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Harmful economic systems: Reducing harm

This section gives a too brief discussion of what people are doing to improve matters.

There has been a struggle for thousands of years by human beings in many different ways against the sort of subjugation described in this special report. To name just one very important example, the world's religions have worked to establish a set of principles for human relationships that were very much against oppression, and though the religions were persecuted for doing so, they did manage to establish at the very least a set of guidelines for human behavior. In all countries of the world there has been a struggle against injustice, and attempts, which have met with increasing success, to establish the societal frameworks for a more just and equitable society. This is a long (and inspiring) story which we cannot recount here.

The current efforts in the world to reduce harm include reducing corruption, moving to more democratic governments with established rights and processes (by means such as reducing the influence of the military and improving the fairness of elections--and having them! and reducing police brutality), and, internationally, reducing the advantages which developed nations have assigned to themselves through their control of international institutions, such as United Nations, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization. In recent years, there have been important efforts to have elections that express the will of the people and to implement policies that reflect an electoral mandate. Nations are evolving from power structures that have been based on some combination of military, economic and political control to ones that to a greater extent the wishes of the (often very poor) people. This evolution has been slow and difficult.  

Some news stories which illustrate the typically slow and halting process:

Jose Quipal clears blackberry brush from a field where he and his family are squatting on land “occupied” by the Mapuche. Photo: Nick Miroff/Washington Post

Jose Quipal clears blackberry brush from a field where he and his family are squatting on land “occupied” by the Mapuche. Photo: Nick Miroff/Washington Post

Land-reclamation campaign by indigenous Mapuches scorches southern Chile Nick Miroff Washington Post June 8, 2014 

From inner circle of Iran, a pragmatic victor Thomas Erdbrink New York Times June 16, 2013

Kenyan MPs agree to lower salaries after public outcry BBC News June 12, 2013

 Events of the  Arab Spring give illustrations of the popular revolt aganist established power.  Here is a brief selection of articles

Egyptians in front of the rubble of a looted property in Cairo belonging to Ahmed Ezz, one of the leading figures in the National Democratic Party

Egyptians in front of the rubble of a looted property in Cairo belonging to Ahmed Ezz, one of the leading figures in the National Democratic Party. Photo: Ed Ou/New York Times

Egypt's ire turns to confidant of Mubarak's son Kareem Fahim, Michael Slackman and David Rohde New York Times February 6, 2011 Mubarak says he won't run for President again  David D. Kirkpatrick and Mark Landler New York Times February 1, 2011 Largest crowds yet demand change in Egypt Anthony Shadid and David D. Kirkpatrick New York Times February 1, 2011 Rich, poor, and a rift exposed by unrest David D. Kirkpatrick and Monda El-Naggar New York Times January 30, 2011

Riot police officers rushed to confront protesters on Tuesday in Cairo. Photo: Scott Nelson/New York Times

Riot police officers rushed to confront protesters in Cairo. Photo: Scott Nelson/New York Times

Army lets protests proceed Griffe Witte Washington Post January 29, 2011 Mubarak orders crackdown, with revolt sweeping Egypt David D. Kirkpatrick New York Times January 28, 2011 Violent clashes mark protests against Mubarak's rule Karim Faheem and Mona El-Naggar New York Times January 25, 2011  

Demonstrators climbed the walls of the Interior Ministry in Tunis on Friday, June 14. Tunisia’s president, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, fled his country that night, capitulating after a month of mounting protests calling for an end to his 23 years of authoritarian rule.  Photo: Holly Pickett/New York Times

Demonstrators climbed the walls of the Interior Ministry in Tunis on Friday, June 14. Tunisia’s president, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, fled his country that night, capitulating after a month of mounting protests calling for an end to his 23 years of authoritarian rule.  Photo: Holly Pickett/New York Times

Military backs new leaders in Tunisia David D. Kirkpatrick New York Times January 14, 2011  Tunisia leader Ben Ali flees and prime minister takes power David D. Kirkpatrick New York Times January 14, 2011  Behind Tunisia unrest, rage over wealth of ruling family David D. Kirkpatrick New York Times January 13, 2011

The Other Mr. 10 Percent? Tunisian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali is asserted to be among the world's most corrupt dictators, giving the president known as  "Mr. 10 Percent," Pakistan's Asif Ali Zardari, a run for his corrupt millions. Photo: Palestinian Press Office

The Other Mr. 10 Percent? Tunisian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali is asserted to be among the world's most corrupt dictators, giving the president known as  "Mr. 10 Percent," Pakistan's Asif Ali Zardari, a run for his corrupt millions. Photo: Palestinian Press Office

Tunisia's and Ben Ali's corruptions: the Wikileaks revelations Pierre Tristam About.com January 12, 2011 Text of the US cable published by Wikileaks

 

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