Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

Carrol wrote: You expect too much of theory. I grant that theory is not practice. However, leftist theory has traditionally attempted to assist the practice of workers and other underdogs. Job creation and job destruction are both important to workers. Thus, if it is important for workers to

Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

Jim wrote: Marx's theory in CAPITAL (volume 1) is mostly about job destruction. This focuses on a representative industry, i.e., one that represents the abstract general laws of accumulation. But there are also processes of job creation in Marx: if aggregate accumulation is fast enough, that

Re: [PEN-L] Financiers' activities and wealth creation

IMHO, the difference that David misses is that between exchange-value (and surplus-value) and use-value. Markets and capitalism serve the lust for money revenues (exchange-value) and profits (surplus-value) and not what's good for people (use-value). If you don't have the cash up front, the

Re: [PEN-L] self-promotion

being a really old guy, I remember the golden days when people nervously apologized for such shameless self-promotion because of the still-ongoing effort to keep the web non-commercial. Of course, nowadays almost all of the web is nothing but commercial and no-one should even think of

[PEN-L] Castro on ethanol

From Monsters and Critics.com Americas News Castro ends 8-month silence to slam US ethanol plans (2nd Roundup) By DPA Mar 29, 2007, 19:59 GMT Havana - Ending eight months of silence, ailing Cuban President Fidel Castro published an article in Cuban state media Thursday criticizing US

[PEN-L] data on foreclosures, delinquencies

http://macroblog.typepad.com/macroblog/2007/03/foreclosures_an.html Michael A. Lebowitz Professor Emeritus Economics Department Simon Fraser University Burnaby, B.C., Canada V5A 1S6 Currently based in Venezuela. NOTE NEW PHONE NUMBERS Can be reached at Residencias Anauco Suites Departamento 601

[PEN-L] CSU strike possible

Michael Perelman, are you currently cooling off, in this cooling-off period? -- Jim Devine / Segui il tuo corso, e lascia dir le genti. (Go your own way and let people talk.) -- Karl, paraphrasing Dante.

[PEN-L] Why George Bush is Insane

ZNet | U.S. Why George Bush is Insane by Harold Pinter; March 30, 2007 Earlier this year I had a major operation for cancer. The operation and its after-effects were something of a nightmare. I felt I was a man unable to swim bobbing about under water in a

Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

Marx was big on the innovative power of capitalism - both its penchant for creating new technologies and new wants. It's not hard to relate that to a theory of job creation, even though many Marxists seem temperamentally inclined to emphasize destruction. For a system of thought that

[PEN-L] the Russian General syndrome lives!

[RGS doesn't appear in the DSM-IV, but it refers to the fact that the more medals a general has on his (or her) uniform, the worse the general is in battle.] from SLATE moneybox Haunted Mansion A study proves that the bigger his house, the worse the CEO. By Daniel Gross Posted Thursday, March

Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

Doug Henwood wrote: Marx was big on the innovative power of capitalism - both its penchant for creating new technologies and new wants. It's not hard to relate that to a theory of job creation, even though many Marxists seem temperamentally inclined to emphasize destruction. For a system of

[PEN-L] mission accomplished!

From Juan Cole: The US embassy in Baghdad circulated a memo to all Americans working for the US government in the Green Zone. It ordered them to wear protective gear whenever they were outside in the Green Zone, including just moving from one building to another. Guerrillas have managed to lob a

Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

On 3/30/07, Doug Henwood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Marx was big on the innovative power of capitalism - both its penchant for creating new technologies and new wants. It's not hard to relate that to a theory of job creation, even though many Marxists seem temperamentally inclined to emphasize

Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

On Mar 30, 2007, at 12:58 PM, Michael Hoover wrote: while you, doug, seem temperamentally inclined to emphasize capitalism's progressive tendencies Not really. I just have to do it on PEN-L because no one else will. It's also a very destructive and alienating system. Doug

Re: [PEN-L] the Russian General syndrome lives!

