Another World Is Possible If by Susan George - Research Paper Example

? ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE IF…. BY SUSAN GEORGE Introduction George is a popularly prominent radical scientist and author of various articles and books such as the global social justice, insufficiency in the developing countries and Underdevelopment or dormancy and debt. Susan, a colleague and the head of TIB located in Amsterdam, is an influential figure in the college and beyond. Susan George is an influential critic of contemporary rules and guiding principles of International Monetary Fund, various trade organizations and World Bank, and their maldevelopment approaches. She also objects the structural policies of reform of Washington Consensus regarding development of Third World nations. Her argument “A new and a different world can be Possible if….” has intensive impacts on both traditional and contemporary world development, social justice and globalization. Discussion In her arguments, Susan George discusses the possibility of a different world that integrates social transformation and world justice with “instructive if” and later proposes significant considerations and steps on how to realize this ideal world. George’s direction to the world justice movement reacts to the challenge of the respective activists and ordinary citizens in sustaining the knowledge of global events due to the effects of globalization. Conversely, citizens are not able to engage in politics for change because of oppression by capitalist social systems and practices, (George, 2004, p.12). George also reacts to the dissatisfaction of the public with ancient democracy representative. Similarly, providing significant knowledge, linkages and accounts of her own experiences, Susan asserts that the international space or the world can be democratized. George’s arguments are presented into two parts. The first part “Another World is Possible if…” is complemented by another brief subsections known as “What Other World”: Possible Visions. This section highlights the significance of comprehending fundamental basics and concepts about globalization, integrating environmental and financial objectives, realizing the key players of globalization, highlighting the actual opponents and proposing Europe as a key world actor to overcome the key global justice adversary: America. In the second part, “Another World is increasingly attainable if…..” highlights the significance of integrating numbers, institutions and alliances with knowledge in itself, motivating educators, the denial of dreams and the non-violence practice so as to attain change. The section also highlights that even though, transformation is possible it needs hard work, motivation, time and strong believe and trust in this alternative world, (George, 2004, p.113). Susan George speaks of possibilities of creation a new and different world where social justice prevails. The main question remains “what other world is possible and how?” Similarly, George stresses that if we (citizens) have ever felt dissatisfied about increased inequality in the globe, about the intensive power controlled by a few organizations or individuals, if we have ever suspected that rules of trade among the poor and wealth worlds and highly rigged at the expense of the poor nations - then maybe people may have also marveled if the globe could be somehow different. Therefore, is this other world possible to reach? An influential watchword of the anti- socialist and anti-corporate movement (commonly referred to as anti-globalization revolution) is that a different world is possible. For example, in Brazil, cynicism of wealthy nations’ common interests is highly intensive; they established a samba on the declaration. People wonder whether a better world can be possible, or they should become accustomed to being forced around by minority authority or power. Similarly, should citizens of the current world be used to poverty, imperialism, oppression and perpetual peripheral positions? Or can they hope for a better world ahead? In her famous book, George seeks to provide solutions to these questions and worries. Partly, the book is a guide for the anti-communal activists, an exploration of George’s ideas concerning what conditions should be accomplished for the success of the movement, and what future and short-term objectives should be set. Susan George’s argument is also a starter’s introduction to the anti-communal or corporate strategies. Susan highlights the key players in the global process of globalization: the International Monetary Fund, the WTO, the World Bank, international and multinational companies and lobbying teams. Methodologically, George demonstrates the responsibility that all of these parties has performed, in reinforcing exploitative trade regulations, changing democratic procedures, enhancing inequalities and insufficiency in people. Habitually, the anti-corporate strategy is popularly labeled as anti-globalization strategy. This is a highly vicious falsification, as the strategy is far more unprejudiced than its opponents. The globalization or transformation of global finance institutions, multinationals and developing World elite stakeholders, is mainly interested in taking advantage of the scarce resources left in poor nations. Similarly, the internationalism of the strategy is an endeavor to provide a fair opportunity to all, (George, 2004, p.118). George’s arguments expose a fantastic deal of corporate manipulation of the European Union governance. European population