The administration seems to believe that international agreements will increasingly pressure the United States to
AND
, we may well find ourselves at year zero — on nuclear time.

American refusal to comply with international law at the same time it demands this of other countries undermines soft power and spurs terrorism

David Cole, professor of law at Georgetown Law, this book received the American Book Award and the Hefner First Amendment Prize. Enemy Aliens, 2003 p206-208
Finally, and directly related to our exploitation of double standards at home, our
AND
They give ammunition to America’s enemies, and pause to America’s friends."7’

Soft power is key to mobilize action to solve all problems

Joseph Nye, professor of international relations at Harvard University, 2008 or later (n.d.) ("American Power After the Financial Crises," http://www.foresightproject.net/publications/articles/article.asp?p=3533)-http://www.foresightproject.net/publications/articles/article.asp?p=3533
Power always depends on context, and in today’s world, it is distributed in
AND
even the largest country cannot achieve its aims without the help of others.
Nuclear terror causes extinction
Ayson 10 ~Robert Ayson, Professor of Strategic Studies and Director of the Centre for Strategic Studies: New Zealand at the Victoria University of Wellington,"After a Terrorist Nuclear Attack: Envisaging Catalytic Effects," Studies in Conflict 26 Terrorism, Volume 33, Issue 7, July, Available Online to Subscribing Institutions via InformaWorld~
A terrorist nuclear attack, and even the use of nuclear weapons in response by
AND
be undoubtedly blamed on¶ Pakistan, with potentially catastrophic results."¶ 44\

Collapse of constitutional balance of power risks tyranny and reckless warmongering

Martin Redish, Professor of Law and Public Policy at Northwestern, and Elizabeth Cisar, Law Clerk at the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, 1991 41 Duke L.J. 449

In any event, the political history of which the Framers were aware tends to
AND
be forced into the position of saying, "I told you so." 

Plan: The United States Supreme Court should rule in the case of Empresa Cubana Exportada de Alimentos y Productos Varios v. U.S. Department of Treasury, et al that Section 211 of the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 1998 is a prohibited violation of the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.

Now is key – Other countries are criticizing the U.S.’s failure to resolve the Havana Club case.

Agence France Presse, 6/25/2013 (EU, Cuba spar with US over ’Havana Club’ rum, p. Lexis-Nexis)

The European Union and Cuba locked horns with theUnited States on Tuesday at theWorld Trade
AND
that enough was enough, a message echoed by members, including China.

The plan can restore IP credibility without removing the current embargo.

Pava 2011 (Mindy – Executive Symposium Editor for the Emory International Law Review, J.D. Candidate at Emory University School of Law, The Cuban Conundrum: Proposing an International Trademark Registry for Well-Known Foreign Marks, Emory International Law Review, p. Lexis-Nexis)

2. Does Section 211 Erode the United States’s International Standing? Since Fidel Castro’s
AND
the human rights arena, and the United States should make that clear.

Tournament: St Marks | Round: 6 | Opponent: Greenhill DJ | Judge: Jon Voss

Advantage 1

The Federal Reserve’s decision to continue quantitative easing was a reprieve for Mexico, but speculation over the taper creates endless volatility for the peso as markets expect investment outflows from Mexico to the US: a major decline is inevitable.

Reuters 9/18
Michael O’Boyle and Asher Levine MEXICO CITY/SAO PAULO, Sept 18 http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/18/markets-latam-idUSL2N0HE2JD20130918-http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/18/markets-latam-idUSL2N0HE2JD20130918

Latin American currencies, stocks and bonds soared on Wednesday after the U.S
AND
which in turn means less inflation and less need for higher interest rates." 

Mexico has asked for help dealing with consequences of tapering but the Fed rebuffed them. Plan is necessary to avoid a repeat of the financial crisis.

Bloomberg News 8/26
"Federal Reserve won’t consider problems abroad" http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/08/25/fed-officials-reject-calls-for-coordination/bW6J24GiaTCqb8bJsAkleO/story.html-http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/08/25/fed-officials-reject-calls-for-coordination/bW6J24GiaTCqb8bJsAkleO/story.html

LONDON — Federal Reserve officials have rebuffed international calls to take the threat of fallout
AND
proposed ’’further lines of defense,’’ such as currency swap lines. 

Peso crisis inevitable in the status quo—Fed communication failures with the market locks in risk of economic contagion
-AT Monetary CP, fed can’t communicate effectively with domestic markets
Summers 7/3, Nick Summers, covers Wall Street and finance for Bloomberg Businessweek, "Fed Spreads Confusion With Efforts to ’Clarify’ Bernanke’s Remarks", Bloomberg, July 03, 2013, http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-07-03/fed-spreads-confusion-with-efforts-to-clarify-bernankes-remarks-http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-07-03/fed-spreads-confusion-with-efforts-to-clarify-bernankes-remarks)
Greenspan’s successor, Ben Bernanke, has pushed the central bank and its members to
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"And once again, those problems will be of its own making."

2 Scenarios for Economic collapse

1. Higher interest rates disrupt the bond market—Mexican intervention backfires and crushes Latin American liquidity
   -US interest rates rising
   -Triggers Mexican peso devaluation, triggers capital controls (internal link)
   LF 7/2/13—staff writer citing multiple emerging market economists, "Prep for Extended Volatility, warn experts", Latin Finance, 7/2/13, http://www.latinfinance.com/Article/3226264/Prep-for-extended-volatility-warn-experts.html?ArticleId=3226264)
   Latin ?nancial markets must dig in for an extended period of volatility as policymakers grapple
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   fall, trading at 12.96 pesos to the dollar on Tuesday. 

Mexican exchange crisis would cause economic collapse
Mishkin 99
Frederic S. Mishkin, American economist and professor at the Columbia Business School. He was a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, "Lessons from the Tequila Crisis", Journal of Banking 26 Finance, 1999)
The first implication is that, in contrast to what happens in most
industrialized countries, in emerging market countries a foreign exchange crisis is a major precipitating
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a credit risk for banks that have made the foreign currency denominated loans.

2. Banking—Systemically important global banks are on the brink—current devaluation makes growth unsustainable and accesses an internal link to the global economy
Griffin 6/11, Donald Griffin, reporter for Bloomberg News , "Citigroup Facing 247 Billion Hit on Dollar Gain, Peabody Says", Bloomberg, 6/11/13, http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-06-11/citigroup-facing-7-billion-currency-hit-on-dollar-peabody-says~~23p3)
Last June, Peabody said Citigroup’s currency losses could reach 243 billion to 24
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unaware and is likely to prove to be more detrimental than currently anticipated."

The banking sector is key to the economy
Armenta 07, Manuela W. Armenta , "The Financial Sector and economic development: Banking on The role of human capital", http://www.princeton.edu/jpia/past-issues-1/2007/9.pdf)
To understand why financial sector development, under certain condi- tions, may be
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insufficient, condition for the creation of stable financial markets and sustainable growth.

Global economic decline leads to miscalculation and crisis escalation—escalates
Harris and Burrows, ’09 ~Mathew, PhD European History at Cambridge, counselor in the National Intelligence Council (NIC) and Jennifer, member of the NIC’s Long Range Analysis Unit "Revisiting the Future: Geopolitical Effects of the Financial Crisis" http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf-http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf~~
Increased Potential for Global Conflict Of course, the report encompasses more than economics and
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within and between states in a more dog-eat-dog world.

Broad studies prove our argument
Royal, ’10 ~2010, Jedediah Royal is the Director of Cooperative Threat Reduction at the U.S. Department of Defense, "Economic Integration, Economic Signaling and the Problem of Economic Crises, Economics of War and Peace: Economic, Legal and Political Perspectives", ed. By Goldsmith and Brauer, p. 213-215~
Less intuitive is how periods of economic decline mayincrease the likelihood of external conflict.
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such, the view presented here should be considered ancillary to those views.

Economic rationality is inevitable —- individuals will always attempt to survive off of limited resources.

Shughart, 2006 (William, Professor of Economics at the University of Mississippi, "Terrorism in rational choice perspective," No date listed, latest citation from 2006 home.olemiss.edu/~shughart/Terrorism20in20rational20choice20perspective.pdf~

In the economist’s model of rational human behavior, all individuals are assumed to be
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short, amenable to explanation by the economist’s model of demand and supply.

Economics describe the world —- Err aff —- Historical analysis proves any alternative dooms us to disastrous consequences.

Morriss, 2008  (Andrew, University of St. Thomas Law Journal, Volume 5, Issue 1 2008 Article 8, "The Necessity of Economics: The Preferential Option for the Poor, Markets, and Environmental Law," http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj-http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj)

Economics offers many insights into how the world around us works, much more than
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short, tradeoffs matter, and we need to pay attention to them.

Mexican economic collapse kills US and Mexico’s manufacturing sectors
Villarreal ’10 ~9/16/10, M. Angeles Villarreal is an Analyst in International Trade and Finance in the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division of the Congressional Research Service. "The Mexican Economy After the Global
Financial Crisis," Congressional Research Service http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R41402.pdf~~
Manufacturing industries have been severely affectedby the decline in external demand,particularly in high
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, a loss of 268,647 jobs (14 decrease).28

The manufacturing industry is critical to tech innovation
Lind, 2012 ~Michael Lind is the policy director of New America’s Economic Growth Program and a co-founder of the New America Foundation. "Value Added: America’s Manufacturing Future," http://growth.newamerica.net/sites/newamerica.net/files/policydocs/Lind,20Michael20and20Freedman,20Joshua20-20NAF20-20Value20Added20America27s20Manufacturing20Future.pdf~

Manufacturing, R26D and the U.S. Innovation Ecosystem Perhaps the
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from 20-30 percent in 2007 to 50 percent by 2020.33
Innovation solves great power war
Taylor, 2004~4/1/04, Mark Taylor is a professor of Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "The Politics of Technological Change: International Relations versus Domestic Institutions," http://www.scribd.com/doc/46554792/Taylor~~

Technological innovation is of central importance to the study of international relations (IR),
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production, and war, international systems would not exist in the first place

Economic growth guts the drug trade
Shoichet ’12 ~11/27/12, Catherine E. Shoichet is a staff writer for CNN. "Mexican president-elect: Economic growth is key weapon in drug war," http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/27/politics/mexico-president-interview~~
Creating more economic opportunitieswillbe Mexico’s greatest weapon in the war on drugs, the country’s
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the violence or what aspects of outgoing President Felipe Caderon’s strategy he will change

Mexico drug violence leads to oil shocks and economic collapse

Moran 9 (7/31/09, Michael, executive editor and policy analyst, Council on Foreign Relations, "Six Crises, 2009: A Half-Dozen Ways Geopolitics Could Upset Global Recovery," http://fbkfinanzwirtschaft.wordpress.com/2009/08/07/six-crises-2009-a-half-dozen-ways-geopolitics-could-upset-global-recovery/)
Risk 2: Mexico Drug Violence:¶ At Stake: Oil prices, refugee flows
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to "renegotiate NAFTA," a pledge he deftly sidestepped once in office.

Energy shocks cause great power nuke war

Islam YasinQasem 7, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Politics and Social Sciences at the University of PompeuFabra (UPF) in Barcelona, MA in International Affairs from Columbia, July 9, 2007, "The Coming Warfare of Oil Shortage," online: http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_islam_ya_070709_the_coming_warfare_o.htm
Recognizing the strategic value of oil for their national interests, superpowers will not hesitate
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the chances of using nuclear weapons in pursues of national interests are high. 

Advantage 2

Exchange rate volatility hurts Mexican agriculture

Bahmani-Oskooee 9 (Mohsen, Wilmeth Professor and UWM Distinguished Professor Chair, Department of Economics @ University of Wisconsin, Scott W. Hegerty, Economics professor @ Northeastern Illinois University, "The Effects of Exchange-Rate Volatility on Commodity Trade between the United States and Mexico," Southern Economic Journal, 2009, http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/27751431-http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/27751431.pdf)
The overall results regarding the long-term effects of exchange rate volatility are highly
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Textile and leather machinery and Textile yarn and thread (in Table 4).

Exchange Rate Volatility has large effects on Agricultural Commodities

Haque 12 (A K Iftekharul, global development network researcher, "The Effects of Exchange Rate and Commodity Price Volatilities on
Trade Volumes of Major Agricultural Commodities," 2012, https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10214/4036/Iftekhar20Haque_thesis_FARE.pdf?sequence=1)
Despite an extensive literature on effect of exchange rate volatility on overall trade, very
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-importer currency, matters for developing country exporters (Kandilov, 2008).

Mexico agriculture is key to keeping food prices down and addressing global hunger issues

 Bill Gates and Carlos Slim Helú, a Mexican business magnate, investor, and philanthropist, 2013
http://www.farmingfirst.org/2013/02/mexico-will-lead-innovation-in-agricultural-development-for-the-world-bill-gates/

Building on its success a half-century ago pioneering new varieties of wheat and
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Saharan Africa where hundreds of millions of people face severe hunger and poverty.

Food Price Spikes and global food shortage will cause extinction through disease, famine, and resource conflict

Winnail 1996 - PhD, MPH   ~Douglas S., "On the Horizon: Famine," September/October, http://www.kurtsaxon.com/foods004.htm~~
As a result grain prices are the highest on record. Worldwatch Institute’s president,
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will be in deep trouble. This precarious situation is also without historical precedent

Mexican ag is on the brink now—preventing further exchange volatility is critical to reverse destruction of the industry

social and political upheaval as a result of the drought that has destroyed a significant portion of crop and livestock available to farmers in Northern Mexico. Nearly 2.5 million Mexicans are threatened with starvation unless action is taken to reverse the destruction of Mexican Agriculture.
LaRouchePAC January 8 2012
Lyndon Larouche is an economist and political activist, "Drought Threatens 2.5 Million Mexicans by Starvation" http://larouchepac.com/node/21351
Never were the need for the North American Water and Power Alliance (NAWAPA),
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is made available, another 500,000 could die, Romero warned.

====
Social and political upheaval creates a safe-haven for terrorism ====
Brown 2009 (Lester, environmental analyst, founder of the Worldwatch Institute, and founder and president of the Earth Policy Institute, "COULD FOOD SHORTAGES BRING DOWN CIVILIZATION?," Scientific American-javascript:doLinkPostBack('','mdb7E7Emth7C7Cjdb7E7Emthjnh7C7Css7E7EJN 22Scientific American227C7Csl7E7Ejh','');, May2009, Vol. 300 Issue 5, p50-57)
In six of the past nine years world grain production has fallen short of consumption
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states disintegrate, their fall will threaten the stability of global civilization itself.

Nuclear terror causes extinction
Ayson 10 ~Robert Ayson, Professor of Strategic Studies and Director of the Centre for Strategic Studies: New Zealand at the Victoria University of Wellington,"After a Terrorist Nuclear Attack: Envisaging Catalytic Effects," Studies in Conflict 26 Terrorism, Volume 33, Issue 7, July, Available Online to Subscribing Institutions via InformaWorld~
A terrorist nuclear attack, and even the use of nuclear weapons in response by
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would be undoubtedly blamed on¶ Pakistan, with potentially catastrophic results."¶ 44

Plan

The United States federal government should expand and make semi-permanent the currency swap agreement with the Banco de México-http://www.banxico.org.mx/.
Solvency

Extending currency swap lines solves confidence and crisis management
Olson et al 09
(Eric, senior advisor to the Security Initiative of the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute and has held senior positions at the Organization of American States, Amnesty International, and the Washington Office on Latin America, "The United States And Mexico: Towards a Strategic Partnership" A report of four working groups on U.S.-Mexico Relations, January 2009, www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/The20U.S.20and20Mexico.20Towards20a20Strategic20Partnership.pdf-http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/The U.S. and Mexico. Towards a Strategic Partnership.pdf NP)
The interdependence of the two economies ¶ makes Mexico one of the most vulnerable ¶
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¶ authorities underscores the importance of timely and ¶ coordinated actions in crisis management

US action is key
Starr 09
(Pamela K., associate professor of international relations at USC and a former professor of Latin American political economy at the InstitutoTecnológicoAutónomo de México, published in the Pacific Council, Non-partisan and not-profit organization in Los Angeles with the goal of giving a more effective voice to West Coast perspectives on critical global policy issues, "Mexico and the United States: A Window Of Opportunity?", April 2009, www.pacificcouncil.org/document.doc?id=35-http://www.pacificcouncil.org/document.doc?id=35 NP)
Implications for U.S.-Mexico Affairs: ¶ A Window of Opportunity¶
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NAFTA to allow Mexican trucks to ¶ deliver their cargo beyond the border.

Swap lines solve economic crisis through improved confidence
Villarreal ’10 ~9/16/10, M. Angeles Villarreal is an Analyst in International Trade and Finance in the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division of the Congressional Research Service. "The Mexican Economy After the Global
Financial Crisis," Congressional Research Service http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R41402.pdf~~
The government’s responses to the recent global financial crisis helped thecountry weather the2009 recession and
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generally agree that Mexico needs further tax reforms to broaden its tax base.

Tournament: TOC | Round: 3 | Opponent: Chattahoochee AS | Judge: Kirk Gibson

Adv 1

…is China

Chinese economic collapse is inevitable—

1. High levels of US FDI create structural problems

CBC News 3/4/14
interviewing Jim Richards, an American economist and investor, author of the book Death of Money, "Slowing Chinese GDP growth worries investors", www.cbc.ca/news/business/slowing-chinese-gdp-growth-worries-investors-1.2559940
In the past five years, as Western economies languished, China has kept up
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going to have a major impact on the entire world," he said. 

2. Export focus makes China’s economy unstable

WaPo 13 (Washington Post. "A very clear explanation of China’s economic woes" July 16, 2013. www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/07/16/a-simple-clear-explanation-of-chinas-economic-woes/)

Patrick Chovanec: If you want to understand where China is right now, you
AND
, keeping the renminbi weak. So China needs to change those policies.

Investing in trade infrastructure is necessary to abandon unhealthy codependency

Roach 3/4/14
Stephen, US Economist, writer for The Diplomat, "China’s Growth Puzzle", March 4 2014, thediplomat.com/2014/03/chinas-growth-puzzle/
Yes, China’s economy is now slowing; but the significance of this is not
AND
– for China, Asia, and the rest of the global economy.

Border infrastructure is key—inefficient ports of entry are eroding our export competitiveness

Taylor 12/6/13 (Steve Taylor, Rio Grande Guardian, citing Ana Luisa Fajer Flores, director general for North America Affairs in the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Fajer Flores: Border ports of entry simply not efficient enough" December 6, 2013.  www.riograndeguardian.com/business_story.asp?story_no=5)

BROWNSVILLE, December 6 - An official with the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs said
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and quality of life. From these we want punctual and precise recommendations."¶ 

The US-Mexico border is key—it affects over 1 trillion dollars in trade and jobs

Cuellar 3/4/14
Henry, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas’s 28th district, "Investment needed in trade infrastructure", March 4 2014, www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/communities/northeast/article/Investment-needed-in-trade-infrastructure-5285660.php
The impact of international trade can be felt in every town, city, and
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our economy would be put on an even stronger path to full recovery.¶ 

Chinese economic decline causes famine, resource wars, terrorism, Chinese civil war, Taiwan invasion, US and global economic collapse, and CCP instability – the brink is now

Gorrie13 (James R. Gorrie, writes on macroeconomic topics, investment strategies, and geopolitical events around the world, spent over eighteen years in the financial industry, and specializes in international political economy. "The Fall of the Red Dragon" The China Crisis: How China’s Economic Collapse Will Lead To A Global Depression, May 28, 2013.  www.scribd.com/doc/140657893/The-China-Crisis-How-China-s-Economic-Collapse-Will-Lead-to-a-Global-Depression) VP

As our discussion on¶ complexity theory¶ illustrates, once a complex system reaches
AND
look like and be fashioned similarlyto the breakup of the old Soviet Union.

Adv 2

…is trade leadership

US global trade leadership is waning. Reinvigorating NAFTA by investing in border infrastructure is necessary to reverse this trend.

McLarty 12/15/13
Thomas F. "Mack" McLarty, former White House Chief of Staff for President Bill Clinton, recipient of the Secretary of State’s Distinguished Service Medal and the Center for the Study of the Presidency Distinguished Service Award, 2013, "It’s Time for NAFTA 2.0," Wall Street Journal, December 15th,   HYPERLINK "http://thedialogue.org/page.cfm?pageID=32andpubID=3455"  http://thedialogue.org/page.cfm?pageID=32andpubID=3455
Yet today the U.S. and the region are facing a changing international landscape for trade and investment. It brings new risks but also opportunities to strengthen our economic recovery. Nafta at 20 needs Nafta 2.0—a new version of expanded trade and cooperation to help the three member nations better compete with Asia and Europe. Regional free trade can help re-energize our sluggish economy, creating growth and reducing inequality.¶ Two decades ago, North American free trade was an idea ahead of its time. Never before had two developed economies attempted a free-trade pact with a developing country. Signed by President George H.W. Bush, Mexican President Carlos Salinas, and Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney on Dec. 17, 1992, the agreement survived because of an extraordinary act of bipartisanship in Washington. After taking office in January 1993, Mr. Clinton, in a signature moment of his presidency, defied parts of his political base who claimed the treaty would destroy U.S. jobs and won approval by Congress with more Republican than Democratic votes.¶ Nafta also opened the door for free trade agreements across Latin America, a catalyst for economic and political reforms. Mexico was transformed from one of the most closed economies in the world to one of the most open, and it subsequently threw off decades of one-party rule. Today, U.S. products make up 40 of the contents of goods imported here from Mexico (compared with 4 in goods imported from China). An integrated market boosts exports and imports, and helps keep good jobs at home. But there have been unexpected roadblocks. The 9/11 attacks shifted the priority at U.S. borders to security, and away from trade. It hasn’t shifted back. Concern about illegal immigration and the explosion of drug-related violence in Mexico has meant that billions of dollars have been spent on our borders not to facilitate the movement of goods but to prevent the movement of people. Many Americans support those measures, while many Mexicans oppose them, reflecting persistent distrust between our populations.¶ Nafta’s unfinished business is also visible in antiquated infrastructure and regulation. For almost a decade leaders of the three countries have endorsed greater regulatory cooperation, with little to show for the efforts. Although 241 billion in goods crosses the U.S.-Mexico border every day, bottlenecks cost millions. All this contributes to less trade. North America’s share of the world’s product, which rose sharply during the first years of Nafta, has been in steady decline and is now roughly 25. We are not as competitive as we need to be.¶ There are several reasons now is the right time for new thinking. The border is largely secure and net migration from Mexico has fallen to zero. Immigration reform is back on the U.S. agenda, if tenuously. The Senate’s immigration bill includes 246.5 billion for border security. How much should we invest in cross-border trade?¶ A new era of energy innovation is also rapidly spreading across North America. The U.S. is forecast to pass Saudi Arabia as the world’s top oil producer in 2015. Under President Enrique Peña Nieto, Mexico is implementing reforms that will allow private capital and competition into the state-owned oil industry. Meanwhile, President Obama has set the goal of doubling U.S. exports between 2010 and 2015. On Nov. 8, the president called for billions of infrastructure investment to increase exports.¶ The U.S. is in negotiations over two major trade initiatives, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, involving 11 countries that include Japan (but not China) and a trans-Atlantic trade pact with Europe. These negotiations are a chance to improve regional competitiveness through convergence of North American regulations, bringing Nafta in line with these new trade initiatives.¶ Demographic shifts and cultural understanding are making North America more interconnected. The number of Hispanics living in the U.S. has doubled since 1990 to more than 50 million, two-thirds of whom have Mexican heritage. A recent American University poll released in October showed that there remains widespread support among Canadians (80), Mexicans (74) and Americans (65) for regional free trade.¶ Nafta is still a work in progress. But as we search for ways to reinvigorate the U.S. economy, freer trade and greater cooperation with our North American neighbors is a clear winner, and perhaps an opportunity for another bipartisan moment in Washington.

Border investment via the U.S.-Mexico High Level Economic Dialogue builds trade momentum and reinvigorates trade leadership—it’s key to the success of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

COA 1/10
The Council of the Americas, 2014 ("Comments on the U.S.-Mexico High Level Economic Dialogue," January 10th, Available Online at  HYPERLINK "http://www.as-coa.org/articles/comments-us-mexico-high-level-economic-dialogue"  http://www.as-coa.org/articles/comments-us-mexico-high-level-economic-dialogue
The Council of the Americas (Council) appreciates this opportunity to provide comments concerning the U.S.-Mexico High Level Economic Dialogue (HLED), particularly on the third pillar, Partnering for Regional and Global Leadership. The Council strongly supports the HLED process as a means to enhance North America’s global competitiveness and build out broader trade expansion initiatives in the region.¶ Regional Trade Priorities¶ In the Council’s view, Mexico and the United States are ideal partners in exercising leadership with regard to the regional and global trade architecture. As a stalwart free-trade advocate and a member of the G20, Mexico is a significant player in global financial and economic coordination. After 20 years as NAFTA partners, we also share commercial interests given the complementary nature of our economies and the breadth and depth of our economic relationship.¶ Our governments should continue to strengthen cooperation in multilateral settings and ensure consistency of broader trade agreements. Mexico’s inclusion in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations has offered an excellent opportunity to update our trade relationship to the high standards of a 21st-century agreement, including technologies and products that did not exist when NAFTA was signed. In 1994, NAFTA represented a cutting-edge experiment that has proven successful but is now showing its age. Issues that require updating include intellectual property rights, environmental and labor regulations, and state-owned enterprises, among others. Moreover, the exciting advances in energy production necessitate a new look at North American energy integration. Mexico can be an important ally in promoting the new disciplines that would improve the efficiency of North American supply chains and allow the United States and Mexico to explore new markets for jointly-produced goods. ¶ Partnership in NAFTA and TPP negotiations should be matched by partnership in Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations with the European Union. It is no longer accurate to think in terms of U.S. or Mexican or Canadian products when North America itself has become the production platform. The Mexican government, which already has a free-trade deal with the EU, has signaled its interest in joining negotiations at the outset (as has Canada). A regional agreement would take full advantage of the economies of scale and scope that have resulted from NAFTA.¶ In addition, NAFTA and Pacific Alliance nations should explore an association over time to give greater momentum to the hemispheric trade agenda and improve regulatory cooperation and convergence. Mexico is a member of both trade blocs, and the HLED can be a key forum to promote this agenda. The Council urges both governments to invite Pacific Alliance leaders to the upcoming North American Leaders Summit, to be hosted by Mexico in February. This would send a significant political signal in the hemispheric trade context and could begin a discussion about broader trade and economic cooperation.¶ Regarding Central America, both the U.S. and Mexican governments should be aware that TPP may have unintended and disadvantageous consequences for the isthmus, particularly from countries such as Vietnam. They should work with Central American countries on energy cooperation and trade facilitation, especially with regard to the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in regional trade. Central America represents another key avenue of meaningful cooperation between North American and Pacific Alliance nations given mutual interests in economic development and security conditions of the countries that connect North America to South America.¶ Trade Facilitation at the U.S.-Mexico Border¶ Due to the integrated nature of supply chains, better border management is increasingly important within North America. The Council believes that the HLED should promote provisions that would eliminate duplicative documentation, support electronic customs clearance and the elimination of paper processes, standardize de minimis customs valuations, and establish expedited procedures as appropriate, among other actions. ¶ Both governments should also cooperate on infrastructure improvements and staffing increases at ports of entry. The financing of needed investments could overcome budgetary constraints through the use of public/private partnerships for project development, mixed capital investment vehicles for project finance, and allocation of capital to the North American Development Bank, for example. ¶ The Council thanks the Department of Commerce for the opportunity to submit these comments and offers itself as a continued resource for the HLED. 

Increasing infrastructure investment at the border is key

Pritzker 2/8/14
Penny, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, "Commerce Secretary Pritzker on U.S.-Mexico Economic Relations", Feb 7 2014, iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/texttrans/2014/02/20140208292506.html~23axzz2stYLtlLo
Let me be clear: U.S. businesses are here today, they
AND
challenge, we need to develop a model that is financeable and sustainable.

US global trade leadership through the TTP and TTIP is vital to global security. The certainty of the plan signals America’s commitment to free trade—it’s key to the economy, competitiveness, soft power, and transatlantic relations
Heywood 10/15

Marcela Heywood, Intern at the National Security Network, 2013 ("TPP, TTIP and Getting America’s Competitiveness Back on Track," Democracy Arsenal—a scholarly blog about foreign policy from the National Security Network, October 15th, http://www.democracyarsenal.org/2013/10/tpp-ttip-and-getting-americas-competitiveness-back-on-track.html-http://www.democracyarsenal.org/2013/10/tpp-ttip-and-getting-americas-competitiveness-back-on-track.html
Last week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bali, Indonesia marked further progress for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and set-http://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/pacific-trade-deal-97978.html an ambitious goal to finish negotiations by the end of the year. Although the U.S. government shutdown – and President Obama’s absence in Bali – did not hinder the trade talks, it did call America’s credibility into question. Government shutdown could threaten both TPP and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations by displaying uncertainty in U.S. economic and foreign policy priorities. Congress needs to reach an agreement and prioritize TPP and TTIP, as they are necessary policy initiatives to boost American competitiveness, stimulate the economy, and exert soft power to create and solidify American norms overseas. 21st century foreign policy must recognize the increasingly economic nature of competitiveness. Globalization has created an environment where "economic concerns typically — but not always — outweigh-http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/66858/leslie-h-gelb/gdp-now-matters-more-than-force traditional military imperatives." Over the last 10 years, world powers, like China and other recent leaders, have established power on economic rather than military capabilities, showing the importance of a dynamic economy. U.S. competitiveness depends on our ability to lead with the economy at the center of our geopolitical strategy while maintaining military strength.¶ American competitiveness has declined over the past decade, threatening the economy as well as our national security. The international power structure is shifting as economic growth has surged in developing countries. Since 2008, American economic competitiveness has fallen-http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GlobalCompetitivenessReport_2012-13.pdf from its historically consistent 1st place ranking to a 7th place ranking for 2012-2013. In addition, decreasing FDI inflows to the U.S. mark falling competitiveness, because FDI flows primarily go-http://search.proquest.com.proxy.lib.duke.edu/docview/993159312 to multinational companies, which often fuel innovation. It would be a mistake to consider this trend in isolation from national security. Declining competitiveness undercuts-http://americansecurityproject.org/ASP Reports/Ref 0100 - American Competitiveness- A matter of national security.pdf America’s credibility by threatening the economic foundation of American power, and over the long-term may undermine U.S. military capabilities as the margin of American technological leadership decreases.¶ Historically, U.S. trade policy has supported U.S. economic competitiveness through a long-term attempt to liberalize global trade in which decreased barriers to markets and increased investment flows benefits the innovative and productive advantages of American enterprise. The WTO’s Doha round would be a capstone to this trade agenda, but its failure leaves a gap in America’s trade strategy. It is this gap that can – and should – be filled by TPP and TTIP. These deals offer an advantage unique to the United States by placing the U.S. at the center of two distinct agreements, establishing free trade and encouraging investment across both the Atlantic and Pacific. While TPP and TTIP do not offer the same benefits as Doha, the agreements are a contemporary strategy for the U.S. to regain competitiveness in light of the WTO stalemate.¶ TPP and TTIP would lead to domestic employment and business growth, providing a budget-neutral stimulus to the economy. The Asia-Pacific-http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R42344.pdf region accounts for about 40 percent of global trade and over 60 percent of U.S. trade, while trade between the U.S. and EU-http://www.uschamber.com/international/agenda/transatlantic-economic-and-trade-pact accounts for nearly half of global economic output. Together, TPP and TTIP would include thirty-nine countries that account for over 60 percent of world trade-http://nationalinterest.org/profile/uri-dadush. Liberalizing this quantity of trade is significant because the association between employment growth and import growth is positive-http://hbr.org/2012/03/shattering-the-myths-about-us-trade-policy/ar/2. Further, increased exports through improved market access leads to profits for business.¶ According to the Centre for Economic Policy Research in London, an ambitious deal that eliminates U.S.-EU tariffs and cuts non-tariff barriers by 25 would boost-http://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21580512-trade-negotiations-between-america-and-european-union-will-not-be American GDP by 0.8; using the conservative conversion-http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/Job-Years_Revised5-8.pdf that a 1 increase in GDP corresponds to an additional 1 million jobs, passing an ambitious TTIP agreement could create up to 800,000 new jobs alone. In addition TPP and TTIP will better equip the U.S. to compete in the global marketplace through easier expansion into foreign markets, easier accessibility to American products from abroad, and innovation from increased competition.¶ TPP and TTIP also offer security benefits by creating economic partnerships that can strengthen diplomatic relationships and shape the international system in favor of American interests. For example, TPP led to a meeting between President Obama and Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang this summer – only the second meeting between the U.S. and Vietnam since relations resumed in 1995 – marking a "’steady progression-http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-07-25/business/40862059_1_president-barack-obama-truong-tan-sang-trans-pacific-partnership and strengthening of the relationship’…to pursue deeper cooperation in a range of areas, including trade, commerce, security and other issues." TTIP creates the economic base to allow the U.S. and EU to address global challenges and "shape-http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/texttrans/2013/06/20130617276461.html a open rules-based role" in the world. In addition, the two agreements will lead to economic prosperity in member nations, contributing to social stability-http://www.imf.org/external/np/speeches/2009/102309.htm by increased employment rates, providing more resources for social safety nets, and less incentive for corruption in government. Such social factors in other countries are critical for American security, creating a more predictable global environment. Further, TPP and TTIP offer an opportunity to apply soft power by allowing the U.S. to influence standards and establish norms in the Asia-Pacific, while simultaneously deepening shared norms between the U.S. and EU. This use of soft power is critical for long-term goals, because establishing and deepening norms is essential for global market consistency. For example, IP laws are necessary to protect the ideas of entrepreneurs so that people will be encouraged to innovate and know they’ll receive credit for their thinking; cybersecurity provisions in TPP and TTIP are important to prevent economic espionage that unfairly undermines businesses, which will lead to trust in multilateral endeavors; and an e-commerce framework will enhance the viability of a digital economy-http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/fact-sheets/2011/november/outlines-trans-pacific-partnership-agreement, modernizing and standardizing traditional commercial trade practices across the Atlantic and Pacific. Collectively, such provisions will create a benchmark that can be used as a stepping-stone to further multilateral agreements, perhaps even reviving the hope of a comprehensive global trade framework in the far future.¶ Moreover, Benefits of the TPP could entice non-members, like China, to consider adopting higher standards in order to participate. Although there is concern that TPP intentionally excludes China, its entry is possible given TPP’s accession mechanism-http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/up-front/posts/2013/05/24-china-transpacific-partnership-solis; whether China joins will depend on the preparedness-http://www.iseas.edu.sg/documents/publication/ISEAS_perspective_2013_31-the-tpp-as-a-tool-to-contain-china-myth-or-reality.pdf of its domestic economy for high-standard regulations. Currently, chances of Chinese accession are slim because of absent standards across multiple sectors including the aforementioned examples of IP, cybersecurity, and e-commerce – a lack of Chinese IP law and cybersecurity measures threatens business security, and booming e-commerce calls for the examination of consumer protection, authenticity, and customs regulations in the digital sphere. ¶ The future of TTP and TTIP remains to be seen, and their successful negotiations and ratifications by member states is far from certain. Nonetheless, they must be viewed as the contemporary solution to international trade and provide a serious strategic alternative to the WTO stalemate, struggling American competitiveness and a sluggish domestic economy in the face of considerable uncertainty regarding the structure of the international system in the 21st century.

