America Should Change to the Metric System
The metric system of measurement is a standardized system that was created to harmonized measurement throughout the world (Whitelaw 34). The aim of formulating a uniform system of measurement was to increase collaboration of various countries in all fields, especially for trade. About 95% of the world have already adopted the metric system. The only countries that have not accepted the metric system include the United States, Liberia and Burma. Failure to accept the metric system as the standard system of measurement could be the only thing the united states shares with Liberia and Burma, given that the United States is a super power and an industrialized country.
The problem associated with the English imperial system, which is used in the united states is that it hinders trade between the United States and other countries that use the metric system. The production of both industrial and consumer commodities is dependent on measurements. The difference in the measurement system between the united states and other countries makes it hard for united states companies serve the world market. Firms in the united states that serve both domestic and international markets have to maintain two production lines, which are overlapping. Maintain such lines is expensive and increase the amount of money held in inventories. Another problem related to the English imperial system used in America is that it is extremely cumbersome to relate different units (Saiko 89). Students use a considerable amount of time learning to relate the units, a task that could be easily accomplished if America could adopt the metric system. Most Americans who advocate for the English system argue that the English system serves them well and finds no fault with it. It may be poetic to say that a house is a hundred miles from the road instead of a hundred kilometers, but the cost of maintaining the poetic English system is high.
The cause of this reluctance to change comes from Americans considering the English system their heritage. They consider the system as their own, but it is not. The system was developed in Britain, although the Britons have adopted the metric system in preference to their own heritage. Its seems that Americans are not ready to accept a system that is not their own. However, such an action is ridiculous because it is like refusing to use a van in preference to a horse cart because their ancestors used the cart. While it is essential to value heritage and culture, it is equally important to avoid culture from entangling people into a static state.
The solution to this problem is for all Americans to embrace change and adopt the metric system. There are numerous advantages related to such change. First, the time spent by students studying the cumbersome English system would be utilized in other things since the metric system is easy to understand (Taylor 45). Secondly, American firms would benefit from increased trade with other nations because of adopting the metric system. The costs associated with maintaining overlapping production lines would be over, and the firms would become competitive in the world market.
It is, therefore, crucial for America to change to the metric system because the results of such action is positive. The negative consequences that many fear that may accompany the change involve budgetary expenditure. However, the benefits of using the metric system outweigh the costs of changing.
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