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in reply to Re^3: When are you moving to India to find a better job?
in thread When are you moving to India to find a better job?

In our global economy, capital is highly portable while labor is not, leaving "free market" to be nothing more than a high sounding euphemism for plutocracy. Neither you nor I is free to emigrate to the next hot ticket Third World low wage haven that will attract the capital of those who would otherwise pay us. This is a free market? Not for me, it ain't. I am constrained to selling my labor in one market only no matter what the global demand for my skills might be.

I happen to like many of those allegedly evil regulations that provide the benefits of workplace safety, labor protection (40 hour workweeks, social security, unemployment insurance), and environmental protection. If business is guaranteed the "ability to contract freely with resources", it will maximize its profit by seeking out low wage havens in which none of those regulations exist -- the good folks of Union-Carbide were free to contract with the resources of Bhopal, for example. For a more recent example, observe Nike just doing it to the people of Ho Chi Minh City.

The free market might just be doing its thing, but you'll never convince me that it's in any way right.

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Re^5: When are you moving to India to find a better job?
by merlyn (Sage) on Sep 07, 2005 at 18:47 UTC
    Neither you nor I is free to emigrate to the next hot ticket Third World low wage haven that will attract the capital of those who would otherwise pay us.
    But it's not about emigration. I'm free to charge $5/hr and still live in America. The problem is that I'm used to a standard of living that requires me to charge $20/hr, and also I get services and goods from people who are used to having a high lifestyle as well. So, I might not have the same lifestyle here for $5/hr that I would have in India for $5/hr, but at least my new wage would be competitive.

    Therefore, your argument doesn't hold water. It's not about "capital being portable but labor is not". It's about people charging a lot also being satisfied only with a higher standard of living.

    It's like we're living on one side of a flood control dam, and the rest of the world is on the other side with a much lower water level. Sure, there's going to be an amazing change of water, and a lot of swirls and stuff while water is trying to seek its own level. And people may even drown in the middle. But when it all levels out, it'll work again, because it'll truly be a level playing field again. It'd be crazy to keep saying "no, that dam must remain in place". Not now that we've already let the crack open.

    Nobody owes you a job. If you can't compete in the global market, you need to figure out what to do differently so that you can.

    -- Randal L. Schwartz, Perl hacker
    Be sure to read my standard disclaimer if this is a reply.

[reply]
      In order to maintain the decorum of the monastery, I will go away quietly. Be well, Randal.
[reply]
      If there were a free market, then I would be able to go to your country and work there. I can not without jumping over stupid hurdles. I am not permitted to compete in the global market, only in the local one.
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Re^5: When are you moving to India to find a better job?
by Anonymous Monk on Sep 07, 2005 at 18:38 UTC
    This is a free market? Not for me, it ain't.
    You can prove a substantial amount when you're allowed to change the meaning of words to their opposites.
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Re^5: When are you moving to India to find a better job?
by Anonymous Monk on Sep 07, 2005 at 20:14 UTC
    Morally Superior, Inc.
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    September 7, 2005

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    Dear Unwashed Masses,
    It has come to our attention that you are apparently questioning our judgment on matters of free association. As you are no doubt aware, our (choose one: tribe, race, nation, cabal) is (morally, intellectually, culturally, militarily) superior to yours. Therefore, we have decreed that from now on, voluntary, mutually beneficial transactions will be outlawed. In our high, lofty, esteemed position, it is readily apparent that it is not in our your best interest to engage in these types of exchanges. Trust us, we know what's best for you. Thanks, we knew that our great powers of persuasion would enable even a tiny mind like yours to understand (not that you have a choice in the matter).

    Artfully,


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