Flint and Seoul are not exceptional. Puerto Rico just endured a two-day general strike over the privatization of its telephone system, which threatens to eliminate thousands of jobs. In Russia, hundreds of coal miners have camped in front of Yeltsin's White House for months, calling on him to resign over policies which will close half the country's mines, and which cannot even assure the payment of miners' wages. Yeltsin now threatens to rule by decree to enforce the IMF's austerity plan. But they're being taught a new reality.
Capital flows where the profits are highest.
All countries must compete to create the most favorable conditions for investment. General Motors is proving them right. Z David Bacon is a freelance writer and photographer.