Archive for the ‘Globalization’ Category
Severing Community from Geography
The traditional conception of democratic citizenship roots itself in a specific polity, and will for the foreseeable future. Disparate political communities, each with their own form of governance and view of the human good, do not serve as a deterrent to virtuous citizenship, but in some cases serves as a boon for good citizenship. Most people believe in national identity and attachment to it as both inevitable and desirable. Few and far between are cosmopolitans—at least outside of the halls of liberal academia—who bemoan particularistic and provincial attachment to nation, state, or local space. “For the vast majority of human beings,” Leon Kass writes, “life…is lived parochially and locally, embedded in a web of human relations, institutions, culture, and mores that define us and—whether we know it or not—give shape, character, and meaning to our lives.” This idea of citizenship and its connection to community is alive and well. Read the rest of this entry »
Dependence on Government
Emily Maltby writes an article today detailing some of the challenges small companies have in obtaining Federal contracts. The last two paragraphs worry me:
“Mr. Lebolo, however, is shifting his firm’s strategy to primarily focus on government work. “I made a determination to look hard into the federal market because it was the only place with money,” he says.
“He says he’s not frustrated by the relatively small price tag of his first government assignment. Now that the process of landing a contract is behind him, he says there is no going back to commercial construction. He hopes to grow and begin hiring again by the end of this year. “This is a long-term decision,” he says.”
When the government becomes the sole or dominant market for several sectors in the economy, what will happen? Will that prove beneficial to the economy? Will that situation increase or decrease innovation? Will it stimulate creative solutions to business and human problems?
I’ll have more to say about these questions, and this increasing trend of reliance on government for business’s economic well-being. But I don’t think it bodes well for the economy, creativity, innovation or America’s competitiveness in the global marketplace.
Tamny on the Yuan, Trade and Policy
As usual, John Tamny writes an excellent analysis of the Chinese yuan issue. A must-read this weekend.
Toyota’s Plan to Repair Its Public Image
In today’s Washington Post, Toyoda Akio, Toyota’s president, promises a number of changes and improvements to its car manufacturing processes and safety. Toyota has faced widespread criticism of its safety defects, and especially of its response. Unfortunately, Mr. Akio’s op-ed will not likely blunt this criticism. Read the rest of this entry »
Revised: About Capitolism
I have revised the About page, to more fully explain what Capitolism is, er, about. I have elucidated upon the goals of Capitolism and the issues in view. As I mentioned in a previous post, I am in the process of drafting a strategic plan for Capitolism in 2010, and will share that on the blog when I complete the plan.
About Capitolism:
Capitolism addresses, explores and focuses on issues concerning business, trade, leadership, management, economics and small business. Issues at the intersection of these topics will attract Capitolism’s particular interest. In probing these matters, Capitolism will rely on lessons from philosophy, history, literature, current events, great speeches, newspapers, magazines, sports, academia, science, theology, military history, poetry and the authors’ own experiences, as appropriate. The aims of Capitolism are threefold:
1. To explore challenging and even subterranean issues pertaining to business, economics and leadership
2. To offer a hopefully interesting and unique perspective on these issues to readers
3. To create a venue for wide-ranging, thoughtful, penetrating discussion on these issues
You, the reader, will judge how well or poorly Capitolism achieves these aims. We encourage your comments, whether you agree, disagree or violently disagree with our writings.
Toyota Called to the Carpet
As a Toyota owner and admirer, the recent quality issue has disappointed me, as it has millions others. And, more than disappointing, it has endangered lives. Just a couple comments.
First, how like a Greek tragedy that Toyota suffers this stumble almost at the exact moment it had become the largest and most-respected car company in the world? But, this fall from the peaks of grace seems to happen again and again and again.
Second, I see the long arm of the unions on Secretary LaHood’s tough stance on this issue. The unions have not received as much attention or prominence as they expected from this Administration. If we could peer behind the curtain, I bet we would find the unions hammering on the Administration to come down hard on Toyota.
Review: Investment Biker
A few years ago, I read Adventure Capitalist by Jim Rogers. That book so intrigued me that I wanted to read his first book, Investment Biker, about his 1990 to 1992 travel across the globe. Other books intervened, and I only just finished reading this book. Even though it relates events from two decades ago, I found it enlightening, punchy and fascinating. Read the rest of this entry »
