Chowk-e-Bay Roz GaraN and Globalization

urstruly, great article. its wonderful to see something that (i wont mention what) being written on chowk. its more wonderful to see a perspective that is critical of globalization - a rarity anywhere, and certainly on chowk.

a few comments/questions:

1. i would add that the US is explicitly at the helm of the new world order. and the iraq war was also about establishing its supremacy vis-a-vis its G7 allies.

2. i found your take on NGO`s pretty interesting and can certainly see how they are importers/exporters (depending on their location) of western ideology. certainly western labor and human rights groups are extremely imperialistic in the way they go about telling the rest of the world how they should lead their lives. what about more grass roots struggles like sindhiani tehreek and the narmada bachao andolan? are there no truly indigenous ngos and community based groups?

3. re. cultural/social globalization: i wonder how much of it is to prevent future conflicts - after all the weapons industry has to go on. i tend to think that cultural/social globalization partly functions as imposing western political and economic ideology by affecting the values of other nations. and end up either creaing consumers for western, namely US products, or wanna-be consumers for western products.

4. according to my research, the proportion of GMF foods is not quite as high as 95% in the US and Europe. in the US certain crops like soya and corn are about 70% GM; europe the percentages are smaller and mostly for poultry and cattle feed. however, i do agree that they are dangerous and ecologically destructive foods.

5. also in terms of ecological globalization i would add the west and US`s contribution to global warming (which will wreak havoc in third world countries much more - as the recent droughts in south asia demonstrate)and the increased pollution and toxicity of our land, air and water.

our nations do stand on this global Chowk-e-Bay Roz GaraN, very little distinguishing them from beggars. the sad thing is, we beg for exploitation, bullying and pillaging. the question is do we have a choice? do we have what it takes to stand up for ourselves? if we do, can we pay the price like nicaragua did and cuba is still doing?

regards

Urstruly!

What is the solution.

As you know beggars are not choosers.

Have you ever thought of alternative economy in the form of Interest free banking, Malaysia is one of its pioneers.

Have you ever heard of Ayah that if WE (God) would not replace one nation with another (or something like that) then world would be full of tyranny (Zulm).

............. while temporal sleeps , the cyber genie strikes again .....

temporal, temporal, where art thou ...... wee what they doest to thine language, or is it thy .... now I goest to see what ole Bill Saffire has to say about this and that .......

Interesting article, comprehensive in a sense but has the slight flaw in that its `reactionary` to perspectives which have been brought out in the open, mostly by guess who, mostly the (admittedly) `sanitizing` Western media and Western political debate.

Just want to draw attention to those movements toward `globalization` which are examined within the same paradigm by the West, but deserve our(mainly the subcontinent`s) urgent attention as it effects us quite as much as any other globalization. I mean the globalization of the Ummah, which operates in just such a Chowk-e-Beroz-Gaar`an in this region. How can only NGOs be held accountable for their international agendas when the effects of other international capital(namely overseas Ummah/sect-linked funding) supporting other agendas are ignored even when they play a much more important role in a country`s internal political and civic culture?

Sadhana

oops. The second para first sentence should read:

Just want to draw attention to those movements toward `globalization` which are NOT examined within the same paradigm by the West, but deserve our(mainly the subcontinent`s) urgent attention as it effects us quite as much as any other globalization.

The author seems to make the case that promotion by foreign-funded institutions(run by Pakistanis) of `secular ideology` is with malafide intentions toward Pakistan`s longterm national interest, while calmly ignoring the the possibility of similar malafide intentions of those who propagate nonsecular `ideologies` also at nonPakistani`s costs.

Sadhana

A very informative article. I like the fact that it is not a rant about globalization but a rant with some explanations behind it. Once again, I wonder if someone could recommend a good book about the subject.

phew!

Very insightful, eye-opening article.

Thanks.

Urstruly,
A well thought out, and well written article… Your piece is not merely an intellectual exercise, but a brave attempt at presenting the big picture as you see it. In terms of its content, not surprising… We had it coming didn’t we? :) I think you oversimplify a few things vis a vis globalisation, and I don’t agree with some of your views, and conclusions. However, I do appreciate the effort. I liked the chow-e-bay roz garan analogy.


A more detailed response later.

a well written and interesting pitch, but i think sadhana pointed out an important omission. assuming money is power, the west is not the only one with vested interests in TWC. where do arab nations fit in?

