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ideological power of "neoliberalism"
by Yonca Ozdemir
09 March 2002 02:17 UTC
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Hi!
I am doing research on the ideological power of "neoliberalism." More presicely how neoliberal discourse is used to force Third World countries to liberalize and to depoliticize their economies.
I have already read a lot from Stephen Gill and Robert Cox. Could you recommend me other significant authors and books/articles on this subject?
Thanks in advance....
 
Mtra. Yonca Ozdemir
Depto. Relaciones Internacionales
ITESM
 
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jonathan DeVore" <devorejd@po.muohio.edu>
To: "WORLD SYSTEMS NETWORK" <wsn@csf.colorado.edu>
Cc: <KSamman@aol.com>; "Nick Robinson" <robinsnd@muohio.edu>
Sent: Friday, March 08, 2002 1:25 PM

> Hello WSN,
>
> As a recent student of the world, I have only recently begun to learn about
> the "Israeli/Palestinian Conflict."  Much of the information I have received
> (appreciably) from WSN has been critical of Israeli policy, and rather
> recently (earlier in the week) a woman from Cincinnati (a former Lt. Colonel
> in the Israeli Defense Force) came to our campus in order to speak to some
> of these issues.  Accordingly, I went to hear the talk.  There were many
> critical audience members attending.  A group of students were handing out
> fliers at the door, which they had printed out from Global Exchange
> (
http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/palestine/palestineTopTen.pdf)
> entitled the "Top Ten Reasons to Oppose U.S. Aid to Israel".  The speaker
> claimed that the information contained in the flier was full of "Palestinian
> propaganda."  The flier claims, for example, that Israel is the "largest
> recipient of US foreign aid in the world."  The speaker claimed this was
> false, that in fact it was Egypt that was the largest recipient of US aid.
> Could this be a methodological or definitional discrepancy between the two
> claims?  Another example: in response to an audience member's question, she
> stated that the claim that Palestinian's are treated as "second/third-class
> citizens" in Israel is unfounded.
>
> Unfortunately, I realize that I am approaching these issues with a very
> limited and relatively ahistorical perspective.  The reason, then, why I am
> writing WSN is so that I might gain some valuable insight from any concerned
> members of the list: first, regarding the accuracy of the information
> contained in the Global Exchange flier, second, regarding the information
> contained in a reaction/response the speaker recently emailed to a friend of
> mine (pasted below).  I look forward to any responses, suggested readings,
> etc.
>
> Thank you kindly for your concern,
> Jonathan DeVore
>
>
> **************************************
>
> Hi Nick,
> I still didn't get the chance to find all the figures and info that I
> promised to send to you, but I'll do it within the next few days.
> Here are some points that I thought you may be interested to consider while
> speaking up for one side of the conflict:
>
> 1. Palestinian Violence and the Israeli Response
>
>          a. Today, the 'Tanzim' is the faction responsible for most
>          acts of terrorism and violence. This faction is an organ of
>          the 'Fatah', which, in turn, is associated with the
>          Palestinian Authority. Regrettably, the PA, which is
>          obligated to prevent and confront terrorism, has instead
>          become an objective of Israeli counter-terrorist operations.
>          Beyond interdicting terrorist attacks, and destroying the
>          terrorist infrastructure, Israeli's counter-terrorist
>          operations are also meant to send a clear message to those
>          that are responsible for preventing Palestinian terrorism -
>          that they must fulfill their obligations without delay.
>
>          b. The activities of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are
>          neither revenge nor retaliation. Rather, they are ongoing
>          and continuous operations, which are now carried out with
>          greater intensity in order to prevent terrorism and uproot
>          its infrastructure. It must be stressed, that these
>          operations are directed against terrorism, and not against
>          the Palestinian people. Israel has no intention of
>          'punishing' the civilian population, and certainly no desire
>          of 'retaking' territories that has already been transferred
>          to PA responsibility. The IDF is simply carrying out its
>          mission to combat terrorism. While this occasionally
>          requires Israeli entry into 'Area A', upon the completion of
>          the mission, IDF units return to their bases.
>
>          c. As far as Israel is concerned, the PA's capacity to fully
>          control its territories is not the issue. Even if the PA's
>          control is less than complete, the achievement of a
>          cessation of terrorism is a direct function of the PA's
>          resolve to confront it. This resolve is clearly lacking on
>          the part of the PA. Should the Palestinians prove, in word
>          and deed, that they are genuinely fighting terrorism, Israel
>          believes that they will indeed succeed in eradicating the
>          terrorists and their infrastructure. At such a stage, the
>          parties will then be able to resume their process of
>          dialogue under peaceful conditions, and return to the
>          negotiating table. This then constitutes the answer for
>          those who seek a political horizon in the present situation
>          -- today, the political horizon consists of a cessation of
>          terrorism, a restoration of calm and a return to the
>          negotiating process.
>
>          d. IDF Restraint - The Israel Defense Forces have taken upon
>          themselves to limit their use of military force in the
>          campaign against terrorism. This self-restraint is due
>          to legal and moral considerations, as well as a desire to
>          prevent harm to the Palestinian civilian population
>          uninvolved in terrorism. As a result of this restraint,
>          Israeli soldiers and policemen are exposing themselves to
>          greater personal danger, and the State of Israel is taking
>          upon itself a greater national risk. It would be hard to
>          find any other army or nation in the world which would act
>          as Israel does in the war against terrorism. Israel has
>          shown restraint in the face of rocket attacks on its cities
>          (ie Sderot), gunfire on the neighborhoods of its capital
>          (ie. Gilo), and the intentional targeting of innocent
>          mothers and their children on street corners, of youths at
>          discotheques and malls and of guests at Bat Mitzvah
>          celebrations and bridal receptions. Only an army which
>          adopts moral restraints, and which operates out of a
>          democratic mandate, can act in such as way -- even when
>          fighting against indiscriminating terrorists and suicide
>          bombers for which any and all targets are legitimate.
>
>
> 2. The Saudi Initiative
>
> It is encouraging that Saudi Arabia has come out with a plan that in
> effect represents a group of ideas predicated upon the conclusion of
> a peace agreement and the implementation of normalization with
> Israel. This in itself is a positive and encouraging development.
> Naturally, the details of such an agreement must be determined in the
> framework of the permanent status accords negotiated between Israel
> and her neighbors.
>
> 3. The Israeli Internal Debate
>
> There are those who present the internal debate now taking place
> within Israel as a domestic weakness. However, quite the opposite is
> true. The internal debate, and the diversity of views expressed, are
> phenomena that demonstrate the open democratic nature of Israeli
> society and bear witness to its inner strength. It is unfortunate
> that no such openness is similarly visible on the other side. Indeed,
> such candidness could be helpful in promoting understanding between
> the two peoples.
>
>     Noga
> Noga Maliniak
> Community Shlicha
> Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
> 4380 Malsbary Rd. Suite 200
> Cincinnati, OH 45242
> Phone 513-985-1520
> Fax 513-985-1503
>
> For 2000 years Jews yearned to go to Israel, how about this summer?
> The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati offers grants of $3,000 - $4,000 for
> students to travel to Israel. Ask me for details!
>
www.jewishcincinnati.org
>
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