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Has the North American Free Trade Agreement Supported Cohesion?

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The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was created with the intentions of making North America as a whole a more competitive player in the global marketplace. The North American countries (Canada, America, and Mexico) all share the same hope that NAFTA will be a strong outlet in supporting economic activity and promoting social cohesion between one another. Has NAFTA done this thus far? Most Americans would probably say that it has not because in their eyes free trade is the reason for more than 2.4 million American jobs being displaced since March 2001 and why America is in a financial downturn (Scott). However, have these Americans lost themselves in the economic side of NAFTA and forgotten about the social unity that is one of the original intentions of the agreement? These Americans are only looking at the small picture and thinking of their own local communities rather than a larger global community. With community being defined as, “ a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals” becoming a global community should be feasible (“Community”). Each American, Canadian, and Mexican share the same goal of establishing themselves in a place of opportunity that not only constitutes political and economic freedom but also shares their cultural background allowing them to feel accepted as an individual. By demonstrating how international relationships and maintaining a sense of identity throughout North America will

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