nyu mu n c viii
0
nyu mu n c viii
Dear Delegates,
It is our absolute pleasure to welcome you to NYUMUNC VIII’s Futuristic USA Committee!
We hope you will have a wonderful and productive time. In this age of nuclear weapons and
negotiations between countries taking the place of all-out war, it is abundantly clear that
diplomacy is the need of the hour, now more than ever, in our newly multi-polar world.
My name is Shreya Kaushik, and I will be your Chair for this conference. I am a sophomore,
majoring in Political Science, and minoring in Psychology and English, in the College of Arts
and Sciences at NYU. My interests lie in international relations- especially within the South
Asian diaspora- writing, and history. I hope to guide you all in some incredibly thoughtprovoking debate this conference!
My name is Prabhod Mudlapur, and I’ll serve as your Crisis Director for this edition of
NYUMUNC. I am a second-year studying Mathematics, with a minor in Economics, also at the
College of Arts and Sciences. My interests lie in business strategy, international economics,
interplanetary colonization and rockets. Occupy Mars! As your Chair and Crisis Director, we
hope to give you an incredible weekend, full of learning, challenges and wonderful
experiences.
We begin our debate in the year 2040, on a planet that had only recently woken up to the dangers
of climate change. Ocean levels are rising dangerously high, several animal species are on the
brink of extinction, natural resource levels are at an all-time low, and political shifts in power
across the world have irrevocably changed the dynamic of global politics. Focus has shifted to
the mysterious seventh continent: Antarctica. Its icy terrain has, in recent years, become more
accessible; now, it may well be the promised land of natural resources like oil, renewable energy,
and minerals, not to mention habitable land that may prove to be the answer to rising population
levels. But the race for resources is cutthroat, and may well prove to be a bloodbath. It will be
your job, delegates, to work out compromises with other countries that are as peaceful as you can
manage.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to
meeting you all soon!
Best,
Shreya Kaushik
Chair, Futuristic USA
NYUMUNC VIII
[email protected]
Prabhod Mudlapur
Crisis Director, Futuristic USA
NYUMUNC VIII
[email protected]
1
nyu mu n c viii
General History
a world where urbanization and growing
Between 2016 and today in 2040, the world
habitable land, Antarctica provides a much
has seen a massive shift in the global
needed solution. Furthermore, Antarctica’s
distribution of power. As global population
location allows for more convenient trade
has increased to over 8.8 billion, resources
routes
have
applications.
become
scarce.
The
populations have reduced the amount of
heavier
as
well
as
possible
military
concentration of people in Asia and Africa
Three global powers have emerged as leaders
has resulted in an increased need for
in the race for Antarctica: The United States
sustenance goods, whereas the declining
of America, still recovering from the vestiges
population of the Western nations as well as
of an autocratic Trumpian regime that left
their increased urbanization led to a decline
the world reeling in 2016; China, an
in the unskilled labor force. Availability of
economic powerhouse whose ascension to
nonrenewable energy products and rare
the top of the international stage has left
earth
to
much of the world caught in its wake; and the
overreliance and overuse, and fish stocks
newly-formed Estados Sudamericanos (ES),
present in territorial waters have become
the burgeoning democratic regime that has
depleted. Land scarcity and population
brought the Global South to new prominence
density coupled with the effects of climate
on the international stage. Every one of these
change have left some global powers
players seeks control over Antarctica, its rich
decimated, while others have risen to once
resources, its widespread icy wastes, and its
unpredictable strengths. Even so, the world
bastions of scientific research.
faces a geopolitical crisis as it reckons with
In 2040, in a world that has awoken to
the
climate change, the Antarctic Treaty of 1959
minerals
widespread
has
declined
consequences
due
of
a
burgeoning population.
stands to be renewed- or voided. Each
Antarctica has the potential to provide thirty-
country wishes to claim the resources that
six million barrels of oil and natural gas,
are so plentiful in Antarctica, and voiding the
diamond deposits, and the largest freshwater
treaty would make the situation a free-for-
repository in the world.
