Critical Theories Marxism / Imperialism
Why Study Marxism/Imperialism today?
“… inequality, exclusion, famine and thus economic oppression [have never] affected as many human beings in the history of the Earth and of humanity” as today
Jacques Derrida
Gap Between Rich and Poor
Richest 1% of world’s population = income of poorest 57%
Assets of top 3 billionaires > GNP of 600 million people in least developed countries
1960, average GNP of wealthy nations = $6520 / poor = $361:
Difference = $6159
2001: Average GNP of high-income countries = $26,989 / least developed = $1274
Difference = $25,715
The Global South: >4 Billion People
2.4 billion lack basic sanitation
1 billion lack safe drinking water
1.1 billion lack housing
900 million undernourished
1.2 billion (one in five) live on < $1 / day
/ 2.8 billion live on < $2 / day
1.5 billion can expect to die before 40
UN Human Development Report / Human Development Index
http://hdr.undp.org/
Human Development Index:
Living a long and healthy life (life expectancy)
Being educated
Having a decent standard of living (purchasing power parity, PPP, income)
http://hdr.undp.org/
Human Development Index:
Living a long and healthy life (life expectancy)
Being educated
Having a decent standard of living (purchasing power parity, PPP, income)
'The bourgeoisie has through its exploitation of the world-market given a cosmopolitan character to consumption in every country…All old-fashioned national industries have been destroyed or are daily being destroyed…In place of the old wants, requiring for their satisfaction the products of different lands and climes. In place of the old local and national seclusion and self-sufficiency, we have intercourse in every direction, universal interdependence of nations…
Economic Inequalities / Redistributive Justice
Oppression
Transformation / Replacement of system (as opposed to maintenance / reform)
Critique of Capitalism and Globalization
Why study Marxism today?
Heirs of Marxist tradition animate contemporary critiques of globalization and inequality
Historical Importance - One-third of humanity live(d) under Marxist-inspired regimes
Intellectual tool to analyze inequality: Emphasis on revolutionary impact of capitalism upon human society major contribution to history of thought
Marxism/Imperialism Criticisms
Determinism/Reductionism
Practice: Repression of marxist-inspired regimes
Empirical accuracy of theories of underdevelopment / exploitation:
“NICs” (“4 Tigers”)
SKorea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan
“Celtic Tiger”
Contemporary growth of China, Brazil, India, etc.
Why Study Marxism/Imperialism today?
“… inequality, exclusion, famine and thus economic oppression [have never] affected as many human beings in the history of the Earth and of humanity” as today
Jacques Derrida
Gap Between Rich and Poor
Richest 1% of world’s population = income of poorest 57%
Assets of top 3 billionaires > GNP of 600 million people in least developed countries
1960, average GNP of wealthy nations = $6520 / poor = $361:
Difference = $6159
2001: Average GNP of high-income countries = $26,989 / least developed = $1274
Difference = $25,715
The Global South: >4 Billion People
2.4 billion lack basic sanitation
1 billion lack safe drinking water
1.1 billion lack housing
900 million undernourished
1.2 billion (one in five) live on < $1 / day
/ 2.8 billion live on < $2 / day
1.5 billion can expect to die before 40
UN Human Development Report / Human Development Index
http://hdr.undp.org/
Human Development Index:
Living a long and healthy life (life expectancy)
Being educated
Having a decent standard of living (purchasing power parity, PPP, income)
http://hdr.undp.org/
Human Development Index:
Living a long and healthy life (life expectancy)
Being educated
Having a decent standard of living (purchasing power parity, PPP, income)
'The bourgeoisie has through its exploitation of the world-market given a cosmopolitan character to consumption in every country…All old-fashioned national industries have been destroyed or are daily being destroyed…In place of the old wants, requiring for their satisfaction the products of different lands and climes. In place of the old local and national seclusion and self-sufficiency, we have intercourse in every direction, universal interdependence of nations…
Economic Inequalities / Redistributive Justice
Oppression
Transformation / Replacement of system (as opposed to maintenance / reform)
Critique of Capitalism and Globalization
Why study Marxism today?
Heirs of Marxist tradition animate contemporary critiques of globalization and inequality
Historical Importance - One-third of humanity live(d) under Marxist-inspired regimes
Intellectual tool to analyze inequality: Emphasis on revolutionary impact of capitalism upon human society major contribution to history of thought
Marxism/Imperialism Criticisms
Determinism/Reductionism
Practice: Repression of marxist-inspired regimes
Empirical accuracy of theories of underdevelopment / exploitation:
“NICs” (“4 Tigers”)
SKorea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan
“Celtic Tiger”
Contemporary growth of China, Brazil, India, etc.
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