Political Science

Fast-Track Authority was undemocratic under the U.S constitution. Congress writes laws and sets our trade policies. However, through the introduction of Fast Track, the president grabbed that power. This mechanism facilitated controversial commercial pacts like NAFTA and the World Trade Organizations (WTO), which restricts nations trade and non trade policies.

Americans were for anti-fast track authority system and they tried all their means to ensure that Bush Administration is not granted with the authority to determine the direction, policies and terms regarding the state engagement in the global economy. Fast track authority was to transfer Congress constitutional mandated control over U.S trade agreements to the White House. Fast Track grants the president power to pick or select countries to negotiate with. He sets the agreements terms and even may sign the agreement himself before the Congress votes or the public that does not have public say. This system bans all amendments and forces out votes even if the democratic leader does not want the agreements on the floor.

Fast Track is undemocratic in the sense that it would undermine and prevent Congress from negotiating or participating in debates on any trade agreements involving the president. This will automatically reduce the role of Congress in the trade negotiations. The president has only power to manage foreign sovereigns relations while Congress is mandated with the power to regulate and control commerce with foreign countries. Fast track would destroy and remove checks and balances of governance stipulated in the constitution and this was to take the government into undemocratic direction.

Therefore, Fast Track was an impediment and an obstacle to free trade, limitation of public opinion on trade, environmental and socio-economic issues. Hence, the need for democratic process coupled with accountable trade negotiators was paramount important to ensure public opinion are taken into account as well as Congress legislative roles, labor  and environmental standards are protected.