Topic: Bypassing the Manufacturing Stage of Development
Country: Israel
Delegate Name: Mark Wassink
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Israel position papers GLIMUN 2017 committees
Countries have opportunities to steer the direction of their economy. Many countries, such as India, are trying to skip the manufacturing stage of development, directly into a service industry. Whether this policy will guide India into a stage of economic growth is unknown. While skipping the manufacturing stage of development may seem like an easy way to quickly catapult a country to prosperity, it should be noted that there are risks with every major policy change. Whether a service based economy would be viable should also be considered. Most service based jobs depend on a solid base of wealth where there is a use for these jobs; there needs to be a solid financial base. Countries that wish to base their economy on services must have a solid financial base, or else there is no market for the jobs, so no jobs result from the shift. For example, if a highly impoverished nation were to build a hotel, a service based job, then nobody would go to the hotel, so the jobs and the wealth from this hotel would cease to exist; it would not work. An influx of investment could help accomplish servitization as many service jobs result from this. It is important to consider the factors that affect economic growth and apply them to the situation of the country in question. Much of technological advancement results from investment as well, stressing how crucial it is to have rule of law, and protection of these investments. Countries that base their economy on services also need manufactured goods, which they generally receive from trade. With these factors considered, countries should also keep the environment in mind, and each country should have sensible solutions that do not harm the environment. Climate change can result in flooding, making farming land near the equator less arable, making ice melt near the polar ice caps, among other things.
Israel will not bypass the manufacturing stage of development, for Israel is already developed; however, the topic at hand largely affects Israel because Israel is affected by the health of the whole world. Israel wishes that each country takes steps towards solutions that are not nearsighted or harmful. Many of Israel’s trading partners are in the manufacturing stage of development, and Israel believes that both countries benefit in a mutual relationship. Although, the benefits may be beneficial, Israel recognizes the sovereignty of many of its neighbors. Each state may act in its best interests so long as they do not harm other nations. Firing rockets into another country, however, would harm other nations. This would require a response. In regards to climate change, Israel is a party of the Paris Climate Agreement, as well as a signatory. Israel also supports actions for clean energy. Israel has nuclear power which is a cleaner alternative that can be used in place of fossil fuels that emit carbon dioxide. These steps to prevent climate change will help prevent the damaging consequences of climate change.
Israel recognizes the sovereignty of many of its trading partners and wishes that the UNDP will uphold the sovereignty of many of its trading partners, but not groups governed by terrorist organizations, such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Any countries that ally with these terrorist groups should be dealt with in the same manner. These terrorist groups prevent development and prevent others from achieving a solid manufacturing base that will inevitably turn into an information based economy. Israel wishes that the UNDP would also help control climate change, noting how its neighbor Syria has not signed the Paris Climate Agreement. Israel would like to see the UNDP take actions against climate change and uphold state sovereignty of legitimate nations.
