[Snowrunner]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('evilgenius', '
')What Bush hasn't counted on, and neither did Hitler, is losing.

[deconstructionist]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MonteQuest', 'A')mericans will have to take a major reduction in the standard of living, stop spending and start saving or lose it all. We will all live to witness the play-out of this global chess game, I am afraid. And it won't be easy to watch.

[uNkNowN ElEmEnt]

The first link is gone or I can't access it. Does anyone have a copy they can message to me?

[bulldozer]

The "Global Economy" idea was a farce to begin with. It's simply something that allowed us to finance the hollowing out of our cities and towns and transform into a nation filled with tv addicts, diabetics, lawyers, insurance salesmen, disease, obesity, and a prevading vacousness.

I'm not saying things were perfect before World War II. But Globalism has infinitely hurt our ability to be the best we could be.

It is interesting that Globalism is used as a way for Asian countries to "advance" themselves. Our concept of Progress is perhaps overly simple and linear. The book Farmers of Forty Centuries was written nearly 100 years ago by an American Scientist. He examined how agriculture in Asia, designed for sustainability and optimum efficiency, allowed much of East Asia to attain and sustain populations enormously greater than anything the West had ever seen. This puts a monkey wrench into how our formulae for technology is supposed to help a society advance, cuz in some ways East Asia was at a stage of development thousands of years ahead of Western Society.

So, in that sense, we are still catching up with East Asia. As our population density and aggregate population increases, we will first become more socialistic like Europe. Then become more paternalistic, like Asia. Only the Paternal bodies will be banks and corporations, and regional Wal-Mart managers, rather than Royals, Nobles, and Warlords.

[MD]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('uNkNowN ElEmEnt', 'T')he first link is gone or I can't access it. Does anyone have a copy they can message to me?

[DoubleD]

I wonder if there is another location where the original linked report could be found? Since I did not read it before - I don't know what I would be searching for - does anyone else remember the headline/author etc to do a search? That would be very much appreciated. Reading snippets is might interesting - but it would be even better to have the whole story!

Thanks!

[robski]

Available in PDF:

Restructuring the Global Economy

[MrBill]

It looks like the Chinese ARE restructuring the global economy with interest free loans and no-strings attached aid. Sounds great! ; - )

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', ' ')

ABC Online

Correspondents Report - China provides aid to Sudan in return for mining rights

[This is the print version of story http://www.abc.net.au/correspondents/co ... 844703.htm]


Correspondents Report - Sunday, 11 February , 2007


China's President, Hu Jintao, has just wrapped up his tour of Africa, a continent of key strategic value to the emerging super-power.

President Hu has secured long-term concessions in oil and mining rights in return for interest free loans and aid with "no strings attached".

But the Chinese leader rejected criticism that Beijing is ignoring human rights abuses, while milking the world's poorest region through unequal trade.

In a moment we'll hear China's perspective, with the help of our China Correspondent, Stephen McDonell, but first, from Johannesburg, here's our Africa Correspondent, Andrew Geoghegan.

ANDREW GEOGHEGAN: Chinese President Hu Jintao's African odyssey has taken him to eight countries.

In Sudan, he was confronted by the odd sight of Chinese dancers performing at an oil refinery.

(Sound of Chinese dancers performing, clapping)

The Chinese President has been greeted effusively at every stop, and it's not surprising. He's come bearing gifts, in the form of aid and loans.

It began with an interest free loan to the Sudanese leader so he could build a presidential palace.

(Omar al-Bashir speaking)

"Our relationship is truly a relationship of friendship," said President Omar al-Bashir, "with no strings attached or pressures or political agenda."

It's this "no strings attached" policy that has prompted accusations from the West that China is ignoring corruption and human rights abuses in countries such as Sudan and Zimbabwe.

But President Hu has defended his country's stance, while making a veiled reference to Western interventionist policies.

HU JINTAO (translated): China upholds the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, and China does not interfere into other countries' internal affairs, and China does not impose its own ideology, political system or mode of development to any other country.

FRANCIS KORNEGAY: Well, China should exert its influence.

ANDREW GEOGHEGAN: Francis Kornegay is a China analyst at the Centre for Policy Studies in Johannesburg.

