Re: Global unequal exchange

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

Burford:
> But I wanted to ask whether others agree with the statement above. It
>appears self evident if there is mobility of information and transport of
>commodities across a market. But in a deeper marxist sense is it consistent
>with the law of value?

Of course it is consistent with the law of value. How can it not be? The EU
is an economic partnership of the imperialist nations of Europe. It simply
deepens a process begun with the Common Market. Having a common currency
and relaxing protectionist measures means that imports and exports can
accelerate. However, the notion that the EU is benefiting all classes of
society is an obvious lie--no doubt a function of the neoliberal mindset of
the article's author. For instance, Spain's GDP is supposed to expand by
2.4 per cent this year but inflation and unemployment are also on the rise,
according to today's FT. However, this is "not enough to keep Rodrigo Rato,
economy minister, awake at night."

Meanwhile, yesterday's NY Times reported that Polish farmers are leery of
the EU.

>>A Polish farmer's life is not easy these days, Edward Zawadzki said as he
walked through the cattle barn his father built, long vacant because of low
milk prices.

Dogs barked. Cut hay dried. The sun was setting, and Mr. Zawadzki, 54, who
says his farm barely breaks even, considered his prospects. "How much worse
can it get?" he asked. "Even worse!" -- if Poland joins the very club that
is supposed to propel former Communist countries out of poverty: the
European Union. Cheap crops from rich members will flood in, he said,
pushing out small-time farmers like himself.

"When the borders fall," Mr. Zawadzki said, "Germans will come, buy the
land and we will become farmhands. If the union comes, this is what will
happen."<<

> And most importantly, can it be applied on a world scale?

I believe this is what they call "globalization". I call it imperialism and
to hell with it.

 > Are the most competitive parts of the world market those with the highest
>concentration of capital and therefore the most advanced means of
>production? Do they set the bench mark for the value of all commodities?

Yes.

> Does that mean that all other areas using less advanced means of
>production are trading unequally and there will be an unequal exchange of
>value on a massive global scale, inherent in the very fabric of the
>international market, which is self perpetuating and indeed accelerating.

Yes.

Louis Proyect
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