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Globalism Post 9/11
We seem to be running away from the world, and much of the world hates us for it. Such forces make America not only the world's leading superpower, but probably its most feared and hated nation. As the U.S. evolved rapidly from an industrial to a data-based economy, much of the world hasn't come along, or doesn't want to.
Our technology is running away from the rest of the planet, from genomics to supercomputing to bio-tech research to weaponry. Globalism, arguably the single most significant political issue on the planet even before 9/11, is even more critical now, even though there is little consensus on what it is or how we should feel about it or even define it. Deep-thinking billionaire philanthropist Soros jumps in with a significant new book -- George Soros on Globalization -- in which he advances some exciting and startling ideas about the future.
Anti-globalization protests have become a staple of international summit meetings, Soros points out, a sort of "fragmented potpourri of laments about life in the modern world." A ferocious advocate of open societies, he takes on what's good and bad about globalism, and how we might put it to better use. We'll take up that discussion here.
As Soros points out, 'Globalization' is a much overused term with a wide variety of meanings and contexts. Soros uses it to mean the development of global financial markets and the growth of trans-national corporations, along with their increasing power over national economies. "I believe that most of the problems that people associate with globalism," writes Soros, "including the penetration of market values into areas where they do not traditionally belong, can be attributed to these phenomena."
One could also blame the globalization of information and culture; the spread of television, Internet and other forms of communication; and the increased mobility and commercialization of ideas.
But Soros understandably concentrates on economic issues. Globalization as he defines it, is new. At the end of World War II, most countries strictly controlled international capital transactions. International capital movement accelerated in the early 1980s under Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, and financial markets became truly global only in the early 1990s, Soros says, after the collapse of the Soviet empire.
That period also happens to coincide with the most explosive growth of the Net and the Web, perfect engines for the new data-driven economies and systems for the rapid movement -- literally -- of capital.
By contrast, as we can see on the evening news most nights, while governments may not be able to restrict the flow of capital, they're still fairly effective at controlling the movement of people. (Although even there, the Net ultimately makes that more difficult, at least in terms of intellectual property and ideas. This kind of content is liquid, no longer confinable within territorial boundaries.
Since capital is the essential ingredient of contemporary production and economies, countries compete to attract it. It's no accident that nations who can't or won't are also incubators for political discontent and terrorism. Globalism has transformed our historic economic and social arrangements. Since capital can move anywhere in seconds, any nation-state's ability to exercise control over an economy has been radically undermined. This was a huge club the British held over the Chinese government during negotiations over the transfer of Hong Kong. The Chinese were forced to be somewhat more democratic when, with the stroke of a key, billions of dollars in capital could have fled Hong Kong in a micro-second, even if its people couldn't.
"The globalization of financial markets," argues Soros," has rendered the welfare state that came into existence after World War II obsolete, because the people who require a social safety net cannot leave the country, but the capital the welfare state used to tax can."
This was no accident, he explains, even if few Americans had any idea it was happening. The Reagan administration (along with Thatcher) was determined to reduce the state's ability to interfere in the economy and, helped enormously by globalization's rise, it succeeded.
So, exuberantly costumed demonstrations aside, globalism is not about to evaporate or even weaken, not any time soon. Quite the opposite: nation-states and their constituents now have to choose between globalism (and its attendant prosperity) or religious fanaticism. This leaves us with the central question:
Next: Is Globalism good or evil?
What we are seeing is that fair, open systems with industrious citizens are much more successful that corrupt or backward regimes with lazy citizens. Much of the world resentment is derived from this success. It's obvious that the Muslims see it as invalidating their religeon. The United States exists as a refutation of Islam. Additionaly much of Europe restents us for our work ethic, they refer to it as "ruthless efficiency" on the BBC. Italy is the perfect example of how a generaly "lazy" culture that encourages unemployment and low levels of output is falling futher and further behind the rest of the world. The message to these other ultures is clear, their reaction hasn't been paticularly prudent.
Now why the Islamic cultures despise the West is obvious - their culture is in decline, their dictatorial and dogmatic structures cannot withstand open examination, and they seek to villify what they see as the agent of change, instead of recognizing and adapting to change itself.
Hey editors, if you're hurting for money (see also: subscriptions), maybe you should tell Katz that either he comes up with original material or you're taking him off the payroll.
I have a better idea. How about you shut your friggin' mouth and leave if you don't like it here?
