Re: government, markets, and material well-being

[Alan G Isaac <aisaac@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Tue, 27 Aug 2002 23:26:07 -0400 "Henry C.K. Liu" <hliu@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Need I are remind you of Albright's remark that two
> million infants death in Iraq as a result of the US
> embargo was "worth it"?

In case some on the list don't know Henry's reference,
it is to a comment on 60 Minutes, on 12 May 1996:
    *Lesley Stahl on U.S. sanctions against Iraq:* We have
    heard that a half million children have died. I mean,
    that's more children than died in Hiroshima. And, you
    know, is the price worth it?
    *Secretary of State Madeleine Albright:* I think this is a
    very hard choice, but the price--we think the price is
    worth it.

Analysis of sanctions and their effectiveness is a standard
part of international trade theory.  Nevertheless, the
discussion about whether Iraq's pursuit of weapons of mass
destruction and demonstrated willingness to use them even on
Iraqi citizens can justify the US willingness to impose
sanctions on Iraq until such time as Iraq allows unhindered
investigations by UN weapons inspectors *is* I think beyond
the scope of this list. I personally do not think it is an
easy question.  (My view, which is based in no expertise
about Iraq, is that the sanctions are justified but that the
US and the UN should do much more than they have so far to
limit the effect of the sanctions on children.) I must reply
briefly, however, that I cannot agree that Albright's
hesitant and tormented assessment equates to Mao's
insoucient "farts".

Alan Isaac