Re: A Kelsonian Response to COG

[Dan Bell <dbell@kent.edu>]

Hi Norm,

I enjoyed reading your response to the proposals
being discussed by COG participants. Thanks for
contributing to the discussion.

Your comments regarding the WTO highlight the tension
between improving the lives of workers in the third
world, and protecting the current standard of living of
US workers. While in the long run open borders may be
the best and most just, in the short term, US workers
will be negatively affected. And foreign workers will
only benefit if they are somehow included in the
increased export activity in their countries. As Kelso
points out, technology doesn't necessarily create a lot
of jobs and so the wealth it produces doesn't benefit
those left out of ownership.

In short, changes in the way countries regulate trade
should not be made in isolation, but rather linked to
policies which broaden ownership and help affected
workers adjust.

Take care

Dan Bell

--
Dan Bell
International Program Coordinator
Ohio Employee Ownership Center
Kent State University
Kent, OH 44242
(330) 672-3028
(330) 672-4063 fax
dbell@kent.edu
http://www.kent.edu/oeoc/