To add to Sadhna’s quite valid questions…. Religion (as an institution) has been a very important ally of colonialists - a tried and trusted friend over the centuries. You yourself admit that, the neo colonialists funded religious organizations in order to counter communism/socialism during cold war period. Why, all of a sudden, you don’t see religion playing the same old dirty role in helping the neo colonialists establish the new world order?

RE: ALL

This short note at this time is just to thank all respondents for their time to go through this article and write their responses. I will write a note shortly to discuss your comments/concerns individually.

This note is also to inform you about a detailed article in TIME magazine (current issue, July 24-31) on Genetically Modified Foods and their political implications. It is worth reading.

Hum tou jaanay seedhi baat
jis ki laathi oos ki bhains

(this may not rhyme but the non-iambic metres balance)

* * * * * * * * * * *

Urstruly:

First, a warm welcome to Chowk.


[I liked the way you marshaled the arguments and chuckled at the pre-emptive defense when glossing over, focusing, emphasising, downplaying, mitigating mostly in the right places so that your views come out succinctly--- this is as brief as it gets] When all is said and done, I can add only this:


It is interesting how your article appears with Asad Mian’s on genetic breakthrough.

I read one common theme through these two articles.

The powers that be are going after the TWC well, actually ROW (Rest of the World) in a concerted way. First the economic domination and then taking over their bodies and minds as well.

Now I suppose we can genetically program people to enjoy Coke and dislike Pepsi?

[And finally some comments on the form. Your first piece here had only one typo. This is remarkable. One error I noticed -- NAFTA includes Mexico! Speaking of acronyms, except when mentioning genetically modified food, I think, most of the time you went right ahead, and introduced the acronym without mentioning what they stood for. I can guess the reasoning -- we all know what they stand for. But as a practice, in the written article one must get into the habit of using the full name or phrase the FIRST time it is introduced in the article followed by the acronym in parentheses and then one can resort to the acronym in the rest of the article. Overall, the language was a bit stilted, I think bud hamidm hinted at it in his inimitable way. But to be fair to you this is not a literary piece and one must not be that harsh.]

regards,

t


PS: I meant to thank you, Sobia, Rsaxena, fairdinkum and Asim on that other board. It meant a lot to me. Thank you guys and gal. I did not think the comment was worthy of my response so I refrained.

Line from the movie ``Zerqa``

``Tu na waqife aadaab-e-ghulami hai abhi.....``

Wonder what ever happened to Neelo?

Ras

Here is my response to your comments and concerns:

bg#1
Thanks bg, I really appreciate your feedback. I liked your preference of using G-7 over G-8. I hope it was intentional. The term G-7+1 reminds me of my appendicitis.

I think that cultural, social, and ideological arena is the next battlefield. The rules of engagement have changed. Militancy will still prove its effectiveness at times but it is moving towards the fringe and in near future will be rendered ineffective. Our best line of defense is if we use their own weapons; the weapons of democracy, social justice, and economics. This is one of the reasons I consider Quaid and Gandhi the greatest leaders of all times. It was done once and it can be done again.

My information about GMFs was based on the statistics that was available 6 months to 1 year ago. If you see the recent article in the TIME magazine, (July 24) you must have noticed that they have changed their tactics too. Thanks again, but I will really appreciate a critical note from you.

Krashid#2
The situation is not as hopeless as it seems in this article. My intention was just to expose the face of the monster that we are up against. The first step towards the solution of a problem is recognition of the problem; and understanding the problem is half the solution.

In my opinion the interest free economy favors globalization. It is conducive to bring out Muslim capital into circulation and that capital eventually ends up in interest based economy. In addition, the rate of growth in the interest free economy is considerably low so we cannot present it as an ideal system. However, the fact that interest based economy needs complete domination of markets and have to have ``colonies`` to sustain, can be used to make an appeal to the morality of the people.

Sometimes, divine commandments are just plain common sense. The writing is on the wall. A lot is being done against neo-colonialism. Strangely, enough the strongest opposition is from the poorest nations of Africa. You must also note the proceedings and outcomes of the G-8 conference in Okinawa recently. Some of the African leaders tried to meet G-8 leaders to reduce their debt by $100 billion. I think cat has got Pakistan`s tongue.

Hamidm# 3
I am one of the biggest fans of your (dark) sarcasm. Hamain bhi kuch ata kar do motian walayo.

Sadhana# 4
Many thanks for your review, I really appreciate it when I get the critical appraisal.

I beg to differ with your contention that the perception presented in this article was brought out by the ``Western sanitizing media``. But it is gonna happen very soon. One of the tactics to confuse your opponent (in the modern warfare) is to expose the information and overwhelm him with it. Have you seen the article in TIME w.r.t GMFs?

