Lately, we have been discussing how economics affect the practice of human rights. We focused on market mechanisms, MNCs, globalization, international financial institutions, and watched "La Toma" (in Argentina). What do you make of all this?
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From what I can see, the fundamental problem with economic development of 3rd world countries lies with one of the basic assumptions of economics: people act foremost in their self interest.
Let us assume that an entity such as a nation will act in the same way that a human being would. Therefore, the representatives of a nation would try to act in the nation's self interest.
As we have studied globalization, we have seen a number of LDC's which are struggling economically. They have had a number of problems exporting there agricultural goods, despite free trade charters which are supposed to facilitate such trade. Often restrictions are placed on certain goods coming from third world countries are unable to be sold because they do not fit standards of quality established by western dominated organizations. These industrialized countries do not truly want to enable completely free trade, but rather open up markets for their goods. This one way street keeps 3rd world countries where they are. This profitable enterprise is unchecked as any IO's which would take action are dominated by western powers.
The economic stability of a country affects the country's government and the citizens themselves. The IMF is supposed to aid countries in need. What they actually do is place countries at an even greater disadvantage. The IMF lends money, but at the highest possible interest rate, forcing countries into debt. They also force countries to implement the IMF policies, which do not always improve conditions in that country. In fact, the IMF "plan" hinders countries because they are not free to adapt to their individual problems. Take Argentina: a stable country with a stable government spiraled into debt after following the IMF polices that accompanied a loan. In fact, Argentina did not even have an international debt before they followed the IMF policies. Obviously, this is a flawed system. This system has failed over and over again. The only people who profit are the world leaders and, of course, the IMF. The IMF should be for the people of the world, not just the elite.
It seems that when people make economic decisions, they are acting on their own personal beliefs for what they think will generate them the most profit. Countries and IO's such as the IMF are run by people, and because of this, it seems that their economic policies are most related to self interest and personal gain. Today we got to watch "The Take" (aka "La Toma), which I thought was very interesting. At times during the movie I felt incredibly touched by the manner in which the workers tried to overthrow the oppressive Menem regime. As the movie progressed, I was siding with the workers more and more.
Earlier tonight during study hall, we were working on our powerpoint presentations. My group has the issue of slave trafficking of Burmese women to Thailand. With a 100+ page case study to read, it seems that our presnetation is bound to be incredibly long.
After learning about the IMF and how it opperates, I realized how unfair it was. For example the film on Jamainca was a good, clear account of how globalization hurts developing countries. It made me angry how the IMF really doesn't act in the interest of the people. It shows how developing countries can be held back by developed countries like the US. For example in the Jamaican case and how farmers cannot compete with lower import prices from the US. In a way a big developed country such as the US causes human rights violations in economic terms by pretty much preventing Jamaican farmers or dairy producers to have a fair chance. "La Toma" was a great film and I thought it was inspirational. I liked the theme of how the people take control and work for themselves. It is amazing how it worked out in Argentina. I suppose it did because people were able to work under their terms and help one another. The "getting ahead" mentality turned into a community effort. Even when occupied factories were faced with the problem of who to sell to, they found the solution in each other.
The last two days have actually made me extremely angry, maybe moreso than any specific day beforehand has.
Our lesson on economics and how it plays into human rights violations sort of makes people look like beings who automatically succumb to greed, corruption and insensitivity upon the slightest obtainment of power or capital. The majority leaders of countries and companies alike, like Mr. Zanon, don’t care about workers and poor or unemployed folk at all. It’s inhumane.
Certainly what’s angered me the most is the International Monetary Fund. It lends money in the name of development. Supposedly. But what it really does is trap needy, impoverished countries and milk them for money at the expense of their common people. Their instructions to Jamaica, as well as the U.S.’s insistence on exporting to Jamaica, have clearly leeched all economic stability away from the country, and it shouldn’t be acceptable. The whole economic system is just atrocious.
"La Toma" was pretty inspiring. We've learned that there is no race, and that both genders should be treated equally in previoius classes, but it also struck me today that there shouldn't be a difference between the treatments the labor force and the management force get. Our society teaches us that the management force is always stronger and more powerful, but is that true? If people have more faith in or contribute more to the labor force, maybe our world can be more fair.
On the other hand, I like how a little small "communistic" companies are functioning peacefully in Argentina. Maybe in politics and in the global economy, countries should be democratic; and each company should function "communist-ically" so that the labor force will get all the rights they deserve.
Meh, all i know is that it'll take some verry creative strategies to solve our world problems.
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As I believed at the beginning of this class: globalization is a good thing and has pulled many people out of poverty. Is it a bad thing that some people in a society has became richer while the others have stayed the same? I could understand if others became poorer but what happened to the old idea that a rising tide raises all boats. I do not believe in an IMF, World Bank because an organization with international interests personal to that group should not be given government money because it concentrates too much power in one place as well as having the ability to coerce countries into following its policies. MNCs are the greatest creators of wealth in history and create many jobs for many people across the world as well as creating many of the most important innovations of the recent century. Like with all economic innovations, the market faces a shock at the beginning due to the change, but over time, the economy will adjust to it and grow. Free Trade should exist free of trade agreements and should involve as little government restriction as possible. This will allow countries to specialize in certain industries, allowing certain countries to profit using Adam Smith's law of absolute advantage.
The Argentine govt should have stepped in about the factories instead of having workers illegally seize them. Private Property is important because w/o the existence of it, as I wrote in my essay, there is no reason for production, if it can possibly be seized.
My 2 cents
I thought that "La Toma" was very good in showing the problems of the people and thier fight to be able to work to feed their families. It was amazing how many people came together and aided eachother for the common good, as normally it is very hard to get people to agree.
What also had me thinking these past days was the other movie we watched "Life in Debt", about Jamaica.
The problems happened when Jamaica became independent. This got me thinking of Bermuda, because there has been talk of independence there, even as just an idea for the distant future. I was wondering what the effects would be, because at the moment it has a strong economy. But, if the government changed and Bermuda became independent, would all of the international companies leave? Would they have faith in the island still? or would they up and leave. People could theorise about what would happen but no one would be sure untill it did.
Also Bermuda relies on imports to feed its people so i wonder what would happen then, would everything stay the same? get better? or change for the worse? Would independence affect tourism which is one of Bermuda's main industries.
Our economy invovled discussions have all included information that is new to me. I've never taken an economics class before, so it is interesting to learn about how human rights are affected by the economic standing of a country. The two assumptions of a "free market", having perfect competition and symmetric information have been found to be false during our class. It seems so unfair for a country to be denied information that could potentially better their economy and thus their peoples' standard of living. "la Toma", the video we watched today in class was a topic I was previously unframiliar with. the civilians taking back the factories in order to produce goods was inspirational and brave. It baffles me how fifty years ago Argentina had the fastest advancing middle class in the world. I don't really understand what put a stop to this. The sense of community created by the expropriation of the factories was interesting. The woman who's sister had cancer and was completley supported by her fellow workers was a great example that really brought home the idea of community. I have more to say, but time is up...
okay its 9 now i was working super hard on my pject got distracted
i still am moving to antartica.
i really enjoyed the movie today however it was very moving and inspiring.
it seems to me to be a conflict of interest for doctors and scientists to be restricting public intake of the drugs which they are inventing and producing to help the people
GOTTA GO
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