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---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 11:40:33 +0000 (GMT) From: Tim Viles <trv20@hermes.cam.ac.uk> To: Seb Wills <saw27@cam.ac.uk> Subject: Re: CASI: newsletter Something for discussion, please e-mail it to your list/people on your list not likely to get irate. I was recently at a debate in which I proposed the motion that sanctions against dictators did not work. I proposed this on the grounds that evolutionary change (a la UK) brings better government than revolutionary change (a la Iraq/Iran/Russia/France). This is because and the gradual embourgeoisement of society created by enriching and therefore empowering a middle class who can, through the enrichment brought by trade, afford mobile phones, internet connections etc which undermine totalitarian and nationalistic ideas is far more effective than starving the poor and providing a scapegoat for the said dictator to blame for every economic and moral ill. However, this only works if the benefits of trade reach people who are not the cronies of the dictator. If, say, the only thing that Iraq can sell is oil and oil production is nationalised, that the money generated through trade goes first to the dictator, his henchmen and his army. Ultimately this money will 'trickle down' (dubious Thatchernomics), but it will maintain and internally and externally oppressionist infrastructure in the meantime. Yes the poor will be fed in the short term, but they will remain oppressed, the Kurds will continue to be gassed and Iraq will pose and increased threat to its neighbours. I still think that sanctions are by and large bad, but so does Douglas Hurd. In the case of Iraq, things seem more complicated. Can anybody help? Tim Viles -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a discussion list run by Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To be removed/added, email soc-casi-discuss-request@lists.cam.ac.uk, NOT the whole list. Do not respond to emails erroneously sent to the whole list.