Is Globalization the New Improved Imperialism?

John Hobson wrote a book in 1902 titled Imperialism. Lenin wrote a response to Hobson, who he viewed as a bit naive (since Hobson made what might today be described as a liberal argument for solving the "problem" of imperialism --- wage led domestic economic growth, rather than the imperialist policy of conquering other people in order to force feed them your surplus goods). Lenin also used the word imperialism and he talked about many of the same factors that people talk about today under the heading "globalization." So what's new? Perhaps one thing that is new is that the current dynamic seems to be favoring China and India, two relatively strong nation states (both also are nuclear powers) that are unlikely to fall under the control of "Western" imperialist interests. Quite the contrary, particularly in the case of China. Chinese transnationals are becoming increasingly important. The Chinese government is accumulating extraordinary hard currency reserves and has become one of the U.S. government's most important lenders. No, this time around it does not appear that the title "imperialism" captures the dynamic process underway, although it certainly has parallels and it is a shame to completely abandon the word. In any event, food for thought.

Chinese Capitalism and the Modernist Vision

It was just pointed out to me that I didn't post a link to my new book,
Chinese Capitalism and the Modernist Vision, although it came out last month. Here's the link to the publisher's NYC/USA page:


Routledge


If this link doesn't work, it's also available on Amazon (U.S. and U.K., although rumor has it that Amazon U.S. is slow at shipping the book), Pick a Book (U.K.), and there's a link at the top of my home page:


SJG Home Page


and on my China essays page:


China Essays

Go West Young Tongzhi

March 5th the Communist Party of China (CPC) convenes the 11th Party Congress and rumor has it the primary topic will be resurrection of Zhu Rongji's "Go West" policy of developing the Western hinterlands, in a manner reminiscent of the U.S. development of the West, albeit without the slaughter of indigenous people. China's continued rapid economic growth depends critically upon whether it is possible to generate rapid growth of the domestic economy. Developing economic activity in the West would go a long way towards this goal.

China and Iran: A New Alliance?

The growing rift between the U.S.-led West (increasingly viewed as crusaders) and Iran may be just what China's leadership needs in their quest to procure new sources of energy to fuel the economic boom in the Chinese economy. It is being reported in China that a delegation is planning to visit Iran next month to sign new agreements that may include a provision granting China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., also known as Sinopec, rights to develop the Yadavaran oil field in southwestern Iran. It is certainly in both country's interests to sign such an agreement. Iran needs to develop closer relations with China to counteract attempts by the U.S. to isolate the Islamic republic. If China is unable to secure energy supplies, then it becomes more vulnerable to the U.S. and its allies, particularly given the U.S. conquest of Iraq, close relationship with Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, and stable ties with Canada and Mexico. If Iran is unable to find allies, particularly strong allies, then it runs the risk of being invaded, or, at the least, bombed by the U.S. or proxy forces (such as Israel).

Revenue Magic

The great Nixon decentralization revolution, sending federal revenues back to the states, is continuing to be unwound. President Bush is shifting more and more of the funding burden to the states, which means less federal revenues for education and other local-based services. Most states and localities have had to raise taxes to compensate for these changes. It's a bit like a magic trick. Cut taxes at the federal level and force localities and states to raise taxes. On the other hand, they could just stop providing all those non-essential services, like public schools.

Underdevelopment

What does the term "developed country" mean? It seems to imply maturity, completedness, being in some Hegelian final stage of life. Is this an appropriate term in social science? Or is it another instance of polemics conquering scientific inquiry? Is the United States a "developed country"? Can't get any better than this, eh? Is that it? According to a recent ABC report, 40,000 to 100,000 underage girls are coerced into slavery every year (and sexually exploited as a result of this enslavement). Is that the best the United States will ever be? I could keep going with these types of examples, but you get the point. The term "developed country" is a complete crock (is that the right term?). And so is the term "developing country," which has a sort of infantile or adolescent or "I'm not quite mature" ring to it and is similarly a way of warping our point of view, rather than creating a possibility of better understanding of the human condition. The very fact that these words are used in "social science" is, in fact, evidence that the words themselves are empty of scientific content, but rich in evidence of the underdevelopment of social science.

Advice to New Republican Leadership

For what it is worth (a fraction of the cost of Internet access?), here's my advice to the new Republican Party leadership: give your core constituents exactly what they want. End affirmative action and abortion, eliminate the minimum wage and ban unions, and cut taxes to zero. As for that last item, you would also need to cut all non-essential government services, which means everything except Homeland Security, the DOD, and your salaries. You can fund those remaining essential services by borrowing from the Chinese government.