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