From: "Eric" <ericandmary-AT-earthlink.net>
Subject: RE: The Matrix - Reloaded response to eric and hugh (part 2)
Date: Mon, 9 Jun 2003 22:20:21 -0500


This is a multi-part message in MIME format.


Hugh,
 
When I spoke of the system I didn't mean individuals were not
responsible. Far from it.
 
Look at the bush administration.  If you don't believe the lies about
WMD and terrorism, then the question arises why did they feel the need
to start a war of aggression with all the risks it entailed?  Do you
really think George W. just wanted to avenge his daddy?
 
If we analyze this in terms of the capitalist system, it appears there
were strong pressures on the US to control the oil fields if it was to
maintain its position of dominance.  I have read that Iraq had
previously made deals with both the Russians and Chinese and that the
payment was to be in Eurodollars.  Thus, in the belief system of our
leaders, one could argue that it seemed important to secure domestic
oil, to contain potentially competitive nations, and allow the US dollar
to maintain itself against the encroachment of Eurodollars which had
been surprisingly strong during the past few years.  There is also the
question of Israel and many Jewish Neo-conservatives and Christian
fundamentalists have argued that the road to peace in Jerusalem lies
through Baghdad.
 
In other words,the actions of the Bush administration were driven by the
imperatives of capitalism in a systemic way in order to achieve
continued profitability and hegemony over world affairs.  This does not
mean, however, they are innocent or that the system alone is
responsible. Obviously, a system creates imperatives, but humans remain
as agents.
 
When you sent out your previous posting on values, you mentioned beliefs
frequently.  Whether or not you agree with my analysis, you should be
able to see that beliefs are not merely subjective random thoughts, but
systemic and external in the way they drive human behavior. They emerge
out of a history and tend to connect in patterns of belief. Furthermore,
beliefs are not neutral.  They tend to maintain existing positions in a
stratified society and shape actions in ways that reinforce existing
power relations.  The social bond is also a mask for inequities in
relationships. 
 
My concern with your arguments is that by attempting to reduce
abstractions and talking instead about the 'real' lives of existing men
and women, you only end up mystifying these relationships.  The natural
standpoint of the ordinary observer always has a history and a position
and we need to take both into account to understand existing patterns of
belief. To refuse the intellect or the systems on account of their
necessary abstraction is to refuse history and leave humans without the
tools to resist those who in high places who lie and manipulate. 
 
What do you think motivates the Bush administration, if it is not
systemic belief?
 
Do you really think it is merely subjective beliefs inside their heads
and there are really no systemic pressures?  Are you really attempting
to deny that either capitalism or globalism exist?
 
 
 
eric
 
 
 

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