China on Monday criticised European Union plans to shield key industries from Chinese competition, warning it would take countermeasures if the measures are adopted. The EU’s proposed “Made in Europe”…
I get you, but this is not an instance of it. This is about fighting unfair competition practices. What China does is competing with EU companies in the EU while preventing EU companies from competing with Chinese companies in China.
Of course it’s an instance of it. Why should I, as a consumer, give a fuck about competition between capitalists and states?
Who cares where the corporation profiting from my car purchase is headquartered? All of that profit is going to be hoarded by some rich bastard either way.
I don’t care at all if my car is made in the EU from Chinese parts, made in China by an EU company, made in China by a Chinese company, none of that shit matters even a little bit, and it shouldn’t matter to you, either.
All I care about is how much I have to pay for the car. This policy will make my car more expensive, because the EU wants to ensure that the European car manufacturers can continue to make €€€.
That’s all this is.
If they cared about protecting jobs or ensuring strategic industries, they’d nationalize them, but no, they’re left in the hands of privately owned corporations, supported by the state, which is filled with elected representatives whose election campaigns were funded by the auto manufacturing lobby.
I don’t know how more clearly I can spell it out. It’s corporatism, pure and simple. A democracy under capitalism just means that the power of the state is auctioned to the highest bidders. That’s what the EU does, that’s what it’s for, and it has always been so.
Why should I, as a consumer, give a fuck about competition between capitalists and states?
Because it is directly affecting you. Unfair competition means chinese companies get a bigger market share globally while european companies get a smaller market share globally. That means more jobs in China, less jobs in the EU. That affects the general popuation immensely.
The hypocrisy of the EU (and western world) here also exists though: We benefited from cheap chinese labor for decades, and now that China has made it so that they benefit from it more than us, we’re deciding to put a stop to it.
All I care about is how much I have to pay for the car
That is the same shortsight that has brought us to this economic failure.
Nationalizing jobs does nothing if you can’t sell the products.
I don’t know how more clearly I can spell it out.
Start with some open-mindedness to recognize that your train of thoughts is flawed.
Because it is directly affecting you. Unfair competition means chinese companies get a bigger market share globally while european companies get a smaller market share globally. That means more jobs in China, less jobs in the EU. That affects the general popuation immensely.
And finally, we arrive at the crux of the issue. This is basically an argument that the existence of jobs is important as a fundamental principle. I do not agree with it. I believe that we shouldn’t continue to operate inefficient businesses for the benefit of capital owners just because jobs are created as a consequence.
I believe that all of the necessities for human life - food, water, education, healthcare, shelter, and so on - should be absolutely guaranteed to be provided to everyone, and eliminate the need for people to work in jobs that otherwise could be eliminated.
If you understand this perspective, you’ll hopefully understand the rest of my argument. We should just let inefficient businesses fail, and not force people to be wage slaves to have a comfortable existence.
this EU change would still benefit the general population better than no change at all
I don’t agree, but to be honest with you, I don’t see any need to discuss it further. My entire reason for my original comment was to build class consciousness, and it sounds like you’ve already got it, so my work is done here! Take care, much love, solidarity forever.
I get you, but this is not an instance of it. This is about fighting unfair competition practices. What China does is competing with EU companies in the EU while preventing EU companies from competing with Chinese companies in China.
Of course it’s an instance of it. Why should I, as a consumer, give a fuck about competition between capitalists and states?
Who cares where the corporation profiting from my car purchase is headquartered? All of that profit is going to be hoarded by some rich bastard either way.
I don’t care at all if my car is made in the EU from Chinese parts, made in China by an EU company, made in China by a Chinese company, none of that shit matters even a little bit, and it shouldn’t matter to you, either.
All I care about is how much I have to pay for the car. This policy will make my car more expensive, because the EU wants to ensure that the European car manufacturers can continue to make €€€.
That’s all this is.
If they cared about protecting jobs or ensuring strategic industries, they’d nationalize them, but no, they’re left in the hands of privately owned corporations, supported by the state, which is filled with elected representatives whose election campaigns were funded by the auto manufacturing lobby.
I don’t know how more clearly I can spell it out. It’s corporatism, pure and simple. A democracy under capitalism just means that the power of the state is auctioned to the highest bidders. That’s what the EU does, that’s what it’s for, and it has always been so.
Because it is directly affecting you. Unfair competition means chinese companies get a bigger market share globally while european companies get a smaller market share globally. That means more jobs in China, less jobs in the EU. That affects the general popuation immensely.
The hypocrisy of the EU (and western world) here also exists though: We benefited from cheap chinese labor for decades, and now that China has made it so that they benefit from it more than us, we’re deciding to put a stop to it.
That is the same shortsight that has brought us to this economic failure.
Nationalizing jobs does nothing if you can’t sell the products.
Start with some open-mindedness to recognize that your train of thoughts is flawed.
And finally, we arrive at the crux of the issue. This is basically an argument that the existence of jobs is important as a fundamental principle. I do not agree with it. I believe that we shouldn’t continue to operate inefficient businesses for the benefit of capital owners just because jobs are created as a consequence.
I believe that all of the necessities for human life - food, water, education, healthcare, shelter, and so on - should be absolutely guaranteed to be provided to everyone, and eliminate the need for people to work in jobs that otherwise could be eliminated.
If you understand this perspective, you’ll hopefully understand the rest of my argument. We should just let inefficient businesses fail, and not force people to be wage slaves to have a comfortable existence.
And I agree to all of that. And I vote in alignment with these opinions.
But this is not a reality right now, and this EU change would still benefit the general population better than no change at all.
You can work towards a world where essentials are a right and work towards bettering the current system at the same time.
I don’t agree, but to be honest with you, I don’t see any need to discuss it further. My entire reason for my original comment was to build class consciousness, and it sounds like you’ve already got it, so my work is done here! Take care, much love, solidarity forever.