U.S- 'mother and bastion of modern protectionism' ?
Worswick: Here is something I found in the Economic Times from India.
I thought this argument by Noam Chomsky is kind of revealing and thought provoking to say the least.Any opinion?
CITINGS
It would be plain silly to bring up the fact that from its origins, the US has been 'the mother country and bastion of modern protectionism'. I am quoting the eminent economic historian Paul Bairoch, who proceeds to document his more general conclusion that 'it is difficult to find another case where the facts so contradict a dominant theory' as the doctrine that free markets were the engine of growth, or for that matter, that great powers adhered to them except for temporary advantage.... The United States, in particular, has always been extreme in rejecting market discipline. That is how it developed from the beginning, including textiles, steel, energy, chemicals, computers and electronics, pharmaceuticals agribusiness, and so on, gaining enormous wealth and power instead of pursuing its comparative advantage in exporting furs, in accord with the stern principles of economic rationality.
Nor did the American developmental state break new ground. Britain had followed a similar course, only turning to free trade after 150 years of protectionism had given it such enormous advantages that a 'level playing field' seemed a fairly safe bet, even then relying on the fact that 40 per cent of its exports could go to the Third World (1800-1938). It is not easy to find an exception, from the origins of Europe's industrial revolution, when Daniel Defoe, expressing the common perception in 1728, warmed that England faced an uphill struggle in attempting to compete with 'China, India and other Eastern countries'.
Noam Chomsky in Powers and Prospects: Reflections on Human Nature and the Social Order
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Now regarding your post and the comments by the lady seems rather harsh and a stereotypical.I don't know how she could paint the whole lot as irresponsible,feckless et al. I believe the 'blame game' she speak of is as old as human history and nothing new and hardly surprising. On the other hand one can only wish the political machinery and policy makers realize the gravity of the situation and correct their policies accordingly, inspite of the inherent genetic propensities to blame others for their shortcomings.
She said, "The problem with the Indonesians is that they are a totally feckless, irresponsible people.... who always blame others for problems of their own making. They are unwilling to admit they bear any responsibility for any present problem." |
