Simone White - Great Imperialist State

[werich1]

The problem in my opinion is, that the 1st world economy bloom on the shoulders of the less developed countries. would there be a real fair market without protective duties and with equally educated participants - i would feel much less guilty.

You know - I woke up this morning with this song and noticed the lyrics for the first time, and it made me choke. regards...

[cabernet5]

its a little difficult knowing anything about economics to listen to this song... she seems to be critical of the very division of labor that allows the tea farmer in that "distant country" to sell to her and make a living.

but then again, she seems to have fallen into the marxian mind trap, shame, its good music.

[NicosNicosNicosNicos]

@cabernet5 I'm glad you appreciated the music.Turning an equally generous ear to the lyrics can help pick out references to economies dependent on 'first world' markets to the detriment of the local population.No industrialisation,dependence on imports for food because the whole economy is geared towards tea,coffee,bauxite etc, inherent instability being vulnerable to the whims of the market, Simone further mentions how sustainability is sacrificed. It's not a protest against employment,no.

[cabernet5]

@NicosNicosNicosNicos

the cash crop economy is a viable way of economic growth for developing states. having the money for imports is a result of the income earned from cash crops. "inherent instability" and bieng prey to "the whims of the market" are rather unsubstantial objections to the greater real wages and profit earned from raising cash crops rather than produce. simone should actually ASK the third world tea farmer, i think he rather likes it that she buys his tea.

[cabernet5]

@cabernet5

and another thing, sustainability, in the face of the current and projected size of the earth's population can be best achieved by technological innovation in the field of recycling, renewal, and low impact technology.

I would hate for the third world to be subject to forced de-industrialization... just so a few pale faced ideologues in wealthy countries could feel morally righteous.

[NicosNicosNicosNicos]

@cabernet5 de-industrialization?No,on the contrary,if these countries could break away from their role as mere suppliers of raw materials and industrialise,it would be a different story.

"ASK the third world tea farmer,i think he rather likes it that she buys his tea"

Farmers are certainly glad that their crops are bought but there are some aspects of being "third world" that are undesirable, and a lot can have to do with one's economy being at risk of collapse every time world tea prices drop.

[cabernet5]

@NicosNicosNicosNicos

These countries are industrializing. If you look at all of the indicators, the increase in urban jobs, the growth of cities, the development of native service industries, there is no significant country that i know of that is regressing in terms of industrialization.

its a little over dramatic to say that the economy is at a serious risk of collapse due to a drop in prices... practically i am not familiar with any cash crop nation collapsing as a result of a price drop

[werich1]

@cabernet5

Hello! With all respect to your trust into the free market - either you can't or won't understand that you indeed work hard 40h per week for your new toyota, your condominium, health insurance and pension while the farmer is working equally hard for making himself and his family something to eat and maybe some primitive comfort in life (TV, motorcycle and a decent reserve in case of a crop failure). But he is human - just like you and me!

[werich1]

So it's a story about the fortune to be born in a 1st world country and the question for arising responsibility.

[cabernet5]

@werich1 there is no moral reason why you should feel guilty for being able to get more wealth for less physical labor than others elsewhere in the world. This 1st world economy determines that the work of a web developer is more valuable than the tea-grower, comparatively. Is it the web developer's fault that the market determined this?

Eventually, with the money he makes selling tea to Simone White he will be able to send his kids of to college to become web developers;)

[NeroroPuj]

Great song!

[BamBix1234]

Nice song.