who may believe that the European Union work for its citizen instead of multinationals, may find George argument highly significant and eye opening. In all stances, George explains of the power control by the elite and lobbying teams in Brussels. She also tells of the trans-Atlantic lucrative business alliance and its achievements in bending and tailoring national laws in favor of powerful individuals, while taking advantage of the local people who are poor and marginalized, and the ecosystem, as well. The author’s motives are clear from the start, for instance, idealism begets realism. The increased cloud of hope, exposed at various events such as the yearly World Social Forum, should be harnessed to reality. George asserts that no political mechanisms can survive without realism, but the moment people leave rhetoric and become calmer, higher analytical and critical, they must ask themselves under which conditions is a different world possible? With significant clarity, George’ ideas signpost people through a complicated thicket of globalization of economy – and the challenge it faces. Similarly, George amply proposed what people must do to ensure that human lives are not controlled by waves of corporations and economic institutions or markets. Her suggestions range amidst levels – from global tax reform to guidelines on how to plan public meetings. Most of her ideas will trigger debate within the movement – her persistence that Europe must offer a counterbalance to United States power, for instance, or her fascinating critique of the syndrome of the guilty consumer (everything would be in order if only, people consumed ethically). That is changing and restructuring the structures that always cater for the greed of the wealthy and influential people’s needs. In other words, this implies changing the order of doing things, the concentric circles or circles of power that govern the world. The world is controlled by power spheres, with the most central circle on the outer side. Today, the central sphere is an ignored biosphere. Based on George’s ideas, people must change the paradigm inside out, so as to create a new world. The biosphere must take the pivotal role, (George, 2004, p.126). Similarly, we are in the middle of an intensive inequality crisis. Wealth in some nations such as Europe, mainly in the US has not been slanted since 1920-30s. The local people are the majority about 99%, and they comprehend that the remaining 1% has doubled its income intensively while all others have been losing. In George’s opinion, however, the most detrimental crisis is the one that people talk less about – the globalization crisis. Global warming and climate change challenge will have the most intensive impacts on modernization and will make economic and financial worries appear insignificant in comparison. The most influential circle, the one with intense impact on people’s lives, according to George, is finance. Similarly, globalized finance is practically spreading throughout the world – for instance, the increased amounts that banks have obtained from states and governments, which is the taxpayer’s money, ordinary citizen. For instance, a contemporary Federal Reserve report put the amount that it used to finance their banks at sixteen trillion dollars. This is exclusive of what the British, the Italians, Germans and the French and others spent on the respective banks. The financial institutions (capitalist leaders) used large sums of money on lobbying to influence the government to uplift all restrictions on the bank activities. Consequently, this deregulation has an immense impact on the crisis – such banks took enormous risks with citizen’s money. From their own perspective, there was no problem with the act because they believe that they are extremely significant to admit failure or close, and they knew that the state would have to intervene to protect them in case of a crash. Similarly, the banks also borrowed large sums of capital- always taking risks of over 30 to 50 dollars for their actual dollars. The banks were financed with minimal conditions. In other words, they did not need to change any of their activities as they were still extremely influential to close. Therefore, finance is no doubt the most influential sphere, on the external side. The other center of authority is real economy – this is where real citizens invest, yield, distribute and spend. In the US, true economy only gains approximately 20 percent of the accessible investment – the remaining percentage goes directly into the capitalist sector of finance. Some scholars such as Marx based his societal analysis on the true economy: some people (industrialists) realized economic gains by producing actual products and services, manipulating the employees or manual laborers in the process and obtaining the value of surplus for themselves. In the modern world, today, one does not need the actual economy to create money or profit. As a matter of fact, in the last t twenty or more years, one could produce much by depending directly of economic products and distributing the same financial goods repeatedly, (George, 2004, p.134). The third sphere of authority is society, together with governments that have to follow the financial and economic rules and policies. Governments follow these policies rather than forcing economy and finance to follow them for the benefit of the local people. Social systems of benefit and health, as well as education systems, are under threat everywhere, including Europe which is assumed to be the wealthiest