a critique

[Gernot Kohler <gko15@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The thesis of my article, ?A Critique of the Global Wage System,? at

http://www.caei.com.ar/es/programas/teoria/14.pdf

is that global wage differences are, to a large extent, due to various types
of discrimination rather than to productivity differences. The argument is
based on a comparison of worker productivity in terms of *use* value versus
worker productivity in terms of *exchange* value. (In my article I use a
post-Keynesian terminology, namely, ?physical productivity? versus ?value
productivity?, instead of the Marxist terminology of use versus exchange
value.)

The praxeological conclusion is a call for global wage parity (equal wage
for work of equal value globally). Liu has recently argued along somewhat
similar lines. In order to remedy the problem, Liu  calls for an OLEC, a
cartel of low-wage countries, that would fight for wage increases of
low-wage countries vis-à-vis high-wage countries. (He does not elaborate on
details of such a proposed organization.)

gk