In addition,
all, without the worry of following terms laid
Antarctica has gold, iron, copper, nickel,
down by a now 80-year-old agreement. Only
platinum, coal, chromium, hydrocarbons,
time will tell whether these nations will be
and a diverse collection of marine life. The
able to once again come to a resource-
sheer expansiveness of Antarctica is also a
sharing agreement at the bottom of the
contributing factor in its newfound value. In
world, or instead will choose to ravage the
2
nyu mu n c viii
lands below in search of dominance over the
the United States signed the Antarctic Treaty
vast continent. With the fate of their
System on December 1, 1959 and ratified it
countries at stake, who will win the Race to
on June 3, 1959. The principles of the
Antarctica?
Antarctic Treaty held that Antarctica was to
be used for peaceful purposes only, that all of
History of Antarctica
the research coming from Antarctica had to
In 1820, three individuals claimed to have
be
discovered Antarctica first -- Captain von
activities/weapons testing was banned. The
Bellingshausen of the Imperial Russian
treaty also stated that all past sovereignty
Navy, Captain Edward Bransfield of the
claims were unmalleable, and no new claims
Royal Navy, and sealer Nathaniel Palmer
could be made.
from Stonington, Connecticut. This sparked
During the Trump Presidency, the United
an initial interest in Antarctica, and ten
States began planting a series of expansive
nations (UK, Belgium, Germany, Sweden,
facilities, claimed to be solely for habitation
France, Australia, among others) sent
research for the nation’s quest to build
explorers to reach the south pole. Though
human cities on Mars, in the unclaimed
they landed in Antarctica, none were
lands of Antarctica. Following in suit, a
ultimately successful.
number of nations also began to build
In 1907, Ernest Shackleton of Great Britain
expansive bases. In particular, New Zealand
became the first man to reach the south
created a base in its claimed territory and
magnetic pole. In 1911, Roald Amundsen of
Australia built three. Norway, following the
Norway became the first to reach the south
spirit of the treaty, abstained from this
geographic pole (note: the poles are app. 300
aggressive buildup of bases. Russia, in the
km apart). No one was able to reach the pole
2020s, did build a few bases in Antarctica.
again until 1956 when Rear Admiral George
However, due to its economic struggles in the
J. Dufek of the United States successfully
2030s, closed these bases in a hurry.
landed an aircraft on the geographic south
The ES, capitalizing on the existing bases of
pole.
Argentina and Chile, built several new bases.
These
expeditions
sparked
shared,
and
that
military
several
In the 2030s, tensions between the ES and
competing claims by a handful of nations. In
the United Kingdom rose significantly
order to address this issue, the nations of
around
Argentina, Australia, Belgium. Chile, France,
Antarctica. In 2037, the two parties agreed to
Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa,
a joint venture: they would merge their
the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and
claims. In exchange for partial UK funding,
3
their
overlapping
claims
in
nyu mu n c viii
any and all research information obtained by
instead to embark on a process of mass
the ES studies in Antarctica would be shared.
deportations of illegal immigrants, a move
In addition, 15% of all profits from both
that received both critique and praise from
tourism and research benefits would go
the American public. He also severely
directly to the United Kingdom.
hindered the potential for abortions by
Seeking to enter the Antarctica game, China
making surgeries more expensive and by
purchased France’s claim. Taking advantage
forcing women to undergo psychological
of
evaluations before having the procedure.
their
years
of
cooperation,
China
instigated a partnership with its Pacific allies
Three years into Trump’s first term, Vice
Australia and New Zealand. The three
President Mike Pence died of a heart attack,
nations, though they would hold their
said to be caused by his high stress lifestyle.
individual
their
As per the counsel of the rest of his cabinet,
territory. All information discovered and
President Trump adopted a more moderate
researched conducted would be shared
stance to appease the remainder of the
jointly among them before being introduced
voters, choosing former Ohio governor John
to the general public. In addition, scientists
Kasich as his new Vice President. He
of the three nations would collaborate on
subsequently decided not to overturn same-
research.
sex marriage law, despite urgings from much
Today, there are thirty expansive bases in
of his reactionary base. Given the backlash
Antarctica. Eleven belong to the ES, eight
his laws against abortion had caused, he also
belong to the United States, six belong to
relaxed
China, four belong to Australia, and one
psychological evaluations, and stating that
belongs to New Zealand.
