At 10:02 PM 10/21/2001 -0700, Declan McCullagh wrote:
I'm actually surprised to see Steve launch into a critique of laissez-faire capitalism here on cypherpunks, of all places. One can admit that globalization has ill effects (mostly, bricks through windows of Starbucks thrown by bored, upper-middle-class, college-age protesters), certainly. But when responding to claims that factory workers in poorer countries are only being paid $2/hour or whatnot, it makes sense to ask: Is this worse than their other alternatives, like mud huts in villages?
Actually its not the wages, which may quite attractive for these workers and their skills, but the intimidation and occasional violence used to recruit and maintain employees, keep them from organizing and the government support or blind eyes which take me aback. It reminded me of the tyranny of the coal mining companies in West Virginia circa 1880's.
To argue against people voluntarily entering into market-based transactions with each other is so a-economical and contrary to cypherpunk philosophies* -- wlel, I just don't think it's worth taking the time to go any further in a response.
I've actually spoken to a few Central American women who worked in these factories and the conversations left an indelible memory. I'm not ready to abandon my support of laissez-faire capitalism or globalism. Perhaps these painful personal experiences are all for the best in the long term, I certainly don't have a better solution to improving their lot, but it has caused me to think about the price some pay. steve