As far as your contention about NGOs and the ``other`` organizations is concerned I would say that the main difference is the ``colonial aspirations``. Former has it whereas later, in my opinion doesn’t. However, if one agrees with your perception then I guess he is left with only two options-discard the whole idea of globalization or chose the lesser of the evils.

ShahbazC # 6
Thanks Shahbaz. There are very few books that are available on globalization right now. Most of the books prove the case of pro-globalization.

Following are two such books that may be helpful in understanding G.

A Future Perfect: The challenge and hidden promise of Globalization by John Micklethwart, Adrian Woolridge.

Globalization and its Discontents: Essays on the new mobility of people and money by Saskia Sassen.

I would also recommend following two books:

Head to Head by Lester Thurrow (This book will help you understand how neo-colonists reached an ``honorable`` agreement after the collapse of Soviet Union. I guess honor among thieves is possible)

Patriots and Profiteers by T.R. Naylor (A must read-helps you understand the ugly side of every shinny thing)

Scout # 7
I am glad that I was of some help to help you ``see`` better. Thank you.

Fairdinkum # 8
I thought you were my friend- but you let me off the hook too easy. Thanks for your good words though. I did not understand your generalization that religion is playing the same role as it played during ``Cold War``.

The message is written on the wall; Mullah has to shape up or be extinct like Dinosaurs unless he wants a role of a living dinosaur. In the later case his place can only be in the ``zoos``, metaphorically speaking, of course.

I am waiting for that deep fryer you`re gonna fry me in.

Slink # 9
Thanks for liking the article. The Arabs stand no-where in this situation. They are just a bunch of ``privileged`` Third World countries. They are under the impression that they can buy their freedom whenever they want. Only a fool would think that freedom can be bought. But as long as they are paying the devil its due....By the way I am talking about the regimes only.

Temporal #12
Your evaluation is much more important to me than you can imagine. Thanks.

About NAFTA, there is no mistake. The NAFTA is a sleeping arrangement where Mexico seems to be in bed with US and Canada but in the context of Globalization and this article Mexico is just another TWC (oops Third World Country).

I tried my best with those acronyms in the parentheses. To err is yours truly, and to forgive is Almighty Temporal.

RAS# 13
Another lyric from Zerqa, ``Raqs Zanjeer pehan kar bhi kia jaata hay``.

Neelo refused to dance in front of Shah of Iran in a private party. She is an icon of resistance against imperialism???

FOR SALE PEOPLE TO FOR SALE NATIONS!

Mr. Unstruly!

One could`nt argue with u because what u have said is true. While reading your article, I was trying to imagine the faces of for-sale laborers and read their expressionless expressions. These faces tell me the story of a commen man in subcontinent. This miserable and poor creature has been put of sale for centuries. Only the trader has been changing faces but all the tactics are same. This trader used to have different names like Jageerdar, Vadera, Chowdry, Sahookar, Soodkhor, Banniya etc. That poor thing`s only concern is food for his family, he does`nt mind if it is GMF or organically grown. He does`nt even know his virtue or power. It was he who fought different world wars, won the freedom for his country. Some great names who used to show sympathy for this poor creature,like Faiz,Jalib and Sahir tried to tell him his worth through, ``haan magar tere siva``.

These are miseries of poor for sale people that has made our nations for sale. Those contractors who used to trade poor laborers are in the grip of contractors of globalization and waiting for their ``dehari`` (price) to be fixed.

Re: Urstruly #14

Thanks for your response…. yes man, you can count on me as your friend :) No, no deep fryer this time..this is your first article on this site…..may be next time.
On the question of religion, it’s just that it was completely missing from your picture….when you talked about colonialism, in historical context, you neglected to mention that institution of religion played an important part in presenting colonialists as god chosen people/nations whose only reason for colonising the smaller/weaker nations was to serve god and help the humanity. This is well documented in history.

Most of the major religious parties that currently operate in Pakistan were violently opposed to its creation. Quaid-e-Azam was to them Kafir-e-Azam, and Pakistan was NAPAKISTAN. Religious parties remained loyal to the British till the last moment… And even now, when they claim to be the only true inheritors of Pakistan’s ideology (claiming to be the only ones who know “Pakistan ka matlab kya”), their actions clearly indicate that they are still faithful servants of the ruling elite. One has to admire their unshakeable loyalty to their dark tradition. It is not Mullah who has to get his act together, it’s the institution of religion which has be crushed at all costs for us to be able to move forward.