OK, but to what extent are the problems that Malawi faces anything to do
with
the market and its machinations
land being held in common or not
As far as land is concerned, the late and not in the least bit lamented
former Life President of Malawi Ngwazi Dr H Kamuzu Banda was on record as
saying that any Minister in his Government must have a farm. I think Banda
meant that in order for anyone to help him to govern (sic) their country
they needed to be from and of the soil! The reality was that the people at
the top then stole all the best land and kept it for themselves or sold it
to the likes of Tiny Rowland.
Duncan Williamson
-----Original Message-----
From: Economics, business, and related subjects
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Richard Young
Sent: 07 June 2003 08:17
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Finbarr found that Development online book :-)
One of the blinding insights of economics is that markets work and markets
fail.
The pre conditions of economic development include property rights, rule of
law and fairly enforced contracts. That is why aid is now so conditional on
transparency.
Note that most land in the world is owned by no one ie held in common.
Regards
Richard Young
AST Teacher of Business Studies, Economics & ICT
Deputy Head of VI Form - Year 12
Wood Green School
Woodstock Road
Witney OX28 1DX
Tel 01993 702355
Fax 01993 774961
www.woodgreen.oxon.sch.uk
BECTa/Guardian Secondary School Web Site of the Year 2001
[log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: Economics, business, and related subjects
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Duncan
Williamson
Sent: 07 June 2003 08:11
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Finbarr found that Development online book :-)
Let me encourage you to add this element to this debate: yes it's true that
capitalism has moved into parts of the world and exploited the people and
resources it found there (remember that Dr Livingstone went to and stayed in
Africa for "Commerce and Christianity": note the order of importance and
don't forget that the good Dr only converted ONE African to Christianity in
his 40 year sojourn!).
However, take a country such as Malawi and then explain why capitalism is to
blame for the drought crisis that persistently befalls it and how on earth
people can die from starvation within a 10 mile radius of Lake Malawi,
Africa's third largest, the world's 13th largest, freshwater lake. Then
explain how it's possible for the President of Malawi to become a multi
millionaire during his time in office. Then explain how to resolve such
problems and you now legitimately ask what the role of capitalism ought to
be in such circumstances.
To take the contrary position to your final point, Finbarr, we could say
"Isn't it marvellous that in such a complex world as this one 80% of all of
the people on the planet are sufficiently well fed that they go to sleep
contented every night? Well done everyone!"
Food for thought.
Duncan Williamson
-----Original Message-----
From: Economics, business, and related subjects
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Finbarr Carter
Sent: 06 June 2003 11:31
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Finbarr found that Development online book :-)
Sorry Duncan,
I wasn't making myself clear - I was not trying to make a connection
between Planned
Economies and environmental protection. I do not in anyway think the
planned economy of the Soviet Union was good for the environment - far from
it.
However I don't think that free market economies are free from
environmental guilt either - rainforest destruction, Bhopal, drilling for
oil in the Artic, consumption patterns that are leading to the loss of many
of our natural resources, mass air/water pollution from
cars/planes/industry with global impacts (global warming, acid rain, etc),
the list could go on.
What I was trying to point out was one of the things I always thought was
great about Economics was the comparative debate between planned and free
market. That comparison is now historical since neo-liberal economics now
dominated the globe. So what is to replace it?
Should we accept having one model for the economy without any debate about
it's failings?
Can we all honestly say to ourselves that capitalism works for all when one
fifth of the world go to bed hungry at night ?
best wishes
Finbarr Carter ([log in to unmask])
Project Co-ordinator
'Just Business'
www.jusbiz.org
Norfolk Education and Action for Development
38 Exchange Street, Norwich, NR2 1AX
Tel: 01603 610993
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Registered Charity: 1010853
Registered company: 2237 424
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