Suchergebnisse

Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond is reviewed.

The impact of globalization on nation-states & global capitalism is discussed in a response to Robert J. S. Ross's "Global Capitalism and Labor at the End of History" (1995 [see abstract 9608458]) where he argues that the advance of capitalism will eventually promote socialism through the creation of a global proletariat lacking reserves of cheap labor & with the power to demand social democratic reforms. Although Ross's contention that globalization has reduced the protective power of the nation-state is supported, it is argued that proletarianization is slowing & even reversing in many countries in Latin America & Africa. Despite the continued degradation of the nation-state by global capitalism, it is suggested that this process will eventually threaten capitalism. As nation-states lose the power to protect workers & sacrifice their interests for the sake of foreign investment, labor resistance to capitalism will increase & eventually undermine support for capitalism. The continued economic & political breakdown of nation-states (under the stress of capitalism) will also destroy the institutions & structures currently organizing & supporting global capital, thereby paving the way for new forms of political leadership. T. Sevier

Proposes a system of centrally planned international barter trade based on the principles of the International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT), established in 1989.