well, "global capitalist market economy" is not vacuous, is it? isnt it the reality of today? isn't it also the argument of the market humanists (bhagwati, krugman, etc) that this is the best way for all, especially the poor? how then, to explicate miles' question, does one address the paradox of the ascendancy of global capitalism and the polarization of wealth? wait, unless, perhaps, polarization is not really a bad thing. nor is decrease in real wages of the poorer segments?
> One day the King decided that he would force all his subjects to tell the
> truth. A gallows was erected in front of the city gates. A herald
> announced,
> "Whoever would enter the city must first answer the truth to a question
> which will be put to him." Nasrudin was first in line. The captain of the
> guard asked him, "Where are you going? Tell the truth -- the alternative
> is death by hanging."
> "I am going," said Nasrudin, "to be hanged on that gallows."
> "I don't believe you."
> "Very well, if I have told a lie, then hang me!"
> "But that would make it the truth!"
> "Exactly," said Nasrudin, "your truth."
young russell was taking a walk by the river with master frege and master truth. "tell me, masters", asked the clever russell, "is the set, of all sets that are not memebers of themselves, a member of itself?". master frege froze solid mid-stride and within a second dropped to the ground unconscious. master truth turned to young russell and after a sound beating threw him into the river. "there's a truthful answer for your question", he said, and walked on.
--ravi