Could you do any better than Katz? Nope. You wouldn't even be close.
And guess what -- we don't need lowlife non-subscribers like yourself ruining the Slashdot experience. I suggest you pack your virtual bags and get the fvck out of here.
As a young 17yr old you should probably be doing a little more learning about the world at large, the good, the bad, and the ugly about it. Ever wonder why you've heard the phrase: "Respect your elders."? It's because they've lived through more, learned more, and seen more than you have, and therefore, have a much better insight into how the world works. Please don't presume to have all the answers at this stage of life.
You do remember the events of Sept 11, 2001, correct? Good. 19 psycho's gave their lives to kill thousands of people...probably even more than a handful of people that could've sympathized with their struggle. Random acts of destruction do absolutely nothing to "build up" an ideology or a nation, for that matter. Just look at the death rates for Palestinians vs Isreali's... sure the suicide bombers take out a few people or more with each suicide, but so many more die in Isreal's retaliation against those random attacks that it makes suicide absolutely pointless! Statistically, the Arabs get their butts kicked every time they've tried to beat on Isreal. It would behoove them to rethink their strategies about how best to conquer their enemy, because guranteeing the loss of one "soldier" with every suicide attack is a pretty poor tactical, and strategic, decision when trying to run a country. In fact, Japan sent hundreds of kamikaze pilots towards American warships late in World War II, and look what that got 'em: Two nukes that killed hundres of thousands of people.
But then again, the Islamic nations aren't interested in co-existence and peace, just the complete irradication of the Jews. Hmmm... Sounds a lot like Hitler, doesn't it? And that regime didn't go over too well with the rest of the world...
Think before you speak next time, munchkin...
I don't care about these other starving people. These terrorist bastards attacked my countrymen in my country. All that is left is to hunt them down and kill them. The rest is politics to enable to do this one thing. We not only should, we must make the punishment far worse than the crime. We need to say that by attacking us, you have forfeited your right to exist. Period. Full stop. THAT is what it means to live in the real world.
BTW, just for the record, not only do I want them dead, I want them buried in Porcine Fecal Matter just befaore.
"I wasn't using my civil rights anyway...."
We may have the most relaxed gun laws. I'm not sure, it depends on which state you're in. However, we also have the largest population over the largest land mass in the FREE WORLD (India is not free, thanks to the caste system). Law enforcement is difficult, unless you have your populace under the boot-heel of the military as in China. Wonderful China, the most politically correct genocidal, oppressive, reactionary regime in the world.
Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
There is within the question "why do they hate us" the very answer to the question. Because we take a "we" vs. "them" attitude to begin with and then act like a frightened bull in a china shop with arrogant bravado added to cover our ignorance over the damage we have done. Bush has made a mockery of the truths and high ideals our founding fathers fought for till America is known as the "Land of the Hypocrites". An appointed president using an admittedly horrible excuse to wag the dog and cover his lack of ability to even sham compassion has found his calling in creating a never-ending-war and an excuse to brand anybody who gets in his way a terrorist. It's the McCarthyism of the 50's coupled with the Nazism of the 40's and the big brother concept of 1984. The glee of destruction coming out of this nations capital is broadcast world wide to sicken and terrify anyone who would stand up for human rights and justice.
Bush's stance on Palestine reminds me of Hitler telling the French Resistance to stop attacking his troops. Its frightening that a country of religious fanatics can so boondoggle the U.S. government that they are given more military hardware than they can use and so they turn around and sell it to the highest bidder. China can now shoot down American airplanes with American missiles given for free to Israel.
The peace process was over when the U.N. passed the Balfor Declaration. The fact is, all Israelis are foreign nationalist occupiers of Palestinian. That the west created this situation and continues to support it shows the west did not learn anything from WWII. We may have to go through that exercise of "white man's burden" stupidity one more time.
The path to peace is to try and execute Sharon for war crimes and send a message that taking land by armed force, crimes against humanity and other forms of state terrorism will not be tolerated even if it is against non-whites. Isn't that one of the rules of the U.N. Or is that only enforced when it is convenient to the West?
As long as Israel exists where it is the world knows the West doesn't understand the concept of justice.
If the west truly wants peace, give them Arizona (just not on Indian land, you forgot them didn't you). Globalism, like "the war on terror" is just western colonialism in sheep's clothing.
FUCK OFF KATZ!