FRANCIS KORNEGAY: Now, whether one wants to call it pressure or what-have-you, particularly given China's refrain about non-interference, the fact of the matter is that China has a lot of influence with Sudan, and China increasingly has to balance its interest in Sudan with its interest in Africa as a whole.

ANDREW GEOGHEGAN: Most African countries want to see Sudan end atrocities in its Darfur region, where 200,000 people have died.

However, China has chosen to ignore sanctions imposed on Sudan. It wants to guarantee it has abundant natural resources to feed its economy, and so far Chinese largesse has secured long-term concessions in oil and mining rights.

While China's African partners may be immediate winners, Francis Kornegay's not so sure about the longer term.

FRANCIS KORNEGAY: Of course the problem, though, is that Africa's divided into many sovereign states, 53 African countries and one China. And that sort of makes for an inherently unequal relationship irrespective of any notions of equality.

ANDREW GEOGHEGAN: However, Thabo Mbeki's South Africa, Beijing's biggest trade partner on the continent, is committed to a close relationship with China.

THABO MBEKI: This whole matter of the renewal of the African continent is very critical in terms of the work that we do. And again, the effect of that strategic partnership with China enables us to be able to act quite closely with regard to addressing an important issue, as I was saying, the renewal of the African continent.

ANDREW GEOGHEGAN: Hu Jintao speaks of equality.

HU JINTAO (translated): As I said earlier, in my opening remarks, the cooperation between China and Africa is based on equality, mutual trust, mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

ANDREW GEOGHEGAN: But China is beginning to generate resentment in Africa.

Its growing economic clout on the continent is undermining local industry, as cheap Chinese goods flood the market.

Patrick Craven from the Congress of South African Trade Unions.

PATRICK CRAVEN: Yes, that's not just a fear. It's a fact. That, particularly in clothing and textiles, Chinese imports have already led to the loss of, we estimate, 65,000 jobs. But that is what we fear, that it may spread to other sectors.

ANDREW GEOGHEGAN: Trade unions also complain that China is exploiting local workers, as well as importing its own labour, in regions that have chronic unemployment.

Patrick Craven.

PATRICK CRAVEN: One of our fears is that Chinese companies, when they invest here, will not be good employers, just as we believe they are not in China itself, where workers are paid very, very low wages.

ANDREW GEOGHEGAN: While China is creating new economic opportunities in Africa, there are concerns, not least among Western countries, that it's embarked on a new wave of colonialism.

[Bas]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MrBill', 'I') am not very neutral on this issue for what it is worth.

[MrBill]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Bas', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MrBill', 'I') am not very neutral on this issue for what it is worth.

[Bas]

Sounds like you don't know who's side you are on in these matters... Not that I would know myself. On the one hand China is providing much needed FDI for Africa, on the other hand they are providing loans that may choke African nations in the future (like soft loans from the west have done in the past).

Yet, if China is breaking the UN embargo against Sudan, it should be made into a big deal. The Chinese saying they respect the charter of the UN yet undermining its sanctions makes them look like hypocrites.

However, Europeans and after WWII also America have toyed with those poor nations for so long that we look like hypocrites ourselves complaining about China starting to do the same thing. Yet, to some extend (with regard to the loans) China IS undermining the new policy of the west of not providing soft loans anymore and relieving some of the poorest nations of their debt.

In the end it all doesn't matter much anyway though with impending hyperinflation/chaos due to PO...

[MrBill]

Exactly, it is hard to say which IS the right side to be on? However, I do not see neo-colonial or quasi-colonial power as being anymore right than the original version. And it seems to me that Chinese generated corruption and bribe taking in these countries is no better than any other source. They all undermine confidence in the official government leading to more corruption.

But you have to marvel at the effort on one side of the world to eliminate these practices, if only slowly and with much gnashing of teeth, only to have it spring up supported by a new sponsor? Almost like why bother?

Here is another good article on Russian investment in Saudi Arabia. Money, power and influence. Did it ever really change?

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', ' ') The large trade delegation, which consists of nearly 60 business executives, is expected to explore a wide range of investment opportunities, mainly in oil exploration and railways.

“Lukoil (Russia’s largest privately held oil producer) and Saudi Aramco are seeking areas of cooperation to explore oil wells in the south of the Kingdom,” said Koudriavtsev.

