Quote:
Originally Posted by francois60
I disagree there. I've always felt that the cries of economic imperialism from Third World countries and the left have simply been bitching that they aren't getting enough money out of the deal.
|
This doesn't make a lot of sense. The left is mad that they aren't making money from doing trade with third world countries?
Is everything the left believes in due to anger at them not making profits from whatever the issue is? ..... lol
Quote:
Originally Posted by francois60
Most Third World countries simply do not have the expertise to exploit their own resources. So they need outside help. Sure, they get bad terms, but then so would you if you found out you had oil or uranium in your backyard. That wealth in the ground is worth zilch if you can't get it out of the ground. So naturally, you aren't in much of a position to bargain with those who can get it out. And who will do all the investing and take all of the risk while you get free money because you were lucky enough to have valuable stuff in your backyard.
|
There's no risk involved with natural resources. It's sheer exploitation. The oil company takes the oil out of the ground. There's no risk involved in selling oil.
However, this is not what I was arguing. The issue here, IMO, is African domestic industries being wiped out by Chinese ones, and what does Africa get out of it? If I were a policy maker in any African country, I would definetely shield my countries economy from being reduced into a colonial economy that merely supplies raw materials.
Quote:
Originally Posted by francois60
I think that in terms of raw economics, what China is doing in Africa is a great thing for both countries. I'm all in favor of it. THe part I don't like is where China teaches African nations how to get rich while still maintaining oppressive political systems.
|
I think that the raw materials thing is fine. We need more commodities on the world market since China is consuming so many now. I too disagree with the giving of soft loans and other gifts which entrench despots in power. I also think that African countries cannot freely compete against China. That will ruin them.
They cannot compete with China. They need a heavily modified and nuanced plan for international trade.
Quote:
Originally Posted by francois60
Actually, we have free trade with none of those as of yet. Both we and they still impose tarriffs and quotas on each others' goods.
|
Moreso than we do with say, China?