Transatlantic relations provide an impact dampener that prevents catastrophic impacts

Stivachtis 10 
Yannis. A. Stivachtis, Director of the International Studies Program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, holds a Ph.D. in Politics and International Relations and an M.A. in International Relations and Strategic Studies from Lancaster University (UK), 2010 ("The Imperative for Transatlantic Cooperation," Research Institute for European and American Studies, Available Online at   HYPERLINK "http://www.rieas.gr/research-areas/global-issues/transatlantic-studies/78.html~’ http://www.rieas.gr/research-areas/global-issues/transatlantic-studies/78.html
There is no doubt that US-European relations are in a period of transition
AND
than global, but the implications of success or failure will be global.

Any alternative to U.S. trade leadership collapses the international system and sparks nuclear war

Panzner 07
Michael J. Panzner, Faculty Member specializing in Equities, Trading, Global Capital Markets and Technical Analysis at the New York Institute of Finance, 25-year veteran of the global stock, bond, and currency markets who has worked in New York and London for HSBC, Soros Funds, ABN Amro, Dresdner Bank, and J.P. Morgan Chase, 2007 ("Geopolitics," Financial Armageddon: Protecting Your Future from Four Impending Catastrophes, Published by Kaplan Publishing, ISBN 141959608X, p. 130-138)
With the United States losing its place at the head of the economic table,
AND
many Americans to wonder when, or if, it will ever end.

Plan

The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic engagement toward Mexico with regard to border infrastructure.

Tournament: Blake | Round: 1 | Opponent: Niles North EB | Judge: Brovero

Advantage 1

The Federal Reserve’s decision to continue quantitative easing was a reprieve for Mexico, but speculation over the taper creates peso volatility as markets expect investment outflows from Mexico to the US: a major decline is inevitable.

Reuters 9/18
Michael O’Boyle and Asher Levine MEXICO CITY/SAO PAULO, Sept 18 http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/18/markets-latam-idUSL2N0HE2JD20130918-http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/18/markets-latam-idUSL2N0HE2JD20130918

Latin American currencies, stocks and bonds soared on Wednesday after the U.S
AND
which in turn means less inflation and less need for higher interest rates." 

The Fed will continue anti-inflation efforts—Plan is necessary to avoid a repeat of the financial crisis.

Bloomberg News 8/26
"Federal Reserve won’t consider problems abroad" http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/08/25/fed-officials-reject-calls-for-coordination/bW6J24GiaTCqb8bJsAkleO/story.html-http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/08/25/fed-officials-reject-calls-for-coordination/bW6J24GiaTCqb8bJsAkleO/story.html

LONDON — Federal Reserve officials have rebuffed international calls to take the threat of fallout
AND
proposed ’’further lines of defense,’’ such as currency swap lines. 

QE is declining in a few weeks – it’s now or never for the aff

Appelbaum 12/18 (Binyamin Appelbaum, New York Times. "Fed Scales Back Stimulus Campaign" December 18, 2013. www.nytimes.com/2013/12/19/business/economy/fed-scales-back-stimulus-campaign.html?emc=edit_na_2013121826_r=0)

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve said on Wednesday that it would reduce its monthly bond
AND
in the broader economy," the committee said in a statement on Wednesday.

Mexican peso is still volatile

BWO 11/24 (Business World Online. "Currency volatility hits emerging bond markets" November 24, 2013. www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Finance26title=Currency-volatility-hits-emerging-bond-markets26id=79791)

LONDON — Once a source of rich returns for yield-hungry investors, emerging
AND
transactions suggest a sharp increase in hedging this year, Citi data showed.

Fed communication failures with the market locks in risk of economic contagion
-AT Monetary CP, fed can’t communicate effectively with domestic markets
Summers 7/3, Nick Summers, covers Wall Street and finance for Bloomberg Businessweek, "Fed Spreads Confusion With Efforts to ’Clarify’ Bernanke’s Remarks", Bloomberg, July 03, 2013, http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-07-03/fed-spreads-confusion-with-efforts-to-clarify-bernankes-remarks-http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-07-03/fed-spreads-confusion-with-efforts-to-clarify-bernankes-remarks)
Greenspan’s successor, Ben Bernanke, has pushed the central bank and its members to
AND
"And once again, those problems will be of its own making."

2 Scenarios for Economic collapse

1. Higher interest rates disrupt the bond market—Mexican intervention backfires and crushes Latin American liquidity
   -US interest rates rising
   -Triggers Mexican peso devaluation, triggers capital controls (internal link)
   LF 7/2/13—staff writer citing multiple emerging market economists, "Prep for Extended Volatility, warn experts", Latin Finance, 7/2/13, http://www.latinfinance.com/Article/3226264/Prep-for-extended-volatility-warn-experts.html?ArticleId=3226264)
   Latin ?nancial markets must dig in for an extended period of volatility as policymakers grapple
   AND
   fall, trading at 12.96 pesos to the dollar on Tuesday. 

Mexican exchange crisis would cause economic collapse
Mishkin 99
Frederic S. Mishkin, American economist and professor at the Columbia Business School. He was a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, "Lessons from the Tequila Crisis", Journal of Banking 26 Finance, 1999)
The first implication is that, in contrast to what happens in most
industrialized countries, in emerging market countries a foreign exchange crisis is a major precipitating
AND
a credit risk for banks that have made the foreign currency denominated loans.

2. Banking—Systemically important global banks are on the brink—current devaluation makes growth unsustainable and accesses an internal link to the global economy
Griffin 6/11, Donald Griffin, reporter for Bloomberg News , "Citigroup Facing 247 Billion Hit on Dollar Gain, Peabody Says", Bloomberg, 6/11/13, http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-06-11/citigroup-facing-7-billion-currency-hit-on-dollar-peabody-says~~23p3)
Last June, Peabody said Citigroup’s currency losses could reach 243 billion to 24
AND
unaware and is likely to prove to be more detrimental than currently anticipated."

The banking sector is key to the global economy
Armenta 07, Manuela W. Armenta , "The Financial Sector and economic development: Banking on The role of human capital", http://www.princeton.edu/jpia/past-issues-1/2007/9.pdf)
To understand why financial sector development, under certain condi- tions, may be
AND
insufficient, condition for the creation of stable financial markets and sustainable growth.

Global economic decline leads to miscalculation and crisis escalation
Harris and Burrows, ’09 ~Mathew, PhD European History at Cambridge, counselor in the National Intelligence Council (NIC) and Jennifer, member of the NIC’s Long Range Analysis Unit "Revisiting the Future: Geopolitical Effects of the Financial Crisis" http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf-http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf~~
Increased Potential for Global Conflict Of course, the report encompasses more than economics and
AND
within and between states in a more dog-eat-dog world.

Broad studies prove our argument
Royal, ’10 ~2010, Jedediah Royal is the Director of Cooperative Threat Reduction at the U.S. Department of Defense, "Economic Integration, Economic Signaling and the Problem of Economic Crises, Economics of War and Peace: Economic, Legal and Political Perspectives", ed. By Goldsmith and Brauer, p. 213-215~
Less intuitive is how periods of economic decline mayincrease the likelihood of external conflict.
AND
such, the view presented here should be considered ancillary to those views.

Economic rationality is inevitable —- individuals will always attempt to survive off of limited resources.

Shughart, 2006 (William, Professor of Economics at the University of Mississippi, "Terrorism in rational choice perspective," No date listed, latest citation from 2006 home.olemiss.edu/~shughart/Terrorism20in20rational20choice20perspective.pdf~

In the economist’s model of rational human behavior, all individuals are assumed to be
AND
short, amenable to explanation by the economist’s model of demand and supply.

Economics describe the world —- Err aff —- Historical analysis proves any alternative dooms us to disastrous consequences.

Morriss, 2008  (Andrew, University of St. Thomas Law Journal, Volume 5, Issue 1 2008 Article 8, "The Necessity of Economics: The Preferential Option for the Poor, Markets, and Environmental Law," http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj-http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj)

Economics offers many insights into how the world around us works, much more than
AND
short, tradeoffs matter, and we need to pay attention to them.

Mexican economic collapse kills US and Mexico’s manufacturing sectors
Villarreal ’10 ~9/16/10, M. Angeles Villarreal is an Analyst in International Trade and Finance in the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division of the Congressional Research Service. "The Mexican Economy After the Global
Financial Crisis," Congressional Research Service http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R41402.pdf~~
Manufacturing industries have been severely affectedby the decline in external demand,particularly in high
AND
, a loss of 268,647 jobs (14 decrease).28

The manufacturing industry is critical to tech innovation
Lind, 2012 ~Michael Lind is the policy director of New America’s Economic Growth Program and a co-founder of the New America Foundation. "Value Added: America’s Manufacturing Future," http://growth.newamerica.net/sites/newamerica.net/files/policydocs/Lind,20Michael20and20Freedman,20Joshua20-20NAF20-20Value20Added20America27s20Manufacturing20Future.pdf~

Manufacturing, R26D and the U.S. Innovation Ecosystem Perhaps the
AND
from 20-30 percent in 2007 to 50 percent by 2020.33
Innovation solves great power war
Taylor, 2004~4/1/04, Mark Taylor is a professor of Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "The Politics of Technological Change: International Relations versus Domestic Institutions," http://www.scribd.com/doc/46554792/Taylor~~

Technological innovation is of central importance to the study of international relations (IR),
AND
production, and war, international systems would not exist in the first place

Economic growth guts the drug trade
Shoichet ’12 ~11/27/12, Catherine E. Shoichet is a staff writer for CNN. "Mexican president-elect: Economic growth is key weapon in drug war," http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/27/politics/mexico-president-interview~~
Creating more economic opportunitieswillbe Mexico’s greatest weapon in the war on drugs, the country’s
AND
the violence or what aspects of outgoing President Felipe Caderon’s strategy he will change

Mexico drug violence leads to oil shocks and economic collapse

Moran 9 (7/31/09, Michael, executive editor and policy analyst, Council on Foreign Relations, "Six Crises, 2009: A Half-Dozen Ways Geopolitics Could Upset Global Recovery," http://fbkfinanzwirtschaft.wordpress.com/2009/08/07/six-crises-2009-a-half-dozen-ways-geopolitics-could-upset-global-recovery/)
Risk 2: Mexico Drug Violence:¶ At Stake: Oil prices, refugee flows
AND
to "renegotiate NAFTA," a pledge he deftly sidestepped once in office.

Energy shocks cause great power nuke war

Islam YasinQasem 7, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Politics and Social Sciences at the University of PompeuFabra (UPF) in Barcelona, MA in International Affairs from Columbia, July 9, 2007, "The Coming Warfare of Oil Shortage," online: http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_islam_ya_070709_the_coming_warfare_o.htm
Recognizing the strategic value of oil for their national interests, superpowers will not hesitate
AND
the chances of using nuclear weapons in pursues of national interests are high. 

Advantage 2

Exchange rate volatility hurts Mexican agriculture

Bahmani-Oskooee 9 (Mohsen, Wilmeth Professor and UWM Distinguished Professor Chair, Department of Economics @ University of Wisconsin, Scott W. Hegerty, Economics professor @ Northeastern Illinois University, "The Effects of Exchange-Rate Volatility on Commodity Trade between the United States and Mexico," Southern Economic Journal, 2009, http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/27751431-http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/27751431.pdf)
The overall results regarding the long-term effects of exchange rate volatility are highly
AND
Textile and leather machinery and Textile yarn and thread (in Table 4).

Exchange Rate Volatility has large effects on Agricultural Commodities

Haque 12 (A K Iftekharul, global development network researcher, "The Effects of Exchange Rate and Commodity Price Volatilities on
Trade Volumes of Major Agricultural Commodities," 2012, https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10214/4036/Iftekhar20Haque_thesis_FARE.pdf?sequence=1)
Despite an extensive literature on effect of exchange rate volatility on overall trade, very
AND
-importer currency, matters for developing country exporters (Kandilov, 2008).

Mexico agriculture is key to keeping food prices down and addressing global hunger issues

 Bill Gates and Carlos Slim Helú, a Mexican business magnate, investor, and philanthropist, 2013
http://www.farmingfirst.org/2013/02/mexico-will-lead-innovation-in-agricultural-development-for-the-world-bill-gates/

Building on its success a half-century ago pioneering new varieties of wheat and
AND
Saharan Africa where hundreds of millions of people face severe hunger and poverty.

Food Price Spikes and global food shortage will cause extinction through disease, famine, and resource conflict

Winnail 1996 - PhD, MPH   ~Douglas S., "On the Horizon: Famine," September/October, http://www.kurtsaxon.com/foods004.htm~~
As a result grain prices are the highest on record. Worldwatch Institute’s president,
AND
will be in deep trouble. This precarious situation is also without historical precedent

Mexican ag is on the brink now—preventing further exchange volatility is critical to reverse destruction of the industry

social and political upheaval as a result of the drought that has destroyed a significant portion of crop and livestock available to farmers in Northern Mexico. Nearly 2.5 million Mexicans are threatened with starvation unless action is taken to reverse the destruction of Mexican Agriculture.
LaRouchePAC January 8 2012
Lyndon Larouche is an economist and political activist, "Drought Threatens 2.5 Million Mexicans by Starvation" http://larouchepac.com/node/21351
Never were the need for the North American Water and Power Alliance (NAWAPA),
AND
is made available, another 500,000 could die, Romero warned.

====
Social and political upheaval creates a safe-haven for terrorism ====
Brown 2009 (Lester, environmental analyst, founder of the Worldwatch Institute, and founder and president of the Earth Policy Institute, "COULD FOOD SHORTAGES BRING DOWN CIVILIZATION?," Scientific American-javascript:doLinkPostBack('','mdb7E7Emth7C7Cjdb7E7Emthjnh7C7Css7E7EJN 22Scientific American227C7Csl7E7Ejh','');, May2009, Vol. 300 Issue 5, p50-57)
In six of the past nine years world grain production has fallen short of consumption
AND
states disintegrate, their fall will threaten the stability of global civilization itself.

Nuclear terror causes extinction
Ayson 10 ~Robert Ayson, Professor of Strategic Studies and Director of the Centre for Strategic Studies: New Zealand at the Victoria University of Wellington,"After a Terrorist Nuclear Attack: Envisaging Catalytic Effects," Studies in Conflict 26 Terrorism, Volume 33, Issue 7, July, Available Online to Subscribing Institutions via InformaWorld~
A terrorist nuclear attack, and even the use of nuclear weapons in response by
AND
would be undoubtedly blamed on¶ Pakistan, with potentially catastrophic results."¶ 44

Plan

The United States federal government should expand and make semi-permanent the currency swap agreement with the Banco de México-http://www.banxico.org.mx/.
Solvency

Extending currency swap lines solves confidence and crisis management
Olson et al 09
(Eric, senior advisor to the Security Initiative of the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute and has held senior positions at the Organization of American States, Amnesty International, and the Washington Office on Latin America, "The United States And Mexico: Towards a Strategic Partnership" A report of four working groups on U.S.-Mexico Relations, January 2009, www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/The20U.S.20and20Mexico.20Towards20a20Strategic20Partnership.pdf-http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/The U.S. and Mexico. Towards a Strategic Partnership.pdf NP)
The interdependence of the two economies ¶ makes Mexico one of the most vulnerable ¶
AND
¶ authorities underscores the importance of timely and ¶ coordinated actions in crisis management

US action is key
Starr 09
(Pamela K., associate professor of international relations at USC and a former professor of Latin American political economy at the InstitutoTecnológicoAutónomo de México, published in the Pacific Council, Non-partisan and not-profit organization in Los Angeles with the goal of giving a more effective voice to West Coast perspectives on critical global policy issues, "Mexico and the United States: A Window Of Opportunity?", April 2009, www.pacificcouncil.org/document.doc?id=35-http://www.pacificcouncil.org/document.doc?id=35 NP)
Implications for U.S.-Mexico Affairs: ¶ A Window of Opportunity¶
AND
NAFTA to allow Mexican trucks to ¶ deliver their cargo beyond the border.

Swap lines solve economic crisis through improved confidence
Villarreal ’10 ~9/16/10, M. Angeles Villarreal is an Analyst in International Trade and Finance in the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division of the Congressional Research Service. "The Mexican Economy After the Global
Financial Crisis," Congressional Research Service http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R41402.pdf~~
The government’s responses to the recent global financial crisis helped thecountry weather the2009 recession and
AND
generally agree that Mexico needs further tax reforms to broaden its tax base.

Tournament: MBA | Round: 4 | Opponent: Oak Hall ES | Judge: Forslund

The Advantage is the Economy

The Federal Reserve’s decision to continue quantitative easing was a reprieve for Mexico, but speculation over the taper creates endless volatility for the peso as markets expect investment outflows from Mexico to the US: a major decline is inevitable.

Reuters 9/18
Michael O’Boyle and Asher Levine MEXICO CITY/SAO PAULO, Sept 18 http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/18/markets-latam-idUSL2N0HE2JD20130918-http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/18/markets-latam-idUSL2N0HE2JD20130918

Latin American currencies, stocks and bonds soared on Wednesday after the U.S
AND
which in turn means less inflation and less need for higher interest rates." 

Mexico has asked for help dealing with consequences of tapering but the Fed rebuffed them. Plan is necessary to avoid a repeat of the financial crisis.

Bloomberg News 8/26
"Federal Reserve won’t consider problems abroad" http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/08/25/fed-officials-reject-calls-for-coordination/bW6J24GiaTCqb8bJsAkleO/story.html-http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/08/25/fed-officials-reject-calls-for-coordination/bW6J24GiaTCqb8bJsAkleO/story.html

LONDON — Federal Reserve officials have rebuffed international calls to take the threat of fallout
AND
proposed ’’further lines of defense,’’ such as currency swap lines. 

Peso crisis inevitable in the status quo—Fed communication failures with the market locks in risk of economic contagion
-AT Monetary CP, fed can’t communicate effectively with domestic markets
Summers 7/3, Nick Summers, covers Wall Street and finance for Bloomberg Businessweek, "Fed Spreads Confusion With Efforts to ’Clarify’ Bernanke’s Remarks", Bloomberg, July 03, 2013, http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-07-03/fed-spreads-confusion-with-efforts-to-clarify-bernankes-remarks-http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-07-03/fed-spreads-confusion-with-efforts-to-clarify-bernankes-remarks)
Greenspan’s successor, Ben Bernanke, has pushed the central bank and its members to
AND
"And once again, those problems will be of its own making."

Fed might start tapering in a few months

WSJ 12/6 ("Fed Closes In on Bond Exit" http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303722104579242614008515066)
Federal Reserve officials are closer to winding down their controversial 2485 billion-a
AND
On Friday they seemed to take the prospect of a pullback in stride. 

Fears over cuts in Fed stimulus are causing massive peso volatility

Bloomberg 12/2 ("Mexico Peso Implied Volatility Increases on Fed Stimulus Concern" http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-02/mexico-peso-implied-volatility-increases-on-fed-stimulus-concern.html)
Mexican peso implied volatility rose to a two-week high as an acceleration in
AND
indicate growth. The median forecast of 77 economists was 55.1.

2 Scenarios for Economic collapse

1. Higher interest rates disrupt the bond market—Mexican intervention backfires and crushes Latin American liquidity
   -US interest rates rising
   -Triggers Mexican peso devaluation, triggers capital controls (internal link)
   LF 7/2/13—staff writer citing multiple emerging market economists, "Prep for Extended Volatility, warn experts", Latin Finance, 7/2/13, http://www.latinfinance.com/Article/3226264/Prep-for-extended-volatility-warn-experts.html?ArticleId=3226264)
   Latin ?nancial markets must dig in for an extended period of volatility as policymakers grapple
   AND
   fall, trading at 12.96 pesos to the dollar on Tuesday. 

Mexican exchange crisis would cause economic collapse
Mishkin 99
Frederic S. Mishkin, American economist and professor at the Columbia Business School. He was a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, "Lessons from the Tequila Crisis", Journal of Banking 26 Finance, 1999)
The first implication is that, in contrast to what happens in most
industrialized countries, in emerging market countries a foreign exchange crisis is a major precipitating
AND
a credit risk for banks that have made the foreign currency denominated loans.

Independently, Mexico is key to the US economy

Olson 9 (Eric L., M.A., International Affairs, American University; B.A., History and Secondary Education, Trinity College, Associate Director of the Latin American Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, as a Senior Specialist in the Department for Promotion of Good Governance at the Organization of American States, January 2009, http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/The20U.S.20and20Mexico.20Towards20a20Strategic20Partnership.pdf-http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/The U.S. and Mexico. Towards a Strategic Partnership.pdf)
Mexico also remains vital for the U.S. economy, ¶ although the
AND
on improving the well-being ¶ of average citizens in both countries.

US is key to the global economy

Lagarde 13 (Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund. "Strong U.S. Economy, Strong Global Economy—Two Sides of Same Coin" September 19, 2013. www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/survey/so/2013/NEW091913A.htm)

In a world of increasing economic interconnections, the United States’s stake in the global
AND
a harsh new reality" across sectors, countries, and the world.
2. Banking—Systemically important global banks are on the brink—current devaluation makes growth unsustainable and accesses an internal link to the global economy
Griffin 6/11, Donald Griffin, reporter for Bloomberg News , "Citigroup Facing 247 Billion Hit on Dollar Gain, Peabody Says", Bloomberg, 6/11/13, http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-06-11/citigroup-facing-7-billion-currency-hit-on-dollar-peabody-says~~23p3)
Last June, Peabody said Citigroup’s currency losses could reach 243 billion to 24
AND
unaware and is likely to prove to be more detrimental than currently anticipated."

The banking sector is key to the economy
Armenta 07, Manuela W. Armenta , "The Financial Sector and economic development: Banking on The role of human capital", http://www.princeton.edu/jpia/past-issues-1/2007/9.pdf)
To understand why financial sector development, under certain condi- tions, may be
AND
insufficient, condition for the creation of stable financial markets and sustainable growth.

Global economic decline leads to miscalculation and crisis escalation
Harris and Burrows, ’09 ~Mathew, PhD European History at Cambridge, counselor in the National Intelligence Council (NIC) and Jennifer, member of the NIC’s Long Range Analysis Unit "Revisiting the Future: Geopolitical Effects of the Financial Crisis" http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf-http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf~~
Increased Potential for Global Conflict Of course, the report encompasses more than economics and
AND
within and between states in a more dog-eat-dog world.

Broad studies prove our argument
Royal, ’10 ~2010, Jedediah Royal is the Director of Cooperative Threat Reduction at the U.S. Department of Defense, "Economic Integration, Economic Signaling and the Problem of Economic Crises, Economics of War and Peace: Economic, Legal and Political Perspectives", ed. By Goldsmith and Brauer, p. 213-215~
Less intuitive is how periods of economic decline mayincrease the likelihood of external conflict.
AND
such, the view presented here should be considered ancillary to those views.

Economic growth is necessary to solve poverty—historical stats prove.

Deaton5(Angus, Woodrow Wilson School @ Princeton, "Measuring Poverty In A Growing World" The Review of Economics and Statistics 87.1 February 2005 accessed 6/21/11 JF)
Yet the controversies  are no more settled than they were 30 years ago, although
AND
1990 and 2015, had already been met when the goal was announced.

Poverty will kill 18 million this year. this outweighs nuclear war and genocide.

Gilligan 96 ~James. Proffesor of Psychiatry @ Harvard. Violence: Our Deadly Epidemic and its Causes. 1996 Pg. 191-196~
The 14 to18 million deaths a year caused by structural violence~end page 195
AND
for they are inextricably related to each other, as cause to effect.

Drug-resistant TB is proliferating alarmingly.

Johnson 9 (Tim, Staff Writer for McClatchy Newspapers, 4-1, http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2009/04/01/65242/un-killer-strains-of-tuberculosis.html, 6-22-11, AH)
The world is on the cusp of an explosion of drug-resistant tuberculosis cases
AND
the extensively drug-resistant strain "a very deadly and devastating epidemic."   

Economic decline kills our ability to fight TB

Robinson 9 (Andrew, fellow of Wolfson College, Cambridge,   Emerging Health Threats Journal, 6.12.9,  tp://www.physorg.com/news163993567.html)
There are concerns that the financial crisis has already hit tuberculosis control, which has
AND
, global downturn is currently "impossible to quantify," according to Robertson.

That global growth is key to prevent extinction.

Unruh 7 (Bob, World Net Daily Staff, 6-24, http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=42238, 6-23-11, AH)
The World Health Organization is appealing for billions of dollars in funding to avert the
AND
year time line," said WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan.

Drug resistant TB causes extinction

Oza02 (Shefali, http://web.mit.edu/murj/www/v06/v06-Features/v06-f4.pdf)
In conclusion, to say the tuberculosis pandemic is an unfortunate crisis right now is
AND
research. Without these, the world will be devastated by the disease.

Economic rationality is inevitable —- individuals will always attempt to survive off of limited resources.

Shughart, 2006 (William, Professor of Economics at the University of Mississippi, "Terrorism in rational choice perspective," No date listed, latest citation from 2006 home.olemiss.edu/~shughart/Terrorism20in20rational20choice20perspective.pdf~

In the economist’s model of rational human behavior, all individuals are assumed to be
AND
short, amenable to explanation by the economist’s model of demand and supply.

Economics describe the world —- Err aff —- Historical analysis proves any alternative dooms us to disastrous consequences.

Morriss, 2008  (Andrew, University of St. Thomas Law Journal, Volume 5, Issue 1 2008 Article 8, "The Necessity of Economics: The Preferential Option for the Poor, Markets, and Environmental Law," http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj-http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj)

Economics offers many insights into how the world around us works, much more than
AND
short, tradeoffs matter, and we need to pay attention to them.

Plan

The United States federal government should expand and make semi-permanent the currency swap agreement with the Banco de México-http://www.banxico.org.mx/.
Solvency

Extending currency swap lines solves confidence and crisis management
Olson et al 09
(Eric, senior advisor to the Security Initiative of the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute and has held senior positions at the Organization of American States, Amnesty International, and the Washington Office on Latin America, "The United States And Mexico: Towards a Strategic Partnership" A report of four working groups on U.S.-Mexico Relations, January 2009, www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/The20U.S.20and20Mexico.20Towards20a20Strategic20Partnership.pdf-http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/The U.S. and Mexico. Towards a Strategic Partnership.pdf NP)
The interdependence of the two economies ¶ makes Mexico one of the most vulnerable ¶
AND
¶ authorities underscores the importance of timely and ¶ coordinated actions in crisis management

US action is key
Starr 09
(Pamela K., associate professor of international relations at USC and a former professor of Latin American political economy at the InstitutoTecnológicoAutónomo de México, published in the Pacific Council, Non-partisan and not-profit organization in Los Angeles with the goal of giving a more effective voice to West Coast perspectives on critical global policy issues, "Mexico and the United States: A Window Of Opportunity?", April 2009, www.pacificcouncil.org/document.doc?id=35-http://www.pacificcouncil.org/document.doc?id=35 NP)
Implications for U.S.-Mexico Affairs: ¶ A Window of Opportunity¶
AND
NAFTA to allow Mexican trucks to ¶ deliver their cargo beyond the border.

Swap lines solve economic crisis through improved confidence
Villarreal ’10 ~9/16/10, M. Angeles Villarreal is an Analyst in International Trade and Finance in the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division of the Congressional Research Service. "The Mexican Economy After the Global
Financial Crisis," Congressional Research Service http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R41402.pdf~~
The government’s responses to the recent global financial crisis helped thecountry weather the2009 recession and
AND
generally agree that Mexico needs further tax reforms to broaden its tax base.

Tournament: MBA | Round: Octas | Opponent: St Marks JM | Judge: Gannon, Gibson, Jordan
Plan

The United States federal government should expand and make semi-permanent the currency swap agreement with the Banco de México-http://www.banxico.org.mx/.

The Advantage is the Economy

The Federal Reserve’s decision to continue quantitative easing was a reprieve for Mexico, but speculation over the taper creates endless volatility for the peso as markets expect investment outflows from Mexico to the US: a major decline is inevitable.

Reuters 9/18
Michael O’Boyle and Asher Levine MEXICO CITY/SAO PAULO, Sept 18 http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/18/markets-latam-idUSL2N0HE2JD20130918-http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/18/markets-latam-idUSL2N0HE2JD20130918

Latin American currencies, stocks and bonds soared on Wednesday after the U.S
AND
which in turn means less inflation and less need for higher interest rates." 

Mexico has asked for help dealing with consequences of tapering but the Fed rebuffed them. Plan is necessary to avoid a repeat of the financial crisis.

Bloomberg News 8/26
"Federal Reserve won’t consider problems abroad" http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/08/25/fed-officials-reject-calls-for-coordination/bW6J24GiaTCqb8bJsAkleO/story.html-http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/08/25/fed-officials-reject-calls-for-coordination/bW6J24GiaTCqb8bJsAkleO/story.html

LONDON — Federal Reserve officials have rebuffed international calls to take the threat of fallout
AND
proposed ’’further lines of defense,’’ such as currency swap lines. 

Peso crisis inevitable in the status quo—Fed communication failures with the market locks in risk of economic contagion
-AT Monetary CP, fed can’t communicate effectively with domestic markets
Summers 7/3, Nick Summers, covers Wall Street and finance for Bloomberg Businessweek, "Fed Spreads Confusion With Efforts to ’Clarify’ Bernanke’s Remarks", Bloomberg, July 03, 2013, http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-07-03/fed-spreads-confusion-with-efforts-to-clarify-bernankes-remarks-http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-07-03/fed-spreads-confusion-with-efforts-to-clarify-bernankes-remarks)
Greenspan’s successor, Ben Bernanke, has pushed the central bank and its members to
AND
"And once again, those problems will be of its own making."

Fed might start tapering in a few months

WSJ 12/6 ("Fed Closes In on Bond Exit" http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303722104579242614008515066)
Federal Reserve officials are closer to winding down their controversial 2485 billion-a
AND
On Friday they seemed to take the prospect of a pullback in stride. 