birth control would be covered by insurance.
claims,
would
merge
some
restrictions,
eliminating
History of the United
He also modified Obamacare, making it
States of America
providing deductions to parents to make
On the 8th of November, 2016, Donald J.
promises to cut taxes, and decreased his
Trump won the US Presidential Elections
proposed tariff on Mexican goods from 35%
with a small margin of electoral votes when
to just 15%; this encouraged Americans to
Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan donned
buy more goods manufactured in America,
the iconic red of the GOP. Contrary to his
while not antagonizing Mexico enough for
campaign promises, he did not build the wall
them to impose their own high tariffs on
between the USA and Mexico, choosing
American goods in retaliation. All these
more affordable for the common people, and
childcare
4
affordable.
He
fulfilled
his
nyu mu n c viii
reforms led to renewed faith in President
secession from the United States. In the
Trump
subsequent months, the states of Oregon and
and
therefore
his
subsequent
reelection.
Washington joined the CSP in successfully
However, in his second term, President
seceding. Thus, on March 27th, 2024, all
Trump decided to make greater use of his
three states agreed to join together to form
Presidential
extensively
the United Democratic Republic of Pacifica.
overstepping the limits of his office. Tensions
However, Trump refused acknowledge their
with China rose due to the Yuan’s deliberate
secession, and the United States’ official
devaluation, which Trump openly criticized.
policy was that the UDRP was officially still a
In response, America began to pad their
part of America. However, the UDRP refused
military, preparing for the possibility of war
to pay taxes to the central government, and
with China. To this end, they renewed talks
withheld resources that would otherwise be
with India regarding joint patrols on the
controlled by them. As a result, the United
Chinese border, an agreement which India
States suffered drastic economic setbacks
cautiously agreed to sign off on if the
due to the loss of natural resources that were
tensions reached boiling point.
so abundant in the area, as well as almost the
Trump
privileges,
also
further
persecuted
illegal
entire Western seaport. This, coupled with
immigrants, passing a bill that declared that
the loss of agricultural production and major
any such immigrants would be immediately
slowdowns in technological innovations, led
deported to their country of citizenship, with
to the disgrace of Trump, and the end of
no questions asked. Out of all the states,
Republican rule in the United States.
California condemned this most vocally due
to its large Hispanic and
Latinx populations. The
ensuing
tension
unrest
led
to
and
the
ultimate growth of the
California
Secessionist
Party (CSP). With the
CSP’s newfound support
from the state’s majority
Hispanic population, it
was successful in its
ultimate goal: that of
5
nyu mu n c viii
In 2024, President Trump was replaced by
population, and increasing competition from
President
former
China and the ES degraded the agricultural
Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii.
and manufacturing capacity of the US. In
Gabbard spent most of her first term
2030, Gabbard passed a bill called The
reversing many of the changes made by
Environment
Trump; renewing political talks with China
attempt to limit the damage caused the
and Russia, and negotiating better terms
scarcity and pollution of primary resources
with the UDRP. In 2025, the Treaty of
like water as a result of the degradation of
Sacramento was signed, in which the United
existing
States officially recognized the secession of
exacerbated by the loss of the Pacific coastal
the UDRP; but settling for a situation
states. Trade with the new nation of Pacifica,
identical to that of Australia and the United
while providing these resources, provided
Kingdom: the UDRP would be independent,
them in small amounts and at high prices.
but technically considered a part of the
Despite the government’s success with social
territory of the United States. The UDRP
policies, its best efforts to increase the
would also be a trade ally of the USA, thus
agricultural output of the United States
allowing it to regain some of the natural
failed.
resources it needed.
