Comments on: Globalization and the Emerging Powers of the South http://www.solidarityeconomy.net/2006/08/29/globalization-and-the-emerging-powers-of-the-south/ The Politics, Economics & Culture of Radical Change Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:56:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Jerry Harris, SolidarityEconomy.net http://www.solidarityeconomy.net/2006/08/29/globalization-and-the-emerging-powers-of-the-south/comment-page-1/#comment-20 Jerry Harris, SolidarityEconomy.net Wed, 13 Sep 2006 01:19:48 +0000 http://www.solidarityeconomy.net/?p=6#comment-20 I think the high road/ low road is another type of cut. There are both high and low roaders among national producers, and perhaps a few high roader globalists, at least in a few policy areas. For example, in talking to both Chinese and India union activists they both noted that some of the transnationals have better labor practices than local capitalist firms and so put pressure on local industry to upgrade working conditions. I would say most global speculators are low roaders, but then we have a few like George Soros who articulates a more progressive world view, and puts his money into it. Also economic and political policy do not always run along similar lines, again Soros is a good example, a speculator with progressive politics. Implications for the left -- its a complex world out there and we need flexible tactics and a solid strategic vision. I think the high road/ low road is another type of cut. There are both high and low
roaders among national producers, and perhaps a few high roader globalists, at least in
a few policy areas. For example, in talking to both Chinese and India union activists
they both noted that some of the transnationals have better labor practices than local
capitalist firms and so put pressure on local industry to upgrade working conditions. I
would say most global speculators are low roaders, but then we have a few like George
Soros who articulates a more progressive world view, and puts his money into it. Also
economic and political policy do not always run along similar lines, again Soros is a
good example, a speculator with progressive politics. Implications for the left –
its a complex world out there and we need flexible tactics and a solid strategic vision.

]]> By: MH http://www.solidarityeconomy.net/2006/08/29/globalization-and-the-emerging-powers-of-the-south/comment-page-1/#comment-19 MH Tue, 12 Sep 2006 23:35:14 +0000 http://www.solidarityeconomy.net/?p=6#comment-19 I'm curious to see how you see the High Road/Low Road analysis as it relates to national vs. transnational capital. Generally the globalists are portrayed as more progressive than the reactionary hegemonists (which I presume represent national capital). At the same time, isn't transnational capital more likely to be speculative? Is there a High Road and a Low Road here and what are the implications for the Left? I’m curious to see how you see the High Road/Low Road analysis as it relates to national vs. transnational capital. Generally the globalists are portrayed as more progressive than the reactionary hegemonists (which I presume represent national capital). At the same time, isn’t transnational capital more likely to be speculative? Is there a High Road and a Low Road here and what are the implications for the Left?

]]> By: SHO http://www.solidarityeconomy.net/2006/08/29/globalization-and-the-emerging-powers-of-the-south/comment-page-1/#comment-7 SHO Mon, 04 Sep 2006 06:46:00 +0000 http://www.solidarityeconomy.net/?p=6#comment-7 Nice article Prof. The thoughts and ideas of government are alone thoughts that can drive one insane. The ideas that flow behind the ideas of government can be a bit much to handle. Especially when the goal of life for the poor is to make money and survive. Capitalism teaches that. The purpose of life is to make money, to not only survive, but to conquer. When one thinks of life in these terms, what is one to do? Is there a form of government that will show true equality to all of it's people? Perhaps there is...yet perhaps it's only in our minds. For humans tend to be the same regardless of whether or not they are capitalist or socialist, Humanists or nihilists or if they are Vegans or carnivores. Or if they are Men or Women. In the end, when it comes down to it, they care about themselves and the people close to them. What is the most important thing in life? What is it that drives us all? There is no right answer to that. But in any place, in any society, there must be a leader right? I'm afraid that all of my ideas of utopia fail to become truth when I realize that. Because temptation can be greater than any passion. Now, that being said... Life has a way of changing, change is good. If a utopian society can be found, if not for us, then perhaps for our children or their children...and if we have to take baby steps to find this place...this true land of "freedom"...then let's step on forward. But I must say that I believe there is no right or wrong system of government. Capitalism and socialsim are merely words to me. In the end, the idea of it all is to survive and live. We must be able to adapt to our surroundings, we must be able to understand our predators and ourselves. Hopefully we can live together in peace and harmony; SHO Nice article Prof. The thoughts and ideas of government are alone thoughts that can drive one insane. The ideas that flow behind the ideas of government can be a bit much to handle. Especially when the goal of life for the poor is to make money and survive. Capitalism teaches that. The purpose of life is to make money, to not only survive, but to conquer. When one thinks of life in these terms, what is one to do? Is there a form of government that will show true equality to all of it’s people? Perhaps there is…yet perhaps it’s only in our minds. For humans tend to be the same regardless of whether or not they are capitalist or socialist, Humanists or nihilists or if they are Vegans or carnivores. Or if they are Men or Women. In the end, when it comes down to it, they care about themselves and the people close to them. What is the most important thing in life? What is it that drives us all? There is no right answer to that. But in any place, in any society, there must be a leader right? I’m afraid that all of my ideas of utopia fail to become truth when I realize that. Because temptation can be greater than any passion.

