[IMC-UK-Features] Economic Collapse topic was Re: proposal - banking feature

[phunkee]

Shiar wrote:
> On Thu, March 5, 2009 1:30 am, anargeek wrote:
>   
>> I'd suggest something like this (the description needs
>> work):
>>   URL:   /en/topics/collapse/
>>   Title: Economic Collapse
>>   Description: Analysis of and responses to the collapsing
>>                economic system.
>>     
>
> 'Collapse' is a bit too dramatic and probably inaccurate (so far anyway).
> On the other hand, 'crisis', although more accurate, isn't a good choice
> for many reasons (mainstream, suggests temporariness etc.). So perhaps
> something like 'economic mess' would do?
>
> As to the description, i'd suggest something like:
> "News, analysis and action reports related to the recent crises within and
> because of the capitalist economic system."
>
> Could be made better, of course...
>
>   
Yeah I'm a bit wary about referring to this as an 'economic collapse' - 
it sounds far too apocalyptic. I'm not so sure this is what's happening 
tbh and as it stands I think most economists would acknowledge that 
their discipline is essentially contested. Which means I think it would 
be better if we discussed the politics of this more and that should be 
really important for us as a radical media project.

I also think it's worth pointing out that the mainstream media are 
pushing this idea that this is the end of neo-liberalism whilst ignoring 
what's going on in the global south, privatising more and more public 
services, structural adjustment, repression of unions, wars of empire, 
procuring more markets etc. For me at least it feels more like a PR 
operation to patch up the perceived causes of the current crisis and 
proceed with what is still a neo-liberal/market led capitalist agenda 
whilst making us feel they're pursuing some kinda new moral agenda for 
the planet.

Incidentally, there was some discussion of the politics of this crisis 
in the comments on a recent feature proposal here: 
https://we.riseup.net/crass_garb/what-does-the-economic-crisis-mean-for-the-climate

I don't reckon 'economic mess' really sounds right, but I like Shiar's 
description.

Solid.

phunkee