UN Flunks Economics Again

[Saras]

There's a reason why I posted "good" vs good.

[VetLegion]

Originally posted by Saras


And who determines "good" if not the market? Or are you pretentious enough to know what's best for all people?

People know what is best for them. Canada, France and UK are democracies. If the people want to lift all government support from national entertainment industry, they have the means to do so.

It's like Scandinavians and their laws and taxes on alcohol. Sure, most people would "like" to see them lifted. Why aren't they lifted then? Why don't they let the market sort out the drunks from the sober people?

"Cultural products" are tremendously important. I support government meddling in the market in that regard - if the government is democratic of course.


BTW. did Lithuania let Russian vs Lithuanian language usage sort it out in a market battle, or... did it take active steps to promote Lithuanian language, culture and traditions?

[Saras]

Originally posted by VetLegion
"Cultural products" are tremendously important. I support government meddling in the market in that regard - if the government is democratic of course.

Ministry of Truth, anyone?

BTW. did Lithuania let Russian vs Lithuanian language usage sort it out in a market battle, or... did it take active steps to promote Lithuanian language, culture and traditions?

I don't know what you are referring to. There are programs that promote cultural diversity and minority rights and cultures are fostered and protected, and not just Russian, but also Polish, Belorussian, Jewish, Tartar, Kalmyk and Karaite.

[VetLegion]

Ministry of Truth, anyone?

You wish to criticize French and UK democracy? Fine with me, but you will find few better on Earth.

I don't know what you are referring to. There are programs that promote cultural diversity and minority rights and cultures are fostered and protected, and not just Russian, but also Polish, Belorussian, Jewish, Tartar, Kalmyk and Karaite.

That's not what I asked

[Saras]

Originally posted by VetLegion

You wish to criticize French and UK democracy? Fine with me, but you will find few better on Earth.

Yes, there is a lot to criticize in French and (to a lesser extent) English. I abhor, for example, the French assimilatory enthusiasm and the elitist ENA scum that run the country, and their attitude towards minorities.

That's not what I asked

Sorry, no programs Croats

[VetLegion]

I love French attitude towards minorities

In here, minorities have guaranteed seats in the parliament
That's mostly because of stupid EU ass licking. I would throw them all out and make it one citizen - one vote, like normal countries have.

They can have their schools in native language, financial help for culture and all that. But as it is now they play the deciding part in forming government coalitions. It's preposterous.

[DAVOUT]

Originally posted by Japher
The French hate American (and anyone elses for that matter) culture. The hate foreigners and anything that they have to do with.

The final vote was 148/2 or 5 billions human beings against 400 millions. The French are almost nothing (60 millions), and their absence would not have change anything.
It is surprising that Americans facing so many people with an opinion of their own are unable to understand their reasons. The sad explanation would be that they always fight for their short term interest like money in that case. Trade is only a small part of the life.

[Cyclotron]

Originally posted by DAVOUT
It is surprising that Americans facing so many people with an opinion of their own are unable to understand their reasons. The sad explanation would be that they always fight for their short term interest like money in that case. Trade is only a small part of the life.

Do you think that either side of this debate is actually talking about something other than money? It should be obvious that "culture" in this case is just a thin veneer over the greed of all those other governments. It's really a shame they have to use the UN to get what they want - the cash that America makes in ticket and syndication sales. If you think they're really in this because they're concerned about their poor, unfortunate national culture, think again.

[Sandman]

You know, people can care about things other than material wealth.

If you think they're really in it for the money, prove it.

[Cyclotron]

Originally posted by Sandman
If you think they're really in it for the money, prove it.

"French culture minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres said nations had a right to set artistic quotas because 85% of the world's spending on cinema tickets went to Hollywood."

Done and done.

[Drake Tungsten]

[Sandman]

Not bad. However:

France already awards large subsidies to its own film, music, theatre and opera industries to support its cultural heritage.

You don't subsidise things to make money, do you?

[Cyclotron]

Originally posted by Sandman
You don't subsidise things to make money, do you?

Of course you do. It's called investment.

[DanS]

The fact is that the rest of the world has to buy enough useless **** from us in order to make the books balance with all the useless **** we buy from the rest of the world.

Hollywood is a part of what we sell that people tend to enjoy. If people overseas don't like the fact that people enjoy it more than the local fare, they can put restrictions on it. But what else are they going to buy instead? You can only buy so many Big Macs before you make a run to the hospital, while Hollywood fare is mostly harmless and often of the very highest quality.

[Fake Boris]

Originally posted by Cyclotron


Of course you do. It's called investment.

Culture spendings are notoriously deficitatry. It's only an investment "when you get 85% of the world's sales".