-----Mensagem original----- De: owner-lbo-talk at lists.panix.com [mailto:owner-lbo-talk at lists.panix.com]Em nome de Ulhas Joglekar Enviada em: sábado, 11 de janeiro de 2003 10:56 Para: lbo-talk Assunto: Re: More on Hardt & Negri from Brennan
Is China a formally independent country? One must be able offer principles (or criteria) to determine what is a "formally independent country" and what is a "truly independent".
-I would say that both India and China are truly independent countries, since -they were able to keep their industries and natural resources in hands of -local owners (or the state) instead of foreign corporations. I think both -countries has relatively small external debt as % of GDP and both countries -have strong armies which force foreign powers to think twice before embarking -in military adventures. Technological dependency would be a fourth variable -and neither of those countries has a full respect for intelectual property, -which make you less dependent on foreign technology (how India managed to -build its impresssive pharmaceutical industry?). It´s not for coincidence -that both countries are those who most took benefit from the so called -globalization, since they benefited from increased exports, while made -relatively small opening of their markets. When you exclude China -you realize that poverty in the Third World sufered impressive increase -in the 90´s (the increase will be probably even more dramatic if you -exclude India too)
It may happen, it may not happen. Neither natural resources nor infrastructure in India is owned by foreign capital. India is among the less indebted countries in the world. But your argument assumes a sharp divide between the "national bourgeoisie" and "imperialist bourgeoisie". Is this a relevant distinction today?
-If you are able to put effective control over capital flight it makes -a huge difference, since national owned enterprises are much easier to -be controlled by means of state policies. Foreign corporations not -only are difficult to be controlled but have an unending appetite -for state subsidies and tax exemptions. Have you already heard about -the "fiscal war" in Brazil?
Indian state has constantly sought to retain (and widen) its relative autonomy for 50 years and has managed to preserve it. Indian state was never an ally of the US during the Cold War period. There is no guarantee, however, that this relative autonomy will be (or will not be) maintained for next 50 years.
-That´s the trouble. As you start to open the economy, obey international -rules for intelectual property and trade (eg, enter in the WHO)and allow -the denationalization of your economy, you will lose your autonomy. It´s -naive to think the national states are being weakened by globalization. -Weak states become weaker and strong ones become stronger. Surrender the -right to make your own economic policies and your country become a -colony in all but name....
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