Is Fuel Prices Exposing the Downside of Globalism?

[peregrinus_WA]

Another rant from my blog:

I use to be a believer in a “Global Economy”, but I have rethought it after reading Small is Still Beautiful: Economics as if Families Mattered by Joseph Pearce about a year ago. Being global does not always mean better both for business and for people.

The recent issue with fuel prices driving up costs of everything has made me wonder if “globalism” is being exposed even further. With goods being produced at the four corners of the world, it is taking more and more money to get the finished goods to their final destination due to rising fuel costs.

Maybe it is time we look at moving production to a more local level. When I am talking local, I do not mean produce everything withing the local community (i.e. Town, County, or State). I mean within the country instead of on the other side of the world for some goods and within the State/County/Town for thing that could easily be produced at that level.

Yes, the “economies of scale” would be reduced and some goods would only be available at certain times of the year, but would be be worse off for it? And with fuel prices the way they are, would they even cost more?

 

[chewchoo]

there are pros and cons to every subject, but another downside to globalism is the quality control issues that keep cropping up in china, and probably other countries as well. we’ve had contaminated pet food, toothpaste and mp3 players.

be it fuel costs or quality control, somethings are going to need to be revisited on the corporate side. and if not there, hopefully the consumers will wake up and reconsider their buying habits.

 

[KathleenElsie]

justpeace.org/encourdistributism.htm

This might help.

 

[peregrinus_WA]

justpeace.org/encourdistributism.htm

This might help.

Some interesting ideas (some I already advocate in one way or another) on the web site that I may incorporate into my blog under Responsible Stewardship.

BTW: I consider myself on the conservative side and many of these do fit in with that ideology.

Also, from reading other posts from you, there may be some things on my blog that you may not like.

 

[ribozyme]

there are pros and cons to every subject, but another downside to globalism is the quality control issues that keep cropping up in china, and probably other countries as well. we’ve had contaminated pet food, toothpaste and mp3 players.

be it fuel costs or quality control, somethings are going to need to be revisited on the corporate side. and if not there, hopefully the consumers will wake up and reconsider their buying habits.

I think another downside is the loss of low-skilled jobs in the United States. That coupled with a sub-standard safety net will lower the quality of life of many.

 

[KathleenElsie]

Some interesting ideas (some I already advocate in one way or another) on the web site that I may incorporate into my blog under Responsible Stewardship.

BTW: I consider myself on the conservative side and many of these do fit in with that ideology.

Also, from reading other posts from you, there may be some things on my blog that you may not like.

Went to the blog. I am sorry that you were made to feel uncomfortable. BTW I do not have to agree with someone 100% of the time to like them.

 

[peregrinus_WA]

Went to the blog. I am sorry that you were made to feel uncomfortable. BTW I do not have to agree with someone 100% of the time to like them.

I agree. But it is a small vocal minority at the parish. I believe the pastor is addressing the issue. I sent the letter on Monday and there was something pertaining to the issue in this Sunday’s bulletin. I am not sure if my letter was the impetus or other have complained. Next weekend should by interesting.

Also, I see you are in what I consider my hometown diocese (I grew up in Murrysville).

 

[jmj603]

No, it isn’t. In spite of rising fuel prices, it still costs less to import goods from abroad than to produce them locally. If it didn’t, then there would be a business opportunity to invest in local production.

Maybe it is time we look at moving production to a more local level.

If “we” means entrepreneurs, then I’m all for that. If “we” means government regulators, then you will need some motive other than price efficiency to justify it.