In 2032, Tulsi Gabbard was replaced as
In 2026, two conservative Supreme Court
President
Justices died within two years of each other,
Democratic Socialist, who became the first
and
President
female black President. She immediately
Gabbard instated two new justices: Diego
began to invest in nuclear and solar energy,
Gomez- a hispanic gay man- and Noor
through the Clean Energy Bill of 2033, which
Kazmi-a Muslim woman. Gabbard was re-
also imposed a 20% tax on non-renewable
elected in a landslide in 2028, allowing her to
sources of energy. She also passed a bill that
continue her liberalisation of American laws.
significantly reduced American defence
In 2029, the Supreme Court declared that
spending. In response, China agreed to lend
women had undeniable federal right to birth
the United States the funds required for
control, and reproductive rights, to much
investing more heavily in renewable energy.
rejoicing from Americans.
As a result, the United States became a world
However, as time progressed, the combined
leader in the mass production of alternative
effects of decades of transition that the
sources of energy, focusing primarily on
American economy had experienced towards
solar, nuclear and geothermal energy. By
the services sector, a rapidly urbanizing
2034, the United States became the world’s
Tulsi
consequently,
Gabbard,
in
2027
a
6
Conservation
infrastructure,
by
Taylor
Act,
a
Rhodes,
in
an
condition
another
nyu mu n c viii
largest exporter of electricity, bringing light
industry started moving to urban centers-
to
a third of the global population.
most notably Chicago, New York, and
Renewable sources of energy now accounted
Detroit- in search of employment and higher
for 5% of the American GDP, and played a
living standards; which resulted in an
significant role in establishing American ties
increase in pollution in these cities due to the
to the new ES. In 2035, facing an impending
greater population concentration there. This
food shortage and the long-time degradation
urbanization resulted in a surplus of labor,
of American natural resource output, the US
leading to a high unemployment rate for
government reached out for help to the states
many cities. Public health also became a
of the world. As the newly-risen power of the
major issue in urban cities due to the
South, the ES formed a trade agreement with
population explosion. Urbanization coupled
America. In exchange for easier access to
with high unemployment rates catalyzed
American energy markets, the ES reduced
drug prevalence, greater petty crime, and
transport and trade costs for food and fresh
prostitution in major cities.
Military
water.
Following both Tulsi Gabbard’s and Taylor
The United States military has seen a
Rhodes’ Democratic Socialist platforms, the
specialization in the recent years, moving
economy of the US slowed. The focus of these
away from holding large standing and
Presidents had mainly been to curtail
reserve armies. Popular support for military
environmental damage caused by changes to
spending programs declined in the mid-30s,
the American geopolitical landscape; and as
however the leftover effects of the Trump
a result, the economy was not growing
Presidency resulted in a set of capable
quickly enough to compete on the ever-
military programs that carried through the
changing international markets. The switch
years and have helped the United States
to renewable energy sources had created
develop the assets that it needed for the
jobs, but increased American dependence on
future.
imports (largely natural resources) meant
A mandatory ROTC program for all students
that unemployment rates were rising faster
in public universities and colleges resulted in
than new jobs could be created. All of this
an entire generation, or close to 30 million
combined to give the US a low marginal
people, developing the basic skills to defend
economic growth.
the country if she so needed it. While this
Further,
agricultural
problems
in
the
program was officially ended in 2026, and
Midwest resulted in a spike in urbanization.
was highly unpopular, it can be used in times
Farmers and workers in the agricultural
of distress to mobilize support for any large-
7
nyu mu n c viii
scale military endeavors. As of now, the US
is
Armed
supersonic jets.
Forces
number
814,237
with
rather
slow
compared
to
today’s
Economy
300,000 in reserves.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
The
remains as one of the most adept stealth
regulates large businesses, imposes high
multi-role fighters in existence. The US Air
taxes on the rich, promotes the formation of
Force operates 1,600 aircraft in various
unions and aims towards reductions in the
configurations, while the US Navy operates
wage gap. The left-wing policies of the last
800 aircraft. In addition, the US also
fifteen years caused growth to stagnate and
operates a number of existing aircraft, ships
industry to suffer. Given a global population
and carriers, although as of 2040 a large
numbering almost nine billion, the US’s
number of number of these are either
population close to 350 million, and natural
approaching the ends of their service lives or
resources over-extended to the brink of
require significant upgrades to continue
insufficiency, it has become difficult and
operations.
