Options for GUam.
Full Independence
The political status of independence may be clearly defined at the surface, but economic arrangement and relationships with other nations may not be so clear. The change of status has also affected a significant change in the economy, political, and technological conditions thus making development difficult and unreliable. The personal rights of the people of the island will be protected by Guam’s government or constitution. These rights will be met by international standard of individual human rights and will be reinforced on Guam. Citizenship may be one of the more complicated issues under this specific status. Although it may first seem that Guamanians may lose their citizenship with the United States, there are several different ways, in theory, that may also be applied in practice to retain current U.S. citizenship.
If becoming an independent nation is what Guam wants, it would be able to have complete control over its internal and external affairs (Bradley, 2000). Guam will be able to create its own economy as it pleases, focusing on the development of private, local businesses. Personal rights will be able to be protected by Guam’s own constitution and not based off the United States. If done right, the status of independence is a great option. Guam definitely has the potential, but the questiono Guam has the capability to thrive as an independent nation. Guam has had the chance to write to the US Congress requesting that a change in its political status be made but no attempts have been made. If the politicians, who we voted for and believe will do what is best for Guam, have not yet taken a step in any direction to attain a better political status since 1899, is it appropriate to think that we are ready to administer ourselves without the aid of the United States. Guam has to conduct a self evaluation and figure out if they have adequate internal support within its own populace to govern itself. Guam will find itself way over its head if it decides to jump into becoming an independent nation.
Furthermore in the financial standpoint, Guam’s economy is acutely dependent on military spending. If we aspire for Guam’s economy to flourish, it would be a mistake to cut the main source of revenue. Additionally, in becoming independent Guam-born Americans would have to surrender its US citizenship because US authority will no longer be on the island. Therefore the US federal government can no longer grant citizenship to those born on Guam. This creates a laundry list of disadvantages, such as international protection and access to countless job opportunities, in which Guam is not ready to overcome and remedy.
The political status of independence may be clearly defined at the surface, but economic arrangement and relationships with other nations may not be so clear. The change of status has also affected a significant change in the economy, political, and technological conditions thus making development difficult and unreliable. The personal rights of the people of the island will be protected by Guam’s government or constitution. These rights will be met by international standard of individual human rights and will be reinforced on Guam. Citizenship may be one of the more complicated issues under this specific status. Although it may first seem that Guamanians may lose their citizenship with the United States, there are several different ways, in theory, that may also be applied in practice to retain current U.S. citizenship.
If becoming an independent nation is what Guam wants, it would be able to have complete control over its internal and external affairs (Bradley, 2000). Guam will be able to create its own economy as it pleases, focusing on the development of private, local businesses. Personal rights will be able to be protected by Guam’s own constitution and not based off the United States. If done right, the status of independence is a great option. Guam definitely has the potential, but the questiono Guam has the capability to thrive as an independent nation. Guam has had the chance to write to the US Congress requesting that a change in its political status be made but no attempts have been made. If the politicians, who we voted for and believe will do what is best for Guam, have not yet taken a step in any direction to attain a better political status since 1899, is it appropriate to think that we are ready to administer ourselves without the aid of the United States. Guam has to conduct a self evaluation and figure out if they have adequate internal support within its own populace to govern itself. Guam will find itself way over its head if it decides to jump into becoming an independent nation.
Furthermore in the financial standpoint, Guam’s economy is acutely dependent on military spending. If we aspire for Guam’s economy to flourish, it would be a mistake to cut the main source of revenue. Additionally, in becoming independent Guam-born Americans would have to surrender its US citizenship because US authority will no longer be on the island. Therefore the US federal government can no longer grant citizenship to those born on Guam. This creates a laundry list of disadvantages, such as international protection and access to countless job opportunities, in which Guam is not ready to overcome and remedy.
Free Association
Free association, although very similar in advantages to the independence, is another distinct option. What the independence status lacks that the free association status has is military safeguard and shared authority over foreign affairs. Free association would still acknowledge Guam in affiliation with the United States (Gutierrez, 2003). Although this gives Guam a kind of safety net, the political status ambiguity grows. By following the footsteps of the Federal States of Micronesia, Guam will be able to receive ample financial support and assistant packages from the United States. Guam can also join several international organizations, such as the United Nations, in order to attain access to procedural assistance and other programs that can aid in development. Another way Guam can preserve itself as an essential asset to the United States is to create restrictions on its land and resources, thus extending U.S. economic and defense interests in this part of the world. An example is if Guam prevents businesses except for local ones from using the waters and air space in a certain proximity to the island, Guam would be able to use these resources as a bargaining chips.
Even though Guam would be in close association with the United States, Guam would still not be able to share the same rights as an incorporated state would. The United States would still have a degree of control over Guam to protect it from problems we are not yet able to undertake. It is hard to understand free association because in order to attain that status there needs to be some sort of agreement between the superior nation and the subordinate nation (Na’puti and Hahn 2013).
