Globalization, Dialogic Nation, Diaspora

Abstract

In November 1996 the Philippine government hosted the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum of eighteen countries in Asia and the Pacific Rim (comprised of 2 billion people, where 56 percent of the world’s gross domestic product and 46 percent of the total world exports are produced), geared to establishing a regional commercial bloc with regulatory powers like the World Trade Organization (WTO). APEC is modeled after other free-trade blocs like the European Union and the North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA) designed to speed up WTO trade and investments liberalization timetable. It is also intended to counter the wave of domestic protectionism that accompanied the rise of the Asian “tigers” or NIEs (Newly Industrialized Economies) and the threat of China’s full-blown “market socialism.” APEC’S chief objective is clear: to ensure and facilitate the regional implementation of the provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which benefits the advanced industrial North. Under the aegis of “open regionalism,” it aims to abolish international barriers to trade and eliminate restrictions against foreign investments, two steps that will surely devastate the economy, culture, and environment of the poor countries (KMU 1996). APEC is also being used by the United States, as policeman and enforcer of “common market rules” in the Asia-Pacific region (carried out through structural adjustment programs of the World Bank/International Monetary Fund), to regain economic preeminence over Japan (neutralizing U.S. trade deficits), check China’s competitive influence, and consolidate U.S. geopolitical hegemony.

Liberation from capitalism means liberation from the rule of the economy.

—Georg Lukács

For great changes have taken place [circa 1921] in this respect since the beginning of the twentieth century, namely, millions and hundreds of millions—actually the overwhelming majority of the world’s population—are now coming out as an independent and active revolutionary factor. And it should be perfectly clear that in the coming decisive battles of the world revolution, this movement of the majority of the world’s population, originally aimed at national liberation, will turn against capitalism and imperialism and will, perhaps, play a much more revolutionary role than we have been led to expect.

—Vladimir Lenin

Only the lessons of reality can teach us to transform reality.

—Bertolt Brecht