expensive for the United States and its allies
After a series of Democratic governments,
to continue to manufacture goods necessary
the US manned forces shrank a considerable
for a thriving and supportive economy.
deal. To combat this, the US moved to
Through
expand its arsenal of unmanned assets. With
passed,
the advances in nuclear energy technology
dependent on expensive imports from other
that came about in the late 20s and early 30s
nations. A push for self-sufficiency in
and the US’s dominance in the sphere, the
industrials and manufacturing has led to the
US was able to miniaturize a number of
consideration of Antarctica as a viable goal;
Radioisotope
Thermoelectric
its vast mineral and hydrocarbon reserves
Generators(RTGs), used in a number of
leave a gleam in the eyes of those hoping to
applications.
Grumman
rebuild America’s fading industrial base on
Spectre, an unmanned aerial vehicle with
Antarctica. In addition, being able to claim
effectively unlimited range and a need for
the resources of Antarctica and trade them
refurbishment only every 6 months is
with our allies could be a huge boost to the
operated by the Defense Department and the
US’s flagging manufacturing and industrials
Central Intelligence Agency in a number of
sectors. The United States also seeks to
scenarios. The Spectre, while able to reach
regain some of the excitement and fervor of
any part of the planet with relative ease, is
the 2000s, a time where growth was
susceptible to heavy weather conditions, and
exponential, and the United States held a
The
Northrop
8
current
the
the
economic
infrastructure
quarter-century
US
has
that
become
has
heavily
nyu mu n c viii
dominant position in almost every global
countries (helped of course by the United
market. It is believed that the move to exploit
States’ ability to tax global income), heavy
the resources of Antarctica could aid in this
imports and a large reorganization of the
regard.
economy towards automated processes have
Environmental Issues
abated the problems, but this is only a
Despite attempts by the government to
temporary measure. The United States of
counteract the effects of global warming,
America needs a long-term solution, one that
agricultural output has drastically declined
can assist its citizens in living meaningful
with the onset of climate change. Large
and
portions of ‘Tornado Alley’ have become
conditions. The movement of capital and
completely
rising
people within and outside of US borders
temperatures in that region; and such
(especially with the issue of the newly-barren
unsustainable crop practices being used
Midwest) requires the US to tread carefully
years prior that the soil has become desolate
due to the pressing global need for new
and is known for causing massive dust
resources.
storms. This decline in production forced the
As land becomes more overcrowded and less
government
to
viable to rework and settle within the borders
alternative
forms
infertile,
with
consider
subsidizing
prosperous
lives in the best of
from
of the US and other countries, world leaders
hydroponics to heavily genetically-modified
and leading planners look to yet unsettled
seeds. Due to the trifecta of spreading issues
and/or
to do with land: urbanization, agricultural
Antarctica, along with more untouched
land degradation and rising home prices, the
regions of the world.
of
agriculture
unclaimed
plots
of
land
like
Global History
United States faces the possibility of national
crises on a multitude of fronts. The effects of
climate change are also starting to become
People’s Republic of China
visible, in that some of the US’s major cities
In 2018, China and Chile formed an ongoing
are now just decades away from facing large-
transcontinental partnership focused on the
scale flooding and are susceptible to being
design and production of green technologies.
completely
its
Specifically, this included hydroelectric,
geopolitical influence to US allies and the
solar, and wind power, which strengthened
world at large, the United States has been
overall economic cooperation between China
able to mitigate this problem to an extent.
and
Outsourcing, incentivizing US companies to
Throughout the 2020’s, China continued to
expatriate their skilled workers to other
increase its production capabilities and
engulfed.
In
expanding
9
the
South
American
continent.
nyu mu n c viii
eventually became the world’s leading
This rapid militarization ultimately had
manufacturer of solar panels and other
severe consequences. By the mid 2020’s, the
related technologies.
re-appropriation
In 2022, Wang Qishan was elected president
development diverted money away from
of China. In line with his predecessor, Xi
environmental and infrastructure projects,
Jinping, Wang Qishan pushed a staunchly
and
conservative agenda. In a move to cement
conditions. China’s aging population further
power, President Wang Qishan organized a
strained its infrastructure and social security
coalition within the Chinese Communist
frameworks, while air quality in major
Party and purged both dissenters and
industrial hubs like Beijing and Shanghai
political opponents on corruption charges,
continued to decline. Due to China’s
appointing close friends and confidantes to
burgeoning population, reaching 1.6 billion
top positions. Those that escaped his
by 2040, and increased manufacturing,
crackdown fled to Hong Kong, where they
pollution of freshwater sources has become a
are—even to this day--trying to foster a
growing
democratic movement on the mainland.
government.