I wrote about the Yermack paper a week or so ago. I did not know about the Russian generals. On Fri, Mar 30, 2007 at 09:31:57AM -0700, Jim Devine wrote: [RGS doesn't appear in the DSM-IV, but it refers to the fact that the more medals a general has on his (or her) uniform, the worse the

Re: [PEN-L] Financiers' activities and wealth creation

Louis Proyect wrote: The real problem is disincentives to invest. What do you do when there is no incentive to invest, such as was the case during the 1930s? In these circumstances, the state moves to reflate the economy by recapitalizing the banks and boosting mass purchasing power. The

Re: [PEN-L] the Russian General syndrome lives!

On 3/30/07, Michael Perelman [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I wrote about the Yermack paper a week or so ago. I did not know about the Russian generals. I think about the Russian generals whenever I remember that the university's Academic Vice President was re-titled as the Chief Academic Officer

Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

On 3/30/07, Doug Henwood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Mar 30, 2007, at 12:58 PM, Michael Hoover wrote: while you, doug, seem temperamentally inclined to emphasize capitalism's progressive tendencies Not really. I just have to do it on PEN-L because no one else will. It's also a very

Re: [PEN-L] Financiers' activities and wealth creation

Marvin wrote: Yes, which is a major reason why private investment has now come to be regarded as a more possible means of generating growth than state ownership, even by popular movements which came to power avowing the radical redistribution of power and property. We can continue to disagree

Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

Michael Hoover wrote: while you, doug, seem temperamentally inclined to emphasize capitalism's progressive tendencies Doug Henwood wrote: Not really. I just have to do it on PEN-L because no one else will. It's also a very destructive and alienating system. Yoshie Furuhashi wrote:

Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

On 3/30/07, Jim Devine [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Michael Hoover wrote: while you, doug, seem temperamentally inclined to emphasize capitalism's progressive tendencies Doug Henwood wrote: Not really. I just have to do it on PEN-L because no one else will. It's also a very destructive

[PEN-L] The financial wealth of the last globalization

Financial wealth of capitalism presents itself other than in the form of a great accumulation of commodities, and financial wealth dominates the commodified wealth the latest and last globalization of capital. What forms do these financial riches take and how are they created ? Should

Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

The big positive of capitalism -- Marx wrote of its historic mission was to prepare the way for communism. Slavery and fuedalism also helped to promote this progress, but like capitalism, they became an outmoded form. On Fri, Mar 30, 2007 at 11:32:30AM -0700, Jim Devine wrote: Marx's

[PEN-L] April 6: Attack on Iran?

Russian sources say that the US attack on Iran will come on April 6. Do the Russians know what we don't or is this part of psychological warfare? http://fr.rian.ru/russia/20070330/62861794.html Les États-Unis ont presque achevé la préparation d'une frappe contre l'Iran (services secrets russes

Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

Michael's summary of the positive side of capitalism (according to Marx) seems fairly complete. A few observations. As to the _present_ (1650 -- 1750 -- 1850 -- 1900): i.e, the present _at any time_ during the growth and development of capitalism. Capital ALWAYS, without exception, destroyed

[PEN-L] Following Sean

Scheduled for home video release this week, Following Sean is an uncommonly sensitive documentary on the counter-culture of the 1960s and its lingering impact on a couple of families. Although radicals might have an understandable aversion to anything smacking of hippy culture, the film maintains

Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

On 3/30/07, Carrol Cox [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Every sentence in Michael's summary (and in this he is quite true to Marx) points towards THE FUTURE. Progressive means ONLY that possibilities (only possibilities, not certainties) for the future have opened up. It never means that the present has

[PEN-L] The next Tom Lehrer?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIwiPsgRrOs

Re: [PEN-L] The next Tom Lehrer?

I've been saying that about Roy for awhile. I recommend his CDs, including those he did with the Foremen. On 3/30/07, Dan Scanlan [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIwiPsgRrOs -- Jim Devine / Segui il tuo corso, e lascia dir le genti. (Go your own way and let people

Re: [PEN-L] self-promotion

Martin would deserve a reprimand if he had failed to notify us. Michael Lebowitz waited for someone else [Hugo Chavez?] to alert us to his book. For anyone on the list, let us know about your good work. -- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929 Tel.

