I don't understand what is meant by describing China as "postcapitalist". If
anything it seems to be post-communist objectively or "post-socialist". It
is capitalist enough to join the WTO and to have special economic zones that
give special incentives for foreign investment capital including a docile
labor force with few rights. The socialist health care system is a
shambles. Inequality and corruption reign supreme supported by the
leadership of the communist party--well corruption is not supported in word
just in deed.
I was not particularly impressed by Stiglitz. He stands out only
compared to the complete dolts at the IMF who are not only stupid but
obviously arrogant and blind to reality, completely brain-washed by
text-book economics and immune and unable to appreciate even the most
evident errors in their programs.
While Stiglitz certainly saw difficulties ahead I didnt get any impression
that he had a doom and gloom feeling. In fact I was disappointed that there
was no time for him to elaborate on what should be done beyond starting over
since the IMF was beyond reform. He seems no less a market-worshipper than
the others and certainly anti-Marxist ( ie. his remarks about the Marxist
regime in Ethiopia--even though it certainly was no paradigm of Marxism.) He
is simply more realistic and aware of problems and willing to look at and
take account of the negative features of the transition to a market
economy.
Cheers, Ken Hanly
Again, although I don't quite agree on what has made
> China successful, it was interesting that he cited a country which by
> objective criteria can still be characterized as postcapitalist. He
> reflects a mood among the more far-sighted elements of the bourgeois
> intelligentsia about a deep crisis of the world capitalist system that
> might lie in store. It reminds me of a painting on my living room wall
> done by Alfredo Ceibal, one of Guatemala's finest living artists. Called
> "Fiesta in the Mountains", it depicts a wild party near a steep
> precipice. Everybody at the party is either drunk, dancing or making
> out. Except for one old woman who is looking over the edge of the
> mountains at the rocks below with deep concern on her face. Stiglitz
> reminds me of that figure.
>
> --
>
> Louis Proyect
> www.marxmail.org
>
>
