Another world is possible
Posted on 15 August 2005
"Another world is possible" has been the theme of the World Social Forum for several years now, a forum held to coincide with the World Economic Forum. Their Charter of Principles states, among other things, that they:
stand in opposition to a process of globalization
They claim to be a forum of debate for the problems caused by:
the process of capitalist globalization with its racist, sexist and environmentally destructive dimensions is creating internationally and within countries.
Of course, it may be that those countries that have adopted "capitalist globalization" and have become richer have found that, in the process, they have become more tolerant towards other races and treat women more equally, but we shall leave that to one side. And while true that countries in the early stages of development have worse environments, as countries get richer, they demand better environmental protection and can afford them, too. As such, London today has the cleanest air since records began in 1585.
What I really want to consider here are the cases of those nations that have rejected the "process of capitalist globalization". Ethiopia is a clear but tragic example of this. In 1975 the Marxist rulers of the country embarked upon a program of "land reform" - all rural land was forcibly nationalized and then redistributed. However, a 10 hectare limit was placed on such ownership, and transfer of land prohibited. Coupled with annual redistribution of these allotments, economies of scale were denied and there was no incentive to improve the land or leave some fallow bearing in mind it would soon be removed from you. This, coupled with prices fixed well below the market level, ruined the agricultural sector of Ethiopia. The result was famine and led to Band Aid in 1984.
There are other examples of a lack of respect for property rights severely damaging the economies, and hence the incomes, of those unfortunate enough to reside in such countries. We can also see how China adopted Marxism while Taiwan adopted capitalism. One stayed poor, the other became rich. Now that China has been liberalizing - following "capitalist globalization" - it is lifting millions out of poverty.
Those who believe "Another World is Possible" would do well to look at the alternatives to "capitalist globalization" and the misery they have caused. Then they should look at those countries who have benefited from the wealth creating forces unleashed by the same process; only after should they render judgement.