Fears over cuts in Fed stimulus are causing massive peso volatility

Bloomberg 12/2 ("Mexico Peso Implied Volatility Increases on Fed Stimulus Concern" http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-02/mexico-peso-implied-volatility-increases-on-fed-stimulus-concern.html)
Mexican peso implied volatility rose to a two-week high as an acceleration in
AND
indicate growth. The median forecast of 77 economists was 55.1.
There are two Scenarios:
First is the Global Economy –
Systemically important global banks are on the brink—current devaluation makes growth unsustainable and accesses an internal link to the global economy
Griffin 6/11, Donald Griffin, reporter for Bloomberg News , "Citigroup Facing 247 Billion Hit on Dollar Gain, Peabody Says", Bloomberg, 6/11/13, http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-06-11/citigroup-facing-7-billion-currency-hit-on-dollar-peabody-says~~23p3)
Last June, Peabody said Citigroup’s currency losses could reach 243 billion to 24
AND
unaware and is likely to prove to be more detrimental than currently anticipated."

The banking sector is key to the economy
Armenta 07, Manuela W. Armenta , "The Financial Sector and economic development: Banking on The role of human capital", http://www.princeton.edu/jpia/past-issues-1/2007/9.pdf)
To understand why financial sector development, under certain condi- tions, may be
AND
insufficient, condition for the creation of stable financial markets and sustainable growth.

Global economic decline leads to miscalculation and crisis escalation
Harris and Burrows, ’09 ~Mathew, PhD European History at Cambridge, counselor in the National Intelligence Council (NIC) and Jennifer, member of the NIC’s Long Range Analysis Unit "Revisiting the Future: Geopolitical Effects of the Financial Crisis" http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf-http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf~~
Increased Potential for Global Conflict Of course, the report encompasses more than economics and
AND
within and between states in a more dog-eat-dog world.

Broad studies prove our argument
Royal, ’10 ~2010, Jedediah Royal is the Director of Cooperative Threat Reduction at the U.S. Department of Defense, "Economic Integration, Economic Signaling and the Problem of Economic Crises, Economics of War and Peace: Economic, Legal and Political Perspectives", ed. By Goldsmith and Brauer, p. 213-215~
Less intuitive is how periods of economic decline may increase the likelihood of external conflict
AND
not featured prominently in the economic-security debate and deserves more attention.

Economic rationality is inevitable —- individuals will always attempt to survive off of limited resources.

Shughart, 2006 (William, Professor of Economics at the University of Mississippi, "Terrorism in rational choice perspective," No date listed, latest citation from 2006 home.olemiss.edu/~shughart/Terrorism20in20rational20choice20perspective.pdf~

In the economist’s model of rational human behavior, all individuals are assumed to be
AND
short, amenable to explanation by the economist’s model of demand and supply.

Economics describe the world —- Err aff —- Historical analysis proves any alternative dooms us to disastrous consequences.

Morriss, 2008  (Andrew, University of St. Thomas Law Journal, Volume 5, Issue 1 2008 Article 8, "The Necessity of Economics: The Preferential Option for the Poor, Markets, and Environmental Law," http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj-http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj)

Economics offers many insights into how the world around us works, much more than
AND
short, tradeoffs matter, and we need to pay attention to them.

Second is the Mexican Economy –

Higher interest rates disrupt the bond market—Mexican intervention backfires and crushes Latin American liquidity
-US interest rates rising
-Triggers Mexican peso devaluation, triggers capital controls (internal link)
LF 7/2/13—staff writer citing multiple emerging market economists, "Prep for Extended Volatility, warn experts", Latin Finance, 7/2/13, http://www.latinfinance.com/Article/3226264/Prep-for-extended-volatility-warn-experts.html?ArticleId=3226264)
Latin ?nancial markets must dig in for an extended period of volatility as policymakers grapple
AND
fall, trading at 12.96 pesos to the dollar on Tuesday. 

Mexican exchange crisis would cause economic collapse
Mishkin 99
Frederic S. Mishkin, American economist and professor at the Columbia Business School. He was a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, "Lessons from the Tequila Crisis", Journal of Banking 26 Finance, 1999)
The first implication is that, in contrast to what happens in most
industrialized countries, in emerging market countries a foreign exchange crisis is a major precipitating
AND
a credit risk for banks that have made the foreign currency denominated loans.

====Mexican economic decline causes a flood of refugees, resulting in border terrorism====
Michael Brown 9, Undersecretary of Emergency Preparedness and Response in the Department of Homeland Security, "Border Control: Collapse of Mexico Is A Homeland Security 26 National Security Issue," 1/14, http://michaelbrowntoday.com/journal/2009/1/15/border-control-collapse-of-mexico-is-a-homeland-security-nat.html-http://michaelbrowntoday.com/journal/2009/1/15/border-control-collapse-of-mexico-is-a-homeland-security-nat.html
By failing to secure the borders and control immigration, we have opened ourselves up
AND
States, just laying in wait to attack at an appropriately vulnerable time.

Al Qaeda’s planning a bioterrorist attack on the U.S. via the US-Mexico border – 330,000 Americans will die within the first hour

Washington Times 9 ~"EXCLUSIVE: Al Qaeda eyes bio attack from Mexico," June 3, 2009, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/3/al-qaeda-eyes-bio-attack-via-mexico-border/?page=all~~
U.S. counterterrorism officials have authenticated a video by an al Qaeda recruiter
AND
native U.S. white supremacist militias who hate the federal government.

A recent influenza strain was created that would cause extinction – this is comparatively the WORST impact

Prado 12 (Mark Evan, a physicist in the Washington, D.C. region working for the Pentagon in advanced planning in the space program, citing: The Office of Biological Activities (OSB), a division of the US government’s National Institute of Health (NIH) which promotes science, safety, and ethics in biotechnology, "Human Extinction by Biotechnology and Nanotechnology", http://www.permanent.com/human-extinction-biotechnology-nano.html)
As biotechnology has advanced, so has the power of the individual. In the
AND
Way Back Machine’s archival page on PERMANENT.¶ Then came the year 2001. 

Terrorists are already stealing the material for nukes now – it’s not a question of IF the attack will occur, but WHEN

NPR 12 (Quoting: Matthew Bunn, associate professor at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, "Report Examines Effort To Secure Loose Nukes", http://www.npr.org/2012/03/26/149411800/report-examines-effort-to-secure-loose-nukes-http://www.npr.org/2012/03/26/149411800/report-examines-effort-to-secure-loose-nukes, 3/26/12)
As Mike Shuster said a moment ago, the main subject of the summit in
AND
yet uncaught, still have a substantial chunk of this highly enriched uranium.¶

Terrorists are coming through the border and they are bringing WMDs

McCaul ’12 (MICHAEL T. McCAUL CHAIRMAN UNITED STATES HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITYSUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT, INVESTIGATIONS, AND  MANAGEMENThttp://homeland.house.gov/sites/homeland.house.gov/files/11-15-12-Line-in-the-Sand.pdf-http://homeland.house.gov/sites/homeland.house.gov/files/11-15-12-Line-in-the-Sand.pdf November 2012 "A LINE IN THE SAND: COUNTERING CRIME,  VIOLENCE AND TERROR AT THE SOUTHWEST BORDER")
¶Terrorism remains a serious threat to the security of the UnitedStates. The Congressional
AND
or its agents would attempt to exploit the porous Southwest border for retaliation. 

Building a weapon is surprisingly easy – it’s just a question of nuclear material

Maerli2k(Morten Bremer Science Program Fellow, Center for International Security and Cooperation, Stanford University, Quoting: Luis W. Alvarez, prominent nuclear weapons scientist for Manhattan Project, "Relearing the ABCs: Terrorists and ’Weapons of Mass Destruction;." THE NONPROLIFERATION REVIEW, Summer-2K, p. 111-112.)
A striking parallel can be seen in the discussion surrounding crude nuclear weapons production and
AND
and weighs no more than 300 kilograms would lead to a nuclear explosive.  

In the charged atmosphere after an attack we would retaliate against Russia – causes all-out war

Ayson 10 (Robert, Professor of Strategic Studies and Director of the Centre for Strategic Studies: New Zealand at the Victoria University of Wellington,"After a Terrorist Nuclear Attack: Envisaging Catalytic Effects," Studies in Conflict 26 Terrorism, Volume 33, Issue 7, July, Available Online to Subscribing Institutions via InformaWorld)
A terrorist nuclear attack, and even the use of nuclear weapons in response by
AND
for the terrorists. This might not help the chances of nuclear restraint.

Solvency

Extending currency swap lines solves confidence and crisis management
Olson et al 09
(Eric, senior advisor to the Security Initiative of the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute and has held senior positions at the Organization of American States, Amnesty International, and the Washington Office on Latin America, "The United States And Mexico: Towards a Strategic Partnership" A report of four working groups on U.S.-Mexico Relations, January 2009, www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/The20U.S.20and20Mexico.20Towards20a20Strategic20Partnership.pdf-http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/The U.S. and Mexico. Towards a Strategic Partnership.pdf NP)
The interdependence of the two economies ¶ makes Mexico one of the most vulnerable ¶
AND
¶ authorities underscores the importance of timely and ¶ coordinated actions in crisis management

Tournament: Northwestern RR | Round: 7 | Opponent: GBS CM | Judge: Rivera, Pei
Added these cards:

Mexican peso is still volatile

BWO 11/24 (Business World Online. "Currency volatility hits emerging bond markets" November 24, 2013. www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Finance26title=Currency-volatility-hits-emerging-bond-markets26id=79791)

LONDON — Once a source of rich returns for yield-hungry investors, emerging
AND
transactions suggest a sharp increase in hedging this year, Citi data showed.

Speculation over the taper has been revived – causes sell-offs

Christensen 11/20 (Lars Christensen, Chief Analyst and Head of Emerging Markets Research Danske Bank A/S. " It’s all about tapering" November 20, 2013. www.fxstreet.com/analysis/em-bond-snapshot/2013/11/20/~23)

Last month the delay of the Fed tapering provided some temporary relief for the emerging
AND
such great news for commodity exporting countries such as Russia and South Africa.

Tournament: Ohio Valley | Round: 6 | Opponent: Bishop Guertin DI | Judge: Matt Struth

The Advantage is the Economy

The Federal Reserve’s decision to continue quantitative easing was a reprieve for Mexico, but speculation over the taper creates endless volatility for the peso as markets expect investment outflows from Mexico to the US: a major decline is inevitable.

Reuters 9/18
Michael O’Boyle and Asher Levine MEXICO CITY/SAO PAULO, Sept 18 http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/18/markets-latam-idUSL2N0HE2JD20130918-http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/18/markets-latam-idUSL2N0HE2JD20130918

Latin American currencies, stocks and bonds soared on Wednesday after the U.S
AND
which in turn means less inflation and less need for higher interest rates." 

Mexico has asked for help dealing with consequences of tapering but the Fed rebuffed them. Plan is necessary to avoid a repeat of the financial crisis.

Bloomberg News 8/26
"Federal Reserve won’t consider problems abroad" http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/08/25/fed-officials-reject-calls-for-coordination/bW6J24GiaTCqb8bJsAkleO/story.html-http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/08/25/fed-officials-reject-calls-for-coordination/bW6J24GiaTCqb8bJsAkleO/story.html

LONDON — Federal Reserve officials have rebuffed international calls to take the threat of fallout
AND
proposed ’’further lines of defense,’’ such as currency swap lines. 

Peso crisis inevitable in the status quo—Fed communication failures with the market locks in risk of economic contagion
-AT Monetary CP, fed can’t communicate effectively with domestic markets
Summers 7/3, Nick Summers, covers Wall Street and finance for Bloomberg Businessweek, "Fed Spreads Confusion With Efforts to ’Clarify’ Bernanke’s Remarks", Bloomberg, July 03, 2013, http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-07-03/fed-spreads-confusion-with-efforts-to-clarify-bernankes-remarks-http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-07-03/fed-spreads-confusion-with-efforts-to-clarify-bernankes-remarks)
Greenspan’s successor, Ben Bernanke, has pushed the central bank and its members to
AND
"And once again, those problems will be of its own making."

2 Scenarios for Economic collapse

1. Higher interest rates disrupt the bond market—Mexican intervention backfires and crushes Latin American liquidity
   -US interest rates rising
   -Triggers Mexican peso devaluation, triggers capital controls (internal link)
   LF 7/2/13—staff writer citing multiple emerging market economists, "Prep for Extended Volatility, warn experts", Latin Finance, 7/2/13, http://www.latinfinance.com/Article/3226264/Prep-for-extended-volatility-warn-experts.html?ArticleId=3226264)
   Latin ?nancial markets must dig in for an extended period of volatility as policymakers grapple
   AND
   fall, trading at 12.96 pesos to the dollar on Tuesday. 

Mexican exchange crisis would cause economic collapse
Mishkin 99
Frederic S. Mishkin, American economist and professor at the Columbia Business School. He was a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, "Lessons from the Tequila Crisis", Journal of Banking 26 Finance, 1999)
The first implication is that, in contrast to what happens in most
industrialized countries, in emerging market countries a foreign exchange crisis is a major precipitating
AND
a credit risk for banks that have made the foreign currency denominated loans.

2. Banking—Systemically important global banks are on the brink—current devaluation makes growth unsustainable and accesses an internal link to the global economy
Griffin 6/11, Donald Griffin, reporter for Bloomberg News , "Citigroup Facing 247 Billion Hit on Dollar Gain, Peabody Says", Bloomberg, 6/11/13, http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-06-11/citigroup-facing-7-billion-currency-hit-on-dollar-peabody-says~~23p3)
Last June, Peabody said Citigroup’s currency losses could reach 243 billion to 24
AND
unaware and is likely to prove to be more detrimental than currently anticipated."

The banking sector is key to the economy
Armenta 07, Manuela W. Armenta , "The Financial Sector and economic development: Banking on The role of human capital", http://www.princeton.edu/jpia/past-issues-1/2007/9.pdf)
To understand why financial sector development, under certain condi- tions, may be
AND
insufficient, condition for the creation of stable financial markets and sustainable growth.

Global economic decline leads to miscalculation and crisis escalation
Harris and Burrows, ’09 ~Mathew, PhD European History at Cambridge, counselor in the National Intelligence Council (NIC) and Jennifer, member of the NIC’s Long Range Analysis Unit "Revisiting the Future: Geopolitical Effects of the Financial Crisis" http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf-http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf~~
Increased Potential for Global Conflict Of course, the report encompasses more than economics and
AND
within and between states in a more dog-eat-dog world.

Broad studies prove our argument
Royal, ’10 ~2010, Jedediah Royal is the Director of Cooperative Threat Reduction at the U.S. Department of Defense, "Economic Integration, Economic Signaling and the Problem of Economic Crises, Economics of War and Peace: Economic, Legal and Political Perspectives", ed. By Goldsmith and Brauer, p. 213-215~
Less intuitive is how periods of economic decline mayincrease the likelihood of external conflict.
AND
such, the view presented here should be considered ancillary to those views.

Economic rationality is inevitable —- individuals will always attempt to survive off of limited resources.

Shughart, 2006 (William, Professor of Economics at the University of Mississippi, "Terrorism in rational choice perspective," No date listed, latest citation from 2006 home.olemiss.edu/~shughart/Terrorism20in20rational20choice20perspective.pdf~

In the economist’s model of rational human behavior, all individuals are assumed to be
AND
short, amenable to explanation by the economist’s model of demand and supply.

Economics describe the world —- Err aff —- Historical analysis proves any alternative dooms us to disastrous consequences.

Morriss, 2008  (Andrew, University of St. Thomas Law Journal, Volume 5, Issue 1 2008 Article 8, "The Necessity of Economics: The Preferential Option for the Poor, Markets, and Environmental Law," http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj-http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj)

Economics offers many insights into how the world around us works, much more than
AND
short, tradeoffs matter, and we need to pay attention to them.

Mexican economic collapse kills US and Mexico’s manufacturing sectors
Villarreal ’10 ~9/16/10, M. Angeles Villarreal is an Analyst in International Trade and Finance in the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division of the Congressional Research Service. "The Mexican Economy After the Global
Financial Crisis," Congressional Research Service http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R41402.pdf~~
Manufacturing industries have been severely affectedby the decline in external demand,particularly in high
AND
, a loss of 268,647 jobs (14 decrease).28

The manufacturing industry is critical to tech innovation
Lind, 2012 ~Michael Lind is the policy director of New America’s Economic Growth Program and a co-founder of the New America Foundation. "Value Added: America’s Manufacturing Future," http://growth.newamerica.net/sites/newamerica.net/files/policydocs/Lind,20Michael20and20Freedman,20Joshua20-20NAF20-20Value20Added20America27s20Manufacturing20Future.pdf~

Manufacturing, R26D and the U.S. Innovation Ecosystem Perhaps the
AND
from 20-30 percent in 2007 to 50 percent by 2020.33
Innovation solves great power war
Taylor, 2004~4/1/04, Mark Taylor is a professor of Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "The Politics of Technological Change: International Relations versus Domestic Institutions," http://www.scribd.com/doc/46554792/Taylor~~

Technological innovation is of central importance to the study of international relations (IR),
AND
production, and war, international systems would not exist in the first place

Loss of manufacturing Risks a China-Taiwan War

Steven Mosher 2/14/06 (President of the Population Research Institute, CQ Congressional Testimony, "Chinese Influence on U.S. Foreign Policy" pg lexis)
The ruthless mercantilism practiced by the CCP is thus a form of economic warfare.
AND
American military assets in the Asian-Pacific will have to be neutralized.

Extinction

The Strait Times, 2000 ~"No one gains in war over Taiwan", June 25, Lexis~   
The high-intensity scenario postulates a cross-strait war escalating into a full
AND
itcannot be ruled out entirely, for China puts sovereignty above everything else.

Independently —- loss of domestic defense industry tanks US semiconductor technology and EMP hardening

Lieberman’03(Joseph, D-CT, Congressional Record, 6-5 http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/2003_cr/s060503.html-http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/2003_cr/s060503.html)
I hope we can act promptly to avoid a potential national security crisis in terms
AND
China, Taiwan and Singapore) is not an acceptable national security option.

Lack of hardened semiconductors encourages EMP attacks against the U.S.

Spring’94(Baker, Researcher – Heritage Foundation, Backgrounder, http://www.heritage.org/Research/NationalSecurity/BG987.cfm)
In addition to ensuring the reliability of the existing stockpile, testing has other important
AND
, September 20, 1993, pp. 4, 14-15.)

The impact is economic collapse and 100’s of nuclear meltdowns

Sieff’05(Martin, Senior News Analyst – UPI, 5-18, Lexis)
And if you detonate a single nuclear weapon in the upper atmosphereyou will produce an
AND
of more than 100 Chernobyl-scale nuclear core meltdowns across theUnited States.

Reactor meltdowns obliterate the planet

Wasserman’02(Harvey, Senior Editor – Free Press, Earth Island Journal, Spring, www.earthisland.org/eijournal/new_articles.cfm?articleID=45726journalID=63)
The intense radioactive heat within today’s operating reactors is the hottest anywhere on the planet
AND
core of our life and of all future generations must be shut down.  

Plan

The United States federal government should expand and make semi-permanent the currency swap agreement with the Banco de México-http://www.banxico.org.mx/.
Solvency

Extending currency swap lines solves confidence and crisis management
Olson et al 09
(Eric, senior advisor to the Security Initiative of the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute and has held senior positions at the Organization of American States, Amnesty International, and the Washington Office on Latin America, "The United States And Mexico: Towards a Strategic Partnership" A report of four working groups on U.S.-Mexico Relations, January 2009, www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/The20U.S.20and20Mexico.20Towards20a20Strategic20Partnership.pdf-http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/The U.S. and Mexico. Towards a Strategic Partnership.pdf NP)
The interdependence of the two economies ¶ makes Mexico one of the most vulnerable ¶
AND
¶ authorities underscores the importance of timely and ¶ coordinated actions in crisis management

US action is key
Starr 09
(Pamela K., associate professor of international relations at USC and a former professor of Latin American political economy at the InstitutoTecnológicoAutónomo de México, published in the Pacific Council, Non-partisan and not-profit organization in Los Angeles with the goal of giving a more effective voice to West Coast perspectives on critical global policy issues, "Mexico and the United States: A Window Of Opportunity?", April 2009, www.pacificcouncil.org/document.doc?id=35-http://www.pacificcouncil.org/document.doc?id=35 NP)
Implications for U.S.-Mexico Affairs: ¶ A Window of Opportunity¶
AND
NAFTA to allow Mexican trucks to ¶ deliver their cargo beyond the border.

Swap lines solve economic crisis through improved confidence
Villarreal ’10 ~9/16/10, M. Angeles Villarreal is an Analyst in International Trade and Finance in the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division of the Congressional Research Service. "The Mexican Economy After the Global
Financial Crisis," Congressional Research Service http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R41402.pdf~~
The government’s responses to the recent global financial crisis helped thecountry weather the2009 recession and
AND
generally agree that Mexico needs further tax reforms to broaden its tax base. 

Only swap lines can defend against complex derivative collapses

Mehrotra et al 12
(Aaron, Economist in the monetary department of International Settlements, Bank for International Settlements, "BIS Papers No 67 Fiscal policy, public debt and monetary policy in emerging market economies" Monetary and Economic Department, October 2012, www.bis.org/publ/bppdf/bispap67.pdf-http://www.bis.org/publ/bppdf/bispap67.pdf NP)
Recent episodes of market volatility have highlighted two kinds of risks associated with more ¶
AND
on inflows, ¶minimum holding periods and currency-specific reserve requirements).

Tournament: Ohio Valley | Round: Quarters | Opponent: Westminster LS | Judge: Brovero, Bagwell, Struth
Same as Round 6, but with these cards instead of K pre-empts (Morriss and Shughart)

Fed might start tapering as soon as next week

WSJ 12/6 ("Fed Closes In on Bond Exit" http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303722104579242614008515066)
Federal Reserve officials are closer to winding down their controversial 2485 billion-a
AND
On Friday they seemed to take the prospect of a pullback in stride. 

Fears over cuts in Fed stimulus are causing massive peso volatility

Bloomberg 12/2 ("Mexico Peso Implied Volatility Increases on Fed Stimulus Concern" http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-02/mexico-peso-implied-volatility-increases-on-fed-stimulus-concern.html)
Mexican peso implied volatility rose to a two-week high as an acceleration in
AND
indicate growth. The median forecast of 77 economists was 55.1.

Tournament: St Marks | Round: 6 | Opponent: Greenhill DJ | Judge: Jon Voss

Advantage 1

The Federal Reserve’s decision to continue quantitative easing was a reprieve for Mexico, but speculation over the taper creates endless volatility for the peso as markets expect investment outflows from Mexico to the US: a major decline is inevitable.

Reuters 9/18
Michael O’Boyle and Asher Levine MEXICO CITY/SAO PAULO, Sept 18 http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/18/markets-latam-idUSL2N0HE2JD20130918-http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/18/markets-latam-idUSL2N0HE2JD20130918

Latin American currencies, stocks and bonds soared on Wednesday after the U.S
AND
which in turn means less inflation and less need for higher interest rates." 

Mexico has asked for help dealing with consequences of tapering but the Fed rebuffed them. Plan is necessary to avoid a repeat of the financial crisis.

Bloomberg News 8/26
"Federal Reserve won’t consider problems abroad" http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/08/25/fed-officials-reject-calls-for-coordination/bW6J24GiaTCqb8bJsAkleO/story.html-http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/08/25/fed-officials-reject-calls-for-coordination/bW6J24GiaTCqb8bJsAkleO/story.html

LONDON — Federal Reserve officials have rebuffed international calls to take the threat of fallout
AND
proposed ’’further lines of defense,’’ such as currency swap lines. 

Peso crisis inevitable in the status quo—Fed communication failures with the market locks in risk of economic contagion
-AT Monetary CP, fed can’t communicate effectively with domestic markets
Summers 7/3, Nick Summers, covers Wall Street and finance for Bloomberg Businessweek, "Fed Spreads Confusion With Efforts to ’Clarify’ Bernanke’s Remarks", Bloomberg, July 03, 2013, http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-07-03/fed-spreads-confusion-with-efforts-to-clarify-bernankes-remarks-http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-07-03/fed-spreads-confusion-with-efforts-to-clarify-bernankes-remarks)
Greenspan’s successor, Ben Bernanke, has pushed the central bank and its members to
AND
"And once again, those problems will be of its own making."

2 Scenarios for Economic collapse

1. Higher interest rates disrupt the bond market—Mexican intervention backfires and crushes Latin American liquidity
   -US interest rates rising
   -Triggers Mexican peso devaluation, triggers capital controls (internal link)
   LF 7/2/13—staff writer citing multiple emerging market economists, "Prep for Extended Volatility, warn experts", Latin Finance, 7/2/13, http://www.latinfinance.com/Article/3226264/Prep-for-extended-volatility-warn-experts.html?ArticleId=3226264)
   Latin ?nancial markets must dig in for an extended period of volatility as policymakers grapple
   AND
   fall, trading at 12.96 pesos to the dollar on Tuesday. 

Mexican exchange crisis would cause economic collapse
Mishkin 99
Frederic S. Mishkin, American economist and professor at the Columbia Business School. He was a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, "Lessons from the Tequila Crisis", Journal of Banking 26 Finance, 1999)
The first implication is that, in contrast to what happens in most
industrialized countries, in emerging market countries a foreign exchange crisis is a major precipitating
AND
a credit risk for banks that have made the foreign currency denominated loans.

2. Banking—Systemically important global banks are on the brink—current devaluation makes growth unsustainable and accesses an internal link to the global economy
Griffin 6/11, Donald Griffin, reporter for Bloomberg News , "Citigroup Facing 247 Billion Hit on Dollar Gain, Peabody Says", Bloomberg, 6/11/13, http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-06-11/citigroup-facing-7-billion-currency-hit-on-dollar-peabody-says~~23p3)
Last June, Peabody said Citigroup’s currency losses could reach 243 billion to 24
AND
unaware and is likely to prove to be more detrimental than currently anticipated."

The banking sector is key to the economy
Armenta 07, Manuela W. Armenta , "The Financial Sector and economic development: Banking on The role of human capital", http://www.princeton.edu/jpia/past-issues-1/2007/9.pdf)
To understand why financial sector development, under certain condi- tions, may be
AND
insufficient, condition for the creation of stable financial markets and sustainable growth.

Global economic decline leads to miscalculation and crisis escalation—escalates
Harris and Burrows, ’09 ~Mathew, PhD European History at Cambridge, counselor in the National Intelligence Council (NIC) and Jennifer, member of the NIC’s Long Range Analysis Unit "Revisiting the Future: Geopolitical Effects of the Financial Crisis" http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf-http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf~~
Increased Potential for Global Conflict Of course, the report encompasses more than economics and
AND
within and between states in a more dog-eat-dog world.

Broad studies prove our argument
Royal, ’10 ~2010, Jedediah Royal is the Director of Cooperative Threat Reduction at the U.S. Department of Defense, "Economic Integration, Economic Signaling and the Problem of Economic Crises, Economics of War and Peace: Economic, Legal and Political Perspectives", ed. By Goldsmith and Brauer, p. 213-215~
Less intuitive is how periods of economic decline mayincrease the likelihood of external conflict.
AND
such, the view presented here should be considered ancillary to those views.

Economic rationality is inevitable —- individuals will always attempt to survive off of limited resources.

Shughart, 2006 (William, Professor of Economics at the University of Mississippi, "Terrorism in rational choice perspective," No date listed, latest citation from 2006 home.olemiss.edu/~shughart/Terrorism20in20rational20choice20perspective.pdf~

In the economist’s model of rational human behavior, all individuals are assumed to be
AND
short, amenable to explanation by the economist’s model of demand and supply.

Economics describe the world —- Err aff —- Historical analysis proves any alternative dooms us to disastrous consequences.

Morriss, 2008  (Andrew, University of St. Thomas Law Journal, Volume 5, Issue 1 2008 Article 8, "The Necessity of Economics: The Preferential Option for the Poor, Markets, and Environmental Law," http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj-http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj)

Economics offers many insights into how the world around us works, much more than
AND
short, tradeoffs matter, and we need to pay attention to them.

Mexican economic collapse kills US and Mexico’s manufacturing sectors
Villarreal ’10 ~9/16/10, M. Angeles Villarreal is an Analyst in International Trade and Finance in the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division of the Congressional Research Service. "The Mexican Economy After the Global
Financial Crisis," Congressional Research Service http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R41402.pdf~~
Manufacturing industries have been severely affectedby the decline in external demand,particularly in high
AND
, a loss of 268,647 jobs (14 decrease).28

The manufacturing industry is critical to tech innovation
Lind, 2012 ~Michael Lind is the policy director of New America’s Economic Growth Program and a co-founder of the New America Foundation. "Value Added: America’s Manufacturing Future," http://growth.newamerica.net/sites/newamerica.net/files/policydocs/Lind,20Michael20and20Freedman,20Joshua20-20NAF20-20Value20Added20America27s20Manufacturing20Future.pdf~

Manufacturing, R26D and the U.S. Innovation Ecosystem Perhaps the
AND
from 20-30 percent in 2007 to 50 percent by 2020.33
Innovation solves great power war
Taylor, 2004~4/1/04, Mark Taylor is a professor of Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "The Politics of Technological Change: International Relations versus Domestic Institutions," http://www.scribd.com/doc/46554792/Taylor~~

Technological innovation is of central importance to the study of international relations (IR),
AND
production, and war, international systems would not exist in the first place

Economic growth guts the drug trade
Shoichet ’12 ~11/27/12, Catherine E. Shoichet is a staff writer for CNN. "Mexican president-elect: Economic growth is key weapon in drug war," http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/27/politics/mexico-president-interview~~
Creating more economic opportunitieswillbe Mexico’s greatest weapon in the war on drugs, the country’s
AND
the violence or what aspects of outgoing President Felipe Caderon’s strategy he will change

Mexico drug violence leads to oil shocks and economic collapse

Moran 9 (7/31/09, Michael, executive editor and policy analyst, Council on Foreign Relations, "Six Crises, 2009: A Half-Dozen Ways Geopolitics Could Upset Global Recovery," http://fbkfinanzwirtschaft.wordpress.com/2009/08/07/six-crises-2009-a-half-dozen-ways-geopolitics-could-upset-global-recovery/)
Risk 2: Mexico Drug Violence:¶ At Stake: Oil prices, refugee flows
AND
to "renegotiate NAFTA," a pledge he deftly sidestepped once in office.

Energy shocks cause great power nuke war

Islam YasinQasem 7, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Politics and Social Sciences at the University of PompeuFabra (UPF) in Barcelona, MA in International Affairs from Columbia, July 9, 2007, "The Coming Warfare of Oil Shortage," online: http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_islam_ya_070709_the_coming_warfare_o.htm
Recognizing the strategic value of oil for their national interests, superpowers will not hesitate
AND
the chances of using nuclear weapons in pursues of national interests are high. 

Advantage 2

Exchange rate volatility hurts Mexican agriculture

Bahmani-Oskooee 9 (Mohsen, Wilmeth Professor and UWM Distinguished Professor Chair, Department of Economics @ University of Wisconsin, Scott W. Hegerty, Economics professor @ Northeastern Illinois University, "The Effects of Exchange-Rate Volatility on Commodity Trade between the United States and Mexico," Southern Economic Journal, 2009, http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/27751431-http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/27751431.pdf)
The overall results regarding the long-term effects of exchange rate volatility are highly
AND
Textile and leather machinery and Textile yarn and thread (in Table 4).

Exchange Rate Volatility has large effects on Agricultural Commodities

Haque 12 (A K Iftekharul, global development network researcher, "The Effects of Exchange Rate and Commodity Price Volatilities on
Trade Volumes of Major Agricultural Commodities," 2012, https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10214/4036/Iftekhar20Haque_thesis_FARE.pdf?sequence=1)
Despite an extensive literature on effect of exchange rate volatility on overall trade, very
AND
-importer currency, matters for developing country exporters (Kandilov, 2008).

Mexico agriculture is key to keeping food prices down and addressing global hunger issues

 Bill Gates and Carlos Slim Helú, a Mexican business magnate, investor, and philanthropist, 2013
http://www.farmingfirst.org/2013/02/mexico-will-lead-innovation-in-agricultural-development-for-the-world-bill-gates/

Building on its success a half-century ago pioneering new varieties of wheat and
AND
Saharan Africa where hundreds of millions of people face severe hunger and poverty.

