Post by Jeff on May 20, 2005 2:21:44 GMT -5
I. The Corporation
1. www.thecorporation.com/
2. www.imdb.com/title/tt0379225/
3. www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0007DBJM8/qid=1116570314/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-7362816-3266359?v=glance&s=dvd
This very biased film is patently unfair in representing the good that capitalism does—NB not that the good outweighs the bad! Its basic good lies in lowering prices, increasing the quantity and quality of goods for consumers, increasing living standards over the long run, and functioning as a kind of language of value which, although morally and aesthetically monstrous, reductionistic, and unsustainable, is THE way that competing interests confront each other in the world today. On the latter: Either one learns what capitalism is and how it works or one goes quietly into that good night of mere consumerism, with its created needs and Sith-like manipulations—sorry Star Wars on the brain.
So, the film should have given more time to fiscal right-wingers. Milton Friedman ( www.ideachannel.com/Friedman.htm ) was a featured speaker, and if anyone would defend capitalism it would be he. But only his idea of externalization finds a place here.
To combat the gap, I suggest that you also watch:
II. Commanding Heights: The Battle for the World Economy
This was a PBS miniseries a few years back (2002), and it is excellent.
1. www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/
If you have broadband internet access, you can actually watch the whole thing online by going here: www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/hi/story/index.html
2. www.imdb.com/title/tt0319210/
3. www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006HAZF/qid=1116572115/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/104-7362816-3266359?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846
CH presents a very skeptical view of planned economies. Now, I am a socialist, in a very broad sense, but I do recognize that the brutal efficiency of capitalism IS a strength. It is, of course, not always efficient, but what possible competing solution is better? (Look at the capitalist mindset such a question implies! And we are all already there whether we like it or not.)
What I want to ask you guys is what the solution is. I recognize that corporate capitalism and socialist economic planning are extremes, a false dichotomy, but what does the area in the middle look like? (As Mike has noted: I often pose false dichotomies, but I do so to investigate the middle-ground and to provide a sort of frame for the debate which I assume (hope) will follow. Now, my frame may be flawed. If so, tell me!) I must admit that I do not have an adequate conception. And I ask you guys to fill me in. As for me, my own thought has always been—and Rick can vouch for this—that we must educate our desires. The solution is to build a better person. But this is an idealistic and endless task. What do you think? I’d really like to know…
Jeff
PS Thanks for the rec on this film Amanda!
1. www.thecorporation.com/
2. www.imdb.com/title/tt0379225/
3. www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0007DBJM8/qid=1116570314/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-7362816-3266359?v=glance&s=dvd
This very biased film is patently unfair in representing the good that capitalism does—NB not that the good outweighs the bad! Its basic good lies in lowering prices, increasing the quantity and quality of goods for consumers, increasing living standards over the long run, and functioning as a kind of language of value which, although morally and aesthetically monstrous, reductionistic, and unsustainable, is THE way that competing interests confront each other in the world today. On the latter: Either one learns what capitalism is and how it works or one goes quietly into that good night of mere consumerism, with its created needs and Sith-like manipulations—sorry Star Wars on the brain.
So, the film should have given more time to fiscal right-wingers. Milton Friedman ( www.ideachannel.com/Friedman.htm ) was a featured speaker, and if anyone would defend capitalism it would be he. But only his idea of externalization finds a place here.
To combat the gap, I suggest that you also watch:
II. Commanding Heights: The Battle for the World Economy
This was a PBS miniseries a few years back (2002), and it is excellent.
1. www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/
If you have broadband internet access, you can actually watch the whole thing online by going here: www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/hi/story/index.html
2. www.imdb.com/title/tt0319210/
3. www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006HAZF/qid=1116572115/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/104-7362816-3266359?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846
CH presents a very skeptical view of planned economies. Now, I am a socialist, in a very broad sense, but I do recognize that the brutal efficiency of capitalism IS a strength. It is, of course, not always efficient, but what possible competing solution is better? (Look at the capitalist mindset such a question implies! And we are all already there whether we like it or not.)
What I want to ask you guys is what the solution is. I recognize that corporate capitalism and socialist economic planning are extremes, a false dichotomy, but what does the area in the middle look like? (As Mike has noted: I often pose false dichotomies, but I do so to investigate the middle-ground and to provide a sort of frame for the debate which I assume (hope) will follow. Now, my frame may be flawed. If so, tell me!) I must admit that I do not have an adequate conception. And I ask you guys to fill me in. As for me, my own thought has always been—and Rick can vouch for this—that we must educate our desires. The solution is to build a better person. But this is an idealistic and endless task. What do you think? I’d really like to know…
Jeff
PS Thanks for the rec on this film Amanda!