Re: or is it a global class struggle? - (statistics)

Dear WSN,

I am looking for any basic statistics (perhaps with a cited source, for credibility), such as the ones far below, for other former colonies/peripheral countries demonstrating that structurally existing inequalities do exist between countries, and that free markets don't increase the standard of living for MOST people throughout time.  Perhaps comparative GNPs along with GINI indexes (examined through time--to show growth or decline in inequalities in the distribution of GNP/wealth) would be useful? 

 

The reason I am making this request is because I am responding to an individual (a 'business" professor/dept. head at Miami University, Ohio, where I attend school--which has a HUGE business dept., by the way!) who is arguing that multinational corporations are doing 'good things' for 'third world' countries by investing in them and providing people with jobs, even though they may pay sub-standard/non-living wages.  His message goes as follows:

 

And so we just say "the heck with third world workers" even if they are willing to provide us with goods/services at a lower price. Leave the third world in poverty huh? Don't allow the third world to compete with the rest of the world! Jeez, and I thought you folks cared about workers.

Conservatives (and I count myself in their ranks) have long favored abolishing corporate welfare and returning the proceeds to consumers in the form of lower prices. Ending ethanol subsidies to Archer Daniels Midlan would be a good place to start, wouldn't you agree? Nice to know that Ms. Zepernick is supportive of a conservative position!

Finally, if you folks really want to help citizens of third world countries (and, based on the policies you espouse, it's not clear you do), you might think about channeling some of your energies towards demanding that third world countries move away from respressive central governments and socialism and move towards democracy, freedon, and free markets. There really is no better prescription for rapid increases in wealth and living standards.

Rich Hart

 

I've heard this sort of argument before (particularly the first part), but I'm having a hard time countering the argument without the help of any solid numbers (the language many of us speak) demonstrating his position to be flawed or naive.  As I am a mere undergrad at Miami University, and certainly don't have a grasp on the literature that the people on WSN have (!!), I am writing to WSN for assistance.  Thus, if there is anyone on the list that has any pertinent, readily available information/statistics regarding the above questions, or even other suggestions as to how I could counter the other arguments encountered above, I would GREATLY appreciate it. 

 

Humbly and with many thanks,

 

Jonathan DeVore

 

 

 -----Original Message-----
From: wsn-owner@csf.colorado.edu [mailto:wsn-owner@csf.colorado.edu]On Behalf Of g kohler
Sent: Monday, November 26, 2001 7:22 PM
To: wsn@csf.colorado.edu
Subject: or is it a global class struggle? - (statistics)

if one examines the SES (socio-economic status) of the various players (killers) involved in the current war, one wonders wether, apart from the animosities Christian-Moslem-Jew, this conflict should be more properly understood as an armed phase of global class conflict ??? (like Roman empire versus Spartacus? or, German princes versus peasants - 16th c.?) - see, the following statistics --

 

 

source: World Bank. World Development Report 2000. Chapter 12a Social Indicators, page 274-275 and page 316.
           
_______________GNP per capita 1999
__________________(US dollars)

 

USA___________________30,600   
Germany_______________25,350   
France________________23,480   
United Kingdom________22,640   

 

Israel_________________9,266 or more - WB estimate - note h in source
Kuwait_________________9,266 or more - WB estimate - note h in source   
Qatar__________________9,266 or more - WB estimate - note e , p. 316
United Arab Emirates___9,266 or more - WB estimate - note e , p.316

 

Oman___________________2,996-9,265 --- WB estimate - note d , p.316
Libya _________________2,996-9,265 --- WB estimate - note d , p.316
Bahrain________________2,996-9,265 --- WB estimate - note d , p. 316
Saudi Arabia___________2,996-9,265 --- WB estimate - note i in source
Lebanon________________3,700   
Turkey_________________2,900   

 

Iran___________________1,760   
Iraq_____________________756-2,995 --- WB estimate - note g , p 316
West Bank and Gaza_____1,610   
Jordan_________________1,500   
Egypt__________________1,400   
Kazakhstan_____________1,230   
Syrian Arab Republic_____970   

 

Uzbekistan_______________720   
Turkmenistan_____________660   
Georgia__________________620   
Armenia__________________490   
Pakistan_________________470   
Afghanistan______________755 or less -- WB estimate - note c ,p.316
Yemen, Rep.______________350   
Kyrgyz Republic__________300   
Tajikistan_______________290