On Jul 17, 2006, at 4:20 PM, George Scialabba wrote:
> Yes, exactly. Just curious: will any aspect of market-based
> economic theory be of any use with these difficulties, even in a
> fully democratic, solidaristic society?
Wal-Mart, which is brilliant at logistics, would have a lot to teach any economic planner. Info from the cash registers goes to HQ within an hour of sale, which supplies not only re-order/inventory info, but which also provides immense amounts of data about consumer preferences. Even my beloved, who (as they say in Bentonville) makes a living criticizing Wal-Mart, is highly impressed.
Doug