> > >Although I don't know about his remarks about the Marxist regime >in Ethiopia, I agree with the above, although I would have put it >differently. Moreover, I don't think he is such a bad person, >whatever that means. My appreciation of his speaking out against >the IMF comes from the credibility associated with the Stiglitz >"brand name". I and several others can use his credibility to our >advantage to make a case against the IMF back home. In "the >polished image age" we live in, it is good to be able to make use >such tools, especially back home. > >Sabri > > I think this is the most important point. Outside of "anti-globalization" ranks, the only high-profile figure who has called for the abolition of the IMF is Fidel Castro. It helps to legitimize this demand as much as possible. This is the reason I have to distinguish myself from Henry Liu, who I agree with on most questions. If McNamara had broken ranks with the Pentagon *during* the Vietnam war, he would be viewed differently than we view him now, as somebody crying crocodile tears long after it would have made a difference. By interjecting himself into an *ongoing* struggle, Stiglitz is making a difference. Of course, as socialists (at least that wing of the movement that opposes capitalism), we have to criticize his trust in the ability of an export-oriented economy to satisfy the needs of working people, etc.
-- Louis Proyect www.marxmail.org