China’s return to an autocratic government
The transition into the 2030’s marked a
has resulted in a crackdown on civil liberties
pivotal moment for China’s global ambitions.
such as freedom of speech and the press.
In 2029, the U.S. faced economic hardship
Concurrently, due to its booming economy,
and turned to nuclear energy to revive its
Chinese
increased
struggling economy, requiring heavy funding
considerably. In the first half of the 2020’s,
by China. As a result, China became the
China made its cyber warfare capabilities
largest creditor nation in the world. In 2032,
more competitive. This allowed the Chinese
China’s efforts with its One Belt, One Road
government to obtain advanced military
policy as well as its Asian Infrastructure
designs from the United States and Russia.
Investment Bank proved successful and the
As a result, China’s military came to parallel
yuan became a global currency on par with
that of the United States. Taking advantage
the U.S. dollar. In particular, the yuan
of its newfound military strength, as well as
became the standard currency in Asia,
the geopolitical turmoil in the United States,
Russia, and parts of Africa like Zimbabwe
China rapidly expanded its military bases in
and Tanzania.
the South China Sea. Facing little resistance,
The newfound strength of the yuan, as well
China took de facto control of the region.
as the quality of Chinese higher education,
military
spending
led
of
to
concern
funds
for
worsened
for
the
military
domestic
Chinese
attracted high skilled labor back to China.
10
nyu mu n c viii
This influx of highly educated workers
of a supranational government, modeled
heightened the political consciousness of the
after the European Union. The results of
Chinese public and inspired a grassroots,
subsequent referendums were decisive and
pro-democracy movement. This sentiment,
clear --- the ES would be created from the
though heavily opposed by the government,
nations of Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. In
remains alive and well into 2040.
2035,
the
new
union
was
officially
recognized. There was some opposition by
Los Estados Sudamericanos
the
governments
of
excluded
South
In 2023, Chile began expanding its tourism
American nations like Bolivia and Peru, but
sector to the Southernmost point in South
their economies and leaders were not
America. This was very popular with
powerful enough to create substantial impact
international visitors, and Chile’s economy
on the Union, and were therefore excluded.
rapidly expanded as new tourists flocked to
However, given its geographic location in
the region. Argentinian companies, wanting
between Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay’s
to capitalize on this wave, began joint
opposition was met with treaties that allowed
ventures with Chilean companies. This led to
the nation to take part in select trade
the creation of several new trade agreements
agreements of the ES and partake in a share
between the two nations, synergizing other
of the benefits without formally joining the
economic sectors of the two nations, and
Union. In exchange, Uruguay’s borders are
entangling national interests between the
opened to the free flow of goods and trade
two nations. By 2029, their economies had
between Brazil and Argentina.
merged in everything but name. They created
The ES is governed by a legislative body, El
common currency, the ArgenChile Peso, to
Parlamento, a central bank, El Banco
encourage trade amongst the two nations. In
Central, a judicial body, El Tribunal Judicial,
2032, Brazilian companies in Sao Paulo and
and an executive body, La Cámara de
Rio de Janeiro began investing in the
Ministros (“La Cámara”). El Parlamento is
newfound powerhouse economy. As a result,
composed of thirty-three representatives
Brazil joined the Chile-Argentina trade
from each nation for a total of ninety-nine
agreeemnts, and by 2034, Brazil had also
representatives,
adopted the ArgenChile Peso, which was
(Miembros del Parlamento). It is chaired by
dubbed as a result the El Peso Sudamericano
a president, who the total population of the
(PSA).