Thank you, that felt good.
-Billco, Fnarg.com
I'm glad we didn't say the same thing when Hitler was sinking whole convoys of our *relief* ships on route to your country in the early years of WWII, or when Winston Churchill was begging for American intervention during the Blitz. We did agree to concentrate on Hitler first, despite being attacked by the Empire of Japan.
And I honestly hope that a city as beautiful as London never falls prey to the deprivations of the large radical Muslim contingent which lives there, but if you don't think it could happen than you haven't been keeping up with who the Arabs blame for establishing Israel. (Yet another example of their disgustingly ignorant propaganda).
But that ignores the reason why NYC was attacked, because it had nothing to do with our support for Israel. American culture fundamentally threatens the power structure of Islamic states precisely because it is so "corrosive", but we are talkin about a group of people who consider Wahabist Saudi Arabia to be corrupt, so one can readily imagine what they think about the entire EU, especially in regards to Great Britain. This is not over, and it will not be over until we have significantly eradicated a critical mass of these large scale terrorist organizations and overthrown the autocratic states which breed them.
Are you sure you're not from France, where they still refuse to lift a finger to defend respectable jewish citizens from the ignorant scum of their gutter colonies?
Arafat's Book-Keeping Department Yields
Bill Linking Him to Suicides
2 April: This piece of correspondence was discovered by Israeli troops who went through the files in Yasser Arafat's personal accounting department in Ramallah. It is an itemized bill signed by the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades - Palestine, and dated September 16, 2001, exactly five days after the September 11 suicide attacks in the United States.
The document is a routine request for Arafat to approve the daily outlay for the arming of suicides with explosives and ammo, their memorial ceremonies and funeral posters.
It is part of the body of evidence Israeli troops gleaned at Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah and demonstrates that Arafat supervised every last detail of the Palestinian suicide offensive.
Translation into English:
1. Cost of posters for Martyrs of the al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades: Azam Mazhar, Osama Juabra, Shadi Afouri, Yasser Badawi, Ahad Fares (inserted by hand: NIS2,000).
2. Cost of printed notices, invitations and mourners' tents (inserted by hand: NIS1,250.
3. Cost of attaching personal photos of these martyrs to wooden panels, plus those of Tabeth Tabeth and Mahmoud al Jamil (inserted by hand: NIS1,000).
4. Cost of memorial ceremonies for martyrs. Memorial ceremonies held for Martyr Azam, Martyr Osama (inserted by hand: NIS6,000)
5. Cost of electrical goods and miscellaneous chemical substances (for manufacturing explosives and bombs - the largest item. (One prepared explosive device - NIS700 at least) We need 5-9 devices per week for the squads in the different regions (inserted by hand: NIS x 4 = NIS20,000 per month)
6. Cost of bullets (cost of Kalashnikov ammo is NIS -8 per bullet; M-16 bullets cost NIS2-2.5 each) We need bullets supplied on a daily basis.
7. Note: Available are 3,000 Kalashnikov bullets @ NIS2 each. We need a sum of money at once to buy them (inserted by hand: NIS22,500 for Kalashnikov bullets - NIS60,000 for M-16 bullets)
In conclusion, glory and pride to those who support our brave resistance against the occupation. Revolution until victory.
