Re: [A-List] US/Saudi tensions

["Michael Keaney" <michael.keaney@xxxxxx>]

Macdonald writes:

I see too many first worlders wandering
off into long interesting research units into the Saudi economy. It's
relevant, but only just so. We need to remember why we are here, it's
not to operate in an analytical vacuum, nor is it to repeat the line of
bourgeois media.

------

Yes, and a daily intake of vitamins is good for you. Is it really necessary
to be reminded of these truisms in such a fashion? Is the A-list veering off
the "correct line"? Just what is the "correct line"? Does the bourgeois
media have a single line? All too often your pronouncements are made in what
appears to be an analytical vacuum because you make simplistic dualistic
right/wrong declarations that ignore the complexities of the issues you
tackle with such absolute certainty. Zimbabwe is a case in point -- who am
I, sitting on my perch in southern Finland, to make such sweeping statements
on topics about which people like Patrick Bond and John Enyang know far
more? Such distance appears to be no problem for you, however. It's a style
I find irritating, but I can handle the irritation for as long as I don't
myself get lectured to on the dangers of scholasticism or being hoodwinked,
as if these dangers hadn't been covered repeatedly in this forum.

As far as this list is concerned, its purpose is not to replicate existing
lists, although there will, inevitably, be overlap -- especially considering
the multiple subscriptions certain list members have. The A-list membership
is primarily Marxist in orientation, and we have many different kinds and
experiences of Marxism represented here. We also have some libertarians,
Austrian economists, etc. What brings us together is a common rejection of
the status quo and a shared appreciation for the various insights
volunteered on matters pertaining to the global political economy as it is
currently (and has been historically) configured. In addition, as part of
our effort to keep a regular monitor on certain key themes we forward
relevant items from the bourgeois media, among other sources. We subject
these to reasoned critique, recognising that these articles contain any
combination of truth, misinformation, disinformation, normative agenda, etc.
I often append my own "editorials" and others are free to do the same or add
another perspective on the topic.

If you want a more activist focus then you could resubscribe to Lou
Proyect's excellent Marxism list. In fact just now the discussion is
absolutely top-notch, and I've learnt as much as I ever have from people
whose experience and knowledge is way ahead of mine. Simply replicating
Marxmail is hardly the point, however. My interests in developing this list
are to focus on what in academic circles are called the political economy
and political sociology of global capitalism, i.e., areas which are formally
neglected inside the academy because they fall between disciplinary stools
as well as threaten the credibility of the reassuring stories that are
commonly told of how the world works. I am opposed to scholasticism,
however. This is not some obscure branch of H-Net. The A-list is, I believe,
another manifestation of praxis. Given the general seriousness of
contributions here (unlike some other collective exercises in virtual
self-gratification I've experienced) I don't think subscribers need to be
"kept on the right path" like some wayward children.

I am also trying to encourage a more pan-European focus, whilst indulging my
own preoccupations with Britain, which, for reasons I have explained over
and over, I believe remains crucial to our understanding of European and
global developments. I would like to see more contributions from others
situated elsewhere, including especially the South, but I guess these will
develop as and when people are able and willing. I've also tried to
encourage a fusion of red and green discussion. Etc.

If you think that the above is in any way deficient or somehow lacking in
"correctness", then you, as moderator of both "Leninist International" and
"Rad-Green" are in a position to develop something that fills the gap. Or
you can make constructive contributions to this forum in ways which address
those topics you deem important. Just don't waste bandwidth on unnecessary
ideological correctives.

Michael Keaney

ps The Financial Times covered the issue of Saudi disinvestment in some
detail. While disinformation is commonly used by states and their media
organs to smear progressive causes/standard bearers, given the absolute
centrality of the financial system and its currently shaky condition such a
disinformation campaign conducted as you imply does not make any sense. The
US depends upon being able to attract capital from around the globe to
sustain its unsustainable economy. To even suggest, let alone expand in
detail upon, Saudi disinvestment is potentially very damaging to the
interests of US finance capital and ultimately other sectors of US capital
also, given the impact any repatriation of investments would have on the
value of the dollar. The dollar has in fact weakened significantly in the
past 6 months, and it remains fragile. Just because there has not been a
total collapse does not mean that whatever Saudi disinvestment took place
was without effect. Judge for yourself by checking the archives:

http://archives.econ.utah.edu/archives/a-list/2002w34/msg00044.htm
http://archives.econ.utah.edu/archives/a-list/2002w34/msg00072.htm
http://archives.econ.utah.edu/archives/a-list/2002w35/msg00026.htm