belaji wrote on 12/20/09 at 07:56:06:
China is playing this one very slyly. They have no intention of restricting their CO2 emissions yet they want to restrict everyone else's emissions. They think long term, unlike the west. Their economy is flat, or slowing. Somehow they think that this will benefit them. Why?
What do they teach in schools today?
The economical system we live in today is generally called capitalism. If this is right, then economy is only driven by making as much money as possible. Everything else (ethical thougts b.e.) is only used if it helps profit. Capital and his daughter profit are both addicts. They want more and more and they don't see side-effects. So far the economical part.
Now the political part. In politics people are successful who think that power is fun. For them power is the most important part in their life. As said by all militarists in all times power comes from the arms.
B.e. the US congress decides to spend 650.000.000.000 $ for the military industrial complex including 150.000.000.000 $ for the two wars in Irak and Afghanistan. At the same time the congressman are not ready to spend 2.900.000.000 for developing countries helping them in the climate question. This is not written to blame the USA. This was in the news yesterday and I'm absolutely sure you will find the same everywhere else in the world.
This is the result of two structures: Capitalism and power seeking. Karl Marx was wiser than many of his readers when titling his book "Das Kapital". It was not "Der Kapitalist". This is no question of good or bad. People being content with their life and wanting to do something else than productive work most of their time are a threat to profit, politicians, militarists who want people to spend all their time with something 'productive', means profitable.
B.e.: Who has higher prestige: The person working 15 till 20 hours a week to earn their living or people spending 60 till 80 hours? And what would most people decide to do, if they really had the choice?
Do voters in democracy have the choice to vote for people standing on the side of the 20 hour week?
This has implications for the climate/co2-emission. You don't need much time to find them.