Self-Reliance Promotes Independence and Energy Efficiency

Those who point to globalization and “free trade” as the solution to all economic problems seem quite oblivious of the political dependence, energy waste, and environmental degradation it brings about. They make much of the inexpensive products at Wal-Mart stores and the low-paying jobs created in third-world nations, while ignoring the large amount of fuel squandered on transporting these products around the world or the massive pollution in China and some of the other low-wage countries. They stubbornly claim that the “free market solves everything”, with little explanation as to its failure in resolving environmental or social issues.

Before believing in this supposed utopia of “global capitalism”, people should realize the potential risks of economic dependence, both at present and in the future. Globalization activists are clamoring for the elimination of agricultural subsidies and calling for all types of food to be subject to cheaper foreign competition from countries in Africa and elsewhere. The U.S. and South Korean governments are moving to enact a “free trade” agreement which would allow less expensive American rice to be shipped across the Pacific Ocean, likely putting Korean farmers out of work. At the same time, South Korean auto makers are helping to bring about the unemployment of American and Japanese auto workers. Even though it is quite possible for Americans to build cars and Koreans to grow rice, huge amounts of fuel will be used to carry both across the Pacific while at the same time incurring costs associated with unemployment. What will occur when the world’s supply of oil has been depleted and both nations are dependent on products which they have to transport such distances?

Globalization and the “free market” have already made some nations dependent on others for their food supply and pushed them deeper in poverty. Albania, once self-reliant in food and highly independent in international politics, changed over to a “free market” economy in the early ’90s, embracing “reform” so frequently prescribed by the West. Since then, it has had to import large quantities of food and required international food assistance. At the same time it has lost its political independence, being highly dependent on Italy (responsible for most of its imports and exports, as well as some of its aid), going so far as to zealously support the invasion of Iraq. In Mexico, food prices have increased thanks to the massive use of corn to produce American ethanol, in a country where it is already difficult for people to afford basic necessities. In an interview with CounterPunch.org, author Noam Chomsky recently pointed out that despite the supposed “economic boom” brought about by globalization in India, the “per capita grain intake for people in India has declined” and peasant suicides have increased. Regardless of the decrease in Indian living standards and loss of American jobs in manufacturing and call centers, “free trade” supporters continue to spread the myth that there has been such fantastic progress.

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