A question about a phrase/label that is used often here

[RB TexLa]

"multi-national" cooperation or company. Is is supposed to be an insult of some sorts?

[annabanana]

1. It is just descriptive of a company

that is so big, with establishments in enough countries that it has no need to be "for" any country over any other.. . They are apolitical, not particularly interested in the people of any country, or the laws of any country, or the well being of any country's citizenry.

They will flourish where they are the least "restricted" as to what they're allowed to do.

Like pirates.

[havocmom]

2. Best explaination!

And you are spot on: "Like Pirates"

They fly only their own flag.

[Canuckistanian]

3. Excellent description

Multi-nationals are the worst of the worst as far as corporate crimes and malfeasance are concerned.

If they get shut down in one country, they flourish in another.

[badgerpup]

5. Think bindweed.

Roots or rhizomes are so widespread that pulling it up in one area means NOTHING, even if you get "the root".
The root will just break off and leave the majority of it still underground...and will regenerate.
Damn near impossible to get the stuff just by pulling it up...and using the equivalent of Roundup or other strong herbicides on things like corporations (spelled P-R-O-F-I-T M-A-K-I-N-G) is frowned upon.
:grr:

[MrModerate]

4. No so much "apolitical" . . .

Since a high degree of political manipulation -- in a wide variety of settings -- is critical to their continued success. More like "amoral."

[annabanana]

7. You're right

VERY political as to the internal policies of the current "host" nation state. VERY intrusive about twisting policy to their advantage.

[TheFarseer]

6. I'm in favor of multi-national cooperation

But multi-national corporations, I suppose, are thought to be those responsible for outsourcing and race-to-the-bottom wages?

[TahitiNut]

8. Here's the end of a long piece of thread ...

Indonesia may seek to renegotiate Freeport-McMoRan operations
Last Update: 4:35 AM ET May 15, 2006

JAKARTA (MarketWatch) -- Indonesia's government may soon seek to renegotiate its existing contract with Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX) over its massive Grasberg mine in Papua province, the Jakarta Post reported Monday.

The government may call for a contract renegotiation "in the next two months" following the completion of an official review of the company's operations and its contribution to communities around the mine site, the report said, citing Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro.

Freeport-McMoRan officials have pointed out that the existing contract between the firm and the Indonesian government bars unilateral moves to renegotiate the terms of the company's Grasberg operations.

Muhammad Lufti, chairman of Indonesia's official Investment Coordinating Board, said in March that the government is committed to honoring the contracts and protecting the assets of all foreign investors, including mining companies in remote regions.

Freeport-McMoRan's Indonesia operations have been under intense scrutiny in recent months over its payments to military forces in Papua and allegations of environmental pollution.

Anyone wishing to get a glimpse at the machinations of multinationals and the subordination of governments glaobally to the will of such private multinational forces should review the history and dealings of Freeport-McMoRan (formerly Freeport Sulphur), including such global events as Castro's takeover of Cuba, "the year of living dangerously" in Indonesia and the Suharto takeover from Sukarno, Viet Nam, and even the politics of Texas.

[pinkpops]

9. Network ...written by Paddy Chayefsky

Network
written by Paddy Chayefsky




Arthur Jensen: You have meddled with the primal forces of nature, Mr. Beale, and I won't have it. You are an old man who thinks in terms of nations and peoples. There are no nations; there are no peoples. There are no regions; there are no Arabs. There is no third world; there is no west. There is only one holistic system of systems; one vast interwoven, interactive multivariant multinational dominion of dollars, petrodollars, electrodollars Reich marks, rands, roubles, pounds and shekels. It is the international system of currency that determines the totality of life on this planet. That is the natural order of things today. That is the atomic and subatomic and galactic structure of things today. It is the international system of currency that determines the totality of life on this planet. That is the natural order of things. You have meddled with the primal forces of nature, and you will atone! You howl about America. There is no America. There is no democracy. There is only IBM, ITT, AT &T, and Dupont, Dow, Union Carbide and Exxon. Those are the nations of the world today. We no longer live in a world of nations and ideologies. The world is a college of corporations inexorably determined by the immutable by-laws of business. The world is a business, Mr. Beale. It has been since man crawled out of the slime. And our children will live to see that perfect world in which there is no war or famine, oppression or brutality. One vast and ecumenical holding company for which all men will work to serve a common purpose and in which all men will own a share of stock, all necessities provided, all anxiety tranquilized, all boredom amused. And I have chosen you to preach this evangel.