Arno Tausch
Ass. Prof. of Political Science
Innsbruck University
Austria
Labour Att., Austrian Embassy, Warsaw
Dear friends,
the exchange on development theory starts to be interesting. Let me rapidly
intervene with the following points
1) in all seriousness, we should start to construct a theory of decay in
view of the horrific environmental changes that go on on our globe. The
effects of global warming, marine pollution etc. are so obvious (less
obvious to many governments around the world) that - in a word - not
development, but the past of planet Mars seems to be our future.
Recommended macroquantitative research strategy: we should integrate much
more indicators like deforestation etc. into our universe.
2) decay, instead of development, should be also on our priority agenda,
because 'normal' capitalism (whatever that means) is slowly substituted by
robber capitalism, the underworld, organized crime. Just think about the
500 to 800 thousand millions of Dollars in the world-wide profits from the
narcotics trade. Recommended macroquantitative research strategy: we should
follow much more closely imbalances between current accounts and
international reserves, we should take the "crime section" of good
international newspapers like the NY Times etc. more seriously. In
addition: http://dialogselect.krinfo.com
3) decay should be also on our agenda, because in a territorial sense,
capitalism more and more destroys, even in the developed zones of the
earth, family-based agriculture that works and in a way cares for the
surface of 80% or more of countries like France or Germany. What capitalism
has done to agriculture in the Third World, is all too well known from the
days of Mariategui onwards. Recommended: let's go for texts from Ernest
Feder etc. to deepen our understanding, relevant for the territorial view
of the problems of our tormented globe
4) decay characterizes also the social systems in terms of rising crime
rates, de-personalization, rising suicide statistics etc., especially in
the urban areas. The UNDP over the years provided us with abundant
statistics on these subjects. If we continue to talk about development in
view of megacities like Kairo, Mumbai, Lagos, Calcutta, we are - pardon me
- fools
5) decay is also a world political phenomenon, since after the end of
"global hegemony", the world is now tending slowly towards a renewal of the
de-legitimation, deconcentration etc. cycle, low intensity to medium
intensity conflict will increase
6) I fully agree with the long-term perspectives of "Rise and Demise".
Parallels between Ancient Rome and the developed centers are indeed an
interesting subject for future research
7) personally, I'd be interested in your own thoughts on the particular
issue of migration and the future of world capitalism
Kind regards
Yours
Arno Tausch