Now, that being said…

Life has a way of changing, change is good. If a utopian society can be found, if not for us, then perhaps for our children or their children…and if we have to take baby steps to find this place…this true land of “freedom”…then let’s step on forward.

But I must say that I believe there is no right or wrong system of government. Capitalism and socialsim are merely words to me. In the end, the idea of it all is to survive and live. We must be able to adapt to our surroundings, we must be able to understand our predators and ourselves. Hopefully we can live together in peace and harmony;

SHO

]]> By: Jerry Harris, SolidarityEconomy.net http://www.solidarityeconomy.net/2006/08/29/globalization-and-the-emerging-powers-of-the-south/comment-page-1/#comment-4 Jerry Harris, SolidarityEconomy.net Thu, 31 Aug 2006 19:41:49 +0000 http://www.solidarityeconomy.net/?p=6#comment-4 The High Road is a transitional strategy and says the left needs to contend for hegemony in the state, state, civil society and the market. That we don't limit our efforts just to social movements or electoral politics. Venezuela is instructive where the government is encouraging the development of co-opertives (now about 100,000) as a way to compete with and eventually replace the capitalist market. In the Water Wars in Bolivia the social movement didn't just demand the state take back the water infrastructure, but demanded and got grassroots participation through community committees to oversee and run the system. We shouldn't concede the market to the capitalist, but challenge them at every level, and develop alternative relationships that lay for foundation for a post-capitalist society. JH The High Road is a transitional strategy and says the left needs to contend for hegemony in the state,
state, civil society and the market. That we don’t limit our efforts just to social movements
or electoral politics. Venezuela is instructive where the government is encouraging the
development of co-opertives (now about 100,000) as a way to compete with and eventually replace
the capitalist market. In the Water Wars in Bolivia the social movement didn’t just demand
the state take back the water infrastructure, but demanded and got grassroots participation
through community committees to oversee and run the system. We shouldn’t concede the market
to the capitalist, but challenge them at every level, and develop alternative relationships that
lay for foundation for a post-capitalist society. JH

]]> By: MH http://www.solidarityeconomy.net/2006/08/29/globalization-and-the-emerging-powers-of-the-south/comment-page-1/#comment-3 MH Thu, 31 Aug 2006 17:51:50 +0000 http://www.solidarityeconomy.net/?p=6#comment-3 I think the analysis of global capitalism as qualitatively different than nation/state-based capitalism of the imperial era is right on, and represents a real theoretical breakthrough. Too many groups insist that the only difference between imperialism and globalism is quantity: capital is still based in the nation-state, nation-state capitalism, under globalization, has simply been universalized. Harris is right, capital is increasingly transnational. But I'm skeptical about the High Road/Low Road strategy. Isn't capitalism the problem? Don't the dynamics of capitalism (high road or low road) mean exploitation, driving wages down and increasing inequality with the corresponding concentration of political power in the hands of the few? I agree that a command model for socialism won't work... but this High Road, Low Road stuff sounds like reform, not revolution, to me. I think the analysis of global capitalism as qualitatively different than nation/state-based capitalism of the imperial era is right on, and represents a real theoretical breakthrough. Too many groups insist that the only difference between imperialism and globalism is quantity: capital is still based in the nation-state, nation-state capitalism, under globalization, has simply been universalized. Harris is right, capital is increasingly transnational.

But I’m skeptical about the High Road/Low Road strategy. Isn’t capitalism the problem? Don’t the dynamics of capitalism (high road or low road) mean exploitation, driving wages down and increasing inequality with the corresponding concentration of political power in the hands of the few?

I agree that a command model for socialism won’t work… but this High Road, Low Road stuff sounds like reform, not revolution, to me.

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