Hullo Roger,
I see we largely agree on the values that would define the success or
failure of any economic model.
I'll pick up just a couple of points. You said "nor is it true that
developing nations deforest FOR wealthy nations. Most of their deforesting
comes for firewood or clearcutting for inefficient farming techniques". I
would say that what is happening in our part of the world is different then.
Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, to give just two examples, are
rapidly losing much of their old growth forests, largely to Japan. Flying
over Japan recently brought home to me how little logging there is in the
Japanese forests, which cover a substantial part of that country. Even
australia has had a huge debate over clear felling of old growth forests for
wood chips, again going to Japan. Not that your point is completely wrong,
as I acknowledge that some third world deforestation is as you describe, but
the deforestation of a significant proportion of the developing world is
indeed for the benefit of the wealthier nations.
Your postscript betrays your bias. You say "your view is that America has no
recognition of higher values." I didn't say that. I don't believe that. I
did say, as a gross generalisation, I acknowledge, but one I see as valid,
that "American culture tends to equate quality with 'success', narrowly
defined, and to the almost total exclusion of 'being' as a source of our
highest values." That is certainly the message of Hollywood, which is not
immaterial to the way America is viewed in the rest of the world. But of
course there are many Americans who do not fall into that category. However
I really see no point revisiting past debates on this topic.
Regards,
John B
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