2003-03-16 I'm not saying that currency in it self as used in foreign trade is the controlling factor in the use of units of measure. I'm saying DOLLAR HEGEMONY is the controlling factor in why the US sees no interest in metricating. Those countries you mention metricated between the end of the 2-nd world war and the 1970s. Dollar hegemony began at the time of the Arab oil embargo and the formation of OPEC. By the time dollar hegemony had taken effect, these countries were already metricated. Even though they metricated, many continued to use FFU in some aspects to service US demands.
Metrication benefited these countries because they needed it to support their export industries. Many of these countries had to be net exporters in order to earn US dollars. Those US dollars backed up their native currencies and allowed them to buy needed oil and other resources, priced only in US dollars. Dollar hegemony in fact amplified the need for most of the world's countries to use metric, but it was the catalyst that stopped metrication in the US. The US did not need to be a net exporter. Dollar hegemony allowed the US to export dollars and not finished goods. It allowed the US to run a deficit economy. Euroisation will be the CATALYST that ends dollar hegemony, plain and simple. The end of dollar hegemony will end the US dominance of the worlds financial marketplace. It will force the US to become a net exporter in order to maintain its standard of living. Being a net exporter will require it to manufacture industrial goods to metric and international standards. This will have a domino effect within the US economy as businesses needing metric parts and materials will have to buy them from other companies who will have to produce them. Eventually it will be seen that metric and FFU can not coexist as too many errors are made in back and forth conversions and that costs money and resources that can not be passed on to the customer, especially if one is to remain competitive. Again, the euro and euroisation is the catalyst that will end dollar hegemony. The ending of dollar hegemony will force the US to become a net exporter of goods, and as a result will see an increase in the need to metricate. The need will have a domino effect which will eventually see the whole country metricating. It is all really very simple. I'm just wondering if you read the articles I posted last weekend and understand how dollar hegemony affects what we do. If not, please take the time to read them. John ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joseph B. Reid" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, 2003-03-16 11:22 Subject: [USMA:25173] Re: The effects of euroisation and the end of dollar hegemony on US metrication John (Kilopascal) wrote in USMA 25163: > >Metrication must be more then converting a few industries. Its goal must be >to convert the population as well. What good is metrication if the >population of 2003 still thinks that US made autos are made in FFU and not >metric, or that alcoholic beverages are still sold in fifths, pints, half >and full gallons? If we have to metricate in secret, what have we really >gained? > >Metrication will occur in the US only after the US is deposed from its high >throne and has to live like everyone else in the world. Where the US is a >player in events, and not a dictator will metrication occur because if it >doesn't, the US will be shut out. Other countries in the world that easily >metricated in the '70s did so because if they didn't, they would be cut off >from most of their trading partners who were metric. They could not afford >to "go it alone" like the US did. Because of dollar hegemony, the US could >be the sole user of FFU and even use its influence to assure FFU a place at >the table. Ending dollar hegemony is a sure way and a quick way to end the >hegemonic practices of the US, especially the practice of using FFU. > >If, however, someone can give me sound logical reasons for why dollar >hegemony and/or increased euroisation will have absolutely no effect on >metrication, I would like to hear about it. But, until that time, I will >continue to believe euroisation and the end of dollar hegemony will be the >key factor in future US metrication. > > >John > > > John thinks that the currency used in foreign trade is the controlling factor in deciding the physical measures that a nation uses. I think the deciding factor is the measurement system used in the countries to which a nation sells its manufactured exports. Since World War II the US dollar has been the predominant currency used in world trade. But since World War II India, Pakistan, South Africa. Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom, Korea (both North and South), Viet Nam, Albania, Saudi Arabia, Barbados. Bermuda, Burma, Botswana, Cyprus, United Emirates, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Gibraltar, Guyana, Iraq, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Koweit, Lesotho, Macao, Malaysia, Nauru, Nepal, Nigeria, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Phillipines, Zimbabwe, Solomon Islands, Singapore, Somalia, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Namibia, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tabago,and Zambia have gone metric. This information comes from "Le Syst�me M�trique" by H, Moreau, 1975. > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Joseph B. Reid" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Sent: Saturday, 2003-03-15 15:41 >Subject: [USMA:25158] Re: Canada > > >> In USMA 25157 Kilopacal wrote: >> > >> >"euroisation = metrication" MUST be our battle cry. In order to be a >metric >> >supporter, you must also be a supporter of a more balanced use of the >dollar >> >and the euro in world trade and policies. In the future more regional >> >currencies having equal weight to the dollar and euro will create an even >> >more balance of resources and power and assure that the standard units >used >> >in trade, education, speech, etc., world-wide is SI and only SI. >> > >> >John >> >> >> >> I think John is wrong in linking the influence of the dollar with the >> defence of the inch-pound system. American companies that do a >> world-wide trade are already metric. The American automobile >> industry, the agricultural machinery industry and the photographic >> and optical industries are already metric, The electronic indutry is >> converting. Most Americans do not realize this because American >> manufacturers do not see any sales advantage in advertising the > > metric system. -- Joseph B. Reid 17 Glebe Road West Toronto M5P 1C8 Telephone 416-486-6071
