Vandana Shiva

Imperial power has always been based on a convergence of military power and used in the defence of trade. This convergence was at the heart of the gunboat diplomacy during colonialism. A similar convergence is now taking shape around the defence of trading interests in a period of globalization and so-called free trade. This can be seen in the legislation passed by the US Congress in 1996 which views the IPRs as vital to national security.