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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: 49thMIMOMander who wrote (7112)	10/23/2001 6:01:01 PM
From: Carolyn	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Much of islam has to do with free trade. Interesting comment. I would say that much of islam has to do with "free" trade accompanied by a multitude of bribes, bargaining, and cheating the government.

To: 49thMIMOMander who wrote (7112)	10/23/2001 6:02:21 PM
From: Michael Watkins	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Upholding global free trade is important both for fun+damentalist islamists and americans, fair price for a fair product, as well as license payments (no??) Oil producing nations have three basic price influencing factors to consider - large cartel (OPEC) output and pricing pressure - world wide output (supply) - world wide demand Interestingly, world wide demand is very much a factor of price. I think the cartel has more going for it, at least at this time, than you seem to suggest: - far less pesky environmental laws - land ownership, generally speaking they can take any land they want - cheap labour force for the menial stuff - physical characteristics = all equal the lowest price of production They can jack up the price. No problemo, it just results in world wide slowing, eventually, which will eventually force down price. They can also force down the price, resulting in reductions in exploration investment, which results in increased prices eventually. But oil is not in infinite supply. Sooner or later the M.E. nations will have to have matured into much broader economies. Its a long term proposition, but without oil, who will care...