- Capitalism and Alternatives -

Thank you

Posted by: Lark on November 08, 1999 at 14:59:30:

In Reply to: here are some points. posted by Gee on November 08, 1999 at 10:43:01:

: Employment never has been '100%' except during the days when a mans life was just an animal struggle for survival. Perhaps this would lend perspective, rather than make it look like an 'angry lefty student' diatribe against the last 200 years - it would be wrong to see you as that.

It really would not be an angry lefty diatribe Gee the permanent exclusion of a section of the population from employment by free market reform is accepted knowledge in Social Policy circles, I mean the social workers etc. dont have to ask themselves is this the case they work with these communities and know it is the case.

: Look at how other people were exlcuded - by caste in India, by color of skin etc. consuider that the exclusion is majority driven - that races, castes and the unemployed only remain excluded due to the sanction of the great many (in, respectively; being racist, believing in caste systems, in personal economic choices (ie not trading with nor contributing toward 'the poor')

I have considered these on occasion in other assignments on social exclusion and while caste etc. are more obvious examples of exclusion a more suttle version is indemic in unmoderated capitalism.

: Consider the historical evidence of what happens when countries offer generous welfare schemes, and think of why countries like Holland, germany, britain and Sweden are having to reduce welfare now - with the support of their majorities.

In Sweden and Holland there is absolutely no liberal culture the people are naturally collectivist and the reform is being taken reluctantly because of the ability of transnational companies and their heavy mob, the WTO, IMF etc. to undermine national soveriegnity.

: Consider how this might be done, and whether or not the already employed majority would like this, would want the goods made by them and so forth.

It's not primarily a market motivated concern, it is a staging ground for re-entry into the mainstream market, and it's aim is primarily to prevent people losing resolve in seeking employment, provide activities that mirror those of employment and in doing so prevent the disintegration of normative behvioural habits, such as, time keeping or communication skills, which make it real difficult for the long term unemployed or intergenerational unemployed to get employment.

: You could print the finished item here if you liked....

It could be a year away yet, the working title is "Welfare in the Free World: The Relevence of Participatory Democracy to Social Policy"


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