Re: High Tech/New Tech

[Baldur666@aol.com]

In a message dated 97-09-04 18:57:07 EDT, Bill G wrote:

> 
>  My point is that a healthy modern economy can not develop in such a place.
 
> The USSR got away with it for a short time by exploiting its natural 
> resources and military might to subjugate its citizenery.

   I guess you think 70 years is a short time.  Huh.  

>  This still  required an "outside threat." 

 I not sure what you mean in this context. 
 Here's some food for thought about "civilized" Japan.  In 1871 the Samurai
lost the right to carry two swords(this is a euphemism to their right to
arbitrarily behead any commoner).  Around this time equality before the law
was also introduced.  The major reason for reason for Japan's
"Westernization" was their fear of being subjugated by the Europeans and
Americans. 
    My point is that given enough motivation and modicum of preserved
knowledge
 the former third world countries could bring themselves back to early
twentieth century technology within a reasonable amount of time(say
twenty-five years).
Whether the motivation is fear,  greed, national pride or world hegemony
makes little difference.    

    
> Now take S/C America after the bang.  No major 
> resources, lack of an effective central government, etc.  There is a couple

> of potential bright spots.  First is Chilie (as you mentioned) but a free, 
> modern ecomony growing in isolation is difficult to foresee.  A second is 
> Africa.  Resource are in a bounty and the Republic of SA is right accross
the 
> pond.  It has the expertise required by SA and needs the oil so a good
match 
> in trade could be made.  But given this, the project would be doomed.
 After 
> all you now have a strong SA/Africa that will not want to see the revival
of 
> one of the biggest guest at the big party.  They probably would have moved
in 
> with colonies long ago to "mine" the left over technologies and resources
in 
> the North!

Just for curiosity.  Where did Republic of SA get their oil from during the
trade embargoes of the seventies and eighties?


Keep Cool,   Bill Kerr   Baldur666@AOL.COM