continent. In addition, governments in various nations have become highly indebted in the past four or so years, mainly because of the resource they were mandated to spent in saving their banks. Currently, peoples are supposed to pay back – they have taxed to fund banks and now they should raise more money because state debts are extremely high. Finally, the environmental circles of power, the biosphere, which is, the smallest compared to all other circles. Governments think of environmental conservation as some form of luxury that is unaffordable. George looks at all these crises and comforts his audience that it is possible to reach and create another world. According to George, the new world can only be created by reversing the normal spheres of power. It is surprising that the only solution to all human challenges today is easy to state and intensively challenging to achieve. Susan George’s argument “Another World can be Possible If….,” marks the first efforts in the history of man that people have been summoned to instigate such significant transformations. For a new world to be created, people have to reverse or change the order of power circles and counterbalance the impacts of financial globalization. In this case, the environment, global and social justice has to take the central position, and the most influential circles have to be pushed back to periphery. People cannot confront the laws of chemistry, nature and physics and if they attempt they are sure to fail. George does not talk of saving the earth because the earth will care for itself as usual. The idea is not saving the planet but saving human species on it. Creating democratically organized social institutions in which states and governments would be accountable to their own citizens, and citizens will be the basis of power is essential. Real democracy cannot be realized if governments are ruling under the influence of capitalism or financial systems. Another reform in creating a new world would be creating real economy that focuses on practical investment in employment, education and public health. It should also focus on an increased degree of public spending and equal resource distribution and fair taxation systems. Susan George critically criticized capitalism movement, and she restricted herself to suggestions that should be considered within the market economy. For instance, to create a new world and effective global economy, George suggested that international actions are required since national reforms have been earlier implemented. The new mechanisms should also involve foreign debt cancellation and implementation of international tax on both financial operations and mergers, and multinational corporations should be highly controlled. According to George, socialism would emerge globally and was the main goal. However, she asserted that socialism is not appropriate because it is highly polluted under the Eastern European regime. Additionally, under certain circumstances, socialist movement may be an essential approach in creating a new world. For instance, socialists support George’s idea of unity struggle and abolition of capitalist movements. They argue that the working class or the middle class have the pivotal role to perform, in the battle, to overthrow the capitalism economic system and build socialism movement. This is so because, under the capitalism economic system, the group develops a mutual understanding and collective, class attitudes and interest that allow them to form a decisive force to end the capitalist powers. That is to put to an end private ownership of capitalists and control over the decision making of the world economy or finance and society. Susan George asserted that socialism movement and social justice movement should be reinforced, sustain its variation and as a global movement, focus on intensive national alliances. Such alliances should be centered on the employees, peasants, poor people and intellectuals. Nevertheless, this view was not created to absolute proposals but left behind with challenges. Susan George agrees that, with such proposal and recommendations, it is possible to create a new society with new world order, (George, 2004, p.154). This will create a society of society with new policies and rules that ensure equality, democracy and social justice for all members. Similarly, Susan George warns people to be cautious and not to expect a lot of changes too soon. Conclusion George has been an intensive significant figure. Also, with the development of an intensively radicalized consciousness in the civilized industrial nations and in the third world nations around matters of world trade and economy, the science misuse and ecological destruction, her audience has also developed. George argued on practical actions against financial institutions monopoly and capitalism influence. In her work, George explains the current situation in the world, such as capitalism, poverty and global injustice, and outlines practical reforms in reaching out a new world. George focuses on shifting power balance and reversing the circles of power for the benefits of the local citizens. She maintains that such efforts needs a hardhead comprehension of globalization of economy, knowledge of antagonists who impede change, wise organization and fascinating yet attainable proposals, as well as strategic thinking. With such mechanisms in place, George maintains her argument that another world with new order is possible. References George, S. (2004). Another world is possible if--. London, Verso. Read More