Free association, although very similar in advantages to the independence, is another distinct option. What the independence status lacks that the free association status has is military safeguard and shared authority over foreign affairs. Free association would still acknowledge Guam in affiliation with the United States (Gutierrez, 2003). Although this gives Guam a kind of safety net, the political status ambiguity grows. By following the footsteps of the Federal States of Micronesia, Guam will be able to receive ample financial support and assistant packages from the United States. Guam can also join several international organizations, such as the United Nations, in order to attain access to procedural assistance and other programs that can aid in development. Another way Guam can preserve itself as an essential asset to the United States is to create restrictions on its land and resources, thus extending U.S. economic and defense interests in this part of the world. An example is if Guam prevents businesses except for local ones from using the waters and air space in a certain proximity to the island, Guam would be able to use these resources as a bargaining chips.
Even though Guam would be in close association with the United States, Guam would still not be able to share the same rights as an incorporated state would. The United States would still have a degree of control over Guam to protect it from problems we are not yet able to undertake. It is hard to understand free association because in order to attain that status there needs to be some sort of agreement between the superior nation and the subordinate nation (Na’puti and Hahn 2013).
Statehood (integration with an existing nation)
There are many examples that Guam may model after, which some of the more current examples may be the integration of Hawaii and Alaska. Under the option of statehood, the people of Guam will have full U.S. citizenship, with all its right, privileges, and responsibilities. Guam will share the same type of political and economic representation in matters of the Senate. The native culture and language of the Chamorro people will be accepted in the diversified nation, however assimilation and displacement of the Chamorro culture on the island may be replaced with the American standard. Yet there are possibilities of minimal grants that would aid “cultural preservation”.
If Guam were to choose to become the 51st state or to affix itself as a part of another state, it would be create equality in political and economic rights for the Guamanians. The first of many rights would be state sovereignty, or the right to create our own constitution with our own laws. Guam and its people would then be protected by the US Constitution, with no exceptions. The doctrine of incorporation would then be beneficial rather than a hindrance to Guam. We would also be able to have a voice in Congress and have full protection of the US military.
Another similar but less radical transition would be if Guam decided to become an integrated territory. There are many countries that Guam can emulate in its pursuit of becoming and integrated external territory such as what Hong Kong is to China or Northern Ireland is to the United Kingdom. In becoming an integrated permanent territory of the United States, Guam would have all the flexibility of free association along with the rights of full integration. Guam would feel secure in knowing it has economic and political stability. Also, under federal jurisdiction, the US can grant Guam diplomatic recognition and allow us the ability to make treaties with independent countries (Statehood of Guam, n.d.). This is the option that I hope Guam will take in its path of changing its political status.
There are many examples that Guam may model after, which some of the more current examples may be the integration of Hawaii and Alaska. Under the option of statehood, the people of Guam will have full U.S. citizenship, with all its right, privileges, and responsibilities. Guam will share the same type of political and economic representation in matters of the Senate. The native culture and language of the Chamorro people will be accepted in the diversified nation, however assimilation and displacement of the Chamorro culture on the island may be replaced with the American standard. Yet there are possibilities of minimal grants that would aid “cultural preservation”.
If Guam were to choose to become the 51st state or to affix itself as a part of another state, it would be create equality in political and economic rights for the Guamanians. The first of many rights would be state sovereignty, or the right to create our own constitution with our own laws. Guam and its people would then be protected by the US Constitution, with no exceptions. The doctrine of incorporation would then be beneficial rather than a hindrance to Guam. We would also be able to have a voice in Congress and have full protection of the US military.
Another similar but less radical transition would be if Guam decided to become an integrated territory. There are many countries that Guam can emulate in its pursuit of becoming and integrated external territory such as what Hong Kong is to China or Northern Ireland is to the United Kingdom. In becoming an integrated permanent territory of the United States, Guam would have all the flexibility of free association along with the rights of full integration. Guam would feel secure in knowing it has economic and political stability. Also, under federal jurisdiction, the US can grant Guam diplomatic recognition and allow us the ability to make treaties with independent countries (Statehood of Guam, n.d.). This is the option that I hope Guam will take in its path of changing its political status.
Unincorporated Territory
Currently, Guam's political status is that of "unincorporated territory of the United States." Those living in Guam are US citizens but do not have all the rights a person living in one of the fifty states would. For example, Guamanians are not able to vote for president or select members of Congress. The US Congress also has the right to repeal any Guam law and determine which parts of the US Constitution applies to Guam. The Constitution's Territorial Clause (article IV, Section 3, Clause 2) states that the US Congress is given absolute power over Guam. The Treaty of Paris stated in the relinquishing of Guam to the US that the "political and civil rights of the native inhabitants will be determined by Congress." Unincorporated territories are not meant for statehood like incorporated territories are, therefore the US Constitution does not fully apply like it would in an incorporated territory.
Currently, Guam's political status is that of "unincorporated territory of the United States." Those living in Guam are US citizens but do not have all the rights a person living in one of the fifty states would. For example, Guamanians are not able to vote for president or select members of Congress. The US Congress also has the right to repeal any Guam law and determine which parts of the US Constitution applies to Guam. The Constitution's Territorial Clause (article IV, Section 3, Clause 2) states that the US Congress is given absolute power over Guam. The Treaty of Paris stated in the relinquishing of Guam to the US that the "political and civil rights of the native inhabitants will be determined by Congress." Unincorporated territories are not meant for statehood like incorporated territories are, therefore the US Constitution does not fully apply like it would in an incorporated territory.
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