Is this guy on TDS full of *

[Johonny]

I can't decide. I mean doesn't most of the middle east money come from trade of oil already? So they're middle class is dependent on trade already. Or am I missing something.

Also we opened China economically to capitalism a while now. Is it now a pro west democracy? They currently have a ton of violence in their western areas and Tibet. Knowing a lot of middle class pro capitalist Chinese I can't help but notice how non-political they are. We do a lot of commerce in the Philippines and Indonesia and their not exactly non-violent societies. He really didn't sell me on this. Any thoughts?

[baldguy]

1. That's standard neocon dogma.

Free trade is advertised as essential for peace, freedom, democracy & a robust middle class. In reality, it's just a more efficient method of concentrating wealth into the hands of the few rich.

One thing he was correct about though: war is bad for business - unless your business is war, of course.

[Johonny]

2. that's sort of what I was thinking

Cheney was all for doing business in Iraq when it helped his business, and then all for blowing the crap out of Iraq when it helped his business. Trading with the US in no way seemed to help the Iraqi people prevent future war. The people that were most interested in trading with them turned out to also be the people most interest in war with them.

[anonymous171]

3. Or if it is the only way to open/stabilize certain markets. nt

[baldguy]

4. Right. China is the freest place in the world.

After the good ol' U! S! A! of course.

[Winterblues]

5. Most middle east oil countries are monarchies

The king owns all resources and people receive pay by working for the Government/king. There is almost no individual trading of goods outside their own country.

[Johonny]

6. but the source of the money is still trade

According to this guy Saudi Arabia would try to keep good trade standing with the US by not fund terrorist groups. Instead they do. The US trades with them anyways. Being a Monarchy did not prevent western Europe from developing democracy. I don't think his economic theory works like he claims because people don't work like he claims. He had one working example Turkey. It's not clear that's even a good example. Despite all this free trade pressure on Turkey from the EU the country went harder right recently. So...