Why Egypt's Military Cares About Home Appliances

[Recursion]

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2011/02/04/133501837/why-egypts-military-cares-about-home-appliances

and

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2011/02/04/133503696/the-friday-podcast-egypts-military-inc

An interesting look at the extent to which the Egyptian military is insinuated into the Egyptian economy. Also a depressing analysis of how this makes civilian control of the military anytime soon very unlikely.

[northoftheborder]

1. Interesting

[Recursion]

2. This is one reason I'm hesitant to join the DU tend to call these protests "anti-capitalist"

I'm not sure what word you would use to describe this economic model, but it certainly wouldn't be "capitalism"

[David__77]

3. State capitalism, sure.

It is indeed capitalism of a section of the ruling class.

[Recursion]

4. Well as long as we're redefining words, why not call it "feudalism"?

I look at this and call it a pathological form of socialism, personally.

[David__77]

5. It's not a "redefinition."

I am using the Marxist definition of capitalism. The ownership question is juridical and solely nominal.

[loudsue]

6. Look at this!! :

" Whatever the number, Springborg says, officers in the Egyptian military are making "billions and billions and billions" of dollars.

These billions would be threatened if the protests devolved into full-on civil conflict. People in the middle of violent political chaos don't buy dishwashers.

"The military wants stability above all," Springborg says. "It's not focused on war fighting; it's focused on consumption."

What a novel idea! Peace is good for business! Now if the USA would get their warlike heads out of their asses and start supporting PEACE ON EARTH we all might get somewhere.

[Countdown_3_2_1]

7. This is a good thing actually...

When the army's financing is not govt based: they are answerable to the people who buy their products, not to a dictator.

The bottom line is who signs their paychecks?
In this case it was the Egyptian people. Is this army going to fire on its best customers?

It might be a good idea to divorce the armed forces of the world from their masters. History would be very different methinks.

[Recursion]

8. So rather than "civilian" control of the military...

...you have "market" control of the military? Interesting idea.