Food Price Spikes and global food shortage will cause extinction through disease, famine, and resource conflict

Winnail 1996 - PhD, MPH   ~Douglas S., "On the Horizon: Famine," September/October, http://www.kurtsaxon.com/foods004.htm~~
As a result grain prices are the highest on record. Worldwatch Institute’s president,
AND
will be in deep trouble. This precarious situation is also without historical precedent

Mexican ag is on the brink now—preventing further exchange volatility is critical to reverse destruction of the industry

social and political upheaval as a result of the drought that has destroyed a significant portion of crop and livestock available to farmers in Northern Mexico. Nearly 2.5 million Mexicans are threatened with starvation unless action is taken to reverse the destruction of Mexican Agriculture.
LaRouchePAC January 8 2012
Lyndon Larouche is an economist and political activist, "Drought Threatens 2.5 Million Mexicans by Starvation" http://larouchepac.com/node/21351
Never were the need for the North American Water and Power Alliance (NAWAPA),
AND
is made available, another 500,000 could die, Romero warned.

====
Social and political upheaval creates a safe-haven for terrorism ====
Brown 2009 (Lester, environmental analyst, founder of the Worldwatch Institute, and founder and president of the Earth Policy Institute, "COULD FOOD SHORTAGES BRING DOWN CIVILIZATION?," Scientific American-javascript:doLinkPostBack('','mdb7E7Emth7C7Cjdb7E7Emthjnh7C7Css7E7EJN 22Scientific American227C7Csl7E7Ejh','');, May2009, Vol. 300 Issue 5, p50-57)
In six of the past nine years world grain production has fallen short of consumption
AND
states disintegrate, their fall will threaten the stability of global civilization itself.

Nuclear terror causes extinction
Ayson 10 ~Robert Ayson, Professor of Strategic Studies and Director of the Centre for Strategic Studies: New Zealand at the Victoria University of Wellington,"After a Terrorist Nuclear Attack: Envisaging Catalytic Effects," Studies in Conflict 26 Terrorism, Volume 33, Issue 7, July, Available Online to Subscribing Institutions via InformaWorld~
A terrorist nuclear attack, and even the use of nuclear weapons in response by
AND
would be undoubtedly blamed on¶ Pakistan, with potentially catastrophic results."¶ 44

Plan

The United States federal government should expand and make semi-permanent the currency swap agreement with the Banco de México-http://www.banxico.org.mx/.
Solvency

Extending currency swap lines solves confidence and crisis management
Olson et al 09
(Eric, senior advisor to the Security Initiative of the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute and has held senior positions at the Organization of American States, Amnesty International, and the Washington Office on Latin America, "The United States And Mexico: Towards a Strategic Partnership" A report of four working groups on U.S.-Mexico Relations, January 2009, www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/The20U.S.20and20Mexico.20Towards20a20Strategic20Partnership.pdf-http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/The U.S. and Mexico. Towards a Strategic Partnership.pdf NP)
The interdependence of the two economies ¶ makes Mexico one of the most vulnerable ¶
AND
¶ authorities underscores the importance of timely and ¶ coordinated actions in crisis management

US action is key
Starr 09
(Pamela K., associate professor of international relations at USC and a former professor of Latin American political economy at the InstitutoTecnológicoAutónomo de México, published in the Pacific Council, Non-partisan and not-profit organization in Los Angeles with the goal of giving a more effective voice to West Coast perspectives on critical global policy issues, "Mexico and the United States: A Window Of Opportunity?", April 2009, www.pacificcouncil.org/document.doc?id=35-http://www.pacificcouncil.org/document.doc?id=35 NP)
Implications for U.S.-Mexico Affairs: ¶ A Window of Opportunity¶
AND
NAFTA to allow Mexican trucks to ¶ deliver their cargo beyond the border.

Swap lines solve economic crisis through improved confidence
Villarreal ’10 ~9/16/10, M. Angeles Villarreal is an Analyst in International Trade and Finance in the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division of the Congressional Research Service. "The Mexican Economy After the Global
Financial Crisis," Congressional Research Service http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R41402.pdf~~
The government’s responses to the recent global financial crisis helped thecountry weather the2009 recession and
AND
generally agree that Mexico needs further tax reforms to broaden its tax base.

Tournament: Pace RR | Round: 1 | Opponent: Pinecrest GM | Judge: Batterman, Brown

Economy Advantage

US manufacturing lacks the ability to compete—a massive imbalance of imported goods is running up our trade deficit—increasing our export capacity is necessary to reduce the perception of American economic decline

Smil 11 
Vaclav, a Czech-Canadian scientist and policy analyst, He is Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Environment at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, "The Manufacturing of Decline", Summer 2011, thebreakthrough.org/index.php/journal/past-issues/issue-1/the-manufacturing-of-decline/

Popular fears that America is an empire in decline rise and fall with the business
AND
larger than the individual GDPs of all but 19 countries in the world.

Economic competitiveness is a fundamental pre-requisite to effective global leadership— the alternative is escalating global crises

Lieberthal and O’Hanlon 10 
Director of the China center and Director of research at Brookings, "The Real National Security Threat: America’s Debt", July 10, www.brookings.edu/research/opinions/2012/07/10-economy-foreign-policy-lieberthal-ohanlon-http://www.brookings.edu/research/opinions/2012/07/10-economy-foreign-policy-lieberthal-ohanlon

Economic renewal and fiscal reform have become the preeminent issues, not only for domestic
AND
really possible if that fundamental prerequisite to effective foreign policy is not reestablished.

The manufacturing sector relies on the border region—Congestion undermines important trade flows between the US and Mexico

Lee and Wilson 12 (Erik, Associate Director at the North American Center for Transborder Studies (NACTS) at Arizona State University, and Chris, Associate at the Mexico Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. He develops the Institute’s research and programming on regional economic integration and U.S.-Mexico border affairs. "Whole Nations Waiting" Site Selection Magazine, July 2012. www.siteselection.com/issues/2012/jul/us-mex-border.cfm)

Commerce between the United States and Mexico is one of the great — yet underappreciated
AND
costing the United States and Mexican economies many billions of dollars each year.

It’s reverse causal – increasing border infrastructure boosts American manufacturing – integrated manufacturing and economic structure

Leone 12 – Staff Writer for Cronkite News ("Panel says U.S.-Mexico border issues hinder huge economic opportunities", Friday, June 1, 2012¶ By CHRISTOPHER LEONE ¶ Cronkite News, http://cronkitenewsonline.com/2012/06/panel-says-u-s-mexico-border-issues-hinder-huge-economic-opportunities/)

WASHINGTON – The U.S.-Mexico border holds a huge opportunity for increased
AND
. . . the way that economy is now structured," he said.

Manufacturing is the backbone of the economy — it undergirds growth, innovation, knowledge generation and generates a spillover effect

Creticos and Sohnen 13 — Peter A. Creticos, President and Executive Director of the Institute for Workand the Economy, a Chicago-based think tank specializing in national and regionalworkforce and economic development policies. He is also Principal of the policyconsultancy Peter A. Creticos, Ltd. He recently finished a four-year appointmentas Visiting Fellow at the Institute for Latino Studies at the University of NotreDame. Dr. Creticos is an adjunct faculty member of the University of Illinois at ChicagoCollege of Urban Planning and Public Administration, at the Illinois Instituteof Technology Stuart School of Business, and in the Department of Political Scienceand Public Administration at Roosevelt University. Prior to establishing theInstitute in 2000, Dr. Creticos served in senior positions in state and local government and nationaland state nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).Dr. Creticos earned his PhD at the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at NorthwesternUniversity, where he conducted research on job matching. He also earned an MM atNorthwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, an MA in political science from theUniversity of Missouri at St. Louis, and a BA in philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis, and Eleanor Sohnen, Policy Analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, where sheworks for the Regional Migration Study Group. Her research interests include theinteraction of source-country education and workforce systems and migration,and the social and economic integration of intraregional labor migrants in LatinAmerica.Ms. Sohnen previously served as a consultant to the Inter-American DevelopmentBank (IDB), designing and implementing workforce development and capacity-buildingprojects in public employment services and migration management.While at IDB, she coauthored Crossing Borders for Work: New Trends and Policies in Labor Migrationin Latin America and the Caribbean (IDB, 2012); On the Other Side of the Fence: Changing Dynamicsof Migration in the Americas (MPI, 2010); and The Financial Crisis and Latin American and CaribbeanLabor Markets: Risks and Policy Responses (IDB, 2009).She holds a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University’s Nitze School of Advanced InternationalStudies in international relations and international economics with a focus on Latin America anddevelopment economics, and a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from Oberlin College (Peter A. Creticos, Eleanor Sohnen, Wilson Center — Migration Policy Institute, "MANUFACTURING IN THE UNITED STATES,MEXICO, AND CENTRAL AMERICA:Implications for Competitivenessand Migration", January 2013, http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/RMSG-Manufacturing.pdf-http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/RMSG-Manufacturing.pdf)

The importance of manufacturing to the US economy is equaled by its importance in the
AND
may have the potential to maintain or expand employment in the United States. 

Manufacturing is key to the economy

Smil 11 
Vaclav, a Czech-Canadian scientist and policy analyst, He is Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Environment at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, "The Manufacturing of Decline", Summer 2011, thebreakthrough.org/index.php/journal/past-issues/issue-1/the-manufacturing-of-decline/

Manufacturing produces a variety of economic benefits that finance and service sectors do not.
AND
yet another confirmation of the substantial and realistic opportunities for expanding the sector.

US is key to the global economy

Lagarde 13 (Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund. "Strong U.S. Economy, Strong Global Economy—Two Sides of Same Coin" September 19, 2013. www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/survey/so/2013/NEW091913A.htm)

In a world of increasing economic interconnections, the United States’s stake in the global
AND
a harsh new reality" across sectors, countries, and the world.
Global economic decline leads to miscalculation and crisis escalation
Harris and Burrows, ’09 ~Mathew, PhD European History at Cambridge, counselor in the National Intelligence Council (NIC) and Jennifer, member of the NIC’s Long Range Analysis Unit "Revisiting the Future: Geopolitical Effects of the Financial Crisis" http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf-http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf~~

Increased Potential for Global Conflict Of course, the report encompasses more than economics and
AND
within and between states in a more dog-eat-dog world.

Broad studies prove our argument
Royal, ’10 ~2010, Jedediah Royal is the Director of Cooperative Threat Reduction at the U.S. Department of Defense, "Economic Integration, Economic Signaling and the Problem of Economic Crises, Economics of War and Peace: Economic, Legal and Political Perspectives", ed. By Goldsmith and Brauer, p. 213-215~

Less intuitive is how periods of economic decline may increase the likelihood of external conflict
AND
not featured prominently in the economic-security debate and deserves more attention.
The manufacturing industry is critical to tech innovation
Lind, 2012 ~Michael Lind is the policy director of New America’s Economic Growth Program and a co-founder of the New America Foundation. "Value Added: America’s Manufacturing Future," http://growth.newamerica.net/sites/newamerica.net/files/policydocs/Lind,20Michael20and20Freedman,20Joshua20-20NAF20-20Value20Added20America27s20Manufacturing20Future.pdf~

Manufacturing, R26D and the U.S. Innovation Ecosystem Perhaps the
AND
from 20-30 percent in 2007 to 50 percent by 2020.33
Innovation solves great power war
Taylor, 2004~4/1/04, Mark Taylor is a professor of Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "The Politics of Technological Change: International Relations versus Domestic Institutions," http://www.scribd.com/doc/46554792/Taylor~~

Technological innovation is of central importance to the study of international relations (IR),
AND
production, and war, international systems would not exist in the first place

Plan creates new funding which serves as a catalyst for more investment

Mosqueda, Bachelor’s in journalism, 12 ~Priscila, 7-18-12, Texas Observer, "Sister Organizations Continue to Improve Infrastructure Along Border: Binational Institutions Fund Projects to Encourage Economic Growth," http://www.texasobserver.org/sister-organizations-continue-to-improve-infrastructure-along-border/, accessed 6-26-13~

Projects are partially funded by the Bank, with local, state and federal governments
AND
that will improve communities’ quality of life as well as promote economic growth. 

Plan is key to resolve congestion and boost border infrastructure for both the US and Mexico

Wilson 12 (Christopher Wilson, associate at the Mexico Institute of teh Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. "U.S. Competitiveness: The Mexican Connection" 2012. www.issues.org/28.4/p_wilson.html)

Policy for a competitive region¶ The border. With an integrated regional manufacturing sector
AND
entire border would best facilitate the competitiveness of the United States and Mexico.

Plan

Plan: The United States federal government should substantially increase its infrastructure investment toward Mexico through the North American Development Bank.

Solvency

Increasing NADBank investment solves infrastructure development — the plan ensures accountability, private investment, and Mexico says yes.

Rodriguez 9 — Raul Rodriguez, serves as the Chairman of the Board of Advisors of the North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University. He is also the Benson Chair in Banking and Finance and Distinguished Professor at the HEB School of Business and Administration at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas and the President of RMI, an investment and trade consulting firm in Mexico. He served as CEO and Managing Director of the North American Development Bank (NADBank) until October 2005. Prior to joining the NADBank, he was Executive Director of the Mexican Foreign Trade Bank; the Bank’s Director for Asia; Mexico’s Trade Commissioner in Canada during the NAFTA negotiation; and Secretary of Economic Development for the Mexican border State of Tamaulipas. Mr. Rodriguez participates actively in community affairs at home in San Antonio, Texas, as Chairman of the World Affairs Council; Chairman Elect of The Free Trade Alliance; Mayoral appointee to the Board of Directors of the Port Authority of San Antonio; Chairman Elect and Vice President of the San Antonio - Mexico Friendship Council, among others. He is also a founding member of the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations and a member of the Advisory Council of the Harte Research Institute at Texas A26M University, the North American Forum, the U.S. - Mexico Futures Forum and the Border Trade Advisory Committee of the Texas Transportation Commission. He participated in the Foreign Affairs task force with President Calderon’s transition team in Mexico in October and November 2006 (Raul Rodriguez, The Wilson Center Mexico Institute and El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, June 2009, "The Future of the North American Development Bank", http://wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/RODRIGUEZ20NADBANK.pdf-http://wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/RODRIGUEZ NADBANK.pdf, Accessed 08-21-2013)

Many agencies and programs have a bearing on border issues, but the region still
AND
-term funds in a multi-year programming context might be available. 

NAD Bank solves infrastructure on the border and avoids political spending backlash

Balido, 08/29/11 (Nelson Balido—President of the Border Trade Alliance; "Bill to expand NADBank projects holds potential to make big impact for border."; Border Trade Alliance; http://www.thebta.org/btanews/bill-to-expand-nadbank-projects-holds-potential-to-make-big-impact-for-border.html~~23top-http://www.thebta.org/btanews/bill-to-expand-nadbank-projects-holds-potential-to-make-big-impact-for-border.html )

But Congress and the White House don’t have to look far for inspiration for how
AND
area’s quality of life and provide a needed boost to the region’s economy.

Economic rationality is inevitable – Individuals will always attempt to survive off of limited resources.

Shughart, 2006 (William, Professor of Economics at the University of Mississippi, "Terrorism in rational choice perspective," No date listed, latest citation from 2006 home.olemiss.edu/~shughart/Terrorism20in20rational20choice20perspective.pdf~

In the economist’s model of rational human behavior, all individuals are assumed to be
AND
short, amenable to explanation by the economist’s model of demand and supply.

Economics describe the world – Historical analysis proves any alternative dooms us to disastrous consequences.

Morriss, 2008  (Andrew, University of St. Thomas Law Journal, Volume 5, Issue 1 2008 Article 8, "The Necessity of Economics: The Preferential Option for the Poor, Markets, and Environmental Law," http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj-http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj)

Economics offers many insights into how the world around us works, much more than
AND
short, tradeoffs matter, and we need to pay attention to them.

Our epistemology is correct

Weede, 4-
(Erich, professor of sociology at the University of Bonn, Germany, In Winter 1986-87, he was Visiting Professor of International Relations at the Bologna Center of Johns Hopkins University, "BALANCE OF POWER, GLOBALIZATION, AND THE CAPITALIST PEACE," http://www.fnf.org.ph/downloadables/Balance20of20Power,20Globalization20and20Capitalist20Peace.pdf-http://www.fnf.org.ph/downloadables/Balance of Power, Globalization and Capitalist Peace.pdf)
If one does research or summarize the research of others – of course, most
AND
hodgepodge of ambiguous hunches, contradictory thinking, and unsystematically evaluated empirical evidence.

Tournament: Pace RR | Round: 1 | Opponent: Pinecrest GM | Judge: Batterman, Brown

Economy Advantage

US manufacturing lacks the ability to compete—a massive imbalance of imported goods is running up our trade deficit—increasing our export capacity is necessary to reduce the perception of American economic decline

Smil 11 
Vaclav, a Czech-Canadian scientist and policy analyst, He is Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Environment at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, "The Manufacturing of Decline", Summer 2011, thebreakthrough.org/index.php/journal/past-issues/issue-1/the-manufacturing-of-decline/

Popular fears that America is an empire in decline rise and fall with the business
AND
larger than the individual GDPs of all but 19 countries in the world.

Economic competitiveness is a fundamental pre-requisite to effective global leadership— the alternative is escalating global crises

Lieberthal and O’Hanlon 10 
Director of the China center and Director of research at Brookings, "The Real National Security Threat: America’s Debt", July 10, www.brookings.edu/research/opinions/2012/07/10-economy-foreign-policy-lieberthal-ohanlon-http://www.brookings.edu/research/opinions/2012/07/10-economy-foreign-policy-lieberthal-ohanlon

Economic renewal and fiscal reform have become the preeminent issues, not only for domestic
AND
really possible if that fundamental prerequisite to effective foreign policy is not reestablished.

The manufacturing sector relies on the border region—Congestion undermines important trade flows between the US and Mexico

Lee and Wilson 12 (Erik, Associate Director at the North American Center for Transborder Studies (NACTS) at Arizona State University, and Chris, Associate at the Mexico Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. He develops the Institute’s research and programming on regional economic integration and U.S.-Mexico border affairs. "Whole Nations Waiting" Site Selection Magazine, July 2012. www.siteselection.com/issues/2012/jul/us-mex-border.cfm)

Commerce between the United States and Mexico is one of the great — yet underappreciated
AND
costing the United States and Mexican economies many billions of dollars each year.

It’s reverse causal – increasing border infrastructure boosts American manufacturing – integrated manufacturing and economic structure

Leone 12 – Staff Writer for Cronkite News ("Panel says U.S.-Mexico border issues hinder huge economic opportunities", Friday, June 1, 2012¶ By CHRISTOPHER LEONE ¶ Cronkite News, http://cronkitenewsonline.com/2012/06/panel-says-u-s-mexico-border-issues-hinder-huge-economic-opportunities/)

WASHINGTON – The U.S.-Mexico border holds a huge opportunity for increased
AND
. . . the way that economy is now structured," he said.

Manufacturing is the backbone of the economy — it undergirds growth, innovation, knowledge generation and generates a spillover effect

Creticos and Sohnen 13 — Peter A. Creticos, President and Executive Director of the Institute for Workand the Economy, a Chicago-based think tank specializing in national and regionalworkforce and economic development policies. He is also Principal of the policyconsultancy Peter A. Creticos, Ltd. He recently finished a four-year appointmentas Visiting Fellow at the Institute for Latino Studies at the University of NotreDame. Dr. Creticos is an adjunct faculty member of the University of Illinois at ChicagoCollege of Urban Planning and Public Administration, at the Illinois Instituteof Technology Stuart School of Business, and in the Department of Political Scienceand Public Administration at Roosevelt University. Prior to establishing theInstitute in 2000, Dr. Creticos served in senior positions in state and local government and nationaland state nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).Dr. Creticos earned his PhD at the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at NorthwesternUniversity, where he conducted research on job matching. He also earned an MM atNorthwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, an MA in political science from theUniversity of Missouri at St. Louis, and a BA in philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis, and Eleanor Sohnen, Policy Analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, where sheworks for the Regional Migration Study Group. Her research interests include theinteraction of source-country education and workforce systems and migration,and the social and economic integration of intraregional labor migrants in LatinAmerica.Ms. Sohnen previously served as a consultant to the Inter-American DevelopmentBank (IDB), designing and implementing workforce development and capacity-buildingprojects in public employment services and migration management.While at IDB, she coauthored Crossing Borders for Work: New Trends and Policies in Labor Migrationin Latin America and the Caribbean (IDB, 2012); On the Other Side of the Fence: Changing Dynamicsof Migration in the Americas (MPI, 2010); and The Financial Crisis and Latin American and CaribbeanLabor Markets: Risks and Policy Responses (IDB, 2009).She holds a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University’s Nitze School of Advanced InternationalStudies in international relations and international economics with a focus on Latin America anddevelopment economics, and a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from Oberlin College (Peter A. Creticos, Eleanor Sohnen, Wilson Center — Migration Policy Institute, "MANUFACTURING IN THE UNITED STATES,MEXICO, AND CENTRAL AMERICA:Implications for Competitivenessand Migration", January 2013, http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/RMSG-Manufacturing.pdf-http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/RMSG-Manufacturing.pdf)

The importance of manufacturing to the US economy is equaled by its importance in the
AND
may have the potential to maintain or expand employment in the United States. 

Manufacturing is key to the economy

Smil 11 
Vaclav, a Czech-Canadian scientist and policy analyst, He is Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Environment at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, "The Manufacturing of Decline", Summer 2011, thebreakthrough.org/index.php/journal/past-issues/issue-1/the-manufacturing-of-decline/

Manufacturing produces a variety of economic benefits that finance and service sectors do not.
AND
yet another confirmation of the substantial and realistic opportunities for expanding the sector.

US is key to the global economy

Lagarde 13 (Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund. "Strong U.S. Economy, Strong Global Economy—Two Sides of Same Coin" September 19, 2013. www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/survey/so/2013/NEW091913A.htm)

In a world of increasing economic interconnections, the United States’s stake in the global
AND
a harsh new reality" across sectors, countries, and the world.
Global economic decline leads to miscalculation and crisis escalation
Harris and Burrows, ’09 ~Mathew, PhD European History at Cambridge, counselor in the National Intelligence Council (NIC) and Jennifer, member of the NIC’s Long Range Analysis Unit "Revisiting the Future: Geopolitical Effects of the Financial Crisis" http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf-http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf~~

Increased Potential for Global Conflict Of course, the report encompasses more than economics and
AND
within and between states in a more dog-eat-dog world.

Broad studies prove our argument
Royal, ’10 ~2010, Jedediah Royal is the Director of Cooperative Threat Reduction at the U.S. Department of Defense, "Economic Integration, Economic Signaling and the Problem of Economic Crises, Economics of War and Peace: Economic, Legal and Political Perspectives", ed. By Goldsmith and Brauer, p. 213-215~

Less intuitive is how periods of economic decline may increase the likelihood of external conflict
AND
not featured prominently in the economic-security debate and deserves more attention.
The manufacturing industry is critical to tech innovation
Lind, 2012 ~Michael Lind is the policy director of New America’s Economic Growth Program and a co-founder of the New America Foundation. "Value Added: America’s Manufacturing Future," http://growth.newamerica.net/sites/newamerica.net/files/policydocs/Lind,20Michael20and20Freedman,20Joshua20-20NAF20-20Value20Added20America27s20Manufacturing20Future.pdf~

Manufacturing, R26D and the U.S. Innovation Ecosystem Perhaps the
AND
from 20-30 percent in 2007 to 50 percent by 2020.33
Innovation solves great power war
Taylor, 2004~4/1/04, Mark Taylor is a professor of Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "The Politics of Technological Change: International Relations versus Domestic Institutions," http://www.scribd.com/doc/46554792/Taylor~~

Technological innovation is of central importance to the study of international relations (IR),
AND
production, and war, international systems would not exist in the first place

Plan creates new funding which serves as a catalyst for more investment

Mosqueda, Bachelor’s in journalism, 12 ~Priscila, 7-18-12, Texas Observer, "Sister Organizations Continue to Improve Infrastructure Along Border: Binational Institutions Fund Projects to Encourage Economic Growth," http://www.texasobserver.org/sister-organizations-continue-to-improve-infrastructure-along-border/, accessed 6-26-13~

Projects are partially funded by the Bank, with local, state and federal governments
AND
that will improve communities’ quality of life as well as promote economic growth. 

Plan is key to resolve congestion and boost border infrastructure for both the US and Mexico

Wilson 12 (Christopher Wilson, associate at the Mexico Institute of teh Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. "U.S. Competitiveness: The Mexican Connection" 2012. www.issues.org/28.4/p_wilson.html)

Policy for a competitive region¶ The border. With an integrated regional manufacturing sector
AND
entire border would best facilitate the competitiveness of the United States and Mexico.

Plan

Plan: The United States federal government should substantially increase its infrastructure investment toward Mexico through the North American Development Bank.

Solvency

Increasing NADBank investment solves infrastructure development — the plan ensures accountability, private investment, and Mexico says yes.

Rodriguez 9 — Raul Rodriguez, serves as the Chairman of the Board of Advisors of the North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University. He is also the Benson Chair in Banking and Finance and Distinguished Professor at the HEB School of Business and Administration at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas and the President of RMI, an investment and trade consulting firm in Mexico. He served as CEO and Managing Director of the North American Development Bank (NADBank) until October 2005. Prior to joining the NADBank, he was Executive Director of the Mexican Foreign Trade Bank; the Bank’s Director for Asia; Mexico’s Trade Commissioner in Canada during the NAFTA negotiation; and Secretary of Economic Development for the Mexican border State of Tamaulipas. Mr. Rodriguez participates actively in community affairs at home in San Antonio, Texas, as Chairman of the World Affairs Council; Chairman Elect of The Free Trade Alliance; Mayoral appointee to the Board of Directors of the Port Authority of San Antonio; Chairman Elect and Vice President of the San Antonio - Mexico Friendship Council, among others. He is also a founding member of the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations and a member of the Advisory Council of the Harte Research Institute at Texas A26M University, the North American Forum, the U.S. - Mexico Futures Forum and the Border Trade Advisory Committee of the Texas Transportation Commission. He participated in the Foreign Affairs task force with President Calderon’s transition team in Mexico in October and November 2006 (Raul Rodriguez, The Wilson Center Mexico Institute and El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, June 2009, "The Future of the North American Development Bank", http://wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/RODRIGUEZ20NADBANK.pdf-http://wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/RODRIGUEZ NADBANK.pdf, Accessed 08-21-2013)

Many agencies and programs have a bearing on border issues, but the region still
AND
-term funds in a multi-year programming context might be available. 

NAD Bank solves infrastructure on the border and avoids political spending backlash

Balido, 08/29/11 (Nelson Balido—President of the Border Trade Alliance; "Bill to expand NADBank projects holds potential to make big impact for border."; Border Trade Alliance; http://www.thebta.org/btanews/bill-to-expand-nadbank-projects-holds-potential-to-make-big-impact-for-border.html~~23top-http://www.thebta.org/btanews/bill-to-expand-nadbank-projects-holds-potential-to-make-big-impact-for-border.html )

But Congress and the White House don’t have to look far for inspiration for how
AND
area’s quality of life and provide a needed boost to the region’s economy.

Economic rationality is inevitable – Individuals will always attempt to survive off of limited resources.

Shughart, 2006 (William, Professor of Economics at the University of Mississippi, "Terrorism in rational choice perspective," No date listed, latest citation from 2006 home.olemiss.edu/~shughart/Terrorism20in20rational20choice20perspective.pdf~

In the economist’s model of rational human behavior, all individuals are assumed to be
AND
short, amenable to explanation by the economist’s model of demand and supply.

Economics describe the world – Historical analysis proves any alternative dooms us to disastrous consequences.

Morriss, 2008  (Andrew, University of St. Thomas Law Journal, Volume 5, Issue 1 2008 Article 8, "The Necessity of Economics: The Preferential Option for the Poor, Markets, and Environmental Law," http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj-http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj)

Economics offers many insights into how the world around us works, much more than
AND
short, tradeoffs matter, and we need to pay attention to them.

Our epistemology is correct

Weede, 4-
(Erich, professor of sociology at the University of Bonn, Germany, In Winter 1986-87, he was Visiting Professor of International Relations at the Bologna Center of Johns Hopkins University, "BALANCE OF POWER, GLOBALIZATION, AND THE CAPITALIST PEACE," http://www.fnf.org.ph/downloadables/Balance20of20Power,20Globalization20and20Capitalist20Peace.pdf-http://www.fnf.org.ph/downloadables/Balance of Power, Globalization and Capitalist Peace.pdf)
If one does research or summarize the research of others – of course, most
AND
hodgepodge of ambiguous hunches, contradictory thinking, and unsystematically evaluated empirical evidence.

Tournament: Cal RR | Round: 1 | Opponent: Notre Dame AB | Judge: Moczulski, Randall

1AC Cal RR

1AC Economy

The economy is trapped in a cycle of stagnation – collapse is inevitable without manufacturing and jobs growth

Boak 2/9/14
Josh Boak, Associated Press economics Writer. "US economy may be stuck in slow lane for long run" February 9, 2014. news.yahoo.com/us-economy-may-stuck-slow-151732277.html
WASHINGTON (AP) — In the 4½ years since the Great Recession ended
AND
, who has researched eight centuries of crises with her colleague Ken Rogoff.

Border infrastructure is failing—inefficient ports of entry are eroding our competitiveness

Taylor 12/6/13 (Steve Taylor, Rio Grande Guardian, citing Ana Luisa Fajer Flores, director general for North America Affairs in the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Fajer Flores: Border ports of entry simply not efficient enough" December 6, 2013.  www.riograndeguardian.com/business_story.asp?story_no=5)

BROWNSVILLE, December 6 - An official with the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs said
AND
and quality of life. From these we want punctual and precise recommendations."¶ 

Congestion throughout the US-Mexico border region undermines production efficiency—lack of infrastructure thickens traffic creating costly wait times

Lee and Wilson 12 (Erik, Associate Director at the North American Center for Transborder Studies (NACTS) at Arizona State University, and Chris, Associate at the Mexico Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. He develops the Institute’s research and programming on regional economic integration and U.S.-Mexico border affairs. "Whole Nations Waiting" Site Selection Magazine, July 2012. www.siteselection.com/issues/2012/jul/us-mex-border.cfm)

Commerce between the United States and Mexico is one of the great — yet underappreciated
AND
costing the United States and Mexican economies many billions of dollars each year.

A US-Mexico border that doesn’t stifle commerce is critical for our economy—exports generate billions in revenue for our manufacturing sector

Marczak et al 13 
Jason, AS/COA directory of policy, Andreina Seijas, AS/COA policy associate, Leani Garcia, the AS/COA Integration and Immmigration Initiative, "Get the Facts: Five Reasons Why the U.S.-Mexico Border Is Critical to the Economy", July 30 2013, www.as-coa.org/articles/get-facts-five-reasons-why-us-mexico-border-critical-economy
The U.S.-Mexico border offers unparalleled economic opportunities for Americans who live
AND
labor force made up of 3.1 million people. ~18~-http://www.as-coa.org/articles/get-facts-five-reasons-why-us-mexico-border-critical-economy¶ 

Manufacturing is the backbone of the economy — it undergirds growth, innovation, knowledge generation and generates a spillover effect

Creticos and Sohnen 13 — Peter A. Creticos, President and Executive Director of the Institute for Workand the Economy, a Chicago-based think tank specializing in national and regionalworkforce and economic development policies. He is also Principal of the policyconsultancy Peter A. Creticos, Ltd. He recently finished a four-year appointmentas Visiting Fellow at the Institute for Latino Studies at the University of NotreDame. Dr. Creticos is an adjunct faculty member of the University of Illinois at ChicagoCollege of Urban Planning and Public Administration, at the Illinois Instituteof Technology Stuart School of Business, and in the Department of Political Scienceand Public Administration at Roosevelt University. Prior to establishing theInstitute in 2000, Dr. Creticos served in senior positions in state and local government and nationaland state nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).Dr. Creticos earned his PhD at the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at NorthwesternUniversity, where he conducted research on job matching. He also earned an MM atNorthwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, an MA in political science from theUniversity of Missouri at St. Louis, and a BA in philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis, and Eleanor Sohnen, Policy Analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, where sheworks for the Regional Migration Study Group. Her research interests include theinteraction of source-country education and workforce systems and migration,and the social and economic integration of intraregional labor migrants in LatinAmerica.Ms. Sohnen previously served as a consultant to the Inter-American DevelopmentBank (IDB), designing and implementing workforce development and capacity-buildingprojects in public employment services and migration management.While at IDB, she coauthored Crossing Borders for Work: New Trends and Policies in Labor Migrationin Latin America and the Caribbean (IDB, 2012); On the Other Side of the Fence: Changing Dynamicsof Migration in the Americas (MPI, 2010); and The Financial Crisis and Latin American and CaribbeanLabor Markets: Risks and Policy Responses (IDB, 2009).She holds a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University’s Nitze School of Advanced InternationalStudies in international relations and international economics with a focus on Latin America anddevelopment economics, and a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from Oberlin College (Peter A. Creticos, Eleanor Sohnen, Wilson Center — Migration Policy Institute, "MANUFACTURING IN THE UNITED STATES,MEXICO, AND CENTRAL AMERICA:Implications for Competitivenessand Migration", January 2013, http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/RMSG-Manufacturing.pdf-http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/RMSG-Manufacturing.pdf)

The importance of manufacturing to the US economy is equaled by its importance in the
AND
may have the potential to maintain or expand employment in the United States. 

