RE: Re: Re: Re: Re: Keeping focus after the WTO

["Nathan Newman" <nathan.newman@xxxxxxxx>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-pen-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:owner-pen-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Carrol Cox
> So the question might be, "Is it possible for a nation to escape
> dependency
> without an authoritarian regime?" Is democracy compatible with
> development?
> The obvious answer seems to be No to both questions. At least the burden
> of proof would seem to be on those who would answer yes.

I think this question buys into the premise of rightwing (and yes some
leftwing) folks that it is authoritarianism that has allowed development in
many countries.   While many analysts focus on authoritarianism in some of
the more NICs, those countries often had a number of other factors
involved - especially significant land reform instituted after the end of
World War II.  That base of greater economic equality has been positively
correlated with growth rates in the post-war period. (THE ECONOMIST has
noted these trends at points).

And there is a reasonable argument for why development in a globalized
economy requires a base of equality.  The deferred consumption required for
social investment is unlikely to occur in an atmosphere of massive incomes
disparities, since the rich are more likely to opportunistically loot the
state and society and the poor are more likely to resist (actively and
passively) the economic sacrifice entailed by development since they are not
sharing in the proceeds.

Against the neoliberal agenda of authoritarianism, the Left should be
arguing for the promotion of equality as a positive good not just for
justice but for development as well.

-- Nathan Newman