Capitalist Globalization

     It is difficult for Americans to understand why the world does not applaud U.S.-style capitalism, which has brought this country prosperity. The trickle-down theory is fine if your cup is overflowing, but, if people are desperately thirsty, it is unconvincing to tell them to wait a few years for a few drops to trickle down.
     For his opposition to globalization, Pat Buchanan has been dismissed as a nut without political future. Unfortunately much of the world shares his doubts. President Clinton and American policy-makers counted on the WTO meeting in Seattle to crown his term of office with a great success.
     The wild demonstrations in Seattle were a nasty surprise, and they were also counterproductive. A mob of crazy exhibitionists drowned out reasonable questions. The French, so willing to criticize the United States, were furious at the mismanagement of the conference and spoke of setting up a parallel organization.
     Then came the disaster of the oil tanker "Erika," whose spilled fuel wrecked the beautiful western coast of France. It was an old hulk, registered in Malta, certified in Albania and manned by a bewildered Indian crew. This time the protesters were not Seattle-style crazies, but desperate, hard-working people struggling to save their coast, and their livelihood. Everyone was touched by the sight of thousands of helpless sea birds covered with tar goo. Heroic efforts were made to save them, but many died. Even French conservatives made no attempt to defend Total, the oil company which had chartered the ship. They pointed out that it was not really a French company, being registered in Bermuda to escape controls. To the French it seemed unpatriotic. The Greens, who have fought for so many dubious causes in the past, had a watertight case against a ship which was not, a disgraced company and a discredited system. There was general applause when its members smeared the company's Brussels offices with goo from the ship and displayed dead birds.
     This may signify the sinking not just of a miserable tanker but of a miserable system: a globalization whose sole aim is to maximize profits, and the people and the ecology be damned. Pat Buchanan does not look so crazy now. If he went to France he would get a reception which Clinton would envy. International opinion expresses itself in favor of globalization, but not that kind. France may lead a new revolution, singing the Marseillaise.

Ronald Hilton - 12/29/99