Increasing US manufacturing output prevents a global economic collapse—2008 put us on the brink

Lagarde 13 
Christine, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, speech in front of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, "The Interconnected Gklobal Economy: Challenges and Opportunities for the United States—and the World", Sept 19 2013, www.imf.org/external/np/speeches/2013/091913.htm
The United States plays a unique role in the global economy. I am thinking
AND
economy and a strong global economy are two sides of the same coin.

Global economic decline leads to miscalculation and crisis escalation
Harris and Burrows, ’09 ~Mathew, PhD European History at Cambridge, counselor in the National Intelligence Council (NIC) and Jennifer, member of the NIC’s Long Range Analysis Unit "Revisiting the Future: Geopolitical Effects of the Financial Crisis" http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf-http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf~~

Increased Potential for Global Conflict Of course, the report encompasses more than economics and
AND
within and between states in a more dog-eat-dog world.

Broad studies prove our argument
Royal, ’10 ~2010, Jedediah Royal is the Director of Cooperative Threat Reduction at the U.S. Department of Defense, "Economic Integration, Economic Signaling and the Problem of Economic Crises, Economics of War and Peace: Economic, Legal and Political Perspectives", ed. By Goldsmith and Brauer, p. 213-215~

Less intuitive is how periods of economic decline may increase the likelihood of external conflict
AND
not featured prominently in the economic-security debate and deserves more attention.

Economic rationality is inevitable – Individuals will always attempt to survive off of limited resources.

Shughart, 2006 (William, Professor of Economics at the University of Mississippi, "Terrorism in rational choice perspective," No date listed, latest citation from 2006 home.olemiss.edu/~shughart/Terrorism20in20rational20choice20perspective.pdf~

In the economist’s model of rational human behavior, all individuals are assumed to be
AND
short, amenable to explanation by the economist’s model of demand and supply.

Economics describe the world – Historical analysis proves any alternative dooms us to disastrous consequences.

Morriss, 2008  (Andrew, University of St. Thomas Law Journal, Volume 5, Issue 1 2008 Article 8, "The Necessity of Economics: The Preferential Option for the Poor, Markets, and Environmental Law," http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj-http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj)

Economics offers many insights into how the world around us works, much more than
AND
short, tradeoffs matter, and we need to pay attention to them.

1AC Relations

US-Mexico relations are outdated—engagement re-brands our relationship to focus on economic opportunity—security should not continue to be prioritized

Montealegre 13 
Diplomatic Courier Contributor and a freelancer specializing in Latin American markets, finance, economics, and geopolitics ~Oscar Montealegre (MA in International Relations from the University of Westminster-London and a Certificate in International Trade and Commerce from UCLA), "U.S.-Mexico Relations: Love Thy Neighbor," The Diplomatic Courier, | 24 January 2013, pg. http://www.diplomaticourier.com/news/regions/latin-america/1331
It is not common knowledge that Mexico is the United States’ third largest trading partner
AND
political corruption. But don’t India and China have corruption problems as well?¶ 

Increasing infrastructure investment at the border is key

Pritzker 2/8/14
Penny, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, "Commerce Secretary Pritzker on U.S.-Mexico Economic Relations", Feb 7 2014, iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/texttrans/2014/02/20140208292506.html~23axzz2stYLtlLo
Let me be clear: U.S. businesses are here today, they
AND
challenge, we need to develop a model that is financeable and sustainable.

Actions speak louder than words—a long-term investment prevents Obama from continuing a policy of neglect—the rest of the world is watching

Condon 13 
Staff writer covering the White House for National Journal, citing Lee Hamilton, 17 term congressman, longtime chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, director of the Center on Congress at the University of Indiana, and Ricardo Zuniga, the president’s new top Latin America adviser on the National Security Council, "Why Mexico Will Always Play Second Fiddle," National Journal, Updated: May 9, 2013 | 9:19 p.m. pg. http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/why-mexico-will-always-play-second-fiddle-20130509
It was a dramatic reminder that events—more than even presidents—set agendas
AND
. A new generation of leaders across the hemisphere will be watching expectantly.

Efficient travel across the border enhances ecosystem protection and prevents environmental degradation

PCIC 09
International affairs organization focused on West Coast policy issues, task force co-chaired by Robert Bonner, former commissioner of U.S. CBP and former administrator of the DEA, and Andrés Rozental, former deputy foreign minister of Mexico and founder of the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations, "Managing the United States-Mexico Border: Cooperative Solutions to Common Problems," Pacific Council on International Policy, report by the Binational Task Force on the United States-Mexico Border, 2009,http://pacificcouncil.org/page.aspx?pid=326-http://pacificcouncil.org/page.aspx?pid=326, pp. 8-9)
The 1,952-mile Mexico-U.S. border is unique
AND
along the border, but it is incomplete, uneven, and unsystematic.

It’s key to act—border biodiversity is being drastically lost and reaching points of irreversibility

Van Schoik 04
Rick, teaches international environmental security, science, and policy at San Diego State University, California ("Biodiversity on the U.S.-Mexican Border," World Watch Institute, http://www.worldwatch.org/node/567)-http://www.worldwatch.org/node/567)
The U.S.-Mexican border region has the highest rate of species endangerment
AND
-that the border is starkly visible to people flying over in airliners.

Specifically, Mexico is a key – it supports 12 of world’s species

Geo Mexico 10 (This blog supports Geo-Mexico; the geography and dynamics of modern Mexico, the book by Dr. Richard Rhoda and Tony Burton (Sombrero Books 2010). Geo-Mexico is the first book specifically about the geography of the entire country of Mexico, written in English and aimed at an adult audience, ever published, "Mexico’s mega-biodiversity," http://geo-mexico.com/?p=2765)
People from elsewhere generally think of Mexico as an arid country with lots of cacti. The general impression is that Mexico has relatively little biodiversity in comparison with equator-hugging tropical countries such as Brazil and Indonesia. These impressions could not be farther from the truth. While northern Mexico is indeed arid, many areas in southern Mexico receive over 2,000 mm (80 inches) of annual precipitation, almost entirely in the form of rainfall. The rainiest place in Mexico— Tenango, Oaxaca—receives 5,000 mm (16.4 feet) of rain annually. Mexico’s postage stamps regularly celebrate biodiveristy. Click to enlarge Straddling the Tropic of Cancer, Mexico is a world leader in terms of climate and ecosystem diversity. It is one of the only countries on earth with arid deserts, dry scrublands, temperate forests, high altitude alpine areas, subtropical forests, tropical rainforests and extensive coral reefs. The multitude of ecosystems in Mexico supports a very wide range of biodiversity. Mexico’s vegetation zones. The link is to a pdf map (in color) of vegetation zones. The map (all rights reserved) is a color version of Figure 5.1 in Geo-Mexico. Mexico’s Environmental Ministry (SEMARNAT) indicates that there are over 200,000 different species in Mexico. This is about 10 – 12 of all the species on the planet. About half of all Mexico’s species are endemic; they exist only in Mexico. An unknown number of endemic species were forced to extinction by the intended and unintended importation of Old World species by the Spaniards. The U.N. Environment Programme has identified 17 "megadiverse" countries. The list includes Mexico, the USA, Australia, five South American countries, three African countries, and six Asian counties. Actually, Mexico is among the upper third of this group along with Brazil, Colombia, China, Indonesia and DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo). The other countries on the list are: the USA, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, South Africa, Malagasy Republic, India, Malaysia, The Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Australia.

Extinctions will snowball

CBD 2k9
Center for Biological Diversity, "the extinction crisis," 2009, http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/biodiversity/elements_of_biodiversity/extinction_crisis/index.html-http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/biodiversity/elements_of_biodiversity/extinction_crisis/index.html)

Unlike past mass extinctions, caused by events like asteroid strikes, volcanic eruptions,
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goal of reversing the extinction trend toward species depletion by 2010 ~5-http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/biodiversity/elements_of_biodiversity/extinction_crisis/references.html~~.

Biodiversity loss means extinction – we can’t adapt without it

Knight 12 (Matthew, CNN News Service, siting International Union for Conservation of Nature, "Extinction threat a call to world leaders at Rio summit," 6/20/2012, http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/19/world/rio-red-list-extinction-species/index.html-http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/19/world/rio-red-list-extinction-species/index.html)

The IUCN-http://www.iucn.org/ assessed a total of 63,837 plant and animal species around the
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hasn’t been either priority or resource given to these tasks," he said.

Plan

The United States federal government should substantially increase its infrastructure investment toward Mexico through the North American Development Bank.

1AC Solvency

Increasing NADBank investment solves infrastructure development — the plan ensures accountability, private investment, and Mexico says yes.

Rodriguez 9 — Raul Rodriguez, serves as the Chairman of the Board of Advisors of the North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University. He is also the Benson Chair in Banking and Finance and Distinguished Professor at the HEB School of Business and Administration at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas and the President of RMI, an investment and trade consulting firm in Mexico. He served as CEO and Managing Director of the North American Development Bank (NADBank) until October 2005. Prior to joining the NADBank, he was Executive Director of the Mexican Foreign Trade Bank; the Bank’s Director for Asia; Mexico’s Trade Commissioner in Canada during the NAFTA negotiation; and Secretary of Economic Development for the Mexican border State of Tamaulipas. Mr. Rodriguez participates actively in community affairs at home in San Antonio, Texas, as Chairman of the World Affairs Council; Chairman Elect of The Free Trade Alliance; Mayoral appointee to the Board of Directors of the Port Authority of San Antonio; Chairman Elect and Vice President of the San Antonio - Mexico Friendship Council, among others. He is also a founding member of the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations and a member of the Advisory Council of the Harte Research Institute at Texas A26M University, the North American Forum, the U.S. - Mexico Futures Forum and the Border Trade Advisory Committee of the Texas Transportation Commission. He participated in the Foreign Affairs task force with President Calderon’s transition team in Mexico in October and November 2006 (Raul Rodriguez, The Wilson Center Mexico Institute and El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, June 2009, "The Future of the North American Development Bank", http://wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/RODRIGUEZ20NADBANK.pdf-http://wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/RODRIGUEZ NADBANK.pdf, Accessed 08-21-2013)

Many agencies and programs have a bearing on border issues, but the region still
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approval processes will also be critical in order to foster more private sector participation

. ¶ As new sectors are addressed, it will be crucial to find even more creative ways to mitigate risks, foster long-term financing in the local currency, and leverage funds from different sources. A key role for the NADB will be to help enhance project conditions and provide guarantees in order to link with private financial markets where affordable long-term funds in a multi-year programming context might be available.

Tournament: Districts | Round: 4 | Opponent: GBN CH | Judge: 

1AC NFL

1AC Economy

The economy is trapped in a cycle of stagnation – collapse is inevitable without manufacturing and jobs growth

Boak 2/9/14
Josh Boak, Associated Press economics Writer. "US economy may be stuck in slow lane for long run" February 9, 2014. news.yahoo.com/us-economy-may-stuck-slow-151732277.html
WASHINGTON (AP) — In the 4½ years since the Great Recession ended
AND
, who has researched eight centuries of crises with her colleague Ken Rogoff.

Border infrastructure is failing—inefficient ports of entry are eroding our competitiveness

Taylor 12/6/13 (Steve Taylor, Rio Grande Guardian, citing Ana Luisa Fajer Flores, director general for North America Affairs in the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Fajer Flores: Border ports of entry simply not efficient enough" December 6, 2013.  www.riograndeguardian.com/business_story.asp?story_no=5)

BROWNSVILLE, December 6 - An official with the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs said
AND
and quality of life. From these we want punctual and precise recommendations."¶ 

Congestion throughout the US-Mexico border region undermines production efficiency—lack of infrastructure thickens traffic creating costly wait times

Lee and Wilson 12 (Erik, Associate Director at the North American Center for Transborder Studies (NACTS) at Arizona State University, and Chris, Associate at the Mexico Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. He develops the Institute’s research and programming on regional economic integration and U.S.-Mexico border affairs. "Whole Nations Waiting" Site Selection Magazine, July 2012. www.siteselection.com/issues/2012/jul/us-mex-border.cfm)

Commerce between the United States and Mexico is one of the great — yet underappreciated
AND
costing the United States and Mexican economies many billions of dollars each year.

Only proactive border investment in POEs can but the economy on the path to recovery – increases trade, jobs, and small businesses

Cuellar 3/4/14
Henry, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas’s 28th district, "Investment needed in trade infrastructure", March 4 2014, www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/communities/northeast/article/Investment-needed-in-trade-infrastructure-5285660.php
The impact of international trade can be felt in every town, city, and
AND
our economy would be put on an even stronger path to full recovery.¶ 

A US-Mexico border that doesn’t stifle commerce is critical for our economy—exports generate billions in revenue for our manufacturing sector

Marczak et al 13 
Jason, AS/COA directory of policy, Andreina Seijas, AS/COA policy associate, Leani Garcia, the AS/COA Integration and Immmigration Initiative, "Get the Facts: Five Reasons Why the U.S.-Mexico Border Is Critical to the Economy", July 30 2013, www.as-coa.org/articles/get-facts-five-reasons-why-us-mexico-border-critical-economy
The U.S.-Mexico border offers unparalleled economic opportunities for Americans who live
AND
labor force made up of 3.1 million people. ~18~-http://www.as-coa.org/articles/get-facts-five-reasons-why-us-mexico-border-critical-economy¶ 

Manufacturing is the backbone of the economy — it undergirds growth, innovation, knowledge generation and generates a spillover effect

Creticos and Sohnen 13 — Peter A. Creticos, President and Executive Director of the Institute for Workand the Economy, a Chicago-based think tank specializing in national and regionalworkforce and economic development policies. He is also Principal of the policyconsultancy Peter A. Creticos, Ltd. He recently finished a four-year appointmentas Visiting Fellow at the Institute for Latino Studies at the University of NotreDame. Dr. Creticos is an adjunct faculty member of the University of Illinois at ChicagoCollege of Urban Planning and Public Administration, at the Illinois Instituteof Technology Stuart School of Business, and in the Department of Political Scienceand Public Administration at Roosevelt University. Prior to establishing theInstitute in 2000, Dr. Creticos served in senior positions in state and local government and nationaland state nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).Dr. Creticos earned his PhD at the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at NorthwesternUniversity, where he conducted research on job matching. He also earned an MM atNorthwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, an MA in political science from theUniversity of Missouri at St. Louis, and a BA in philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis, and Eleanor Sohnen, Policy Analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, where sheworks for the Regional Migration Study Group. Her research interests include theinteraction of source-country education and workforce systems and migration,and the social and economic integration of intraregional labor migrants in LatinAmerica.Ms. Sohnen previously served as a consultant to the Inter-American DevelopmentBank (IDB), designing and implementing workforce development and capacity-buildingprojects in public employment services and migration management.While at IDB, she coauthored Crossing Borders for Work: New Trends and Policies in Labor Migrationin Latin America and the Caribbean (IDB, 2012); On the Other Side of the Fence: Changing Dynamicsof Migration in the Americas (MPI, 2010); and The Financial Crisis and Latin American and CaribbeanLabor Markets: Risks and Policy Responses (IDB, 2009).She holds a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University’s Nitze School of Advanced InternationalStudies in international relations and international economics with a focus on Latin America anddevelopment economics, and a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from Oberlin College (Peter A. Creticos, Eleanor Sohnen, Wilson Center — Migration Policy Institute, "MANUFACTURING IN THE UNITED STATES,MEXICO, AND CENTRAL AMERICA:Implications for Competitivenessand Migration", January 2013, http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/RMSG-Manufacturing.pdf-http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/RMSG-Manufacturing.pdf)

The importance of manufacturing to the US economy is equaled by its importance in the
AND
may have the potential to maintain or expand employment in the United States. 

Increasing US manufacturing output prevents a global economic collapse—2008 put us on the brink

Lagarde 13 
Christine, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, speech in front of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, "The Interconnected Gklobal Economy: Challenges and Opportunities for the United States—and the World", Sept 19 2013, www.imf.org/external/np/speeches/2013/091913.htm
The United States plays a unique role in the global economy. I am thinking
AND
economy and a strong global economy are two sides of the same coin.

Global economic decline leads to miscalculation and crisis escalation
Harris and Burrows, ’09 ~Mathew, PhD European History at Cambridge, counselor in the National Intelligence Council (NIC) and Jennifer, member of the NIC’s Long Range Analysis Unit "Revisiting the Future: Geopolitical Effects of the Financial Crisis" http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf-http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf~~

Increased Potential for Global Conflict Of course, the report encompasses more than economics and
AND
within and between states in a more dog-eat-dog world.

Broad studies prove our argument
Royal, ’10 ~2010, Jedediah Royal is the Director of Cooperative Threat Reduction at the U.S. Department of Defense, "Economic Integration, Economic Signaling and the Problem of Economic Crises, Economics of War and Peace: Economic, Legal and Political Perspectives", ed. By Goldsmith and Brauer, p. 213-215~
Less intuitive is how periods of economic decline may increase the likelihood of external conflict
AND
not featured prominently in the economic-security debate and deserves more attention.

Economic rationality is inevitable – Individuals will always attempt to survive off of limited resources.

Shughart, 2006 (William, Professor of Economics at the University of Mississippi, "Terrorism in rational choice perspective," No date listed, latest citation from 2006 home.olemiss.edu/~shughart/Terrorism20in20rational20choice20perspective.pdf~

In the economist’s model of rational human behavior, all individuals are assumed to be
AND
short, amenable to explanation by the economist’s model of demand and supply.

Economics describe the world – Historical analysis proves any alternative dooms us to disastrous consequences.

Morriss, 2008  (Andrew, University of St. Thomas Law Journal, Volume 5, Issue 1 2008 Article 8, "The Necessity of Economics: The Preferential Option for the Poor, Markets, and Environmental Law," http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj-http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj)

Economics offers many insights into how the world around us works, much more than
AND
short, tradeoffs matter, and we need to pay attention to them.

1AC Relations

US-Mexico relations are outdated—engagement re-brands our relationship to focus on economic opportunity—security should not continue to be prioritized

Montealegre 13 
Diplomatic Courier Contributor and a freelancer specializing in Latin American markets, finance, economics, and geopolitics ~Oscar Montealegre (MA in International Relations from the University of Westminster-London and a Certificate in International Trade and Commerce from UCLA), "U.S.-Mexico Relations: Love Thy Neighbor," The Diplomatic Courier, | 24 January 2013, pg. http://www.diplomaticourier.com/news/regions/latin-america/1331
It is not common knowledge that Mexico is the United States’ third largest trading partner
AND
political corruption. But don’t India and China have corruption problems as well?¶ 

Recent trade talks prove that Obama isn’t focusing on improving NAFTA—focusing on domestic trade is needed to overcome recent strains on our relationship

Kuhnhenn 2/19/14
Jim, Associated Press, "Obama in Mexico to meet with N. American leaders", Feb 19 2014, news.yahoo.com/obama-mexico-meet-n-american-180904758.html
TOLUCA, Mexico (AP) — President Barack Obama sought to reassure leaders of
AND
allow companies to submit their documentation to the federal government without paper forms.

Increasing infrastructure investment at the border is key

Pritzker 2/8/14
Penny, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, "Commerce Secretary Pritzker on U.S.-Mexico Economic Relations", Feb 7 2014, iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/texttrans/2014/02/20140208292506.html~23axzz2stYLtlLo
Let me be clear: U.S. businesses are here today, they
AND
challenge, we need to develop a model that is financeable and sustainable.

Actions are more effective than words—a long-term investment prevents Obama from continuing a policy of neglect—the rest of the world is watching

Condon 13 
Staff writer covering the White House for National Journal, citing Lee Hamilton, 17 term congressman, longtime chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, director of the Center on Congress at the University of Indiana, and Ricardo Zuniga, the president’s new top Latin America adviser on the National Security Council, "Why Mexico Will Always Play Second Fiddle," National Journal, Updated: May 9, 2013 | 9:19 p.m. pg. http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/why-mexico-will-always-play-second-fiddle-20130509
It was a dramatic reminder that events—more than even presidents—set agendas
AND
. A new generation of leaders across the hemisphere will be watching expectantly.

U.S.-Mexico relations are independently vital to the success of global democracy promotion — Mexico is the crucial test case.

O’Neil 13 — Shannon K. O’Neil, Senior Fellow for Latin America Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, holds a B.A. from Yale University, an M.A. in International Relations from Yale University, and a Ph.D. in Government from Harvard University, 2013 ("Mexico at the Crossroad," Two Nations Indivisible: Mexico, the United States, and the Road Ahead, Published by Oxford University Press, ISBN 0199898332, p. Kindle 7-11)
Working with Mexico—for the good of both countries—will require not just
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broadening middle class. It also encouraged (albeit unintentionally) Mexico’s democratization. 

Effective democracy promotion is crucial to global stability — it solves the root cause of major impacts.

Miller 12 — Paul D. Miller, Assistant Professor in the Department of Regional
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Issue 2, Available Online to Subscribing Institutions via Taylor 26 Francis Online)
A grand strategy that includes promoting the democratic peace has much to recommend it.
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longer-term efforts to address the underlying challenges to stability and democracy.

Plan

The United States federal government should substantially increase its infrastructure investment toward Mexico through the North American Development Bank.

1AC Solvency

Increasing NADBank investment solves infrastructure development — the plan ensures accountability, private investment, and Mexico says yes.

Rodriguez 9 — Raul Rodriguez, serves as the Chairman of the Board of Advisors of the North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University. He is also the Benson Chair in Banking and Finance and Distinguished Professor at the HEB School of Business and Administration at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas and the President of RMI, an investment and trade consulting firm in Mexico. He served as CEO and Managing Director of the North American Development Bank (NADBank) until October 2005. Prior to joining the NADBank, he was Executive Director of the Mexican Foreign Trade Bank; the Bank’s Director for Asia; Mexico’s Trade Commissioner in Canada during the NAFTA negotiation; and Secretary of Economic Development for the Mexican border State of Tamaulipas. Mr. Rodriguez participates actively in community affairs at home in San Antonio, Texas, as Chairman of the World Affairs Council; Chairman Elect of The Free Trade Alliance; Mayoral appointee to the Board of Directors of the Port Authority of San Antonio; Chairman Elect and Vice President of the San Antonio - Mexico Friendship Council, among others. He is also a founding member of the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations and a member of the Advisory Council of the Harte Research Institute at Texas A26M University, the North American Forum, the U.S. - Mexico Futures Forum and the Border Trade Advisory Committee of the Texas Transportation Commission. He participated in the Foreign Affairs task force with President Calderon’s transition team in Mexico in October and November 2006 (Raul Rodriguez, The Wilson Center Mexico Institute and El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, June 2009, "The Future of the North American Development Bank", http://wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/RODRIGUEZ20NADBANK.pdf-http://wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/RODRIGUEZ NADBANK.pdf, Accessed 08-21-2013)

Many agencies and programs have a bearing on border issues, but the region still
AND
-term funds in a multi-year programming context might be available. 

NAD Bank solves infrastructure on the border and avoids political spending backlash

Balido, 08/29/11 (Nelson Balido—President of the Border Trade Alliance; "Bill to expand NADBank projects holds potential to make big impact for border."; Border Trade Alliance; http://www.thebta.org/btanews/bill-to-expand-nadbank-projects-holds-potential-to-make-big-impact-for-border.html~~23top-http://www.thebta.org/btanews/bill-to-expand-nadbank-projects-holds-potential-to-make-big-impact-for-border.html )

But Congress and the White House don’t have to look far for inspiration for how
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area’s quality of life and provide a needed boost to the region’s economy.

Our epistemology is correct

Weede, 4-
(Erich, professor of sociology at the University of Bonn, Germany, In Winter 1986-87, he was Visiting Professor of International Relations at the Bologna Center of Johns Hopkins University, "BALANCE OF POWER, GLOBALIZATION, AND THE CAPITALIST PEACE," http://www.fnf.org.ph/downloadables/Balance20of20Power,20Globalization20and20Capitalist20Peace.pdf-http://www.fnf.org.ph/downloadables/Balance of Power, Globalization and Capitalist Peace.pdf)
If one does research or summarize the research of others – of course, most
AND
hodgepodge of ambiguous hunches, contradictory thinking, and unsystematically evaluated empirical evidence.

Tournament: Districts | Round: 4 | Opponent: GBN CH | Judge: 

1AC NFL

1AC Economy

The economy is trapped in a cycle of stagnation – collapse is inevitable without manufacturing and jobs growth

Boak 2/9/14
Josh Boak, Associated Press economics Writer. "US economy may be stuck in slow lane for long run" February 9, 2014. news.yahoo.com/us-economy-may-stuck-slow-151732277.html
WASHINGTON (AP) — In the 4½ years since the Great Recession ended
AND
, who has researched eight centuries of crises with her colleague Ken Rogoff.

Border infrastructure is failing—inefficient ports of entry are eroding our competitiveness

Taylor 12/6/13 (Steve Taylor, Rio Grande Guardian, citing Ana Luisa Fajer Flores, director general for North America Affairs in the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Fajer Flores: Border ports of entry simply not efficient enough" December 6, 2013.  www.riograndeguardian.com/business_story.asp?story_no=5)

BROWNSVILLE, December 6 - An official with the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs said
AND
and quality of life. From these we want punctual and precise recommendations."¶ 

Congestion throughout the US-Mexico border region undermines production efficiency—lack of infrastructure thickens traffic creating costly wait times

Lee and Wilson 12 (Erik, Associate Director at the North American Center for Transborder Studies (NACTS) at Arizona State University, and Chris, Associate at the Mexico Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. He develops the Institute’s research and programming on regional economic integration and U.S.-Mexico border affairs. "Whole Nations Waiting" Site Selection Magazine, July 2012. www.siteselection.com/issues/2012/jul/us-mex-border.cfm)

Commerce between the United States and Mexico is one of the great — yet underappreciated
AND
costing the United States and Mexican economies many billions of dollars each year.

Only proactive border investment in POEs can but the economy on the path to recovery – increases trade, jobs, and small businesses

Cuellar 3/4/14
Henry, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas’s 28th district, "Investment needed in trade infrastructure", March 4 2014, www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/communities/northeast/article/Investment-needed-in-trade-infrastructure-5285660.php
The impact of international trade can be felt in every town, city, and
AND
our economy would be put on an even stronger path to full recovery.¶ 

A US-Mexico border that doesn’t stifle commerce is critical for our economy—exports generate billions in revenue for our manufacturing sector

Marczak et al 13 
Jason, AS/COA directory of policy, Andreina Seijas, AS/COA policy associate, Leani Garcia, the AS/COA Integration and Immmigration Initiative, "Get the Facts: Five Reasons Why the U.S.-Mexico Border Is Critical to the Economy", July 30 2013, www.as-coa.org/articles/get-facts-five-reasons-why-us-mexico-border-critical-economy
The U.S.-Mexico border offers unparalleled economic opportunities for Americans who live
AND
labor force made up of 3.1 million people. ~18~-http://www.as-coa.org/articles/get-facts-five-reasons-why-us-mexico-border-critical-economy¶ 

Manufacturing is the backbone of the economy — it undergirds growth, innovation, knowledge generation and generates a spillover effect

Creticos and Sohnen 13 — Peter A. Creticos, President and Executive Director of the Institute for Workand the Economy, a Chicago-based think tank specializing in national and regionalworkforce and economic development policies. He is also Principal of the policyconsultancy Peter A. Creticos, Ltd. He recently finished a four-year appointmentas Visiting Fellow at the Institute for Latino Studies at the University of NotreDame. Dr. Creticos is an adjunct faculty member of the University of Illinois at ChicagoCollege of Urban Planning and Public Administration, at the Illinois Instituteof Technology Stuart School of Business, and in the Department of Political Scienceand Public Administration at Roosevelt University. Prior to establishing theInstitute in 2000, Dr. Creticos served in senior positions in state and local government and nationaland state nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).Dr. Creticos earned his PhD at the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at NorthwesternUniversity, where he conducted research on job matching. He also earned an MM atNorthwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, an MA in political science from theUniversity of Missouri at St. Louis, and a BA in philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis, and Eleanor Sohnen, Policy Analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, where sheworks for the Regional Migration Study Group. Her research interests include theinteraction of source-country education and workforce systems and migration,and the social and economic integration of intraregional labor migrants in LatinAmerica.Ms. Sohnen previously served as a consultant to the Inter-American DevelopmentBank (IDB), designing and implementing workforce development and capacity-buildingprojects in public employment services and migration management.While at IDB, she coauthored Crossing Borders for Work: New Trends and Policies in Labor Migrationin Latin America and the Caribbean (IDB, 2012); On the Other Side of the Fence: Changing Dynamicsof Migration in the Americas (MPI, 2010); and The Financial Crisis and Latin American and CaribbeanLabor Markets: Risks and Policy Responses (IDB, 2009).She holds a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University’s Nitze School of Advanced InternationalStudies in international relations and international economics with a focus on Latin America anddevelopment economics, and a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from Oberlin College (Peter A. Creticos, Eleanor Sohnen, Wilson Center — Migration Policy Institute, "MANUFACTURING IN THE UNITED STATES,MEXICO, AND CENTRAL AMERICA:Implications for Competitivenessand Migration", January 2013, http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/RMSG-Manufacturing.pdf-http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/RMSG-Manufacturing.pdf)

The importance of manufacturing to the US economy is equaled by its importance in the
AND
may have the potential to maintain or expand employment in the United States. 

Increasing US manufacturing output prevents a global economic collapse—2008 put us on the brink

Lagarde 13 
Christine, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, speech in front of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, "The Interconnected Gklobal Economy: Challenges and Opportunities for the United States—and the World", Sept 19 2013, www.imf.org/external/np/speeches/2013/091913.htm
The United States plays a unique role in the global economy. I am thinking
AND
economy and a strong global economy are two sides of the same coin.

Global economic decline leads to miscalculation and crisis escalation
Harris and Burrows, ’09 ~Mathew, PhD European History at Cambridge, counselor in the National Intelligence Council (NIC) and Jennifer, member of the NIC’s Long Range Analysis Unit "Revisiting the Future: Geopolitical Effects of the Financial Crisis" http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf-http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf~~

Increased Potential for Global Conflict Of course, the report encompasses more than economics and
AND
within and between states in a more dog-eat-dog world.

Broad studies prove our argument
Royal, ’10 ~2010, Jedediah Royal is the Director of Cooperative Threat Reduction at the U.S. Department of Defense, "Economic Integration, Economic Signaling and the Problem of Economic Crises, Economics of War and Peace: Economic, Legal and Political Perspectives", ed. By Goldsmith and Brauer, p. 213-215~
Less intuitive is how periods of economic decline may increase the likelihood of external conflict
AND
not featured prominently in the economic-security debate and deserves more attention.

Economic rationality is inevitable – Individuals will always attempt to survive off of limited resources.

Shughart, 2006 (William, Professor of Economics at the University of Mississippi, "Terrorism in rational choice perspective," No date listed, latest citation from 2006 home.olemiss.edu/~shughart/Terrorism20in20rational20choice20perspective.pdf~

In the economist’s model of rational human behavior, all individuals are assumed to be
AND
short, amenable to explanation by the economist’s model of demand and supply.

Economics describe the world – Historical analysis proves any alternative dooms us to disastrous consequences.

Morriss, 2008  (Andrew, University of St. Thomas Law Journal, Volume 5, Issue 1 2008 Article 8, "The Necessity of Economics: The Preferential Option for the Poor, Markets, and Environmental Law," http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj-http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj)

Economics offers many insights into how the world around us works, much more than
AND
short, tradeoffs matter, and we need to pay attention to them.

