STUDENTS DEBATE WAR ECONOMICS

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- At Southeast Missouri State University Thursday, students in Larry Summary's international political economy class were quick to discuss developments in the Persian Gulf.

Summary discussed with the class whether today's generation of college students is prepared to maintain the United States' role in leading efforts to stabilize the world.

He said the U.S. may be jeopardizing its economic future by overtaxing its resources in efforts such as the Persian Gulf war.

"We ourselves have said that for the advantage of having a stable world, we will sacrifice some of our well-being because we are a very powerful economic nation," Summary said.

"The hegemony says we have a moral obligation to protect the lives of the people in a nation such as Kuwait. But how much lives and blood are we willing to offer for the price of stability?"

Summary asked the students if they're prepared in the next 20 to 30 years to maintain the country's role as world hegemony.

Christy McCormick said she thought Americans would have sufficient resolve to continue to "police" world law.

"I'd rather have it be us than someone else," McCormick said. "We've grown up as a world economic leader, we've become arrogant in that position, but I wouldn't want someone else there."

But Summary asked his students if the U.S. is entering a period in history where it will "lose its grip" on world peace and stability.

"There are only so many sons a mother will lose," he said. "There's only so much money we can pay. We may become physically incapable."

Summary said Germany has offered financial assistance to the Persian Gulf war in the amount of about $3 billion. But he said the war is expected to cost as much as $30 billion each month. "We cannot maintain a world order based on peanuts," Summary said.

Student Glynn Geary said "abrupt changes" would be needed for the U.S. to continue its role as a world economic and military power.

"Our economy is on the decline," he said. "There's no way, without some abrupt changes, that we can continue to pour our resources into everyone else's problems."

David Cox said he would like to see the U.S. continue as a global police force. He said military aid from allied nations is as important as financial assistance.

"Even small military forces from other countries add an international flavor to our military efforts," Cox said.

Cox said that as a world power, the U.S. must continue its role as a peace-keeping force. "If we don't, we'll lose our place as a world power," he said. "If we give Japan and Germany more power, they're going to use it."

Karen Crain asked Summary how the U.S. can urge other nations to take a stronger role. "How do we give them the incentive to help us?"

"That's where international economic institutions have to come in," Summary responded. "I think there will have to be a reordering of the world economy.

"You do it by international linkages. Look at Iraq. They're trying to link the Palestinian question to their withdrawal from Kuwait, to link other Arab countries with their plans."

Summary asked the students if politics are driven by international economic conditions, or whether the economy is driven by political actions.

"The president has said we have a moral obligation to protect the territoriality of a nation," he said. "But what is the whole basis of this war, is it a moral or economic problem?

"We have to understand the link between economics and politics. I believe economic forces mold political actions."

Summary said Hussein's objective for annexing Kuwait was an economic one. He said the primary problem the Kuwaiti government posed for Iraq was that it was charging too little for oil.

"Hussein was basically telling Kuwait: `Raise your price of oil,'" Summary said. "And we have a big stake in the wish there to maintain the continued flow of oil."

Summary also asked the students their feelings on reinstating the military draft.

David Husted said he believed today's young people would answer their nation's call to service.

"I would say if our generation were asked, we would serve," he said. "Our grandfathers served in World War II, our fathers served in Korea and Vietnam. I think we would be ready to follow their example."

But Anthony Covington said he didn't think there would be wide-spread acceptance of a draft.

"I don't think everyone will join," he said. "San Francisco already has opened its doors to conscientious objectors. I think a lot of people just wouldn't go."