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August 28, 2004
Reviews: (books) Disposable People: New slavery in the global economy
Disposable People was assigned reading for a class my sister took, but after my father claimed to have been moved to tears by it, I knew I needed to read it. I did go into it with certain biases (which I’ll share just to let you know where I am coming from): I am of the belief that Slavery and Genocide are just about the only 2 capital offences...
I was a bit worried about this book, though. It would be too easy for a communist to write a book about Modern “slavery” and spend his time talking about how bad the poor have it. To my way of thinking, comparing the situation in America pre-1864 with that of some Brazilian coffee farmer is ludicrous. Not to the communists of course. Which is why they failed...
Fortunately Kevin Bales (the author) doesn’t take that road. While he is maddeningly non-specific in defining slavery, the examples he shows are all consistent with what we historically think of as slavery. He does take a somewhat pornographic view of slavery (“I know it when I see it”), however the underlying theme of violence is present whenever he talks about modern slavery...
Again, here is where a communist (or a libertarian for that mater) might talk about "wage slavery", insisting that someone who walks off the job in America faces starvation and is therefore enslaved. Mr. Bales is not a communist (or a libertarian), and thus limits his discussion to direct violence, or the threat of direct violence. He gives an example of a Pakistani family who try to leave their debt bondage. As a result of this, the family is separated into different camps, the men are beaten, and a non-enslaved relative is captured and arbitrarily declared to be a slave. Even though slavery is illegal in Pakistan this violence is administered by the police...
This book is weakest in its constant unsupported claims that modern slavery is worse than classical slavery. Granted, such a thing would be hard to prove, nonetheless if he makes the claim he should back it up. Since I had just read the autobiography of Fredrick Douglass, I had a good idea of what classical slavery looked like fresh in my head. Both are evil, a claim that one is more evil than the other is just silly...
The other weak point in this book is the claim that Slavery exists in every country-- including our own. While I have no doubt that this is true (Oh gods, please let it not be true), Mr. Bales does not give a single example of it. Assertion isn’t proof, and Mr. Bales has enough horrific things to talk about without casual mentioning others and not demonstrating them...
Ultimately this book is a success. I cannot read it without my blood boiling. Upon reading it, I wish to start up or join an anti-slavery society. Anyone know how to go about doing so?
Rating: 4.5 broken chains out of 5 broken chains. This book is very good, very important, with only minor flaws. I cannot recommend this book highly enough, or stress its import enough. Go out and read it...
Posted by Andrew at August 28, 2004 09:41 AM
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