1AC Relations

US-Mexico relations are outdated—engagement re-brands our relationship to focus on economic opportunity—security should not continue to be prioritized

Montealegre 13 
Diplomatic Courier Contributor and a freelancer specializing in Latin American markets, finance, economics, and geopolitics ~Oscar Montealegre (MA in International Relations from the University of Westminster-London and a Certificate in International Trade and Commerce from UCLA), "U.S.-Mexico Relations: Love Thy Neighbor," The Diplomatic Courier, | 24 January 2013, pg. http://www.diplomaticourier.com/news/regions/latin-america/1331
It is not common knowledge that Mexico is the United States’ third largest trading partner
AND
political corruption. But don’t India and China have corruption problems as well?¶ 

Recent trade talks prove that Obama isn’t focusing on improving NAFTA—focusing on domestic trade is needed to overcome recent strains on our relationship

Kuhnhenn 2/19/14
Jim, Associated Press, "Obama in Mexico to meet with N. American leaders", Feb 19 2014, news.yahoo.com/obama-mexico-meet-n-american-180904758.html
TOLUCA, Mexico (AP) — President Barack Obama sought to reassure leaders of
AND
allow companies to submit their documentation to the federal government without paper forms.

Increasing infrastructure investment at the border is key

Pritzker 2/8/14
Penny, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, "Commerce Secretary Pritzker on U.S.-Mexico Economic Relations", Feb 7 2014, iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/texttrans/2014/02/20140208292506.html~23axzz2stYLtlLo
Let me be clear: U.S. businesses are here today, they
AND
challenge, we need to develop a model that is financeable and sustainable.

Actions are more effective than words—a long-term investment prevents Obama from continuing a policy of neglect—the rest of the world is watching

Condon 13 
Staff writer covering the White House for National Journal, citing Lee Hamilton, 17 term congressman, longtime chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, director of the Center on Congress at the University of Indiana, and Ricardo Zuniga, the president’s new top Latin America adviser on the National Security Council, "Why Mexico Will Always Play Second Fiddle," National Journal, Updated: May 9, 2013 | 9:19 p.m. pg. http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/why-mexico-will-always-play-second-fiddle-20130509
It was a dramatic reminder that events—more than even presidents—set agendas
AND
. A new generation of leaders across the hemisphere will be watching expectantly.

U.S.-Mexico relations are independently vital to the success of global democracy promotion — Mexico is the crucial test case.

O’Neil 13 — Shannon K. O’Neil, Senior Fellow for Latin America Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, holds a B.A. from Yale University, an M.A. in International Relations from Yale University, and a Ph.D. in Government from Harvard University, 2013 ("Mexico at the Crossroad," Two Nations Indivisible: Mexico, the United States, and the Road Ahead, Published by Oxford University Press, ISBN 0199898332, p. Kindle 7-11)
Working with Mexico—for the good of both countries—will require not just
AND
broadening middle class. It also encouraged (albeit unintentionally) Mexico’s democratization. 

Effective democracy promotion is crucial to global stability — it solves the root cause of major impacts.

Miller 12 — Paul D. Miller, Assistant Professor in the Department of Regional
AND
Issue 2, Available Online to Subscribing Institutions via Taylor 26 Francis Online)
A grand strategy that includes promoting the democratic peace has much to recommend it.
AND
longer-term efforts to address the underlying challenges to stability and democracy.

Plan

The United States federal government should substantially increase its infrastructure investment toward Mexico through the North American Development Bank.

1AC Solvency

Increasing NADBank investment solves infrastructure development — the plan ensures accountability, private investment, and Mexico says yes.

Rodriguez 9 — Raul Rodriguez, serves as the Chairman of the Board of Advisors of the North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University. He is also the Benson Chair in Banking and Finance and Distinguished Professor at the HEB School of Business and Administration at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas and the President of RMI, an investment and trade consulting firm in Mexico. He served as CEO and Managing Director of the North American Development Bank (NADBank) until October 2005. Prior to joining the NADBank, he was Executive Director of the Mexican Foreign Trade Bank; the Bank’s Director for Asia; Mexico’s Trade Commissioner in Canada during the NAFTA negotiation; and Secretary of Economic Development for the Mexican border State of Tamaulipas. Mr. Rodriguez participates actively in community affairs at home in San Antonio, Texas, as Chairman of the World Affairs Council; Chairman Elect of The Free Trade Alliance; Mayoral appointee to the Board of Directors of the Port Authority of San Antonio; Chairman Elect and Vice President of the San Antonio - Mexico Friendship Council, among others. He is also a founding member of the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations and a member of the Advisory Council of the Harte Research Institute at Texas A26M University, the North American Forum, the U.S. - Mexico Futures Forum and the Border Trade Advisory Committee of the Texas Transportation Commission. He participated in the Foreign Affairs task force with President Calderon’s transition team in Mexico in October and November 2006 (Raul Rodriguez, The Wilson Center Mexico Institute and El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, June 2009, "The Future of the North American Development Bank", http://wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/RODRIGUEZ20NADBANK.pdf-http://wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/RODRIGUEZ NADBANK.pdf, Accessed 08-21-2013)

Many agencies and programs have a bearing on border issues, but the region still
AND
-term funds in a multi-year programming context might be available. 

NAD Bank solves infrastructure on the border and avoids political spending backlash

Balido, 08/29/11 (Nelson Balido—President of the Border Trade Alliance; "Bill to expand NADBank projects holds potential to make big impact for border."; Border Trade Alliance; http://www.thebta.org/btanews/bill-to-expand-nadbank-projects-holds-potential-to-make-big-impact-for-border.html~~23top-http://www.thebta.org/btanews/bill-to-expand-nadbank-projects-holds-potential-to-make-big-impact-for-border.html )

But Congress and the White House don’t have to look far for inspiration for how
AND
area’s quality of life and provide a needed boost to the region’s economy.

Our epistemology is correct

Weede, 4-
(Erich, professor of sociology at the University of Bonn, Germany, In Winter 1986-87, he was Visiting Professor of International Relations at the Bologna Center of Johns Hopkins University, "BALANCE OF POWER, GLOBALIZATION, AND THE CAPITALIST PEACE," http://www.fnf.org.ph/downloadables/Balance20of20Power,20Globalization20and20Capitalist20Peace.pdf-http://www.fnf.org.ph/downloadables/Balance of Power, Globalization and Capitalist Peace.pdf)
If one does research or summarize the research of others – of course, most
AND
hodgepodge of ambiguous hunches, contradictory thinking, and unsystematically evaluated empirical evidence.

Tournament: Emory | Round: 2 | Opponent: Roswell CL | Judge: Tyler Engler
Renamed the Advantage to "Where the Rubber Meets the Road"

Added this card:

A US-Mexico border that doesn’t stifle commerce is critical for our economy—exports generate billions in revenue for our manufacturing sector

Marczak et al 13 
Jason, AS/COA directory of policy, Andreina Seijas, AS/COA policy associate, Leani Garcia, the AS/COA Integration and Immmigration Initiative, "Get the Facts: Five Reasons Why the U.S.-Mexico Border Is Critical to the Economy", July 30 2013, www.as-coa.org/articles/get-facts-five-reasons-why-us-mexico-border-critical-economy
The U.S.-Mexico border offers unparalleled economic opportunities for Americans who live
AND
labor force made up of 3.1 million people. ~18~-http://www.as-coa.org/articles/get-facts-five-reasons-why-us-mexico-border-critical-economy¶ 

Switched the other US Key to Global Econ card with:

Increasing US manufacturing output prevents a global economic collapse—2008 put us on the brink

Lagarde 13 
Christine, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, speech in front of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, "The Interconnected Gklobal Economy: Challenges and Opportunities for the United States—and the World", Sept 19 2013, www.imf.org/external/np/speeches/2013/091913.htm
The United States plays a unique role in the global economy. I am thinking
AND
economy and a strong global economy are two sides of the same coin.

Also removed the reverse causal card

Tournament: IHSA State | Round: 5 | Opponent: Northside ER | Judge: Elyse Conklin, Nate Sawyer
The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic engagement toward Mexico through the North American Development Bank with regard to border infrastructure.

Tournament: NDCA | Round: 1 | Opponent: Notre Dame | Judge: 

1AC NDCA

1AC Economy

The economy is trapped in a cycle of stagnation – collapse is inevitable without manufacturing and jobs growth

Boak 2/9/14
Josh Boak, Associated Press economics Writer. "US economy may be stuck in slow lane for long run" February 9, 2014. news.yahoo.com/us-economy-may-stuck-slow-151732277.html
WASHINGTON (AP) — In the 4½ years since the Great Recession ended
AND
, who has researched eight centuries of crises with her colleague Ken Rogoff.

Border infrastructure is failing—inefficient ports of entry are eroding our competitiveness

Taylor 12/6/13 (Steve Taylor, Rio Grande Guardian, citing Ana Luisa Fajer Flores, director general for North America Affairs in the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Fajer Flores: Border ports of entry simply not efficient enough" December 6, 2013.  www.riograndeguardian.com/business_story.asp?story_no=5)

BROWNSVILLE, December 6 - An official with the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs said
AND
and quality of life. From these we want punctual and precise recommendations."¶ 

Congestion throughout the US-Mexico border region undermines production efficiency—lack of infrastructure thickens traffic creating costly wait times

Lee and Wilson 12 (Erik, Associate Director at the North American Center for Transborder Studies (NACTS) at Arizona State University, and Chris, Associate at the Mexico Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. He develops the Institute’s research and programming on regional economic integration and U.S.-Mexico border affairs. "Whole Nations Waiting" Site Selection Magazine, July 2012. www.siteselection.com/issues/2012/jul/us-mex-border.cfm)

Commerce between the United States and Mexico is one of the great — yet underappreciated
AND
costing the United States and Mexican economies many billions of dollars each year.

Only proactive border investment in POEs can put the economy on the path to recovery – increases trade, jobs, and small businesses

Cuellar 3/4/14
Henry, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas’s 28th district, "Investment needed in trade infrastructure", March 4 2014, www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/communities/northeast/article/Investment-needed-in-trade-infrastructure-5285660.php
The impact of international trade can be felt in every town, city, and
AND
our economy would be put on an even stronger path to full recovery.¶ 

A US-Mexico border that doesn’t stifle commerce is critical for our economy—exports generate billions in revenue for our manufacturing sector

Marczak et al 13 
Jason, AS/COA directory of policy, Andreina Seijas, AS/COA policy associate, Leani Garcia, the AS/COA Integration and Immmigration Initiative, "Get the Facts: Five Reasons Why the U.S.-Mexico Border Is Critical to the Economy", July 30 2013, www.as-coa.org/articles/get-facts-five-reasons-why-us-mexico-border-critical-economy
The U.S.-Mexico border offers unparalleled economic opportunities for Americans who live
AND
labor force made up of 3.1 million people. ~18~-http://www.as-coa.org/articles/get-facts-five-reasons-why-us-mexico-border-critical-economy¶ 

Manufacturing is the backbone of the economy — it undergirds growth, innovation, knowledge generation and generates a spillover effect

Creticos and Sohnen 13 — Peter A. Creticos, President and Executive Director of the Institute for Workand the Economy, a Chicago-based think tank specializing in national and regionalworkforce and economic development policies. He is also Principal of the policyconsultancy Peter A. Creticos, Ltd. He recently finished a four-year appointmentas Visiting Fellow at the Institute for Latino Studies at the University of NotreDame. Dr. Creticos is an adjunct faculty member of the University of Illinois at ChicagoCollege of Urban Planning and Public Administration, at the Illinois Instituteof Technology Stuart School of Business, and in the Department of Political Scienceand Public Administration at Roosevelt University. Prior to establishing theInstitute in 2000, Dr. Creticos served in senior positions in state and local government and nationaland state nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).Dr. Creticos earned his PhD at the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at NorthwesternUniversity, where he conducted research on job matching. He also earned an MM atNorthwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, an MA in political science from theUniversity of Missouri at St. Louis, and a BA in philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis, and Eleanor Sohnen, Policy Analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, where sheworks for the Regional Migration Study Group. Her research interests include theinteraction of source-country education and workforce systems and migration,and the social and economic integration of intraregional labor migrants in LatinAmerica.Ms. Sohnen previously served as a consultant to the Inter-American DevelopmentBank (IDB), designing and implementing workforce development and capacity-buildingprojects in public employment services and migration management.While at IDB, she coauthored Crossing Borders for Work: New Trends and Policies in Labor Migrationin Latin America and the Caribbean (IDB, 2012); On the Other Side of the Fence: Changing Dynamicsof Migration in the Americas (MPI, 2010); and The Financial Crisis and Latin American and CaribbeanLabor Markets: Risks and Policy Responses (IDB, 2009).She holds a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University’s Nitze School of Advanced InternationalStudies in international relations and international economics with a focus on Latin America anddevelopment economics, and a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from Oberlin College (Peter A. Creticos, Eleanor Sohnen, Wilson Center — Migration Policy Institute, "MANUFACTURING IN THE UNITED STATES,MEXICO, AND CENTRAL AMERICA:Implications for Competitivenessand Migration", January 2013, http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/RMSG-Manufacturing.pdf-http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/RMSG-Manufacturing.pdf)

The importance of manufacturing to the US economy is equaled by its importance in the
AND
may have the potential to maintain or expand employment in the United States. 

Increasing US manufacturing output prevents a global economic collapse—2008 put us on the brink

Lagarde 13 
Christine, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, speech in front of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, "The Interconnected Gklobal Economy: Challenges and Opportunities for the United States—and the World", Sept 19 2013, www.imf.org/external/np/speeches/2013/091913.htm
The United States plays a unique role in the global economy. I am thinking
AND
economy and a strong global economy are two sides of the same coin.

Global economic decline leads to miscalculation and crisis escalation
Harris and Burrows, ’09 ~Mathew, PhD European History at Cambridge, counselor in the National Intelligence Council (NIC) and Jennifer, member of the NIC’s Long Range Analysis Unit "Revisiting the Future: Geopolitical Effects of the Financial Crisis" http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf-http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf~~

Increased Potential for Global Conflict Of course, the report encompasses more than economics and
AND
within and between states in a more dog-eat-dog world.

Broad studies prove our argument
Royal, ’10 ~2010, Jedediah Royal is the Director of Cooperative Threat Reduction at the U.S. Department of Defense, "Economic Integration, Economic Signaling and the Problem of Economic Crises, Economics of War and Peace: Economic, Legal and Political Perspectives", ed. By Goldsmith and Brauer, p. 213-215~
Less intuitive is how periods of economic decline may increase the likelihood of external conflict
AND
not featured prominently in the economic-security debate and deserves more attention.

Economic rationality is inevitable – Individuals will always attempt to survive off of limited resources.

Shughart, 2006 (William, Professor of Economics at the University of Mississippi, "Terrorism in rational choice perspective," No date listed, latest citation from 2006 home.olemiss.edu/~shughart/Terrorism20in20rational20choice20perspective.pdf~

In the economist’s model of rational human behavior, all individuals are assumed to be
AND
short, amenable to explanation by the economist’s model of demand and supply.

Economics describe the world – Historical analysis proves any alternative dooms us to disastrous consequences.

Morriss, 2008  (Andrew, University of St. Thomas Law Journal, Volume 5, Issue 1 2008 Article 8, "The Necessity of Economics: The Preferential Option for the Poor, Markets, and Environmental Law," http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj-http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj)

Economics offers many insights into how the world around us works, much more than
AND
short, tradeoffs matter, and we need to pay attention to them.

1AC Relations

US-Mexico relations are outdated—engagement re-brands our relationship to focus on economic opportunity, not security

Montealegre 13 
Diplomatic Courier Contributor and a freelancer specializing in Latin American markets, finance, economics, and geopolitics ~Oscar Montealegre (MA in International Relations from the University of Westminster-London and a Certificate in International Trade and Commerce from UCLA), "U.S.-Mexico Relations: Love Thy Neighbor," The Diplomatic Courier, | 24 January 2013, pg. http://www.diplomaticourier.com/news/regions/latin-america/1331
It is not common knowledge that Mexico is the United States’ third largest trading partner
AND
political corruption. But don’t India and China have corruption problems as well?¶ 

Recent trade talks prove that Obama isn’t focusing on improving NAFTA—focusing on domestic trade is needed to overcome recent strains on our relationship

Kuhnhenn 2/19/14
Jim, Associated Press, "Obama in Mexico to meet with N. American leaders", Feb 19 2014, news.yahoo.com/obama-mexico-meet-n-american-180904758.html
TOLUCA, Mexico (AP) — President Barack Obama sought to reassure leaders of
AND
allow companies to submit their documentation to the federal government without paper forms.

Increasing infrastructure investment at the border is key

Pritzker 2/8/14
Penny, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, "Commerce Secretary Pritzker on U.S.-Mexico Economic Relations", Feb 7 2014, iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/texttrans/2014/02/20140208292506.html~23axzz2stYLtlLo
Let me be clear: U.S. businesses are here today, they
AND
challenge, we need to develop a model that is financeable and sustainable.

Actions are more effective than words—a long-term investment prevents Obama from continuing a policy of neglect—the rest of the world is watching

Condon 13 
Staff writer covering the White House for National Journal, citing Lee Hamilton, 17 term congressman, longtime chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, director of the Center on Congress at the University of Indiana, and Ricardo Zuniga, the president’s new top Latin America adviser on the National Security Council, "Why Mexico Will Always Play Second Fiddle," National Journal, Updated: May 9, 2013 | 9:19 p.m. pg. http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/why-mexico-will-always-play-second-fiddle-20130509
It was a dramatic reminder that events—more than even presidents—set agendas
AND
. A new generation of leaders across the hemisphere will be watching expectantly.

Efficient travel across the border enhances ecosystem protection and prevents environmental degradation

PCIC 09
International affairs organization focused on West Coast policy issues, task force co-chaired by Robert Bonner, former commissioner of U.S. CBP and former administrator of the DEA, and Andrés Rozental, former deputy foreign minister of Mexico and founder of the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations, "Managing the United States-Mexico Border: Cooperative Solutions to Common Problems," Pacific Council on International Policy, report by the Binational Task Force on the United States-Mexico Border, 2009,http://pacificcouncil.org/page.aspx?pid=326-http://pacificcouncil.org/page.aspx?pid=326, pp. 8-9)
The 1,952-mile Mexico-U.S. border is unique
AND
along the border, but it is incomplete, uneven, and unsystematic.

It’s key to act—border biodiversity is being drastically lost and reaching points of irreversibility

Van Schoik 04
Rick, teaches international environmental security, science, and policy at San Diego State University, California ("Biodiversity on the U.S.-Mexican Border," World Watch Institute, http://www.worldwatch.org/node/567)-http://www.worldwatch.org/node/567)
The U.S.-Mexican border region has the highest rate of species endangerment
AND
-that the border is starkly visible to people flying over in airliners.

Specifically, Mexico is a key – it supports 12 of world’s species

Geo Mexico 10 (This blog supports Geo-Mexico; the geography and dynamics of modern Mexico, the book by Dr. Richard Rhoda and Tony Burton (Sombrero Books 2010). Geo-Mexico is the first book specifically about the geography of the entire country of Mexico, written in English and aimed at an adult audience, ever published, "Mexico’s mega-biodiversity," http://geo-mexico.com/?p=2765)
People from elsewhere generally think of Mexico as an arid country with lots of cacti. The general impression is that Mexico has relatively little biodiversity in comparison with equator-hugging tropical countries such as Brazil and Indonesia. These impressions could not be farther from the truth. While northern Mexico is indeed arid, many areas in southern Mexico receive over 2,000 mm (80 inches) of annual precipitation, almost entirely in the form of rainfall. The rainiest place in Mexico— Tenango, Oaxaca—receives 5,000 mm (16.4 feet) of rain annually. Mexico’s postage stamps regularly celebrate biodiveristy. Click to enlarge Straddling the Tropic of Cancer, Mexico is a world leader in terms of climate and ecosystem diversity. It is one of the only countries on earth with arid deserts, dry scrublands, temperate forests, high altitude alpine areas, subtropical forests, tropical rainforests and extensive coral reefs. The multitude of ecosystems in Mexico supports a very wide range of biodiversity. Mexico’s vegetation zones. The link is to a pdf map (in color) of vegetation zones. The map (all rights reserved) is a color version of Figure 5.1 in Geo-Mexico. Mexico’s Environmental Ministry (SEMARNAT) indicates that there are over 200,000 different species in Mexico. This is about 10 – 12 of all the species on the planet. About half of all Mexico’s species are endemic; they exist only in Mexico. An unknown number of endemic species were forced to extinction by the intended and unintended importation of Old World species by the Spaniards. The U.N. Environment Programme has identified 17 "megadiverse" countries. The list includes Mexico, the USA, Australia, five South American countries, three African countries, and six Asian counties. Actually, Mexico is among the upper third of this group along with Brazil, Colombia, China, Indonesia and DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo). The other countries on the list are: the USA, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, South Africa, Malagasy Republic, India, Malaysia, The Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Australia.

Extinctions will snowball

CBD 2k9
Center for Biological Diversity, "the extinction crisis," 2009, http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/biodiversity/elements_of_biodiversity/extinction_crisis/index.html-http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/biodiversity/elements_of_biodiversity/extinction_crisis/index.html)

Unlike past mass extinctions, caused by events like asteroid strikes, volcanic eruptions,
AND
goal of reversing the extinction trend toward species depletion by 2010 ~5-http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/biodiversity/elements_of_biodiversity/extinction_crisis/references.html~~.

Biodiversity loss means extinction – we can’t adapt without it

Knight 12 (Matthew, CNN News Service, siting International Union for Conservation of Nature, "Extinction threat a call to world leaders at Rio summit," 6/20/2012, http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/19/world/rio-red-list-extinction-species/index.html-http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/19/world/rio-red-list-extinction-species/index.html)

The IUCN-http://www.iucn.org/ assessed a total of 63,837 plant and animal species around the
AND
hasn’t been either priority or resource given to these tasks," he said.

Plan

The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic engagement toward Mexico through the North American Development Bank with regard to border infrastructure.

1AC Solvency

Increasing NADBank investment solves infrastructure development — the plan ensures accountability, private investment, and Mexico says yes.

Rodriguez 9 — Raul Rodriguez, serves as the Chairman of the Board of Advisors of the North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University. He is also the Benson Chair in Banking and Finance and Distinguished Professor at the HEB School of Business and Administration at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas and the President of RMI, an investment and trade consulting firm in Mexico. He served as CEO and Managing Director of the North American Development Bank (NADBank) until October 2005. Prior to joining the NADBank, he was Executive Director of the Mexican Foreign Trade Bank; the Bank’s Director for Asia; Mexico’s Trade Commissioner in Canada during the NAFTA negotiation; and Secretary of Economic Development for the Mexican border State of Tamaulipas. Mr. Rodriguez participates actively in community affairs at home in San Antonio, Texas, as Chairman of the World Affairs Council; Chairman Elect of The Free Trade Alliance; Mayoral appointee to the Board of Directors of the Port Authority of San Antonio; Chairman Elect and Vice President of the San Antonio - Mexico Friendship Council, among others. He is also a founding member of the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations and a member of the Advisory Council of the Harte Research Institute at Texas A26M University, the North American Forum, the U.S. - Mexico Futures Forum and the Border Trade Advisory Committee of the Texas Transportation Commission. He participated in the Foreign Affairs task force with President Calderon’s transition team in Mexico in October and November 2006 (Raul Rodriguez, The Wilson Center Mexico Institute and El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, June 2009, "The Future of the North American Development Bank", http://wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/RODRIGUEZ20NADBANK.pdf-http://wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/RODRIGUEZ NADBANK.pdf, Accessed 08-21-2013)

Many agencies and programs have a bearing on border issues, but the region still
AND
-term funds in a multi-year programming context might be available. 

NAD Bank solves infrastructure on the border and avoids political spending backlash

Balido, 08/29/11 (Nelson Balido—President of the Border Trade Alliance; "Bill to expand NADBank projects holds potential to make big impact for border."; Border Trade Alliance; http://www.thebta.org/btanews/bill-to-expand-nadbank-projects-holds-potential-to-make-big-impact-for-border.html~~23top-http://www.thebta.org/btanews/bill-to-expand-nadbank-projects-holds-potential-to-make-big-impact-for-border.html )

But Congress and the White House don’t have to look far for inspiration for how
AND
area’s quality of life and provide a needed boost to the region’s economy.

Our epistemology is correct

Weede, 4-
(Erich, professor of sociology at the University of Bonn, Germany, In Winter 1986-87, he was Visiting Professor of International Relations at the Bologna Center of Johns Hopkins University, "BALANCE OF POWER, GLOBALIZATION, AND THE CAPITALIST PEACE," http://www.fnf.org.ph/downloadables/Balance20of20Power,20Globalization20and20Capitalist20Peace.pdf-http://www.fnf.org.ph/downloadables/Balance of Power, Globalization and Capitalist Peace.pdf)
If one does research or summarize the research of others – of course, most
AND
hodgepodge of ambiguous hunches, contradictory thinking, and unsystematically evaluated empirical evidence.

Tournament: TOC | Round: 2 | Opponent: ACORN AJ | Judge: Liam Hancock

1AC TOC Round 2

Plan

The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic engagement toward Mexico through the North American Development Bank with regard to border infrastructure.

1AC Relations

US-Mexico relations are outdated—engagement re-brands our relationship to focus on economic opportunity, not security

Montealegre 13 
Diplomatic Courier Contributor and a freelancer specializing in Latin American markets, finance, economics, and geopolitics ~Oscar Montealegre (MA in International Relations from the University of Westminster-London and a Certificate in International Trade and Commerce from UCLA), "U.S.-Mexico Relations: Love Thy Neighbor," The Diplomatic Courier, | 24 January 2013, pg. http://www.diplomaticourier.com/news/regions/latin-america/1331
It is not common knowledge that Mexico is the United States’ third largest trading partner
AND
political corruption. But don’t India and China have corruption problems as well?¶ 

Recent trade talks prove that Obama isn’t focusing on improving NAFTA—focusing on domestic trade is needed to overcome recent strains on our relationship

Kuhnhenn 2/19/14
Jim, Associated Press, "Obama in Mexico to meet with N. American leaders", Feb 19 2014, news.yahoo.com/obama-mexico-meet-n-american-180904758.html
TOLUCA, Mexico (AP) — President Barack Obama sought to reassure leaders of
AND
allow companies to submit their documentation to the federal government without paper forms.

Increasing infrastructure investment at the border is key

Pritzker 2/8/14
Penny, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, "Commerce Secretary Pritzker on U.S.-Mexico Economic Relations", Feb 7 2014, iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/texttrans/2014/02/20140208292506.html~23axzz2stYLtlLo
Let me be clear: U.S. businesses are here today, they
AND
challenge, we need to develop a model that is financeable and sustainable.

Actions are more effective than words—a long-term investment prevents Obama from continuing a policy of neglect—the rest of the world is watching

Condon 13 
Staff writer covering the White House for National Journal, citing Lee Hamilton, 17 term congressman, longtime chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, director of the Center on Congress at the University of Indiana, and Ricardo Zuniga, the president’s new top Latin America adviser on the National Security Council, "Why Mexico Will Always Play Second Fiddle," National Journal, Updated: May 9, 2013 | 9:19 p.m. pg. http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/why-mexico-will-always-play-second-fiddle-20130509
It was a dramatic reminder that events—more than even presidents—set agendas
AND
. A new generation of leaders across the hemisphere will be watching expectantly.

Efficient travel across the border enhances ecosystem protection and prevents environmental degradation

PCIC 09
International affairs organization focused on West Coast policy issues, task force co-chaired by Robert Bonner, former commissioner of U.S. CBP and former administrator of the DEA, and Andrés Rozental, former deputy foreign minister of Mexico and founder of the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations, "Managing the United States-Mexico Border: Cooperative Solutions to Common Problems," Pacific Council on International Policy, report by the Binational Task Force on the United States-Mexico Border, 2009,http://pacificcouncil.org/page.aspx?pid=326-http://pacificcouncil.org/page.aspx?pid=326, pp. 8-9)
The 1,952-mile Mexico-U.S. border is unique
AND
along the border, but it is incomplete, uneven, and unsystematic.

It’s key to act—border biodiversity is being drastically lost and reaching points of irreversibility

Van Schoik 04
Rick, teaches international environmental security, science, and policy at San Diego State University, California ("Biodiversity on the U.S.-Mexican Border," World Watch Institute, http://www.worldwatch.org/node/567)-http://www.worldwatch.org/node/567)
The U.S.-Mexican border region has the highest rate of species endangerment
AND
-that the border is starkly visible to people flying over in airliners.

Focusing on border fencing is hurting the environment

Koleff et al 07
Dr. Patricia, Director of Analysis and Priorities at the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity in Mexico (CONABIO), Adres Lira-Noriega, Tania Urquiza, and Eduardo Morales, "Priorities for Biodiversity Conservation in Mexico’s Nofrthern Border", Most recent cited article, www2.inecc.gob.mx/publicaciones/libros/519/cap11.pdf
Invasive exotic species constitute another serious threat. The arid and¶ semi-arid
AND
Rich et al. 2006) due to the effects of night lighting.

Mexico’s border region is a biodiversity hotspot

Koleff et al 07
Dr. Patricia, Director of Analysis and Priorities at the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity in Mexico (CONABIO), Adres Lira-Noriega, Tania Urquiza, and Eduardo Morales, "Priorities for Biodiversity Conservation in Mexico’s Nofrthern Border", Most recent cited article, www2.inecc.gob.mx/publicaciones/libros/519/cap11.pdf
Despite its popularized image as a lifeless inhospitable desert, Mexico’s northernmost region, which
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political boundaries but with the physiographical, climate and soil conditions among others.

Specifically, Mexico is a key – it supports 12 of world’s species

Geo Mexico 10 (This blog supports Geo-Mexico; the geography and dynamics of modern Mexico, the book by Dr. Richard Rhoda and Tony Burton (Sombrero Books 2010). Geo-Mexico is the first book specifically about the geography of the entire country of Mexico, written in English and aimed at an adult audience, ever published, "Mexico’s mega-biodiversity," http://geo-mexico.com/?p=2765)
People from elsewhere generally think of Mexico as an arid country with lots of cacti. The general impression is that Mexico has relatively little biodiversity in comparison with equator-hugging tropical countries such as Brazil and Indonesia. These impressions could not be farther from the truth. While northern Mexico is indeed arid, many areas in southern Mexico receive over 2,000 mm (80 inches) of annual precipitation, almost entirely in the form of rainfall. The rainiest place in Mexico— Tenango, Oaxaca—receives 5,000 mm (16.4 feet) of rain annually. Mexico’s postage stamps regularly celebrate biodiveristy. Click to enlarge Straddling the Tropic of Cancer, Mexico is a world leader in terms of climate and ecosystem diversity. It is one of the only countries on earth with arid deserts, dry scrublands, temperate forests, high altitude alpine areas, subtropical forests, tropical rainforests and extensive coral reefs. The multitude of ecosystems in Mexico supports a very wide range of biodiversity. Mexico’s vegetation zones. The link is to a pdf map (in color) of vegetation zones. The map (all rights reserved) is a color version of Figure 5.1 in Geo-Mexico. Mexico’s Environmental Ministry (SEMARNAT) indicates that there are over 200,000 different species in Mexico. This is about 10 – 12 of all the species on the planet. About half of all Mexico’s species are endemic; they exist only in Mexico. An unknown number of endemic species were forced to extinction by the intended and unintended importation of Old World species by the Spaniards. The U.N. Environment Programme has identified 17 "megadiverse" countries. The list includes Mexico, the USA, Australia, five South American countries, three African countries, and six Asian counties. Actually, Mexico is among the upper third of this group along with Brazil, Colombia, China, Indonesia and DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo). The other countries on the list are: the USA, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, South Africa, Malagasy Republic, India, Malaysia, The Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Australia.

Extinctions will snowball

CBD 2k9
Center for Biological Diversity, "the extinction crisis," 2009, http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/biodiversity/elements_of_biodiversity/extinction_crisis/index.html-http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/biodiversity/elements_of_biodiversity/extinction_crisis/index.html)

Unlike past mass extinctions, caused by events like asteroid strikes, volcanic eruptions,
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goal of reversing the extinction trend toward species depletion by 2010 ~5-http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/biodiversity/elements_of_biodiversity/extinction_crisis/references.html~~.

Biodiversity loss means extinction – we can’t adapt without it

Knight 12 (Matthew, CNN News Service, siting International Union for Conservation of Nature, "Extinction threat a call to world leaders at Rio summit," 6/20/2012, http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/19/world/rio-red-list-extinction-species/index.html-http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/19/world/rio-red-list-extinction-species/index.html)

The IUCN-http://www.iucn.org/ assessed a total of 63,837 plant and animal species around the
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hasn’t been either priority or resource given to these tasks," he said.