In January 2004, Lukoil won a tender to develop a Block A natural gas field in the Empty Quarter. Lukoil signed a 40-year contract with the Saudi government to explore and develop the natural gas deposit.

Russia’s energy giant Gazprom is also showing interest in energy projects in the country. Saudi Arabia is estimated to be tendering $20 to $25 billion worth of investment in the natural gas sector.

Russian executives are also expected to bid on Saudi Arabia’s new railway projects. Saudi and Russian businessmen are expected to hold a joint meeting tomorrow to discuss areas of possible joint ventures between the two countries. Putin is expected to attend the meeting.

[Gerben]

I took the trouble to read that Paper written by Dialynas. Although I do not share his political views (I'm more a socialist) I do agree to most of his economic analysis. A crisis is inevitable.

The problem with his solution is not only its lack of social responsibility (=voters needed to get reelected), but also that he's not profiting from the opportunity that arises.

I see a totally different approach which comes in three phases:
1. extend the maturity of the debt issued; (Silent preparation for what is to come.)
2. attack the dollar: SELL, SELL, SELL that worthless toiletpaper.
Buy undervalued foreign currency, then lower the interest rate. This will start the inevitable crisis that will give you political mandate to rearrange government spending. (Where I would personally prefer to cut in military spending rather than social programs.)
3. After a few weeks and sufficient depreciation of the US$, buy back some dollars to stabilize at a decent exchange rate. Stop the presses;
If all went well you made a good profit at the capital market at the expense of foreign nations and you have reached the necessary exchange rate. This allows you to start paying of your debts.

[MrBill]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Gerben', 'I') took the trouble to read that Paper written by Dialynas. Although I do not share his political views (I'm more a socialist) I do agree to most of his economic analysis. A crisis is inevitable.

The problem with his solution is not only its lack of social responsibility (=voters needed to get reelected), but also that he's not profiting from the opportunity that arises.

I see a totally different approach which comes in three phases:
1. extend the maturity of the debt issued; (Silent preparation for what is to come.)
2. attack the dollar: SELL, SELL, SELL that worthless toiletpaper.
Buy undervalued foreign currency, then lower the interest rate. This will start the inevitable crisis that will give you political mandate to rearrange government spending. (Where I would personally prefer to cut in military spending rather than social programs.)
3. After a few weeks and sufficient depreciation of the US$, buy back some dollars to stabilize at a decent exchange rate. Stop the presses;
If all went well you made a good profit at the capital market at the expense of foreign nations and you have reached the necessary exchange rate. This allows you to start paying of your debts.

[pukeko]

There will be no need to cut the minimun wage by 50%. Because the rise in the cost of oil will have a massive inflationary effect merely putting a freeze on wages and salaries will be sufficient. More importantly governments need to completely rethink their stratergies. There needs to be a change from globalisation to localisation where goods are manufactured close to where they will be comsumed. Decrease in population growth and economies will have to be considered to limit demands on resources. Will this happen with the present mind-set of our politicians and big business? I dont think so.

[MrBill]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pukeko', 'T')here will be no need to cut the minimun wage by 50%. Because the rise in the cost of oil will have a massive inflationary effect merely putting a freeze on wages and salaries will be sufficient. More importantly governments need to completely rethink their stratergies. There needs to be a change from globalisation to localisation where goods are manufactured close to where they will be comsumed. Decrease in population growth and economies will have to be considered to limit demands on resources. Will this happen with the present mind-set of our politicians and big business? I dont think so.

[LoneSnark]

^ Wonderfully put MrBill

[MrBill]

Some more naive ideas....

RE moving production to where there is reliable sources of energy versus trying to get renewable energy to densely populated areas...

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', ' ')For starters, the wind does not blow all the time. When it does, it does not necessarily do so during periods of high demand for electricity. That makes wind a shaky replacement for more dependable, if polluting, energy sources like oil, coal and natural gas. Moreover, to capture the best breezes, wind farms are often built far from where the demand for electricity is highest. The power they generate must then be carried over long distances on high-voltage lines, which in Germany and other countries are strained and prone to breakdowns.

In the United States, one of the areas most suited for wind turbines is the central part of the country, stretching from Texas through the northern Great Plains — far from the coastal population centers that need the most electricity.

[shakespear1]

Mr. Bill it is only Wednesday

[MrBill]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('shakespear1', 'M')r. Bill it is only Wednesday