Stiglitz is important for another reason. He seems to be close to creating a consensus here.
On Mon, Aug 19, 2002 at 06:58:39PM -0400, Louis Proyect wrote: > > > > > >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 > > -- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929 Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