Independently, Biodiversity has intrinsic value that must be protected and considered in policy discussions

Ghilarov 2k (Alexei Ghiralov, dept. of General Economy, Biological Faculty of M.V. Lomonosov Moscow University. "Ecosystem functioning and intrinsic value of biodiversity" 2000. http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/3547152.pdf?acceptTC=true26acceptTC=true26jpdConfirm=true)

I completely agree with Ehrlich (1997) who charged ¶ professional ecologists with not
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that is probably worth protection no less than the ¶ heritage of our culture

Environmental management like creates better solutions not error replication

Harris 7 
Adjunct Prf. @ Centre for Environment University of Tasmania
Graham, Seeking Sustainability in an age of complexity p. 235-236
In global science and remote sensing programmes there is a need for techno- logical
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practice, it is important to be able to make the decision ’stick’. 

Individual solutions fail without governmental oversight – public policy changes are needed

Hezri 12/17/13 – Program Director for the Technology, Innovation, Environment and Sustainability division at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (Adnan A. Hezri, "To change policy, win power" ROUNDTABLE: ENERGY IMPERATIVES, ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS, December 17 2013, http://thebulletin.org/energy-imperatives-environmental-awareness/change-policy-win-power)
Two of the solutions most frequently offered for addressing the "energy trilemma" of
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prevent societies from prospering. Environmentalists must accept that life is for living.

Failure to use rational economic calculations destroys the environment – studies prove mindset shifts in human behaviour only come as a result of political economic calculations, not symbolic or ethical demands*

Thompson, Natural Resource Law Professor at Stanford, ’3 (Barton, Fall, "What Good is Economics" UC Davis Law Review, Vol 37 Pt 1, p 175-202, lexis)
Even the environmental moralist who eschews any normative use of economics may find economics valuable
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ignores this tool in trying to improve the environment is doomed to frustration.

1AC Solvency

Increasing NADBank investment solves infrastructure development — the plan ensures accountability, private investment, and Mexico says yes.

Rodriguez 9 — Raul Rodriguez, serves as the Chairman of the Board of Advisors of the North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University. He is also the Benson Chair in Banking and Finance and Distinguished Professor at the HEB School of Business and Administration at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas and the President of RMI, an investment and trade consulting firm in Mexico. He served as CEO and Managing Director of the North American Development Bank (NADBank) until October 2005. Prior to joining the NADBank, he was Executive Director of the Mexican Foreign Trade Bank; the Bank’s Director for Asia; Mexico’s Trade Commissioner in Canada during the NAFTA negotiation; and Secretary of Economic Development for the Mexican border State of Tamaulipas. Mr. Rodriguez participates actively in community affairs at home in San Antonio, Texas, as Chairman of the World Affairs Council; Chairman Elect of The Free Trade Alliance; Mayoral appointee to the Board of Directors of the Port Authority of San Antonio; Chairman Elect and Vice President of the San Antonio - Mexico Friendship Council, among others. He is also a founding member of the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations and a member of the Advisory Council of the Harte Research Institute at Texas A26M University, the North American Forum, the U.S. - Mexico Futures Forum and the Border Trade Advisory Committee of the Texas Transportation Commission. He participated in the Foreign Affairs task force with President Calderon’s transition team in Mexico in October and November 2006 (Raul Rodriguez, The Wilson Center Mexico Institute and El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, June 2009, "The Future of the North American Development Bank", http://wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/RODRIGUEZ20NADBANK.pdf-http://wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/RODRIGUEZ NADBANK.pdf, Accessed 08-21-2013)

Many agencies and programs have a bearing on border issues, but the region still
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-term funds in a multi-year programming context might be available. 

NAD Bank solves infrastructure on the border and avoids political spending backlash

Balido, 08/29/11 (Nelson Balido—President of the Border Trade Alliance; "Bill to expand NADBank projects holds potential to make big impact for border."; Border Trade Alliance; http://www.thebta.org/btanews/bill-to-expand-nadbank-projects-holds-potential-to-make-big-impact-for-border.html~~23top-http://www.thebta.org/btanews/bill-to-expand-nadbank-projects-holds-potential-to-make-big-impact-for-border.html )

But Congress and the White House don’t have to look far for inspiration for how
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area’s quality of life and provide a needed boost to the region’s economy.

Tournament: Greenhill Round-Robin | Round: 7 | Opponent: Bronx Law AL | Judge: Evans, Kirk Osbourne, Martin

1AC

Contention 1 is the Environment

Joint cooperation between the United States and Mexico is key to building up renewable energy

Donnelly, June 28^th, 2010 (Robert Donnelly is the Program Associate for the Mexico Institute, Wilson Center; and#34;U.S.-Mexico Cooperation on Renewable Energy: Building a Green Agendaand#34;; New Security Beat; http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/2010/06/u-s-mexico-cooperation-on-renewable-energy-building-a-green-agenda/-http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/2010/06/u-s-mexico-cooperation-on-renewable-energy-building-a-green-agenda/)
Could joint green-energy development help improve relations between the United States and Mexico
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points for a broader U.S.-Mexico dialogue, she remarked.

Mexican tech spreads globally – strong international ties

Storrs 6 (K. Larry Storrs, Specialist in Latin American Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division of CRS, 1/18/2006 and#34;Mexico’s Importance and Multiple Relationships with the United Statesand#34;, http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL33244_20060118.pdf-http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL33244_20060118.pdf)
While Mexico is strongly linked to the United States and to Latin America, it
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America in a still-to-be-approved enlarged Security Council.

Shift to renewables vital to solve warming

Leonhardt, 12 – Washington bureau chief of the New York Times (David, 7/21. and#34;There’s Still Hope for the Planet.and#34; http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/22/sunday-review/a-ray-of-hope-on-climate-change.html)
Behind the scenes, however, a somewhat different story is starting to emerge —
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pricing, and#34;so it does make sense to think about other things.and#34;

Warming exacerbates poverty and disproportionately affects developing countries

Layton 6 (Fran – Council of Record — BRIEF OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN THE U.S.A., CHURCH WORLD SERVICE, AND NATIONAL CATHOLIC RURAL LIFE CONFERENCE AS AMICI CURIAE IN SUPPORT OF PETITIONERS — COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS , et al., Petitioners, v. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY , et al., Respondents. – Sept 5^th — http://www.eenews.net/features/documents/2006/09/05/document_gw_06.pdf)
These manifestations of a warming climate have potentially dire consequences for humanity. Their most
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years has left hundreds dead each year, especially among the elderly.32 

Renewable energy is at the forefront of addressing energy poverty

UNIDO 9- (UNIDO is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability, and#34;Mexico Forum: renewable energies key to solving developing world’s energy poverty, sustainable developmentand#34;, October 7, 2009, http://www.unido.org/news/press/mexico-dev.html)
Swift global action is needed to address energy poverty in the developing world, and
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thermal energy for heat and cooking, and mechanical power for productive uses.

Energy access is fundamental – decreases poverty, allows safe access to cheap food, increases educational attainment, prevents child mortality, limits disease and is a necessary investment for achieving gender equality

Tully 6 – PhD from London School of Economics
(Stephen Tully, and#34;The Contribution of Human Rights to Universal Energy Access,and#34; Northwestern Journal of International Human Rights, 4.3, Scholar)
Although providing essential infrastructure services was omitted as an explicit target, access to energy
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to all at an affordable price and on an equitable basis.and#34; 7 3

Energy poverty is social injustice

Moss et.al. 11(Jeremy Moss, Michael McMann, Jessica Rae, Andrea Zipprich, Darryl R.J. Macer, Aori R. Nyambati, Diana Ngo, MingMing Cheng, N. Manohar, and Gregor Wolbring are all members of the working group on the Evaluating Climate Change Adaptation Projects (ECCAP), a five-years initiative of the International Climate Change Information Programme (ICCIP), and#34;Energy Equity and Environmental Securityand#34;, http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002182/218271E.pdf-http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002182/218271E.pdf, A.S.)
Social justice, broadly construed, consists in the distribution of benefits and burdens.
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¶ of energy should be considered an important resource in its own right.

Plan: The United States federal government should engage in joint cooperative development of renewable energy with the government of Mexico.

Contention 2 is the State

THE AFF IS NOT JUST FIAT – VINAY AND I RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE NOT LITERAL POLICYMAKERS – BUT WE THINK A PRODUCTIVE DISCUSSION OF ENGAGING INSTITUTIONS IS CRITICAL TO EFFECTIVELY ADDRESSING AND CHANGING POLITICS

Wight – Professor of IR @ University of Sydney – 6
(Colin, Agents, Structures and International Relations: Politics as Ontology, pgs. 48-50
One important aspect of this relational ontology is that these relations constitute our identity as
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upon it, upon its specific characteristics, its constants and its variables’.

Changing organizational strategies to better deal with political realities is key to the effectiveness of movements including over the environment

Skocpol 2013 – professor in political science at Harvard (January, Theda, and#34;NAMING THE PROBLEM   What It Will Take to Counter Extremism and   Engage Americans in the Fight against Global Warmingand#34; http://www.scholarsstrategynetwork.org/sites/default/files/skocpol_captrade_report_january_2013y.pdf-http://www.scholarsstrategynetwork.org/sites/default/files/skocpol_captrade_report_january_2013y.pdf)
For America’s professional environmentalists it is profoundly disorienting to pull   punches linguistically or in terms
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will be needed, based on new understandings of political obstacles and   opportunities. 

Understanding the differences between branches is key to picking the best targets for our activism

Cole 2011 - Professor, Georgetown University Law Center (Winter, David, and#34;WHERE LIBERTY LIES: CIVIL SOCIETY AND INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AFTER 9/11,and#34; 57 Wayne L. Rev. 1203, Lexis)
Unlike the majoritarian electoral politics Posner and Vermeule imagine, the work of civil society
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litigation’s outcome, which in turn contributed to a broader impetus for reform.

Forcing specific policy analysis is key – it allows state institutions to be reclaimed and generates debater education necessary to create a left governmentality that is necessary to create a public sphere

Ferguson, Professor of Anthropology at Stanford, 11
(The Uses of Neoliberalism, Antipode, Vol. 41, No. S1, pp 166–184)
If we are seeking, as this special issue of Antipode aspires to do,
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some rather useful little mechanisms may be nearer to hand than we thought.

A focus on policy is necessary to learn the pragmatic details of powerful institutions – acting without this knowledge is doomed to fail in the face of policy pros who know what they’re talking about

McClean 01 SOCIETY FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AMERICAN PHILOSOPHY – GRADUATE AND PHILOSOPHER – NYU, and#34;THE CULTURAL LEFT AND THE LIMITS OF SOCIAL HOPEand#34;, http://www.american-philosophy.org/archives/200120Conference/Discussion20papers/david_mcclean.htm~~
Leftist American culture critics might put their considerable talents to better use if they bury
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critics with their snobish disrespect for the so-called and#34;managerial class.and#34;

Causal chains in the 1AC verify our truth claims – assumptions about the world are validated by the results of our research and analysis – our form of knowledge does not produce value claims it is the result of validated value claims*

Fluck, PhD in International Politics from Aberystwyth, ’10 (Matthew, November, and#34;Truth, Values and the Value of Truth in Critical International Relations Theoryand#34; Millennium Journal of International Studies, Vol 39 No 2, SagePub)
Critical Realists arrive at their understanding of truth by inverting the post-positivist attitude
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. 44 It therefore remains possible to pursue the truth about social reality.

Only the affirmative inaugurates a national energy strategy necessary to overcome public misconceptions and hamstrung approaches

Greenberg and Truelove 10
(Michael, School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers and Heather,  Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and the Environment, Energy Choices and Risk Beliefs: Is It Just Global Warming and Fear of a Nuclear Power Plant Accident?, Risk Analysis, 31.5 May)
Any broader importance that may be attached to these observations implies two challenges. One
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framework that makes sense, even if parts of it are personally painful.

The state is the only viable actor in environmental politics.  Any anti-statist environmentalist struggles guarantees continual oppression of the impoverished and mass violence

Taylor 2k – Professor of Social Ethics
Bron, Professor of Religion 26 Social Ethics, Director of Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, BENENEATH THE SURFACE: CRITICAL ESSAYS IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF DEEP ECOLOGY, P. 282-284)

A more trenchant problem is how bioregionalists (and the anarchists who influenced their most
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, the most beautiful bioregional experiments and models will be overwhelmed and futile.

Tournament: Valley | Round: 4 | Opponent: Millard West | Judge: Jeffrey Ding

Plan Text

The United States federal government should substantially increase its technical and regulatory assistance for joint deep water drilling toward Mexico along the US-Mexico maritime border.

Contention 1: Oil Spills

Absent the plan, oil spills are inevitable

Shields 12 – David is an independent energy analyst based in Mexico City, quoted by the Inter-American Dialogue. (and#34;Q and A: Is Mexico Prepared for Deepwater Drilling in the Gulf?and#34; Inter-American Dialogue, February 20-24, http://repository.unm.edu/bitstream/handle/1928/20477/Is20Mexico20Prepared20for20Deepwater20Drilling20in20the20Gulf.pdf?sequence=1)
and#34;They say that if a country does not defend its borders, then others
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has come and gone. The next disaster is just waiting to happen.and#34;

The plan is key—joint inspections and US expertise are unique

Broder and Krauss 12 – John M. Broder reported from Washington, and Clifford Krauss from Houston, both for the New York Times. (and#34;U.S. in Accord With Mexico on Drillingand#34;, February 20, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/21/world/americas/mexico-and-us-agree-on-oil-and-gas-development-in-gulf.html?_r=1andref=americas-http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/21/world/americas/mexico-and-us-agree-on-oil-and-gas-development-in-gulf.html?_r=1andref=americas)
WASHINGTON — The United States and Mexico reached agreement on Monday on regulating oil and
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to argue that his policies have led to a surge in domestic production.

Regardless of regulations, joint inspections solve

Baker 12 – George is the publisher of Mexico Energy Intelligence. (and#34;Q and A: Is Mexico Prepared for Deepwater Drilling in the Gulf?and#34; Inter-American Dialogue, February 20-24, http://repository.unm.edu/bitstream/handle/1928/20477/Is20Mexico20Prepared20for20Deepwater20Drilling20in20the20Gulf.pdf?sequence=1)
and#34;The serious issues of corporate governance and regulation in the shadow of the Macondo
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safety and occupational safety to be carried out separately, by different teams.and#34;

The plan spills over the environmental protection in the entire Gulf of Mexico

Velarde 12 – Attorney and Counselor-at-Law, admitted in Mexico in 1988, and in the State of New York in 1991. Mr. López-Velarde held various positions at Pemex during 1988-1993, including that of Financial Advisor to the Finance Department, In-House Counsel in Houston, Texas, In-House Counsel in New York, and Head of the International Legal Department of Pemex. He was honored with the and#34;Most Distinguished Attorney Awardand#34; of Pemex for the period 1990-1991. (and#34;US-Mexican treaty on Gulf of Mexico transboundary reservoirsand#34;, International Law Office, March 19, 2012, http://www.internationallawoffice.com/newsletters/detail.aspx?g=b9326bf8-f27f-43ff-b45a-1b2b70ccb217)
Pemex has indicated that it has no information to confirm the existence of a transboundary
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) would agree to harmonise applicable standards only in respect of transboundary reservoirs.

Resiliency does not apply to Gulf Coast ecosystems—another spill will destroy marine biodiversity

Craig 11 (Robin Kundis Craig, Attorneys’ Title Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Environmental Programs, Florida State University College of Law, Tallahassee, Florida, 12/20/11 and#34;Legal Remedies for Deep Marine Oil Spills and Long-Term Ecological Resilience: A Match Made in Helland#34; http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1906839-http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1906839)
Importantly, however, the second aspect of resilience theory acknowledges that ecosystems can exist
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tourism~ and the environment on which they depend for future generations.and#34;168

There’s an invisible threshold

Craig 11 (Robin Kundis Craig, Attorneys’ Title Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Environmental Programs, Florida State University College of Law, Tallahassee, Florida, 12/20/11 and#34;Legal Remedies for Deep Marine Oil Spills and Long-Term Ecological Resilience: A Match Made in Helland#34; http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1906839-http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1906839)
What would happen instead if we incorporated full resilience theory into our laws? As
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actions do to the ecosystems that we both impact and depend upon.185

The Gulf is a key biodiversity hotspot

Brenner 8 – Jorge Brenner, March 14th, 2008, and#34;Guarding the Gulf of Mexico’s valuable resourcesand#34; www.scidev.net/en/opinions/guarding-the-gulf-of-mexico-s-valuable-resources.html
Rich in biodiversity and habitats¶ The Gulf of Mexico is rich in biodiversity and
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in the North Atlantic that helps to regulate the climate of western Europe.

Extinction

Clark and Downes 6
Dana Clark, Center for International Environmental Law, and David Downes, US Interior Dept. Policy Analysis Senior Trade Advisor, 2006, What price biodiversity?, http://www.ciel.org/Publications/summary.html
Biodiversity is the diversity of life on earth, on which we depend for our
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we lose the opportunity for mental or spiritual rejuvenation through contact with nature.

Sea-turtles in the gulf are uniquely key to human survival

Todd Steiner, xx-xx-2010, Sea Turtle Restoration Project, Executive Director at Turtle Island Restoration Network, San Francisco Bay Area, and#34;Are Sea Turtles Worth Saving?and#34; http://www.bonaireturtles.org/explore/are-sea-turtles-worth-saving/

Sea turtles demonstrate the ultimate lesson of ecology – that everything is connected. Sea
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important. Put the clock back together and see if it still works.

Ocean biodiversity is the fundamental building block for all life

Craig 3 (Robin Kundis Craig, Associate Professor of Law, Indiana University School of Law, 2k3 34 McGeorge L. Rev. 155)
Biodiversity and ecosystem function arguments for conserving marine ecosystems also exist, just as they
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- even if a few fishers go out of business as a result. 

Contention 2: Pemex

PEMEX is declining – production and investment are needed

WSJ 8/14 (Wall Street Journal. and#34;Mexico’s Petro Flopand#34; August 14, 2013. online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324348504578609882936424460)
What if you held an auction and there were no bidders for half of the
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needs won’t take on the risks of drilling without the upside of ownership.

PEMEX decline will drive Mexico into a financial crisis

Krauss and Malkin 10 
Clifford Kraus and Elisabeth Malkin, Krauss is a national business correspondent based in Houston covering energy for the NYT, Malkin covers environmental and energy news especially for Mexico for the NYT, March 8, 2010, and#34;Mexico Oil Politics Keeps Riches Just Out of Reachand#34;, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/business/global/09pemex.html?pagewanted=all26_r=0-http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/business/global/09pemex.html?pagewanted=all26_r=0.
VENUSTIANO CARRANZA, Mexico — To the Mexican people, one of the great achievements
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, Pemex is in a key moment in its history,and#34; he said.
PEMEX is independently key to the Mexican economy
Samples and Vittor 12 (Tim R. and Jose Luis, associate and partners at Hogan Lovells US LLP, and#34;Energy Reform and the Future of Mexico’s Oil Industry: The Pemex Bidding Rounds and Integrated Service Contractsand#34;, Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law, 6-21-12, http://tjogel.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Samples-Formatted_Final_June13.pdf, accessed 3-18-13)
In recent years, Latin America has seen an uptick in interest as a destination
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subject to the legal and political ¶ constraints of a sacred national treasure.

Econ decline causes war
ROYAL 10  Director of Cooperative Threat Reduction at the U.S. Department of Defense
 ~Jedediah Royal, 2010, Economic Integration, Economic Signaling and the Problem of Economic Crises, in Economics of War and Peace: Economic, Legal and Political Perspectives, ed. Goldsmith and Brauer, p. 213-215~
Less intuitive is how periods of economic decline may increase the likelihood of external conflict
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not featured prominently in the economic-security debate and deserves more attention.
Mexico is independently key to the US economy
Olson 9 (Eric L., M.A., International Affairs, American University; B.A., History and Secondary Education, Trinity College, Associate Director of the Latin American Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, as a Senior Specialist in the Department for Promotion of Good Governance at the Organization of American States, January 2009, http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/The20U.S.20and20Mexico.20Towards20a20Strategic20Partnership.pdf-http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/The U.S. and Mexico. Towards a Strategic Partnership.pdf)
Mexico also remains vital for the U.S. economy, ¶ although the
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on improving the well-being ¶ of average citizens in both countries.

Global economic decline magnifies nearly every impact due to crisis escalation and miscalculation

Harris and Burrows, ’09 ~Mathew, PhD European History at Cambridge, counselor in the National Intelligence Council (NIC) and Jennifer, member of the NIC’s Long Range Analysis Unit and#34;Revisiting the Future: Geopolitical Effects of the Financial Crisisand#34; http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf-http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf~~
Increased Potential for Global Conflict Of course, the report encompasses more than economics and
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within and between states in a more dog-eat-dog world. 

Specifically terrorism—the flood of refugees from a Mexican economic collapse would overwhelm security systems
Michael Brown 9, Undersecretary of Emergency Preparedness and Response in the Department of Homeland Security, and#34;Border Control: Collapse of Mexico Is A Homeland Security 26 National Security Issue,and#34; 1/14, http://michaelbrowntoday.com/journal/2009/1/15/border-control-collapse-of-mexico-is-a-homeland-security-nat.html-http://michaelbrowntoday.com/journal/2009/1/15/border-control-collapse-of-mexico-is-a-homeland-security-nat.html
By failing to secure the borders and control immigration, we have opened ourselves up
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States, just laying in wait to attack at an appropriately vulnerable time.

Terrorists are isolating vulnerabilities in the US-Mexican border—a flood of refugees would give them the perfect opportunity to sneak a weapon past security

Barry 11 
Tom, Senior Policy analyst at the Center for International Policy where he directs the TransBorder project. Barry specializes in immigration policy, homeland security, border security and the outsourcing of national security, and he has published books about border security, and#34;Border Security After 9/11: Ten Years of Waste, Immigratn Crackdowns and New Drug Warsand#34;, September 11, 2011, www.truth-out.org/news/item/3246:border-security-after-911-ten-years-of-waste-immigrant-crackdowns-and-new-drug-wars
Prior to the September 11 terrorist attacks, the term and#34;border securityand#34; was
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borderand#34; keeps Americans vulnerable and that the border should be completely sealed.

That makes the US-Mexico border vulnerable to a bioterrorist attack
Ken Timmerman 10, Newsmax correspondent, and#34;FBI Director Mueller: Al-Qaida Still Wants Nuclear Bomb,and#34; 3/18, http://newsmax.com/Newsfront/mueller-fbi-alqaida-nuclear/2010/03/18/id/353169-http://newsmax.com/Newsfront/mueller-fbi-alqaida-nuclear/2010/03/18/id/353169
FBI Director Robert Mueller warned Congress on Wednesday of ongoing al-Qaida efforts to
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it is properly spread in population centers there,and#34; al-Nasifi said.

Bioterrorism results in extinction—reject their old impact defense because it doesn’t assume the most deadly virus ever created

Prado 12 (Mark Evan, a physicist in the Washington, D.C. region working for the Pentagon in advanced planning in the space program, citing: The Office of Biological Activities (OSB), a division of the US government’s National Institute of Health (NIH) which promotes science, safety, and ethics in biotechnology, and#34;Human Extinction by Biotechnology and Nanotechnologyand#34;, http://www.permanent.com/human-extinction-biotechnology-nano.html)
As biotechnology has advanced, so has the power of the individual. In the
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Way Back Machine’s archival page on PERMANENT.¶ Then came the year 2001. 

New super-viruses are a plausible doomsday scenario culminating in extinction

Castillo 11
Castillo, 10/28/2011 (Rafael, Doomsday scenario with ’superbugs’, Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. http://business.inquirer.net/27353/doomsday-scenario-with-E28098superbugsE28099)
From time to time, we get reports about emerging superbugs—microbes which are
AND
compromised immune systems—is ill-fated prey to these ogre microbes.
We solve –
TBA ushers in Mexican energy reform
Kerry et al. 12
(JOHN F. KERRY, Massachusetts, Chairman ¶ BARBARA BOXER, California RICHARD G. LUGAR, Indiana¶ ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey BOB CORKER, Tennessee¶ BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, Maryland JAMES E. RISCH, Idaho¶ ROBERT P. CASEY, Jr., Pennsylvania MARCO RUBIO, Florida¶ JIM WEBB, Virginia JAMES M. INHOFE, Oklahoma¶ JEANNE SHAHEEN, New Hampshire JIM DeMINT, South Carolina¶ CHRISTOPHER A. COONS, Delaware JOHNNY ISAKSON, Georgia¶ RICHARD J. DURBIN, Illinois JOHN BARRASSO, Wyoming¶ TOM UDALL, New Mexico MIKE LEE, Utah¶ William C. Danvers, Staff Director ¶ Kenneth A. Myers, Jr., Republican Staff Director, and#34;OIL, MEXICO, AND THE AGREEMENTand#34;, December 2012, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CPRT-112SPRT77567/html/CPRT-112SPRT77567.htm-http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CPRT-112SPRT77567/html/CPRT-112SPRT77567.htm)
The TBA further contains requirements of data sharing and notification of likely reserves between the
AND
passage of the TBA could help prompt broader domestic energy reform in Mexico.
TBA enables cooperation that leads to private companies to work with Mexico
Brown and Meacham 6-5
Neil Brown and Carl Meacham, Brown is non-resident fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Meacham is director of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, June 6, 2013, and#34;Time for US-Mexico Transboundary Agreementand#34;, http://thehill.com/opinion/op-ed/303739-time-for-us-mexico-transboundary-agreement-http://thehill.com/opinion/op-ed/303739-time-for-us-mexico-transboundary-agreement.
The United States-Mexico Transboundary Agreement (TBA) would enable cooperation between our
AND
partners. That is good for Mexico and for the U.S.

Tournament: St Marks | Round: 2 | Opponent: Houston Memorial DW | Judge: Rob Mulholand

Plan

Plan: The United States federal government should implement the agreement between the United States and United Mexican States concerning Transboundary Hydrocarbon Reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico.

Contention 1 is PEMEX

PEMEX is declining - fields are being used up – deep water drilling and private investment from TBA is needed to diversify Mexico’s portfolio. Reforms are critical

Kerry et al. 12
(JOHN F. KERRY, Massachusetts, Chairman ¶ BARBARA BOXER, California RICHARD G. LUGAR, Indiana¶ ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey BOB CORKER, Tennessee¶ BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, Maryland JAMES E. RISCH, Idaho¶ ROBERT P. CASEY, Jr., Pennsylvania MARCO RUBIO, Florida¶ JIM WEBB, Virginia JAMES M. INHOFE, Oklahoma¶ JEANNE SHAHEEN, New Hampshire JIM DeMINT, South Carolina¶ CHRISTOPHER A. COONS, Delaware JOHNNY ISAKSON, Georgia¶ RICHARD J. DURBIN, Illinois JOHN BARRASSO, Wyoming¶ TOM UDALL, New Mexico MIKE LEE, Utah¶ William C. Danvers, Staff Director ¶ Kenneth A. Myers, Jr., Republican Staff Director, "OIL, MEXICO, AND THE AGREEMENT", December 2012, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CPRT-112SPRT77567/html/CPRT-112SPRT77567.htm-http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CPRT-112SPRT77567/html/CPRT-112SPRT77567.htm)

Progress, but can it last? A snapshot of Mexico’s oil sector Mexico has
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poverty alleviation to the rule of law, let alone broader economic growth.

Planned reforms are insufficient – deep water drilling and technical assistance are needed

Economist 8/10 (The Economist magazine. "Unfixable Pemex" August 10, 2013. www.economist.com/news/business/21583253-even-if-government-plucks-up-courage-reform-it-pemex-will-be-hard-fix-unfixable)

A JAR of crude oil, not much bigger than one of baby food,
AND
from foreign firms, and for nationalists this would be hard to stomach.

TBA will put pressure on Mexico to reform PEMEX – cooperation spills over to future agreements

Melgar 12 (Lourdes Melgar, director of the Center for Sustainability and Business at EGADE Business School of the Tecnológico de Monterrey.  "The Future of PEMEX", Americas Quarterly, 2012, http://www.americasquarterly.org/node/3781)

But, for the time being, PEMEX is already on the move. Deepwater
AND
The Mexican oil industry can no longer thrive on amendments to distorted schemes.

Foreign Investment and coop is key to PEMEX growth

Melgar 12 (Lourdes, director of the Center for Sustainability and Business at EGADE Business School of the Tecnológico de Monterrey, Independent Energy Consultant at Independent Consultant, studied at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, 2012, "The Future of PEMEX", Americas Quarterly, http://www.americasquarterly.org/node/3781-http://www.americasquarterly.org/node/3781, Accessed: 6/25/13, LPS.)

Exploration and Production: The Keys to Deeper Reform The 2008 Energy Reform initiated the
AND
gone to mature fields, with services companies such as the United Kingdom’s Petrofac

US tech and infrastructure are key

Snow 13 ~Nick, OGJ Washington Editor. June 21, "Mexico’s energy reforms will need to be bold, experts suggest", http://www.ogj.com/articles/2013/06/mexico-s-energy-reforms-will-need-to-be-bold-experts-suggest.html-http://www.ogj.com/articles/2013/06/mexico-s-energy-reforms-will-need-to-be-bold-experts-suggest.html, accessed: 6/26/13, ML~

It’s generally assumed that Pemex will continue to own Mexico’s hydrocarbon resources, but production
AND
Mexican industry, not only for energy security but also for economic growth."

PEMEX is the most important company in Mexico – decline takes down the whole economy. Plan is key

Krauss and Malkin 10 Clifford Kraus and Elisabeth Malkin, Krauss is a national business correspondent based in Houston covering energy for the NYT, Malkin covers environmental and energy news especially for Mexico for the NYT, March 8, 2010, "Mexico Oil Politics Keeps Riches Just Out of Reach", http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/business/global/09pemex.html?pagewanted=all26_r=0-http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/business/global/09pemex.html?pagewanted=all26_r=0.
VENUSTIANO CARRANZA, Mexico — To the Mexican people, one of the great achievements
AND
, Pemex is in a key moment in its history," he said.

Mexican Energy is key to global economic stability

Moran 9 Michael Moran, vice president and executive editor of Roubini Global Economics and RGE’s senior expert on geostrategic and political risk. From 2005-2009, Michael served as executive editor of CFR.org,. "Six Crises, 2009: A Half-Dozen Ways Geopolitics Could Upset Global Recovery". Roubini Global Economics Monitor. July 31, 2009. http://fbkfinanzwirtschaft.wordpress.com/2009/08/07/six-crises-2009-a-half-dozen-ways-geopolitics-could-upset-global-recovery/

A story receiving more attention in the American media than Iraq these days is the
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to oil fields well-beyond their peak and restrictions on foreign investment.

Mexico is key to the US economy

Olson 9 (Eric L., M.A., International Affairs, American University; B.A., History and Secondary Education, Trinity College, Associate Director of the Latin American Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, as a Senior Specialist in the Department for Promotion of Good Governance at the Organization of American States, January 2009, http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/The20U.S.20and20Mexico.20Towards20a20Strategic20Partnership.pdf-http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/The U.S. and Mexico. Towards a Strategic Partnership.pdf)
Mexico also remains vital for the U.S. economy, ¶ although the
AND
on improving the well-being ¶ of average citizens in both countries.

US is key to the global economy

Lagarde 13 (Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund. "Strong U.S. Economy, Strong Global Economy—Two Sides of Same Coin" September 19, 2013. www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/survey/so/2013/NEW091913A.htm)

In a world of increasing economic interconnections, the United States’s stake in the global
AND
a harsh new reality" across sectors, countries, and the world.

Economic crisis causes global nuclear war and terrorism

Harris 26 Burrows 9(Mathew, PhD European History @ Cambridge, counselor of the U.S. National Intelligence Council (NIC) and Jennifer, member of the NIC’s Long Range Analysis Unit "Revisiting the Future: Geopolitical Effects of the Financial Crisis" http://www.ciaonet.org/journals/twq/v32i2/f_0016178_13952.pdf)
Of course, the report encompasses more than economics and indeed believes the future is
AND
within and between states in a more dog-eat-dog world. 

Bioterrorism results in extinction—reject their old impact defense because it doesn’t assume the most deadly virus ever created

Prado 12 (Mark Evan, a physicist in the Washington, D.C. region working for the Pentagon in advanced planning in the space program, citing: The Office of Biological Activities (OSB), a division of the US government’s National Institute of Health (NIH) which promotes science, safety, and ethics in biotechnology, "Human Extinction by Biotechnology and Nanotechnology", http://www.permanent.com/human-extinction-biotechnology-nano.html)
As biotechnology has advanced, so has the power of the individual. In the
AND
Way Back Machine’s archival page on PERMANENT.¶ Then came the year 2001. 

