On Wed, 19 Jul 1995, Michael Perelman wrote:
> We now have a remarkable array of people from around the world,
> yet we still hear a preponderance of posts from and about the
> U.S.
>
> Also, we still have a small group of people who contribute most
> of the postings. The list would be more valuable if we could
> hear from more of you.
> --
>
Michael Perelman's important post above is generally ignored by
the PENers. Only two people commented.
Before I make a brief comment on the posting, I was searching an
appropriate quotation. I couldn't find one, but the following would
serve as second best:
"Since it is not for us to create a plan for the future that will hold for
all time, all the more surely what we contemporaries have to do is the
uncompromising critical evaluation of all that exists, uncompromising in
the sense that our criticism fears neither its own results nor the
conflict with the powers that be."
--Karl Marx
I think the PENers generally are doing what Marx says "uncompromising
critical evaluation of all that exists, uncompromising in the sense that our
criticism fears neither its own results nor the conflict with the powers
that be." But more can be done.
I must agree with Michael Perelman that topics covered are narrow
and mostly related to the U.S.and participants are "small group of
people." If we can broaden topics to include burning questions
pertinent to other lands and peoples then participation from other lands
would surely increase. Also, personally I would like to see communications
focussed on:
1. Less commentary and opinions;
2. More analysis of events and issues;
3. More news and information.
Opinions are less useful to guide us to construct a model to
understand what is happening aound us. What we need is more "analysis."
For instance, a lot of us are puzzled why real wages are falling in most
industrial societies and how can we counter this trend. Is it expected in
capitalism? Are the alling wages result of increaing income inequality?
Or the causality the other way around? What role(s) transnational
corporations play in wage declines? Etc.
I am sure we all read periodicals and books. In those materials
there must be interesting items and news to share. How other (non-English
language) publications cover certain important events? Sharing those
would be very valuable.
I hope this would be received as friendly self-criticism of ourselves.
Fikret Ceyhun
Dept. of Economics e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Univ. of North Dakota voice: (701)777-3348 office
University Station, Box 8369 (701)772-5135 home
Grand Forks, ND 58202 fax: (701)777-5099
