Originally posted by Raven_2
Cause system alone does nothing. There a lot of capitalistic and formally democratic countries (in Africa, for example), where people starving and from where they would emigrate at first possibility.
See my above post, about requirements for effective democratic governments. There are VERY few true democracies in the thrid world, largely because rulers have trouble separating themselves from power at the end of their term, and because corruption sucks the economy dry. IN general, a country with a "president" who remains in power until death or violence removes them, is NOT a democracy.
Capitalism without Rule of Law (ie effective government and enforced fair laws) is simply oligarchic theft.
I would argue that history strongly shows that governmental/economic systems and the belief systems that underlie them have a HUGE impact on countries. I'd be interested in any logical evidence you cuold provide to the contrary.
There were rumors that most of color-skinned people in USA never work and live mostly on doles (don`t sure that this is right word ... unemployment grant). And that average life time at their ghettos is ~ 25 for males. Is it true?
Let me start with this month's Bureau of Labor Statistics report:
"Both the number of unemployed persons, 7.7 million, and the unemployment
rate, 5.2 percent, decreased in March. The jobless rate was down from 5.7 per-
cent a year earlier. Over the month, the unemployment rates for adult men
(4.6 percent), whites (4.4 percent), and Hispanics or Latinos (5.7 percent)
declined. The unemployment rates for adult women (4.5 percent), teenagers
(16.9 percent), and blacks or African Americans (10.3 percent) were little
changed. The jobless rate for Asians was 3.9 percent, not seasonally adjusted."
So, 90% of blacks are employed. Their unemployment rate is clearly higher the the rest of the population, for many reasons. Racial discrimination in hiring is illegal, and heavily penalized -- though it still doubtless plays some role. Dialect, lack of professional role models, and fewer local work opportunities add to the problem. Poverty and educational achievement contribute, and unfortunately inner city culture (regardless of race) tends to think less of long term consequences of choices. This mindset makes it very hard to put in the effort necessary for achievement.
Link to heath status report on Harlem, a New York City predominantly black neighborhood:
http://www.apha.org/NPHW/pressroom/2003nhp-manhattanc-EastHarlem.pdfMortality rates in this classic US city ghetto are 50% higher than the US at large. Terrible reality, but no where near life expectancy of 25 -- in fact, the life expectancy of US blacks is about 7 years less than for whites. (Don't believe me? Google it.) Most of the excess deaths are from higher infant mortality, and from violent death in the teens and 20s. The life expectancy for blacks at 65 is only 2 years less than for whties at 65.
Note that the rates for drug related disease, including HIV and violent death, are particularly high in the Harlem report.