Studies prove

Royal 10 — Jedidiah Royal, Director of Cooperative Threat Reduction at the U.S. Department of Defense, M.Phil. Candidate at the University of New South Wales, 2010 ("Economic Integration, Economic Signalling and the Problem of Economic Crises," Economics of War and Peace: Economic, Legal and Political Perspectives, Edited by Ben Goldsmith and Jurgen Brauer, Published by Emerald Group Publishing, ISBN 0857240048, p. 213-215)

Less intuitive is how periods of economic decline may increase the likelihood of external conflict
AND
such, the view presented here should be considered ancillary to those views.

Economic rationality is inevitable —- individuals will always attempt to survive off of limited resources.

Shughart, 2006 (William, Professor of Economics at the University of Mississippi, "Terrorism in rational choice perspective," No date listed, latest citation from 2006 home.olemiss.edu/~shughart/Terrorism20in20rational20choice20perspective.pdf~

In the economist’s model of rational human behavior, all individuals are assumed to be
AND
short, amenable to explanation by the economist’s model of demand and supply.

Economics describe the world —- Err aff —- Historical analysis proves any alternative dooms us to disastrous consequences.

Morriss, 2008  (Andrew, University of St. Thomas Law Journal, Volume 5, Issue 1 2008 Article 8, "The Necessity of Economics: The Preferential Option for the Poor, Markets, and Environmental Law," http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj-http://ir.stthomas.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=114026context=ustlj)

Economics offers many insights into how the world around us works, much more than
AND
short, tradeoffs matter, and we need to pay attention to them.

Contention 2 is Oil Spills

Oil spills in the Gulf are inevitable

Shields 12 – David is an independent energy analyst based in Mexico City, quoted by the Inter-American Dialogue. ("Q and A: Is Mexico Prepared for Deepwater Drilling in the Gulf?" Inter-American Dialogue, February 20-24, http://repository.unm.edu/bitstream/handle/1928/20477/Is20Mexico20Prepared20for20Deepwater20Drilling20in20the20Gulf.pdf?sequence=1)
"They say that if a country does not defend its borders, then others
AND
has come and gone. The next disaster is just waiting to happen."

The plan is key—joint inspections and US expertise

Broder and Krauss 12 – John M. Broder reported from Washington, and Clifford Krauss from Houston, both for the New York Times. ("U.S. in Accord With Mexico on Drilling", February 20, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/21/world/americas/mexico-and-us-agree-on-oil-and-gas-development-in-gulf.html?_r=1andref=americas-http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/21/world/americas/mexico-and-us-agree-on-oil-and-gas-development-in-gulf.html?_r=1andref=americas)
WASHINGTON — The United States and Mexico reached agreement on Monday on regulating oil and
AND
to argue that his policies have led to a surge in domestic production.

Prefer our studies—joint inspections could’ve prevented the BP oil spill

Baker 12 – George is the publisher of Mexico Energy Intelligence. ("Q and A: Is Mexico Prepared for Deepwater Drilling in the Gulf?" Inter-American Dialogue, February 20-24, http://repository.unm.edu/bitstream/handle/1928/20477/Is20Mexico20Prepared20for20Deepwater20Drilling20in20the20Gulf.pdf?sequence=1)
"The serious issues of corporate governance and regulation in the shadow of the Macondo
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safety and occupational safety to be carried out separately, by different teams."

The Gulf of Mexico is a key ecosystem for human survival—but it’s on the brink—now is key

Brown et al 11 
K. Andrews, J. Brenner, J.W. Tunnell, C. Canfield, C. Dorsett, M. Driscoll, and E. Johnson, S. Kaderka, A cooperative NGO report by the Nature Conservancy, "Strategy for Restoring the Gulf of Mexico", www.masgc.org/gmrp/documents/restorationstrategy.pdf
The Gulf of Mexico is ecologically and economically ¶ one of the most productive bodies
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an ¶ ecosystem scale—the future of the Gulf Coast is tenuous. 

The plan spills over the environmental protection in the entire Gulf of Mexico

Velarde 12 – Attorney and Counselor-at-Law, admitted in Mexico in 1988, and in the State of New York in 1991. Mr. López-Velarde held various positions at Pemex during 1988-1993, including that of Financial Advisor to the Finance Department, In-House Counsel in Houston, Texas, In-House Counsel in New York, and Head of the International Legal Department of Pemex. He was honored with the "Most Distinguished Attorney Award" of Pemex for the period 1990-1991. ("US-Mexican treaty on Gulf of Mexico transboundary reservoirs", International Law Office, March 19, 2012, http://www.internationallawoffice.com/newsletters/detail.aspx?g=b9326bf8-f27f-43ff-b45a-1b2b70ccb217)
Pemex has indicated that it has no information to confirm the existence of a transboundary
AND
) would agree to harmonise applicable standards only in respect of transboundary reservoirs.

Oil spills threaten gulf sponges key to fight diseases – BP put them on the brink

Downing 10 – Larry, Reuters senior staff ("Medical Cures May Be Destroyed By Oil Spill", 7-9-10,http://www.wftv.com/news/news/medical-cures-may-be-destroyed-by-oil-spill/nJwf4/)
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The cure for cancer or malaria could be destroyed
AND
It’s not only damaging to sea life, but human life as well.

Sponges solve antibiotic resistance

Sanders 9 – Laura, Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from UCLA, Neuroscience Writer for Science News ("Sponge’s secret weapon revealed" Science News, 00368423, 3-14-09, v.175, iss.6)
A chemical from an ocean-dwelling sponge can reprogram antibiotic resistant bacteria to make
AND
bacterium, it’s not throwing up any red flags,’’ says Moeller. 

Antibiotic resistance is a doomsday scenario involving superbugs and life-threatening infections that cause extinction

Castillo 11
Castillo, 10/28/2011 (Rafael, Doomsday scenario with ’superbugs’, Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. http://business.inquirer.net/27353/doomsday-scenario-with-E28098superbugsE28099)
From time to time, we get reports about emerging superbugs—microbes which are
AND
compromised immune systems—is ill-fated prey to these ogre microbes.

Infectious diseases are inevitable. Rapid evolution and adaptation risk extinction

Walsh 13
Walsh, 7/10/2013 (Bryan, From AIDS to SARS to MERS, Emerging Infectious Diseases Remain a Dire Threat, Time, p. http://science.time.com/2013/07/10/from-aids-to-sars-to-mers-emerging-infectious-diseases-remain-a-dire-threat/)
Now the world is facing another emerging infectious disease. MERS — Middle East respiratory
AND
as experts like Morens and Fauci know, we won’t be lucky forever.

====Marine Invertebrates are disproportionately affected by deep-water spills—BP put them on the brink====
CBD 11 
Center for Biological Diversity, "A DEADLY TOLL: The gulf Oil Spill and the Unfolding Wildlife Disaster", April 2011, www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/public_lands/energy/dirty_energy_development/oil_and_gas/gulf_oil_spill/a_deadly_toll.html
INVERTEBRATES¶ Oil and dispersed oil are toxic to marine invertebrates such as corals,
AND
coast of Massachusetts, fiddler crabs are still being harmed by persistent pollution.

They’re a keystone species in the Gulf

Earth Gauge 10 
A national environmental education foundation program, provides environmental and climate knowledge to broadcast meteorologists, "Gulf Oil Spill Seeries: Effects on Invertebrates", www.earthgauge.net/wp-content/EG_Gulf_Invertebrates.pdf
FROM SPILLS TO SPECIES ¶ Crude oil, such as that which has been leaking
AND
sinking component that impacts invertebrates, fish and mammals below the ¶ surface. 

A decline in marine invertebrates will snowball to human extinction

ZSL 12 (Zoological Society London, a report published today (Friday 31st) by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), in conjunction with IUCN and the IUCN Species Survival Commission, 8/31/12, http://www.zsl.org/conservation/news/invertebrates-on-the-brink,993,NS.html-http://www.zsl.org/conservation/news/invertebrates-on-the-brink,993,NS.html)

Digging up earthworms, chasing butterflies and collecting clam shells could become a thing of
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to implement successful conservation plans for those invertebrates which are struggling to survive.

Biodiversity loss means extinction – adaptation is possible as long as we maintain biodiversity – means we control uniqueness

Knight 12 (Matthew, CNN News Service, siting International Union for Conservation of Nature, "Extinction threat a call to world leaders at Rio summit," 6/20/2012, http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/19/world/rio-red-list-extinction-species/index.html-http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/19/world/rio-red-list-extinction-species/index.html)

The IUCN-http://www.iucn.org/ assessed a total of 63,837 plant and animal species around the
AND
hasn’t been either priority or resource given to these tasks," he said.

Outweighs any other impact

Chen, 2K 
~Jim, Prof of law U of Minnesota, Now Dean of Law School at Louisville "Globalization and Its Losers", 9 Minn. J. Global Trade 157’ HeinOnline~
The spread of Homo sapiens around the earth have brought about mass extinctions and related
AND
by Homo sapiens - in ten million years, perhaps a hundred million.

Short term transition war outweighs

CSM 12 (Christian Science Monitor News, "Earth’s ecosystems nearing catastrophic tipping point, warn scientists," 6/7/12, http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0607/Earth-s-ecosystems-nearing-catastrophic-tipping-point-warn-scientists-video-http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0607/Earth-s-ecosystems-nearing-catastrophic-tipping-point-warn-scientists-video)

Earth is rapidly headed toward a catastrophic breakdown if humans don’t get their act together
AND
that’s when we see political strife, economic strife, war and famine."

Extra Econ

Economic theory prevents environmental destruction —- valuation highlights values in political decision making realms.

Economist, 2005 (The Economist, April 21, "Are you being served?", http://www.economist.com/node/3886849-http://www.economist.com/node/3886849) 

AT THE Miraflores lock on the Panama Canal it is possible to watch the heartbeat
AND
gratis." But if nature pays, who then will pay for nature?

Extra BioD

Marine biodiversity loss means extinction – their evidence doesn’t assume the rate changes are occurring – now is key

McCarthy 11 (Michael, Environment editor, sites International Programme on the State of the Ocean and International Union for the Conservation of Nature report, "Oceans on brink of catastrophe," 6/21/2011, http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/oceans-on-brink-of-catastrophe-2300272.html-http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/oceans-on-brink-of-catastrophe-2300272.html)

The world’s oceans are faced with an unprecedented loss of species comparable to the great
AND
protect the blue heart of our planet is now, today and urgent."

Tournament: Cal | Round: 4 | Opponent: Cedar Ridge PR | Judge: Elyse Conklin

1AC

We begin the debate with a poem by Robinson Jeffers:

Inscription for a Gravestone (without gendered language)

By Robinson Jeffers

I am not dead, I have only become inhuman:
That is to say,
Undressed myself of laughable prides and infirmities,
But not as a man  human
Undresses to creep into bed, but like an athlete
Stripping for the race.
The delicate ravel of nerves that made me a measurer
Of certain fictions
Called good and evil; that made me contract with pain
And expand with pleasure;
Fussily adjusted like a little electroscope:
That’s gone,
But all the rest is heightened, widened, set free.
I admired the beauty
While I was human, now I am part of the beauty.
I wander in the air,
Being mostly gas and water, and flow in the ocean;
Touch you and Asia
At the same moment; have a hand in the sunrises
And the glow of this grass.
I left the light precipitate of ashes to earth
For a love-token. 

The Earth is dying through the sixth mass extinction of the Earth—the amount of plant and animal species that humans have forever eradicated from the planet is equivalent to the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs—by the time this debate round is over, 3 entire species will be gone—unless we modify our behavior, we will continue our planetary sleep-walk to extinction

Eldredge 05 
Niles, Paleontologist, published by the American Institute of Biological Sciences, Curator-in-Chief of the permanent exhibition "Hall of Biodiversity" at the American Mesueaum of Natural History and adjunct, he has devoted his career to examining evolutionary theory through the fossil record, publishing his views in more than 160 scientific articles, reviews, and books,  professor at the City University of New York, "The Sixth Extinction", www.actionbioscience.org/newfrontiers/eldredge2.html
There is little doubt left in the minds of professional biologists that Earth is currently
AND
Sixth Extinction can be declared over, and life can once again rebound.

The problem is that we view human society as more important than the natural environment—Western thought is plagued by scientific reasoning that quantifies animals and plants through numbers and statistics—this perpetuates a dichotomy between culture and nature—instead of treating animals and plants as living beings that are valuable to the biosphere, we only give them value when they can directly improve human life—our only shot at preserving humanity is to recognize the ontological value of the non-human world

Zent 13 (Eglee L Zent, Laboratory of Human Ecology, Venezuelan Institute for Scienti?c Research. "Jot¨? ecogony, Venezuelan Amazon" January 31, 2013. iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/8/1/015008/pdf/1748-9326_8_1_015008.pdf)

Diversity sustains life. Heterogeneity of notions, ethics and¶ logics offers potential alternatives
AND
below, are not¶ that different from ancestral ones in the Americas.

Anthropocentric ordering is the foundation of the war machine and drives the exclusion of populations based on different characteristics—unless we break down the binary categorizing human values as more important than non-human, violence is inevitable

Kochi 09 
(Tarik, Sussex law school, Species war: Law, Violence and Animals, Law Culture and Humanities Oct 5.3)
Grotius and Hobbes are sometimes described as setting out a prudential approach,28 or
AND
of life preferred for preservation within the early modern juridical ordering of war.

Recognizing the ontologic value inherent in the environment is key—a radical rejection of a traditional Western understanding of the world as something to be managed and controlled is necessary before we can begin to discuss long-term mitigation of nuclear war or environmental destruction

McWhorter 92
LaDelle McWhorter, Professor of Philosophy, Northeast Missouri State, also of the bumbles, 1992, Heidegger and the Earth, ed. McWhorter.
What it most illustrative is often also what is most common. Today, on
AND
have, or know, it all; we can never manage everything.

The Answer (without gendered language)

By Robinson Jeffers

Then what is the answer?—Not to be deluded by dreams.
To know the great civilizations have broken down into violence, and their tyrants come, many times before.
When open violence appears, to avoid it with honor or choose the least ugly faction; these evils are essential.
To keep one’s own integrity, be merciful and uncorrupted and not wish for evil; and not be duped
By dreams of universal justice or happiness. These dreams will not be fulfilled.
To know this, an d know that however ugly the parts appear the whole remains beautiful. A severed hand
Is an ugly thing, and man people dissevered from the earth and stars and his their history...for contemplation or in fact...
Often appears atrociously ugly. Integrity is wholeness, the greatest beauty is
Organic wholeness, the wholeness of life and things, the divine beauty of the universe. Love that, not man people
Apart from that, or else you will share man’s people’s pitiful confusions, or drown in despair when his their days darken.

Latin America is key to our environmental ethic—there is a tribe of people called the Joti who have increased biological diversity and sustained the Amazon in Venezuela. Before we should increase economic engagement toward Venezuela, we need to make better decisions about how we interact with the environment.

Zent 13 (Eglee L Zent, Laboratory of Human Ecology, Venezuelan Institute for Scienti?c Research. "Jot¨? ecogony, Venezuelan Amazon" January 31, 2013. iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/8/1/015008/pdf/1748-9326_8_1_015008.pdf)

(1) The Jot¨? life-strategy could easily be discarded as
AND
arguments in favor of diversity as a¶ strategy for reaching that goal.

The role of the ballot should be to endorse eco-criticism as an ethical alternative to fiated role-playing—our 1AC is a cross fertilization between philosophy, imagination, and communication that best orients decision makers to effectively solve the largest problems facing society

Iovino 10 
Serenella, Professor of Ethics and Comparitive Literature, "Ecocriticism and a Non-Anthropocentric Humanism", published in Local Natures, Global Responsibilities. Ecocritical Perspectives on the New English Literatures, www.academia.edu/344542/Ecocriticism_and_a_Non-Anthropocentric_Humanism
In a world in which everything that once seemed to be endless appears in-
AND
natures in particular. This is the starting-point of my considerations.

Our discussion also addresses fundamental structural questions of anthropocentric oppression. For example—why is it that despite near-unanimous agreement that unsustainable production of cows contributes to ecosystem destruction, we are still served meat at meals?  Why is it that the discussions of how to change the CEDA constitution during lunch at the Wake tournament in college happened over a meal of more meat?  Questions like this are important—they reveal an underlying reliance on anthropocentric hierarchies within the 1AC’s emancipatory discourse.

Leeson-Schatz 12—DOD at Binghamton
(Joe, "Animals, Allies, and Race", http://www.cedadebate.org/forum/index.php?topic=4217.0-http://www.cedadebate.org/forum/index.php?topic=4217.0, dml)

So what is my central advocacy and concern?  Put simply, animal rights.  
AND
environmental destruction and furthers the injustices suffered by other human populations as well.  

Poetry is the best discursive method to transform our understanding of social dominations by disrupting static, entrenched values, and creating spaces for thought as part of a slow disrupting transformation of values

Bleiker 2k (Roland, coordinator of the Peace and Conflict Studies Program @ U of Queensland, Popular Dissent, Human Agency, 26 Global Politics)
Poetry does, in a sense, what critical international theory seeks to do:
AND
either have an answer or are considered irrational, absurd, taboo.48

Environmental impacts disproportionately impact minorities

Gokhale, ’96
(Veena, Former Program Manager, India and Regional Programs, South Asia Partnership (SAP) Canada, Former Program Officer, Public Affairs, Canadian Council for International Cooperation, "Environmental Racism, Environmental Justice", www.veenago.com/nonfiction/Environmental_justice.pdf)
Environmental and social issues are two sides of the same coin. Multinational corporations now
AND
power of workers and unions even further, making environmental racism more widespread.

Tournament: Cal | Round: 4 | Opponent: Cedar Ridge PR | Judge: Elyse Conklin

1AC

We begin the debate with a poem by Robinson Jeffers:

Inscription for a Gravestone (without gendered language)

By Robinson Jeffers

I am not dead, I have only become inhuman:
That is to say,
Undressed myself of laughable prides and infirmities,
But not as a man  human
Undresses to creep into bed, but like an athlete
Stripping for the race.
The delicate ravel of nerves that made me a measurer
Of certain fictions
Called good and evil; that made me contract with pain
And expand with pleasure;
Fussily adjusted like a little electroscope:
That’s gone,
But all the rest is heightened, widened, set free.
I admired the beauty
While I was human, now I am part of the beauty.
I wander in the air,
Being mostly gas and water, and flow in the ocean;
Touch you and Asia
At the same moment; have a hand in the sunrises
And the glow of this grass.
I left the light precipitate of ashes to earth
For a love-token. 

The Earth is dying through the sixth mass extinction of the Earth—the amount of plant and animal species that humans have forever eradicated from the planet is equivalent to the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs—by the time this debate round is over, 3 entire species will be gone—unless we modify our behavior, we will continue our planetary sleep-walk to extinction

Eldredge 05 
Niles, Paleontologist, published by the American Institute of Biological Sciences, Curator-in-Chief of the permanent exhibition "Hall of Biodiversity" at the American Mesueaum of Natural History and adjunct, he has devoted his career to examining evolutionary theory through the fossil record, publishing his views in more than 160 scientific articles, reviews, and books,  professor at the City University of New York, "The Sixth Extinction", www.actionbioscience.org/newfrontiers/eldredge2.html
There is little doubt left in the minds of professional biologists that Earth is currently
AND
Sixth Extinction can be declared over, and life can once again rebound.

The problem is that we view human society as more important than the natural environment—Western thought is plagued by scientific reasoning that quantifies animals and plants through numbers and statistics—this perpetuates a dichotomy between culture and nature—instead of treating animals and plants as living beings that are valuable to the biosphere, we only give them value when they can directly improve human life—our only shot at preserving humanity is to recognize the ontological value of the non-human world

Zent 13 (Eglee L Zent, Laboratory of Human Ecology, Venezuelan Institute for Scienti?c Research. "Jot¨? ecogony, Venezuelan Amazon" January 31, 2013. iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/8/1/015008/pdf/1748-9326_8_1_015008.pdf)

Diversity sustains life. Heterogeneity of notions, ethics and¶ logics offers potential alternatives
AND
below, are not¶ that different from ancestral ones in the Americas.

Anthropocentric ordering is the foundation of the war machine and drives the exclusion of populations based on different characteristics—unless we break down the binary categorizing human values as more important than non-human, violence is inevitable

Kochi 09 
(Tarik, Sussex law school, Species war: Law, Violence and Animals, Law Culture and Humanities Oct 5.3)
Grotius and Hobbes are sometimes described as setting out a prudential approach,28 or
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of life preferred for preservation within the early modern juridical ordering of war.

Recognizing the ontologic value inherent in the environment is key—a radical rejection of a traditional Western understanding of the world as something to be managed and controlled is necessary before we can begin to discuss long-term mitigation of nuclear war or environmental destruction

McWhorter 92
LaDelle McWhorter, Professor of Philosophy, Northeast Missouri State, also of the bumbles, 1992, Heidegger and the Earth, ed. McWhorter.
What it most illustrative is often also what is most common. Today, on
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have, or know, it all; we can never manage everything.

The Answer (without gendered language)

By Robinson Jeffers

Then what is the answer?—Not to be deluded by dreams.
To know the great civilizations have broken down into violence, and their tyrants come, many times before.
When open violence appears, to avoid it with honor or choose the least ugly faction; these evils are essential.
To keep one’s own integrity, be merciful and uncorrupted and not wish for evil; and not be duped
By dreams of universal justice or happiness. These dreams will not be fulfilled.
To know this, an d know that however ugly the parts appear the whole remains beautiful. A severed hand
Is an ugly thing, and man people dissevered from the earth and stars and his their history...for contemplation or in fact...
Often appears atrociously ugly. Integrity is wholeness, the greatest beauty is
Organic wholeness, the wholeness of life and things, the divine beauty of the universe. Love that, not man people
Apart from that, or else you will share man’s people’s pitiful confusions, or drown in despair when his their days darken.

Latin America is key to our environmental ethic—there is a tribe of people called the Joti who have increased biological diversity and sustained the Amazon in Venezuela. Before we should increase economic engagement toward Venezuela, we need to make better decisions about how we interact with the environment.

Zent 13 (Eglee L Zent, Laboratory of Human Ecology, Venezuelan Institute for Scienti?c Research. "Jot¨? ecogony, Venezuelan Amazon" January 31, 2013. iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/8/1/015008/pdf/1748-9326_8_1_015008.pdf)

(1) The Jot¨? life-strategy could easily be discarded as
AND
arguments in favor of diversity as a¶ strategy for reaching that goal.

The role of the ballot should be to endorse eco-criticism as an ethical alternative to fiated role-playing—our 1AC is a cross fertilization between philosophy, imagination, and communication that best orients decision makers to effectively solve the largest problems facing society

Iovino 10 
Serenella, Professor of Ethics and Comparitive Literature, "Ecocriticism and a Non-Anthropocentric Humanism", published in Local Natures, Global Responsibilities. Ecocritical Perspectives on the New English Literatures, www.academia.edu/344542/Ecocriticism_and_a_Non-Anthropocentric_Humanism
In a world in which everything that once seemed to be endless appears in-
AND
natures in particular. This is the starting-point of my considerations.

Our discussion also addresses fundamental structural questions of anthropocentric oppression. For example—why is it that despite near-unanimous agreement that unsustainable production of cows contributes to ecosystem destruction, we are still served meat at meals?  Why is it that the discussions of how to change the CEDA constitution during lunch at the Wake tournament in college happened over a meal of more meat?  Questions like this are important—they reveal an underlying reliance on anthropocentric hierarchies within the 1AC’s emancipatory discourse.

Leeson-Schatz 12—DOD at Binghamton
(Joe, "Animals, Allies, and Race", http://www.cedadebate.org/forum/index.php?topic=4217.0-http://www.cedadebate.org/forum/index.php?topic=4217.0, dml)

So what is my central advocacy and concern?  Put simply, animal rights.  
AND
environmental destruction and furthers the injustices suffered by other human populations as well.  

Poetry is the best discursive method to transform our understanding of social dominations by disrupting static, entrenched values, and creating spaces for thought as part of a slow disrupting transformation of values

Bleiker 2k (Roland, coordinator of the Peace and Conflict Studies Program @ U of Queensland, Popular Dissent, Human Agency, 26 Global Politics)
Poetry does, in a sense, what critical international theory seeks to do:
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either have an answer or are considered irrational, absurd, taboo.48

Environmental impacts disproportionately impact minorities

Gokhale, ’96
(Veena, Former Program Manager, India and Regional Programs, South Asia Partnership (SAP) Canada, Former Program Officer, Public Affairs, Canadian Council for International Cooperation, "Environmental Racism, Environmental Justice", www.veenago.com/nonfiction/Environmental_justice.pdf)
Environmental and social issues are two sides of the same coin. Multinational corporations now
AND
power of workers and unions even further, making environmental racism more widespread.

Tournament: Blake | Round: Octas | Opponent: Centennial KK | Judge: Matheson, Myers-Levy, Rubaie

1AC

Contention 1: The Joti

The dichotomy perpetuated in Western society between culture and nature portrays the environment as a machine to be controlled—our only shot at preserving humanity is to recognize the ontological value of the non-human world

Zent 13 (Eglee L Zent, Laboratory of Human Ecology, Venezuelan Institute for Scienti?c Research. "Jot¨? ecogony, Venezuelan Amazon" January 31, 2013. iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/8/1/015008/pdf/1748-9326_8_1_015008.pdf)

Diversity sustains life. Heterogeneity of notions, ethics and¶ logics offers potential alternatives
AND
below, are not¶ that different from ancestral ones in the Americas.

Try or die to prevent extinction—An Amerindian ecogony that destroys the Western dichotomy successfully challenges the root cause of environmental exploitation

Zent 13 (Eglee L Zent, Laboratory of Human Ecology, Venezuelan Institute for Scienti?c Research. "Jot¨? ecogony, Venezuelan Amazon" January 31, 2013. iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/8/1/015008/pdf/1748-9326_8_1_015008.pdf)

Rearticulating Robin Wright’s de?nition of religion4¶ to ?t¶ my own research inquiries,
AND
nodes are described here: interdependence, humanity and¶ subject–person.

Destruction of the Amazon is inevitable because of economic pressures – a framework of sustainable policy is critical

WWF 05 
World Wildlife Fund, the leading organization in wildlife conservation and endangered species, WWF’s on-the-ground work is powered by leading conservation scientists, policy experts, economists, lawyers, and communications experts, "Problems in the Amazon", most recent source cited was written in 2005wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/amazon/problems/
Market forces, population pressure and infrastructure advances are continuing to pry open the
AND
efforts to protect the region continue to be threatened by unsustainable economic demands.

The Amazon is the number one biodiversity hotspot

CSM 12 (Christian Science Monitor. "Five hotbeds of biodiversity" March 2, 2012. www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2012/0302/Five-hotbeds-of-biodiversity/Amazon-Rain-Forest)

Biodiversity is biological diversity - an area having a large number of varied life forms
AND
the world’s largest rainforest, had fallen to the lowest levels since 1988.

Biodiversity is key to sustainability and functioning of the overall biosphere

Hooper et al 99 (Shahid Naeem, Chair, F.S. Chapin III, Robert Costanza, Paul R. Ehrlich, Frank B. Golley, David U. Hooper, J.H. Lawton, Robert V. O’Neill, Harold A. Mooney, Osvaldo E. Sala, Amy J. Symstad, and David Tilman. "Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning: Maintaining Natural Life Support Processes" Issues in Ecology, November 1999. www.esa.org/esa/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/issue4.pdf)

Ecosystem functioning reflects the collective life¶ activities of plants, animals, and microbes
AND
critical nales in soil fertility and other ecological processes in many arid grasslands.
?

Biodiversity loss outweighs and turns their impacts

Chen, 2K  
~Jim, Prof of law U of Minnesota, Now Dean of Law School at Louisville "Globalization and Its Losers", 9 Minn. J. Global Trade 157’ HeinOnline~
The spread of Homo sapiens around the earth have brought about mass extinctions and related
AND
by Homo sapiens - in ten million years, perhaps a hundred million.

The Joti tribe demonstrates an environmental ethic that can improve biodiversity and challenge the ideology that separates nature and society – the impact is the destruction of all life. And, Adaption of indigenous policies in Venezuela is key to the Amazon.

Zent 13 (Eglee L Zent, Laboratory of Human Ecology, Venezuelan Institute for Scienti?c Research. "Jot¨? ecogony, Venezuelan Amazon" January 31, 2013. iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/8/1/015008/pdf/1748-9326_8_1_015008.pdf)

(1) The Jot¨? life-strategy could easily be discarded as
AND
arguments in favor of diversity as a¶ strategy for reaching that goal.

Venezuela will say yes to sustainable environmental policy – empirics

ENS 9 (Environment News Service. "Summit of Americas Leaders Pledge Environmental Cooperation" April 20, 2009. www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2009/2009-04-20-01.asp)

Government leaders of countries across the Americas reached new spirit of friendliness and cooperation at
AND
and pledged "transparency in energy?related government and private sector activities."

The US should adopt Joti notions of moral, responsible and sustainable engagement with the biosphere.

Zent 13 (Eglee L Zent, Laboratory of Human Ecology, Venezuelan Institute for Scienti?c Research. "Jot¨? ecogony, Venezuelan Amazon" January 31, 2013. iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/8/1/015008/pdf/1748-9326_8_1_015008.pdf)

(4) This work glimpsed the roots of ecological¶ interactions of the Jot
AND
and certainly Westerners can appropriate these notions¶ to create more than destroy.

Contention 2: Ethics

Debate over governance strategies and leadership in international relations creates responsibility and sustainable environmental frameworks – now is key for our education.

PNAS 11 
(Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America,
AND
)

As ecosystems degrade and loss of biological diversity accelerates, it is becoming increasingly urgent
AND
on complex Issues) that has recently come to the fore (19).

Our Joti methodology understands the interconnection between all life-forms and means we value life for its ecological merit, and not its value for individual human profit – this disrupts anthropocentric construction of the humanist subject inherent in Western society

Zent 13 (Eglee L Zent, Laboratory of Human Ecology, Venezuelan Institute for Scienti?c Research. "Jot¨? ecogony, Venezuelan Amazon" January 31, 2013. iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/8/1/015008/pdf/1748-9326_8_1_015008.pdf)

More than teleological or nonnative. the Joti cosmos is composed of three intertwined tiers
AND
individual’s creative labor depends upon social relationships caused by interchange (Mondragon 2011). 

Affirming the welfare of ecosystems is a moral priority over other societal concerns

Elliot 97 (Herschel Elliot, University of Florida Emeritus Philosophy, 1997 "A General Statement of the Tragedy of the Commons," February 26, http://www.dieoff.org/page121)

Third, all systems of ethical beliefs are hypotheses about how human beings can live
AND
its parts — including the needs and interests of human societies and individuals.

Questioning ontology, epistemology, and methodology are necessary for effective policy-making

Fernando Cavalcante 11, Ph.D. Candidate at the Centre for Social Studies, Coimbra University, Portugal, March 16, 2011, "The Underlying Premises of UN Peacebuilding: Ontology, Epistemology and Methodology," online: http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p501820_index.html
Before presenting how ontological, epistemological and methodological aspects influence „concrete? policies,
AND
the concrete case of UN peacebuilding as an illustration for that conceptual framework.

Only fostering a future-oriented approach with students solves social inequality and avoids a violent, reactive approach towards conflicts

Kurasawa’4,
(Fuyuki, Assistant Prof. of Sociology @ York University, Cautionary Tales, Constellations Vol. 11, No. 4, Blackwell Synergy)
In the previous section, I described how the capacity to produce, disseminate,
AND
the basis of which civic associations can enact the work of preventive foresight. 

There will be no major power war

Mandelbaum, 99 
(Michael Mandelbaum is Christian A. Herter Professor of American Foreign Policy, the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies,  Johns Hopkins University, Washington DC; and Director, Project on East-West Relations, Council on Foreign Relations, New York  Survival, Winter 1998-99)

Political, social and technological trends that began or have accelerated in the twentieth century
AND
no reason to doubt that deterrence has put down roots in both places.

Plan

Thus the Plan: The United States federal government should substantially increase its indigenous sustainable environmental cooperation toward Venezuela.

Tournament: MBA | Round: 6 | Opponent: Centennial KK | Judge: Conklin
Plan: The United States federal government should substantially increase its environmentally sustainable economic engagement toward Venezuela.

Environmental impacts disproportionately impact minorities – must reverse ecological damage to alleviate racism

Gokhale, ’96
(Veena, Former Program Manager, India and Regional Programs, South Asia Partnership (SAP) Canada, Former Program Officer, Public Affairs, Canadian Council for International Cooperation, "Environmental Racism, Environmental Justice", www.veenago.com/nonfiction/Environmental_justice.pdf)
Environmental and social issues are two sides of the same coin. Multinational corporations now
AND
power of workers and unions even further, making environmental racism more widespread.