Re: [PEN-L:1501] Strike in India

["Anthony D'Costa" <dcosta@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

While it is debateable whether FDI increases competition and efficiency in
the domestic economy, India does need some competition.  It would be a
complete misreading of the situation if we think that the Indian
bourgeoisie will be swamped by foreign competition.  In some sectors yes,
especially some of the older businesses who are technologically weak, made
weak precisely because of the autarkic economic policies of the past
trying to reinvent the wheel.  The "new" bourgeoisie is of a slightly
different caliber, technologically more suave with greater risk taking
propensities.  Of course India as a whole is technologically behind so
alliances with foreign capital is inevitable.  This comprador nature of
Indian capital is nothing new (under the British this became possible
during the WW I).

As for strikes in India, Indians are tired of strikes.  It does no one any
good instead hassle everybody.  Industrial relations in India are damaging
to the workers themselves because they are highly fragmented.

Anthony P. D'Costa
Associate Professor
Comparative International Development
University of Washington
1900 Commerce Street
Tacoma, WA 98402, USA

Phone: (253) 692-4462
Fax :  (253) 692-5612

On Sat, 12 Dec 1998, Ken Hanly wrote:

> It is interesting to note that even the opposition supports the
> liberalisation. It doesn't seem to matter what party is elected they
> betray labor when it comes to liberalisation.
>    Cheers, Ken Hanly
>