Three-Day Siege of Jibril Rajoub's Command Center in Bitunya
Almost Over Tuesday Night After 180 Barricaded Palestinians Turn
Themselves in to Israeli Forces
Fifteen Terrorists Still Hold Fast
Two Suicide Attacks Thwarted Tuesday Night on West Bank-
Baq'a al Garbiyeh Border and Central Negev
Palestinian Tanzim Militiamen Hold 10 Priests and Nuns
Hostage in Bethlehem's Santa Maria Church
Israeli Tank and Infantry Force Goes Into Fifth West Bank Town of
Jenin Tuesday after Taking Control of Rest of Bethlehem,
Ramallah, Qalqilya and Tulkarm
Israeli Air Force Bombards Hizballah Positions in S. Lebanon after Hizballah Fires at Israeli Troops in Shaaba Farms Sector
Israeli Defense Forces Uncover Document
Linking Arafat Directly to Palestinian Multi-Casualty
Suicide Campaign against Israel
It Was Found in Ramallah - in Files of His Personal Accounting
Department at Palestinian Authority Government HQ
Document Is Dated September 16, 2001, Five Days After Suicide Attacks on
New York and Washington
Costs of Bombs, Bullets, Martyrs' Posters Are Meticulously
Itemized for Arafat's Approval and Books
Number of Fatalities in Netanya Seder Massacre
Climbs to 25 with Three More Deaths Tuesday
Making It the Deadliest of All Palestinian Terror Attacks
Ramallah Curfew Lifted for Daylight Hours Tuesday
Some Terrorists Begin Come Out of
Jibril's Besieged Command Center in Bitunya and
Surrender to Israeli Troops
Ceasefire Allows Evacuation of Combat Wounded from
Site Where 400 Wanted Men Battled From
Early Tuesday with Israeli Forces
Casualty Toll Runs to Tens of Dead and
150 Or More Wounded
West Bank Security Chief Jibril's Men Expected to
Exit with Wounded - Jibril Is in Ramallah
Israel Prepares Legislation to Enable Sanctions against
Palestinian Suicides' Families and Their Senders -
Sharon During Troop Inspection in Qalqilya Tuesday
PM Views with Gravity Violations from Syrian-Lebanese Frontiers with Israel, Warns Damascus and Beirut
They are Not Immune to IDF Israeli Reprisal
Egypt and Jordan Seal Borders to Palestinians - Including Leaders
Israeli Soldier at Har Homah Position, S. Jerusalem,
Is Wounded by Palestinian Gunfire Tuesday
Res. Sgt. Ophir Rott, 22, from Netanya,
Was Killed at Same Position Monday
Second Palestinian Dies from Monday Night's
Shooting Incident on Maaleh Efraim-Cochav Hashachar Road
North of Ramallah
Responsibility Claimed by Unknown Jewish Group
Called "Tears of Widows and Orphans"
Tomer Mordecai, 19, from Tel Aviv, Is Policeman Killed
When He Stopped Terror Car from Reaching
Downtown Jerusalem Monday
Bush: "Suicide Bombing in Name of Religion
Is Simply Terror. I'ld Like to See Chairman Arafat
Denounce Terror."
US President Urged Sharon to Keep Pathway to Peace
Rumsfeld Accuses Iran, Iraq and Syria of Fomenting
Terrorist War on Civilization
Kissinger: If Suicide Terror Is Not Stopped,
It Will Spread Worldwide
France Drafts Riot Police to Guard Jewish Synagogues and Centers
After String of Antisemitic Attacks
Read Wrap-up Report below
Jewish and Israeli Institutions Worldwide on Guard
Senior American Intelligence Officers Are Positioned in Region
Closely Monitoring Development of Israel's Counter-Terror Offensive
Group is Led by CIA Director George Tenet
At 01:30 IT after Sunday Midnight,
Tenet and Envoy Zinni Called Secretly on Arafat in Ramallah
Islam is Death, Death to Islam.
I've had it enough with jewish propaganda. Please tell us why it was ok for millions of jews to come from Europe into Palestine and offset the demographic balance and yet offsetting the balance is the reason Israel uses not to allow 4 miilon refugeees to return. btw actually I'm pro-israel in a way. It existance means i see less of your kind in my hometown every year plus when the times comes to complete the final solution it will be much easier to accomplish with all of you grouped nicely in one place.
USA-UK-Israel: The real Axis of Evil
This Soros guy is the luckiest fuck ever, he made Billions of dollars, England hates him, he is Hungarian expatriate to England who essentially betted and gambled into his money - luck - no intelligence, this is clear. You wont hear Warren Buffet or Donal Trump talk like this with this communist shit.
Yes he is a "philanthopist" (self servothrist who pretends his gifts exonerate him from being subjected to the medocrity communism legislates), with racist subtexts, and he now has so much money, he knows not what to do with his time.
So this BILLIONARE will institude world communism to protect him from you the people, you the opressed, and he will CRUSH the venue by wich you can walk to reach equilibrim. This is the oldest plot, communists are rich people who want to fool the masses into thinking that mediocrity is great, and that they should be lucky to have that and not want more.
DEATH to this globalization bullshit. Death to this racist hungarian. Death to the evil mask he wears! He hides behind philanthopy to push communism on the world.
Islam is Death, Death to Islam.
You ignorant miserable no nothing fool. Only for American trucks, machine tools and rail cars. The Russians would have been defeated outright in 1943. FACT.
Curmudgeon