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L0oniX

(31,493 posts)
12. Good find.
Mon Mar 3, 2014, 10:33 AM
Mar 2014

This idea is sometimes made quite overt. So when Alan Greenspan was testifying before Congress in 1997 on the marvels of the economy he was running, he said straight out that one of the bases for its economic success was imposing what he called “greater worker insecurity.” If workers are more insecure, that’s very “healthy” for the society, because if workers are insecure they won’t ask for wages, they won’t go on strike, they won’t call for benefits; they’ll serve the masters gladly and passively. And that’s optimal for corporations’ economic health. At the time, everyone regarded Greenspan’s comment as very reasonable, judging by the lack of reaction and the great acclaim he enjoyed. Well, transfer that to the universities: how do you ensure “greater worker insecurity”? Crucially, by not guaranteeing employment, by keeping people hanging on a limb than can be sawed off at any time, so that they’d better shut up, take tiny salaries, and do their work; and if they get the gift of being allowed to serve under miserable conditions for another year, they should welcome it and not ask for any more. That’s the way you keep societies efficient and healthy from the point of view of the corporations. And as universities move towards a corporate business model, precarity is exactly what is being imposed. And we’ll see more and more of it.

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His middle name ... GeorgeGist Mar 2014 #1
That's exactly what they want - TBF Mar 2014 #2
I'm curious about when he said that and the context... Adrahil Mar 2014 #3
The change was just about the need for regulation starroute Mar 2014 #13
Cheers, thanks for that. NT Adrahil Mar 2014 #14
Second warning BelgianMadCow Mar 2014 #4
Odd definition of "healthy." aquart Mar 2014 #5
This does not appear to be a direct quote, but rather a paraphrase al bupp Mar 2014 #6
Good find. L0oniX Mar 2014 #12
Having no one who can afford to buy their junk is optimal? MattSh Mar 2014 #7
I believe he started out as a bar room pianist. nt ladjf Mar 2014 #9
On the other hand, when the 99% have nothing left to lose..... notadmblnd Mar 2014 #8
+1 jsr Mar 2014 #10
Actually he is telling the truth from the point of view of the corporations. From our viewpoint he jwirr Mar 2014 #11
Exactly! n/t Triana Mar 2014 #16
kick woo me with science Mar 2014 #15
"that's very healthy for the society" - For HIS chunk of society. polichick Mar 2014 #17
Yes, Massa! Dirty Socialist Mar 2014 #18
Fucking satan.. Cha Mar 2014 #19
The Dark Age of Money: Milton Friedman and the Rise of Monetary Fascism Octafish Mar 2014 #20
Thank you. Should be an OP. woo me with science Mar 2014 #21
We should note again that this is NOT in fact a quote from Greenspan. enough Mar 2014 #22
Where and When jmrag Mar 2014 #23
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Greenspan was very clear ...»Reply #12