From: "James A. Donald" <jamesd@echeque.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Aug 1996 14:03:15 +0800
To: Arun Mehta <cypherpunks@toad.com>
Subject: Re: Software manpower exports and the power of governments
Message-ID: <199608180349.UAA13056@dns2.noc.best.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain


At 13:23 16/08/96 -0700, James A. Donald wrote:
> > It is overwhelmingly clear that the question is simply who has the 
> > power?  Those who wish to hire peoples services in order to produce
> > wealth, or those who can command peoples services because they have
> > guns?

At 06:17 PM 8/17/96 +0600, Arun Mehta wrote:
> Are you suggesting that Indian programmers come to work with like
> a chain gang, with armed government guard? 

No.  I am suggesting that the more that power over business 
activities and decisions lies with those who do not need to 
make a profit or serve the customers needs, the less of value 
will be produced.


> Look, governments in the 3rd world are often stupid and corrupt
> -- no doubt that contributes to poverty, but that isn't the only
> reason. I'm sure one of the reasons is cultural: 

Was the culture of the refugees who fled to Hong Kong any different
from those who failed to escape from Communist China?

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
              				|  
We have the right to defend ourselves	|   http://www.jim.com/jamesd/
and our property, because of the kind	|  
of animals that we are. True law	|   James A. Donald
derives from this right, not from the	|  
arbitrary power of the state.		|   jamesd@echeque.com