tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11987503.post113475331892816807..comments2023-09-28T05:38:56.877-07:00Comments on THE FILIPINO MIND: Bert M. Dronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864941770380173324noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11987503.post-1136971569676182572006-01-11T01:26:00.000-08:002006-01-11T01:26:00.000-08:00Blur,Thanks for your response.Though I do not beli...Blur,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your response.<BR/><BR/>Though I do not believe any significant, if not radical, change for the common good, i.e. impoverished majority, can happen in our homeland short of a bloody revolution (again not a guarantee for the better but an opportunity for changes, discussed in my previous blogs);I agree too that we have to keep on trying. And one small way is to write/discuss about these issues, however boring to many. <BR/><BR/>As you correctly said, let's keep on trying.Bert M. Dronahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06864941770380173324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11987503.post-1136969956059965352006-01-11T00:59:00.000-08:002006-01-11T00:59:00.000-08:00i agree with regard to your comments on trade. as ...i agree with regard to your comments on trade. <BR/><BR/>as to whether people can work together, perhaps you're right. still, i'm a believer in what ts eliot once said: for us there's only the trying, the rest is not our business.jemyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15317064944113761585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11987503.post-1136965045791999252006-01-10T23:37:00.000-08:002006-01-10T23:37:00.000-08:00Adam Smith was an economist AND philosopher. Prior...Adam Smith was an economist AND philosopher. Prior to his famous "Wealth of Nations" he has published "Theory of Moral Sentiments" demonstrating his awareness of human conducts as it impacts society.<BR/><BR/>Despite trends to negate the existence of "human nature", reality tells us that it exists. And that life, personal and societal, is on the whole a balancing act, a process of "dynamic equilibrium", a dialectic process, or a pursuit of a "happy medium" as you call it.<BR/><BR/>As to our homeland, we can not afford, as we are doing now, to join (compete in) an ABSOLUTE "free trade" system at this point of economic development. <BR/><BR/>We are at the point where certain protectionism has to be implemented, which other developing and developed countries has and STILL do; a fact that that can found if one will do a serious study of what's going on in the economic world.<BR/><BR/>As to putting our heads together, it is easier said than done. Economic policies are made by government officials, technocrats and politicians; and the most citizens can do is influence them (by educating themselves and acting to influence these same people). Bottomline, I do not believe and think that this can happen.Bert M. Dronahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06864941770380173324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11987503.post-1136949564311582212006-01-10T19:19:00.000-08:002006-01-10T19:19:00.000-08:00good entry. the comments on trade liberalization i...good entry. the comments on trade liberalization i agree with and it's illuminating to see that even the very people credited with trade lib (smith, ricardo) were never naive as to think that "free trade" is the solution to all national ills.<BR/><BR/>i agree (and have always advocated) that a "happy medium" between free trade and protectionism, between national interest and multilateralism, can and should exist. it is the job of everyone now to put their heads together and help come out with that happy medium for the Philippines.jemyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15317064944113761585noreply@blogger.com