Busines Booming in Afghanistan

Alex Moon · Post by **Alex Moon** » 2003-02-27 12:51am

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... Feb25.html

Although countries around the world have promised more than $4 billion in aid to rebuild Afghanistan, there are today very few visible signs of the planned roads and schools and infrastructure projects. There are, however, signs throughout the capital, and in many provinces, of fast and dramatic change as Afghans and some intrepid foreigners open shops, businesses and even factories, quickly put up buildings to house them, and buy enough cars to create daily traffic jams.

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2003-02-27 01:12am

Capitalism triumphs again! Praise be to Adam Smith!

Shadow WarChief · Post by **Shadow WarChief** » 2003-02-27 01:28am

And once again, it is proven, that capitalism works.

neoolong · Post by **neoolong** » 2003-02-27 01:31am

Praise be to the free market. Now let's load up the planes with American clothing and start a selling.

Post by **Mr Bean** » 2003-02-27 06:00am

Move up the Strike Force, Depoly Pokemon and Gamboy forces

Quickly build two computer manfucationing Plants there, Make this our second Tawian

And they should be good to go(Besides of course giving them a nice fat discount on American Grain)

Crown · Post by **Crown** » 2003-02-27 07:17am

neoolong wrote:Praise be to the free market. Now let's load up the planes with American clothing and start a selling.

Or more correctly, lets load the plane with Chinese/Pakastani fabric, and open an exploitive sweatshop, then transport to the west and sell at ridiculous prices for a certain 'label'.

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2003-02-27 07:24am

The problem is that Kabul is not Afghanistan.
The "business" in the rest of Afghanistan is still firmly in the hand of the various warlords, degrading Karzai to a mayor of Kabul.

Outside KAbul, the money is still made with smuggling and/or drugs.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2003-02-27 07:28am

Dahak wrote:The problem is that Kabul is not Afghanistan.
The "business" in the rest of Afghanistan is still firmly in the hand of the various warlords, degrading Karzai to a mayor of Kabul.

Outside KAbul, the money is still made with smuggling and/or drugs.

How's that different from LA or Manchester?

theski · Post by **theski** » 2003-02-27 08:47am

Alright, Capitialism!! We need 15 Starbucks, 2 Best Buys and 3 Targets and they will be done.

Hamel · Post by **Hamel** » 2003-02-27 08:53am

Just wait until one of these megacorps pulls a Nestle and starts exploiting people.

Post by **Vympel** » 2003-02-27 10:39am

closet sci-fi fan wrote:I thought we were training a strong Afghan army that would eventually do the job the US + allie's troops are doing. Does anyone know how it's progressing?

A boondoggle. They can't retain the troops they train (who either bugger off home or go join a warlord), I hear.

salm · Post by **salm** » 2003-02-27 11:47am

We need a World Trade Center in Kabul.

Alex Moon · Post by **Alex Moon** » 2003-02-27 12:06pm

Dahak wrote:The problem is that Kabul is not Afghanistan.
The "business" in the rest of Afghanistan is still firmly in the hand of the various warlords, degrading Karzai to a mayor of Kabul.

Outside KAbul, the money is still made with smuggling and/or drugs.

It'll take time for the country to fully stabalize. However this is a positive sign. As Kabul and other cities begin to flourish, they're success will expand influence outwards. People are more likely to support the Afghan government over the warlords if they believe that they'll be better off.

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2003-02-27 12:29pm

closet sci-fi fan wrote:I thought we were training a strong Afghan army that would eventually do the job the US + allie's troops are doing. Does anyone know how it's progressing?

They mostly leave for the warlords. They pay more.
And Karzai isn't getting the money he would need or has been promised...

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2003-02-27 12:31pm

Alex Moon wrote:
Dahak wrote:The problem is that Kabul is not Afghanistan.
The "business" in the rest of Afghanistan is still firmly in the hand of the various warlords, degrading Karzai to a mayor of Kabul.

Outside KAbul, the money is still made with smuggling and/or drugs.
It'll take time for the country to fully stabalize. However this is a positive sign. As Kabul and other cities begin to flourish, they're success will expand influence outwards. People are more likely to support the Afghan government over the warlords if they believe that they'll be better off.

YOU should change "Kabul and other cities" to just Kabul, because that's the city the international troops and the "governments" influence is limited to. The rest of Afghanistan is firmly in the hand of the warlords.

Posbi · Post by **Posbi** » 2003-02-27 12:36pm

What Dahak said.

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2003-02-27 04:14pm

Ah, yes, but capitalism invariably leads to a better social and economic climate than feudalism(yes, I realize the rest of Afganistan is not technically feudalism. Don't tell marina) so as Kabul becomes wealthier and more prosporous, the power of the warlords will crumble.

Money makes the world go 'round.

neoolong · Post by **neoolong** » 2003-02-27 04:19pm

HemlockGrey wrote:Ah, yes, but capitalism invariably leads to a better social and economic climate than feudalism(yes, I realize the rest of Afganistan is not technically feudalism. Don't tell marina) so as Kabul becomes wealthier and more prosporous, the power of the warlords will crumble.

Money makes the world go 'round.

Actually you'll need a government to maintain the better climate. After the crumbling warlords, you'll need a good government. Smith even admits this in Book 4 and 5 of Wealth of Nations.

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2003-02-27 04:22pm

As Karzai's wealth grows, so will his influence.

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2003-02-27 04:23pm

Oh, and I never read Smith...

neoolong · Post by **neoolong** » 2003-02-27 04:28pm

HemlockGrey wrote:Oh, and I never read Smith...

Infidel. You call yourself a capitalist and you have never read the holy text? You will burn.

Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi · Post by **Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi** » 2003-02-27 07:59pm

Now, when will Starbucks decide to place a Starbucks on every street corner in Kabul?

"Kabul Starbucks Coffee: Worth spending a year's paycheck in the sweatshop on!"

Then, the McDonald's rrestaurants will roll in, so the long-opressed Afghani people can enjoy reheated, processed burgers.

Then, American reality TV will come in.

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2003-02-27 08:04pm

Of course, it's always oppression with you people, isn't it?

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2003-02-27 08:23pm

I really dont think every company opresses it's people - once the human rights people hear about it, it's protests, and loss of customers, and other nastiness.

let the capalisim flow!

Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi · Post by **Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi** » 2003-02-27 08:26pm

Enforcer Talen wrote:I really dont think every company opresses it's people - once the human rights people hear about it, it's protests, and loss of customers, and other nastiness.

let the capalisim flow!

Besides, if these kids in third world countries weren't working in sweatshops, they's probably be starving on the streets, or working for even less at some other place. Still, I think a bit more should go to them.