| Le Monde diplomatique on Sat, 13 May 2000 11:11:46 +0200 (CEST) |
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Le Monde diplomatique
-----------------------------------------------------
May 2000
UNITED STATES GOES GLOBAL
The control of pleasure *
by IGNACIO RAMONET
How could it fail to fascinate us? The United States has powerful
resources with which to excite our envy and enchant our hearts and
minds. In political terms, it has the amiable countenance of an old
and accommodating democracy, heir to a revolution of universal
significance and a rich culture. For millions of oppressed people
all over the world, its famous symbol - Liberty lighting the world
- still represents a powerful message of hope and the promise of a
better life.
After emerging victorious from the cold war, the US went on to win
the war in the Gulf and then in Kosovo, upholding humanitarian
principles and countering authoritarian regimes or evil
dictatorships on each occasion. Having reached this peak of
military glory as the only remaining "hyperpower", it coolly
dominates the world like no other country in history.
What is more, the length of the current US cycle of growth seems to
confirm that God really is on America's side. Did it not invent the
internet and launch the new economy? Is it not the driving force
behind globalisation?
All over the world, people are following its example, adopting the
latest management methods, legal systems, sales techniques, spin
doctors and, of course, its fashions, stars and myths. US firms in
every field - from Microsoft to Yahoo, Walt Disney or Monsanto -
flaunt their intriguing success and continue their world conquest,
backed by clever advertising campaigns.
But whatever its admirers may think, it is hardly surprising that
here and there, and above all in America itself (as we saw in
Seattle last December and in Washington this April), people should
be wondering about the meaning of this offensive. About the new
face of the US empire. The power of its ideology. And its
strategies of persuasion.
<http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/en/2000/05/02pleasure>
Translated by Harry Forster
The specialities of nowhere
by RICK FANTASIA
Original text in English
Irresistible business schools
by IBRAHIM WARDE
Is the universal teaching of US-style management transforming
schools into companies, students into customers and teachers into
consultants?
Translated by Harry Forster
GENETIC TESTS AND HEALTH INSURANCE
A future divided
by DOROTHÉE BENOIT BROWAEYS and JEAN-CLAUDE KAPLAN
On 6 April the US company Celera Genomics announced that it had
decoded the 3bn characters making up the genome of each human
being. This scientific breakthrough could in the near future lead
to the development of treatments for such common illnesses as
cancer, diabetes, cardio-vascular disease and the like. But there
is also the prospect of enormous greed. On the pretext of inventing
tomorrow's medicines, there is a temptation to patent genes,
privatise them and use them for the wrong ends - as the case of the
Axa insurance company showed last February. Before it was forced to
back down under pressure from public opinion, it had decided to
increase the monthly premiums paid by parents of handicapped
children by 180%. Tomorrow, knowing the secrets of DNA could enable
other insurers to select, eliminate or penalise their customers on
the basis of genetic risk. So there is an urgent need for
legislation to preserve the genome as the common property of
humanity.
Translated by Malcolm Greenwood
In Europe and America *
<http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/en/2000/05/051geneticsbox>
Translated by Malcolm Greenwood
LEGACY OF UNJUST LAND DISTRIBUTION
Zimbabwe in the grips of strife and uncertainty
by CHRISTOPHE CHAMPIN
Zimbabwe is going through an unprecedented crisis in the run-up to
general elections that look risky for the ruling party. Now faced
with a credible opposition, Robert Mugabe is doing all he can to
hold on to power, violently attacking the few thousand white
farmers who still hold the best land. But this strategy could
permanently destabilise the country and is worrying its neighbours.
Translated by Malcolm Greenwood
CHALLENGE TO NEW LABOUR
London's mayor versus Tony Blair
by PHILIPPE MARLIÈRE
Massimo D'Alema and Tony Blair - who both recently signed a
document calling for a further shift to the free market by the
European left - are currently going through a bad patch. D'Alema
has had to resign as prime minister as a result of Italy's regional
elections. Tony Blair is having to deal with setbacks on all sides
since May's local elections - not least Ken Livingstone's victory
as Mayor of London. This bitter pill for New Labour follows an
unprecedented, and highly unpopular, display of authoritarianism.
Translated by Ed Emery
HOW TO SOLVE CULTURAL IDENTITY PROBLEMS
Choose your own nation
by YVES PLASSERAUD
Throughout the world, ethnic entanglement is on the increase. In
the Balkans, Northern Ireland, the Basque country, the Caucasus and
Indonesia, conflicts involving ethnic minorities and minority
rights appear to defy solution. The result is often a demand for
secession, and the consequent proliferation of states creates
instability and an endless chain of confrontations. But a look at
European history shows other examples that could offer hope for the
future.
Translated by Barry Smerin
REAPPRAISING BOURGUIBA
Subversive mourning in Tunisia
by KAMEL LABIDI
Habib Bourguiba, former president of Tunisia, died on 6 April.
Though his funeral was really an excuse to glorify his successor,
President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, the genuine emotion that swept
the country reflected more than just gratitude towards the man who
led Tunisia to independence. It was also part of a reappraisal of
his record - in particular on education and women's rights - which
prompts a comparison with the current regime.
Translated by Harry Forster
GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBOURS
South Lebanon's border wars
by HENRY LAURENS
In April the UN Security Council welcomed Israel's decision to
withdraw from south Lebanon. It stressed however - at Syria's
insistence - the need to achieve a full, fair and lasting peace in
the Middle East, based on UN Resolutions 242 and 338. Much remains
unclear. How far will the Israeli troops withdraw? How will
Hizbollah respond? What about its demands for the release of its
men held in Israel and the return of seven villages in the disputed
border territory? The danger of escalation cannot be ruled out.
Translated by Barbara Wilson
A COUNTRY REBUILT FROM ASHES AND MUD
Starting over in East Timor
by our special correspondent ROLAND-PIERRE PARINGAUX
The campaign of terror launched last September, after 78.5% of East
Timorese had voted for independence, was the last in a long chain
of violence that has claimed 200,000 victims. This time it has left
at least 1,000 dead. As a result of the scorched earth policy of
army and militias, East Timor has been devastated. The local
authorities and the UN's provisional administration (Untaet) are
now trying to get the country back on its feet.
Translated by Julie Stoker
Calling in the judges *
<http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/en/2000/05/12timorbox>
Translated by Julie Stoker
THE ENDLESS UNDECLARED CIVIL WAR
Why Colombia's guerrillas haven't made peace
by our special correspondent MAURICE LEMOINE
The long, entrenched struggle between the guerrillas and the
authorities rolls on. Yet neither side wants to be seen as
intransigent, the obstacle to peace.
Translated by Derry Cook-Radmore
BACK PAGE
Woody's woeful women *
by ALAIN BRASSART
The Paris critics are more respectful of Woody Allen than American
critics are. After all, since the New Wave, the French have grown
used to seeing the director as 'sole creator' of a film (rather
than part of a team including a scriptwriter, editor, producer) -
always constructing the same film, essentially his own vision of
the world. Perhaps this is why they are prepared to overlook the
fact that Allen is an incurable misogynist. His latest, Sweet and
Lowdown, reinforces the point.
<http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/en/2000/05/14woody>
Translated by Barry Smerin
English language editorial director: Wendy Kristianasen
_________________________________________________________________
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