Message-ID: <32DC05FD.AEB@mind.net> Date: Tue, 14 Jan 1997 22:17:33 +0000 From: "B. Diamond" <mailto:bdiamond@MIND.NET> Subject: Hidden Agendas To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
mailto:EUNSteve@AOL.COM wrote:> Western intellectuals, wrote Peter Berger, are haunted by the vision of
> socialism. They believe there was a time when societies were communal and
> caring, when the land was respected, and that there are societies now in
> place whose values are superior to ours, and from whom we can learn.
The scientific record is quite clear in its support of these ideologies, to claim otherwise is to bask in ignorance and self-righteousness. For those of you interested in fact, not hyperbole, I'd suggest the following:
"Through Amazonian Eyes: The Human Ecology of Amazonian Populations," by Emilio F. Moran
"The Way of the Earth," by T.C. Mcluhan
"Forest Dwellers, Forest Protectors: Indigenous Models of International Development," by Richard Reed
and, a must read for people on this list, Cultural Survival, Fall, 1996 "Who's Local Here? The politics of Participation in Development."
> They believe, too, that capitalism is motivated by profit, that it is
> institutionalized greed, that it is indifferent to family, love, community,
> and soil in its addictive hunger for money.
All true!
> Since I believe they are profoundly in error, I must struggle against them,
What is most interesting about the above statement is that Mr. Eskow entered into this discussion waxing philosophically about how we are agents of change "by accident," that is, even though we only seek to better the lives of those we work with (in Mr. Eskow's case through literacy projects) that be shear contact, we may inadvertantly start a ripple effect of change through the communities we work in. But Mr. Eskow's above statement reveals a greater truth, he feels compelled to "struggle against" those of us who seek sustainable communities, and spread the word of the triumphs of capitalism. So the reality is that Mr. Eskow has a hidden agenda. This of course explains his loathing of "indigenous intellectuals" who see him oh so clearly for what he really is. But before we rush to judgement, we should acknowledge that Mr. Eskow is merely following the legacy of the many who came before him; those who spoke of sacrifice and altruism, but were really only interested in assimilation and ethnocide. It is of course no suprise that Mr. Eskow's most vocal critics on this list (except, of course, myself :) ) are in fact from third world countries. They have seen the enthocentricism and callous disregard for culture before, and sadly they know that they will see it again, and again, and again. Why? Because capitalist believe that their is safety in numbers. They want to push forth their paradigm, regardless of the consequences, before another, competing system takes hold. The missionaries of the world wreaked the same havoc on native peoples for over 600 years.
> Free to do what capitalism is about: free to create wealth.
>
> Wealth, not profits, is what capitalism is about. Wealth, which is not a
> static pie to be distributed more equitably (although distribution and equity
> are indeed legitimate issues) but growing more food and finding alternative
> energy sources and building homes and freeing people from the bestiality of
> unrelenting toil.
"Beastiality and unrelenting toil." This is how Mr. Eskow views those of this world who have not sold their souls to capitalism. Does Mr. Eskow not realize that capitalism employs (enslaves) millions of people (and children) in third world countries who provide us with designer jeans and other such tokens of prosperity via sweatshops where people are forced to work 14 hour days for the equivilant of $.25 per day or less? Does Mr. Eskow truly believe that those who control the capitalist marketplace will voluntarily submit to a redistribution of wealth?
> Western intellectuals and their science helped to pollute the planet. Now
> Western intellectuals have created the world's environmental movement, and
> write of "sustainable development" and preach the end of "the industrial
> religion."
Those pesky intellectuals! First they believed that technology could provide us with a better world, now they realize that the means do not justify the ends as technology is no longer able to keep pace with the destruction it creates.
> Preaching a flight to utopianism , or communitarianism, or socialism will not
> fix it. (capitalism)
No, they will end it, which is what so many (the haves) fear.
> Luckily, the peoples of the world will not listen: they know what system best
> offers them the hope of food, rest, safety, privacy, and dignity.
Unbiased agents of change, remember Steve? Watch out for those "Indigenous Intellectuals," they don't quite buy your story.......
B. Diamond