Re: [PEN-L] self-promotion

At 18:02 30/03/2007, michael p. wrote: Martin would deserve a reprimand if he had failed to notify us. Michael Lebowitz waited for someone else [Hugo Chavez?] to alert us to his book. NEVER! I immediately engaged in shameless promotion--- as in 'without shame'; neither that nor Marty's nor

Re: [PEN-L] self-promotion

On 3/30/07, michael a. lebowitz [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: These books are not money-makers--- for us, at least. If only you all could assign them as textbooks and get like-minded colleagues to do the same. . . . -- Yoshie

Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

On 3/30/07, Yoshie Furuhashi [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Nowadays, though, many Marxists who still insist on Marxist rhetoric have in effect embraced capitalist development as good in and of itself, as they have practically given up on any transition to a socialist future. China and India are

Re: [PEN-L] self-promotion

But then we are victims of the market-driven publishers. Prices and break-even points are what publishers are interested in. Cheers, anthony Anthony P. D'Costa, Professor Comparative International Development University

Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

On 3/30/07, raghu [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On 3/30/07, Yoshie Furuhashi [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Nowadays, though, many Marxists who still insist on Marxist rhetoric have in effect embraced capitalist development as good in and of itself, as they have practically given up on any transition to

Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

On 3/30/07, Yoshie Furuhashi [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It's up to the Chinese and the Indians to decide what their countries should be like. But it would be better for them as well as for others if their party leaders didn't pursue capitalist development in the name of socialism. -- Yoshie

Re: [PEN-L] self-promotion

Well, not only market-driven publishers. I remember talking with Harry Magdoff years ago, posing the idea of doing a book on Marx's Capital (probably what ultimately became 'Beyond CAPITAL') and he said, why don't you write something that could sell some books so we [at MR] can support publishing

Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

On 3/30/07, raghu [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On 3/30/07, Yoshie Furuhashi [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It's up to the Chinese and the Indians to decide what their countries should be like. But it would be better for them as well as for others if their party leaders didn't pursue capitalist

Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

The majority of Chinese and Indians are indeed exploited as Yoshie notes. Even in China urban unemployment rates are high, formal sector job creation is almost non-existent, and wages and working conditions remain poor for the great majority. But isnt the question what relationship we want to

[PEN-L] conditions in Korea

The following is from the Korea Herald, a conservative mainstream daily. It gives a good sense of conditions in South Korea. Korean industry is rapidly moving to China and demanding that the government do more to bring labor under control or else. What ever Asian miracle we read about is

Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

On 3/30/07, Martin Hart-Landsberg [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: remain poor for the great majority. But isnt the question what relationship we want to have with these exploited workers. Should we encourage their growing resistance or should we tell them that we, on the left, celebrate the growth

[PEN-L] Utility tax part of House speaker's budget plan

Utility tax part of House speaker's budget plan Tim Martin / Associated Press LANSING -- House Speaker Andy Dillon's plan to help the state's budget crisis includes a tax on utilities, which could add roughly $500 million a year in revenue. Dillon, a Redford Democrat in his first year

[PEN-L] India and labor

At issue is whether workers are wise to support the export-led growth models that their governments are pursing. It is not a question of whether a particular worker gets a job, but whether the growth process really offers workers anything significant for the exploitation they endure. If not,

Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

On 3/30/07, raghu [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On 3/30/07, Martin Hart-Landsberg [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: remain poor for the great majority. But isnt the question what relationship we want to have with these exploited workers. Should we encourage their growing resistance or should we tell

Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

On 3/30/07, Yoshie Furuhashi [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Capitalist globalization, more often than not, comes as a package deal, not as an a la carte menu (unless your country has already made it capitalistically, in which case you have more power to set your own terms than those who have weaker

Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

On 3/30/07, raghu [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It is not that simple. The Chinese/Indian governments are hardly as powerless as you seem to think. The global capital needs China/India just as much as they need global capital. Theoretically there is no reason why a sufficiently enlightened government

Re: [PEN-L] 40 million US Jobs ar risk from trade

The Indian growth model is NOT FDI-driven, far from it. A paltry $10 billion (with a good chunk of it in portfolio investment) is no real driver. In fact the FDI in selected sectors (auto, IT) have been pretty good in terms of India's technological spillovers and firm capabilities. The Chinese