Sunday, July 22, 2012

WRONGS THAT NEED CORRECTION

ECONOMIC WRONGS

International economic or financial institutions, such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, do function on a worldwide level; yet in no way do they foster, operate as, or resemble, a world economy.  Economists, such as Robert Gilpin, have cited the need for reform of these institutions, so that they would be more representative of the economic and political circumstances which exist in our world, and more responsive to them as well. (R. and J. Gilpin, The Challenge of Global Capitalism)

We often hear of complaints regarding these institutions, such as charges that their policies are actually aligned with, and tailored to assist, commercial and financial interests within the nost advanced industrial nations.  This is said to be manifested by, among other things, requirements imposed by such institutions, upon countries they are making loans to within the less developed regions, to open themselves to imports from more highly developed nations.  The net result of this is undue and unfair competition with the domestic producers of these same products within these very debtor nations, causing social and economic unrest, and generally dire consequences within entire vulnerable less developed regions.

Another form of strain upon the fiber of many new democracies that are springing up within these developing regions is the economic pressure caused by excessive scheduling of repayment for loans that have been extended to them.  In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, the region's total debt a few years ago was in the sum of a staggering $180 Billion.We learn that repayment formats, to the tune of $10 Billion annually, comprised four times the sums spent by the governments within this region for its citizens' health care and education.

A primary illustration of this could be perceived in Malawi, a heavily indebted African nation.  Lenders and donors, which include the European Union, Great Britain, the United States, Onternational Monetary Fund, and the World Bank, were said to monitor the country's financial activities as if Malawi were a business in receivership.  Its fiscal policies and budgetary expenditures were said to be excessively scrutinized; and conformity compelled by means of threats of withdrawal of further assistance.  For example, there used to be a forestry department in Malawi, whose activities naturally resulted in improved ecological conditions; but its personnel and activities were compelled to be drastically reduced, by a government under pressure from its creditors.

In a unified world, there would be no such things as loans to countries or their governments.  The recipients of financial assistance would not be enclosed within four boundary lines; but, rather, would consist merely of people or entities within particular places in our world.  Funding and development in places requiring such would generally be undertaken by private entrepreneurship (regarding economic development) and by government and/or charitable organizations (for humanitarian assistance).  Both forms of financial input would be subject to supervision by the world governing body, to assure the absence of any economic or sociological abuses.  Money would not dribble down, distributed by intermediary recipient governments, sometimes inept and sometimes corrupt, draining off a fraction, or perhaps most, before the assistance reached its destination.  Government--or, better, "operation and guidance,"  as described and referred to frequently herein by the author--concerning this and all types of such activity, in all of the world's regions--both fully devveloped and underdeveloped--would emanate from a single source, and these activities would be logically planned and efficiently administered for the benefit of all.  Opportunities for persons or entities from highly developed places to profit hugely from activities within underdeveloped regions, blessed and protected by said enterpreneurs' own national governments, and those of the places wherein they sought advantage, would be a thing of the past.

Institutions similar to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund could, and probably would, continue to function.  But their activities would consist of rendering loans and development assistance to persons and/or entities--not to governments or countries--which recipients would be better equipped to deal with such help thus rendered, on a more direct and straightforward basis. 

And there would hopefully be no instances wherein aid to needy people could not be distributed because of rebellion or warfare taking place within the region.  As regards rebellion, it is hoped that if there be no more nations, the rebellious aspirations of persons with followings, or of groups, to wrest control of a government or of a country, from the current powers that be, will eventually subside and cease to occur.  And when and if they should persist, these actions--when carried on in a fashion contrary or in opposition to the principles of just and beneficent law that would be established--would be considered and dealt with simply as crime.  They would, moreover, be dealt with by the rest of the world--not by the aforesaid "current powers that be," who may be no stronger, or possibly somewhat weaker, than the rebellious forces.  As regards warfare, it is likewise hoped that the absence (and prohibition) of military arms and armed forces, except for a worldwide law enforcement agency, will obviate the opportunity as well as the likelihood of regions "going to war" with each other.  "Warfare" in general would likewise be considered criminal behavior; and be dealt with, in the same fashion as would a street brawl between two youth gangs, by the police force, whose "beat" would be the entire world.  (This is not to say that there ought not be means of expression of dissatisfaction or alleged abuse on the part of persons or groups [small or large]; consequent due consideration thereof, utilizing objectively reasonable and logical standards and criteria; and appropriate action or correction taken in regard thereto.)

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