Re: On Bello

[Michael Pugliese <debsian@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Steve Diamond <sdiamond@xxxxxxx> sayeth>Bello, however, opts to put forward
a worldview that he explicitly links to
that of right wing British philosopher John Gray.  Thus, Bello quotes Gray
in defense of the idea that the goal of his politics is "to express and
protect local and national cultures by embodying and sheltering their
distinctive practices."  This is a form of relativism that undermines the
universal quality of concepts like the rule of law, human rights and labor
standards. Thus, it offers hope to those in the developing world elite that
the anti-globalization movement is really all about attacking U.S. power or
the power of competing U.S.-based multinationals.  It is not a surprise, to
me, at least, that Bello has suggested in another essay that the current
global slowdown is an "opportunity."  For whom?  Not for the third world
working class, but for nationalist figures like Malaysia's Mahathir and
Thailand's Thaksin Shinawatra.

   Hmm. ("Calling Dr. Ideology!" "Left [Foot] in Form, Right [Foot,Gangreene
Set In, Incurable] In Essence, Dr. Bello, Report To Surgery!" TNC Wing, Past
LDC Corridor, IMF ATM Run by Mike Moore with an assist from James
WOLFenson...)
  John Gray isn't a Thatcherite anymore. See this great piece in Lingua
Franca,
February 2001 http://www.linguafranca.com/
The Ex-Cons
During the Cold War, they cavorted with Thatcher and Reagan. Today they
inveigh against the ravages of the free market. John Gray and Edward Luttwak
defect to the left.
BY COREY ROBIN

   For fans of Mahathir, I'd think a much more appropriate match is Lyndon
LaRouche and HKL.
   I hope this doesn't become like the Brenner food fight.
Michael Pugliese