[GJM] 1. Re: [Radical Economics] Transfinancial Economics - not clear to me, part II (robert searle)

[robert searle]

--- Muhammad Mukhtar Alam <mukhtaralam2000 at yahoo.com>
wrote:

> I am with you Steve..
> 
> Steve Consilvio <steve at behappyandfree.com> wrote: 
> Robert,
> 
> Because of a mailbox full error and other issues, I
> missed the 
> beginning of this discussion any many recent posts.
> 
> I am intrigued that you think you can contain
> inflation by adjusting 
> prices with a computer model. In fact, it seems
> somewhat 
> contradictory. If you can control prices from the
> computer then there 
> would be no inflation automatically. Your "central
> command" could 
> simply send a subsidy to any entity that is "losing"
> money, but the 
> business itself, based on what I understand of your
> theory, would not 
> be in a position to "raise" prices on its own. If it
> could act 
> independently, then you would not be able to
> "control" it. Do you see 
> the contradiction I am describing?




Incorrect, businesses can raise their prices higher,
and higher until there is a cut off point! This allows
for a high degree of price-flexibility which would be
largely unimaginable, and impossible compared with
controls of the past. In other words, the whole system
would be part controlled by business, and part
controlled by advanced computer technology which can
if desired be modified depending on the economic
situation.

Moreover, most enterprises would want to slash their
prices to encourage greater competition at some point.
So, the issue of raising prices becomes unimportant to
a certain extent.



> 
> Hence, inflation could not exist with price
> controls. Profit and loss 
> could, however, which I think is what you are trying
> to "even out." 
> Presumably, and rightly so, you think if you can
> "even out" the 
> problems within a business then you can even out the
> choices they 
> make in regard to wages, the environment, etc.
> 
> On a side note, what you are describing is what the
> Puritans tried to 
> accomplish when they controlled things in Boston
> during the 1600's in 
> their economic philosophy and centralized control of
> life. Of course, 
> they didn't have computers. Their efforts lost out
> to the desire for 
> mercantilism, and it is mercantilism (greed systems)
> which enslaves 
> us today. The ability to "count faster" with a
> computer doesn't 
> really change anything.


Well, we have to live in the real world, and accept
the fact that greed is not going to disappear
overnight. TFE would make it worst but what is the
alternative...except more idealistic talk that will
lead nowhere?


> 
> Your recent post (I guess it is a few weeks ago now)
> that religion is 
> not needed to create a peaceful and balanced society
> is wide of the 
> mark, imo. 



I do not recall saying that. Religion is alright as
long as it is contained, and does not become
fanatical, and dangerous in any way. It can help
create a peaceful and balanced as you put it.



For trade to be based on mutual benefit,
> rather than on 
> self-gain, requires a philosophical underpinning. As
> mentioned 
> previously regarding your idea of bribing the
> powerful: if you can 
> bribe people to do the right thing, then you can
> bribe them to do the 
> wrong thing, too. People who are willing to give and
> take bribes lack 
> character, (in the church and out.) Before people
> will have the 
> courage to do the right thing they first need to
> know what is the 
> right thing. Principles will forever be more
> important than policies.


There will always be two sides to the coin. Yet, if
corporations do not become somehow more responsible to
the environments  then we are heading towards
disaster. At the end of the day, they only understand
one thing..money, money, and money. So, treat them at
their own level and play their game..but in a way
which also benefits humanity, and its survival on this
planet...other high moralising will probably acheive
nothing.> 


> peace,
> steve consilvio
> www.behappyandfree.com
> 
> 
> 
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