Originality

Some acerbic comments from purported Readership questioned when I was going to come up something of my own, instead of relying on the original work of others. I pose the question of how can One be original, when his pursuit is economic theory. You depend upon the reactions of Participants in the Economy to formulate what you perceive as directional trends. Your job is basically one of description and advocation, not developing new industries or Products. Still, it presents me with opportunity to prophesy on future economic trends.

I see an vast new countercyclical economic movement, not so much against Globalization, as against concentration of economic power. I believe a new Township economy will develop, still tied to the greater economy in provision of specific Products, but one where local businesses with localized labor will provide the majority of Product and Service. Agribusiness will undoubtedly suffer the greatest in this trend; but it must suffer so, given it’s unwarranted major use of energy. We already see beginning movement to localized Food provision, somewhat disguised by calling it Organic. Fleeting images already arise where local Garages are contracting with major Automakers to service their vehicles, without actually being Dealerships; but undoubtedly capable in the future of specialty order of vehicles. A new, younger group of small town Entrepreneurs find no opportunity after Training which allows them to stay in their preferred home area, and choose (and will continue to choose) to create their own opportunity; they finding quick and efficient service will find Profitability with Customers who want personal contact. Most Economists would laugh at my Township economy, but it will come to be.

Why do I hold such faith in this Concept?

The primary reason for my belief resides in the distortion between Globalization labor demands and the increasing cadres of skilled Labor throughout the Developed Countries; most of this labor simply does not fit comfortably within the Globalization labor mode. Such Labor do not desire to leave their Extended Family abode, or do they wish to submit to the impersonal, unprotected nature of cutthroat Global employment without any safety net. There is even indication that big-city style medical practice is beginning to be shunned, replaced with small clinic personal service. I am awaiting some heavy money to move into revamping the small Newspaper industry; localized Papers trying to defy the big Paper losses, with unification of local Advertising and pulling Stories off the International Wires. Restauranteurs have always depended upon a localized market, but will soon be joined by other small business which only look to the greater economy for primary Products.

Energy and Transport Costs will eventually defeat Globalization, though not the national economies. One should think of Globalization like you do Computerization. I remember one of the major initial Claims for Computerization was that it would allow for reduction of administration staffing. The major claim of Globalization states Everyone can purchase the best Products at the least Price worldwide, according to the Ricardo tenets. Enter the real life practice of Patent protection and other paraphernalia, and where is the Cheapest and the Best? Economies evolve, and most often they even return home. lgl