RE: Not about IRAQ at all, was Re: Bush budget has 0 dollars for Afghanistan

From: Ramez Naam (mez@apexnano.com)
Date: Thu Feb 20 2003 - 09:12:53 MST

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    From: Lee Corbin [mailto:lcorbin@tsoft.com]
    > Are you implying that poor people, who indeed are more prone
    > to this jealousy or irrational urge for revenge, become less
    > envious or irrational if you give them money? Quite the
    > contrary---unconsciously, at least, it's a slap in the face.
    > All people's self-image is crucial. Relevantly here, the
    > most important thing is to remove obvious oppressors, but beyond
    that?

    What I'm saying is that poor people with decent jobs and an optimistic
    outlook on their economic future are less motivated to throw that away
    through violence or crime than poor people without hope.

    > A fine list, worthy of dissection. On each item, one must
    > ask "Why didn't the World Bank or the IMF try this? Or... did
    they?"

    The IMF forces countries who receive loans from it to engage in
    certain market reforms and monetary reforms. It has been accused of
    pursuing a "one size fits all" plan that doesn't adapt the pace or
    order of the reforms to the individual economy, but I don't know
    enough about this argument to say much.

    I do know that the reforms the IMF seeks are economic ones, not
    political ones. It doesn't demand free elections, a free press, the
    rule of law, or respect for civil liberties. Perhaps it should.

    > Right now, it may be the wisest course
    > for the U.S. to *appear* to be doing little for the Karzai
    > government. That way, the Afghanis could begin to develop the
    > skills necessary to manage by themselves---and weave towards
    progress.

    I can see why you think this, but I disagree. I think the risk of
    being perceived as an occupying power is worth it to really establish
    democracy and affluence in a country. I think the negative
    repercussions of occupation start to fall away within just a few years
    if its done right. People can tolerate a foreign presence when it
    comes with a rapidly rising standard of living. We just have to
    remember to get out at the right time as well.



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