ES directly elects, but the nationality of the
After the PSA was created, the three nations
president rotates between the three nations.
held talks in Buenos Aires about the creation
Each president’s term is six years, and there
11
referred
to
as
MdP’s
nyu mu n c viii
is not a cap on terms. The current president
in the region. These new technologies were
of El Parlamento is left-leaning Chilean
driven
Manuel Silva Martínez. The other main
hydropower)
governing body within ES is La Cámara de
popular throughout the region and the
Ministros, which consists of six highly
world. Notably, ES and China created a
ranked governmental ministers from Brazil,
highly
Argentina, and Chile respectively, for a total
partnership called the Suda-Sino GreenTech
of eighteen members. The current leader of
Partnership which focused on the design and
La Cámara is Isabel Marquéz Oliviera, who
production
has been popular within the ES, and has thus
powered machinery, and other advanced
served
primary
technologies, such as new methods for
responsibility is to serve as an advisory
sustainable tree farming and biodiversity
committee to El Parlamento, representing
conservation.
the needs of their individual countries. If El
In the last five years, the ES has made
Parlamento is ever to call an “estado de
acceptably positive economic gains. Once
emergencia” (state of emergency), then La
Brazil, the largest economy in South
Cámara serves as “La Comisión de la Crisis”
America, joined forces with Argentina and
(Crisis Committee), and is responsible for
Chile, acquiring more resources, the Union
providing the people of ES with a favorable
garnered
resolution. With respect to militaries, each
popularity. Western powers had historically
nation within the ES holds their autonomy.
looked at Latin America as a land full of
However, the president of El Parlamento has
resources and riches; the idea of a “South
the authority to can call the armies of the
American” Union led many companies to
three ES nations under a common flag,
establish bases in Argentina and Chile, while
provided the unanimous support of La
expanding their already existing offices in
Cámara and a ⅔ vote in El Parlamento.
Brazil. Moreover, instead of boycotting the
This new economic powerhouse began to
union, they realized the potential of this
expand into other industries. Due to the
market, and given that Brazil and Argentina
abundance of natural resources within the
are both founding members of the trade
region, and the increasing global demand for
partnership, they facilitated the transition of
raw materials, ES began to further invest in
ES into this agreement. Soon after, the Peso
more efficient technology for the extraction,
Sudamericano gained popularity and value,
refinement, and production of iron ore,
and the Asian and North American markets
multiple
terms.
Their
uranium, petroleum, and other earth metals
12
by
sustainable
and
became
profitable
of
practices
increasingly
transcontinental
windmills,
significant
(like
hydroelectric
international
nyu mu n c viii
realized that a new competitor was emerging
Germany, in particular, experienced rapid
from the Global South.
ascension within the EU becoming its driving
Other Nations
economic force. This occurred in the 2030s
Elsewhere in the world, some nations saw
as a delayed result of Angela Merkel’s
more change than others. Russia, with its
stringent austerity practices, as well as
comparatively weak economy but capable
Frankfurt’s rise to Europe’s financial capital
military, remains about as relevant to world
following the historic 2016 Brexit decision.
events as it was in 2016. No longer able to
The United Kingdom lost its influence over
rely entirely on an oil-based economy, Russia
European proceedings and became less
pivoted its focus to selling military arms on a
prevalent in global affairs.
large scale. This further entrenched Russia
In the Southern hemisphere, a South African
with her traditional allies (China, Iran, and
startup
India) but also polarized her from her
revolutionized food distribution. Seeing a
traditional adversaries (the West). Though it
high potential in the new company, the South
has no formal claims in Antarctica, Russia is
African government bought a substantial
a strong player in the race to Antarctica given
share of Macro-Nutrients Inc. Building up an
its comparative military expertise in frigid
efficient and effective distribution network in
conditions.
Africa during the 2020s, they built up their
named
Macro-Nutrients
Inc.
a
expertise and were able to market their
tumultuous quarter-century since 2016. The
services worldwide. As the global population
rise of populism, nationalism, economic
increased dramatically, they became hugely
disparity, and the steady decline of Europe’s
profitable. In this way, South Africa’s stature
global influence culminated in a tense
as a middle economy was done: they became
European
a regional economic powerhouse.
