Nice analysis, Jonah.

So far, this publicly staged contest of denouncing the other wolf in sheep's clothing as a truly more dangerous, ravenous wolf has delayed the onslaught of global consolidation as the wolves battle it out between themselves and jockey for position in the overall order of global affairs.

Or as Ralph Nader is so fond of saying, the lesser evil is still evil.

Uncontrolled growth is indeed the definition of cancer, yet it is the goal of all corporations.

The nasty little secret of globalization is that business sense makes no sense at all in the larger scheme of things. Your parasite analogy is apt: when the parasite consumes the host, it dies. The more it is able to control its growth and reproduction so as not to consume its host, the more successful a parasite.

The earth, our habitat, is our host, and we are parasites upon it for we create nothing that is not created out of what is already here. We consume, but we do not replenish. We cannot restore or replace the many species we have already driven to extinction. In the case of animals, we may not feel the loss, but in the case of plants we may already have destroyed those which held the cure to some of our most intractable diseases.

I think one of the best insights into greed is the saying that, "He who dies with the most toys, wins." It shows clearly that those who think this way are children who have not developed a sense of responsibility. Yet we continue to allow them to hold the reigns of power and they are often admired and emulated.

Our survival and that of our planet depends on us, we the grownups, sending these spoiled children to their rooms and giving them a time-out before they set the house afire and destroy us all.

--Mark

by Mark E. Smith (20 articles, 28 quicklinks, 68 diaries, 819 comments) on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at 1:50:26 PM
 

Thanks, Mark!

I agree completely.

by Jonah2015 (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 18 comments) on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at 2:44:04 PM
 

Capitalism eats its young

I am a bit conflicted here in that I recognise that former third world colonial states are industrialising and throwing off the shackles of western imperialism, dare I say soon to be competing with, rather than being exploited by the west.

I do accept that much exploitation is found in the globalism movement, in the offshoring of industry primarily to avoid labor laws and environmental restrictions. Just as I see the error of expecting companies to show increasing profits each and every quarter, which drives this exploitation.

But, as a glass half full sort of guy, I see this emerging competition to the west as a way to end the gross unfairness of the life styles between the haves and the used to have nots. Ultimately it is capitalism that is the culprit here and until we all throw off the shackles of this selfish and enslaving system we will continue to see such as this article describes.

by ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2388 comments) on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at 7:34:26 PM
 

Paradox of Analysis and Synthesis

Dear Ardee,

I understand your confliction because the world is not black and white. The principles of private property, the role of capital in production and the efficiency of markets in distribution all seem necessary and valid. The difficulty of evaluating labor's compensatory role in production has been a problem throughout history. Some companies and industries have gone a long way to balancing that out. TOC is a good example of that approach, but the labor problem is yet to be solved satisfactorily as a whole. Many elements of capitalism are valid, and many problems can be isolated and improved if not solved.

Capitalism is usually associated with the West, but it is no longer exclusive to the West. Globalism was launched from European civilization but engulfs all who adopt its measures. I welcome increased prosperity to every nation, but what kind of prosperity? Here materialism and materialistic spirituality fall short in defining success or fulfillment of the "good life."

The dangers of Globalism come from the synthesis of the whole that creates an uncontrolled and destructive system exceeding natural bounds. I will discuss this further in part 3. A quick preview: The lead section is "Globalism's Dizzydom Dreaming" - could the whole world be sustainable if it was one great theme park? What is the cost? Where do artificial and real wealth separate ways?

by Jonah2015 (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 18 comments) on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 8:18:02 AM
 

I take exception

both to the black and white comment and to the assumption that capitalism is necesary. Neither is altogether true.

Things are sometimes really simple, black and white, sometimes they are not. It is a simple fact that Bush lied to gain approval to invade Iraq. It is a simple fact , black and white, that billions of dollars are missing from
the Iraqi reconstruction funding. It is also black and white that capitalism has resulted in a shrinking middle class , a growing number of working poor, great harm to the environment and a purchasing of our elected officials by corporations intent on maximizing profits.

It is increasingly clear that endless searching for more and more profits is the end result of the capitalist system, that it really does eat itself at last. It is not unscrupulous men, but a system that churns them out that we must address.

by ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2388 comments) on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 5:51:00 PM
 

What is Capitalism?

Is it wrong for a plumber to own his own business, tools, truck and have the freedom to negotiate his fees with a customer? That's capitalism. I think what you object to is what I call Globalism. That is what has destroyed the middle class, etc. In nature, too much of a good thing becomes toxic. Globalism is a convergence of too much "capitalism" and "socialism" to support too much government.

If "It is not unscrupulous men, but a system that churns them out that we must address," then why do you legitimately emphasize Bush's lies and corporate theft in Iraq under the direction of corrupt managers?

Some systems are structured to injustice, and others are not. Both suffer from "unscrupulous men" and have so throughout history. That is why Machiavelli wrote "The Prince" from an amoral bias.

I guess my closing point for you to consider is tied up with the "black and white" comments: personal and social problems are often more complex than meet the eye. They require careful consideration and some flexibility in solution because simplistic dogmatics rarely seem to work outside of a prescribed context. Good systems in nature and among men realistically require pragmatic checks and balances that operate. When humans are involved, vigilance is required to see that checks and balances are enforced. This is one reason why web sites such as this are so important to liberty and social order.

by Jonah2015 (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 18 comments) on Sunday, February 4, 2007 at 1:13:37 PM
 

Globalism

Chris,
Excellent piece.
Frosty

by Frosty Wooldridge (85 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 31 comments) on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 10:08:14 AM
 

Global superbank & one "government" entity?

Good article! you say, "A global winner will temporarily arise when there is one global currency and one superbank to manage it. Both will be under the control of one government entity."

Make that one private entity. Globalization is about global fascism, oligarchy and oligopoly... and one or three trilateral private central banks all owned by the same ruling elites.

See my site at PublicCentralBank.com for more.

Kent Welton,
OligarchyUSA.com

by Kent Welton (49 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 37 comments) on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 1:35:42 PM
 

Thanks!

I will need to make some time to look up your web site!

by Jonah2015 (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 18 comments) on Thursday, February 1, 2007 at 7:37:32 AM