Moving
west,
Europe
Union.
experienced
Another
contributing
factor to the fractured European Union was
Lastly, the world bodies across the globe
the inclusion of these new states: Macedonia,
have
Moldova, Serbia, Bosnia, and Montenegro.
powerhouses of the UN lost their influence,
Not only did this negatively affect EU-
the
Russian relations, but it eventually polarized
undermined.
the EU by pitting the East against the West.
dramatically and the capabilities of the UN
The leaders of the EU, Germany and France,
diminished greatly. As a result of the Asian
consistently prioritized the needs of the
Infrastructure Investment Bank’s rise to
western bloc, which further exacerbated
prominence, the power of the World Bank
tensions.
was severely divided. Ultimately this meant
13
weakened.
legitimacy
As
of
the
the
traditional
institution
Funding
was
decreased
nyu mu n c viii
that
both
institutions,
in
turned their focus to Antarctica. Antarctica,
influence and ability, were rivals and less
due to increased climate change, had
effective
been
essentially become habitable. As the ice
otherwise. With the global shift of allegiance
melted away, access to resources such as oil,
from the World Bank to the AIIB, the funding
coal, and other various such resources
of other institutions like the IMF was
increased. America sent in the U.S reserve
severely cut. In essence, the power of the
forces along with some of the brightest
established world bodies was dramatically
scientists to survey land and set up a
reduced.
temporary base on behalf. The presence of a
than
they
comparable
could
have
Antarctic Assets
U.S military asset in Antarctica sent other
In light of the negative effects of urbanization
base on high alert and caused increased
and the loss of natural resources, the US
tensions around the world.
turned its focus to the newly relevant seventh
America poured millions of dollars into
continent. Antarctica was a land rich in oil,
establishing
freshwater, and scientific phenomena- and
research facilities on Antarctic land. The
thanks to the advancements of science, was
facilities are conducting intensive research
now accessible enough to also be habitable.
on the transitions required to establish new
In the last year of her Presidency, President
communities
Rhodes began to discuss the possibility of an
economically develop Antarctica for U.S
Antarctic stipend to motivate Americans to
citizens, and, perhaps most importantly,
live
American-occupied
neutrinos: radioactive sub-atomic particles
Antarctica. Congress also began to discuss
that could potentially be used in nuclear
the repercussions of not renewing the
weaponry and medical machinery. The
Antarctic
and
work
on
astrophysics
in
and
Antarctic,
chemical
ways
to
the
one
hand,
research base itself employs thousands of
with
the
other
Americans. From research to maintenance
signatories would suffer, but on the other
work, the base by itself generates and creates
hand, the drawn-up border lines would no
a source of income for Americans.
longer exist: thus leaving several large
The US government also started issuing
chunks of viable land up for grabs.
Antarctic bonds. These bonds are specific
To
presidential
bonds issued to individuals who show high
administration began quickly developing
motivation in relocating to Antarctica. These
ideas to find a new, more habitable land to
are essentially high risk- high reward type
re-establish
bonds; the government provides a high
diplomatic
Treaty;
in
countries looking to establish an Antarctic
relations
counter
this,
American
the
influence.
They
14
nyu mu n c viii
interest rate, but is only required to pay back
the user contingent on the fact that he or she
relocates and lives in Antarctica for at least
five years.
America was able to find numerous gold
deposits underneath its sanctioned portion
of Antarctica. This new discovery prompted
a “global gold rush”, where many other
countries who had land in Antarctica started
pouring in in an attempt to find gold. This led
to an increase in American assets in
Antarctica. More money started pouring in.
Barrick Gold, one of the largest gold mining
companies in the world, was able to get
special permission from the American
government to establish a private gold
mining sector. Again, this led to more jobs
and more money. After Barrick Gold, many
other major gold manufacturing companies
started turning their eyes to Antarctica. They
started establishing “gold camp towns.” This
saw a spike in American assets in Antarctica.
The date is April 6, 2040. You are the
members of the President’s Commission on
Antarctica. You have been tasked with
formulating, legislating and executing the
United States of America’s policies on
Antarctica. God bless you all, and God bless
these United States of America.
15