The only thing that is really free in this world is nothing! Proof once again that a column on ‘nothing’ was brilliant and farsighted, indeed a personally satisfying moment. However, acknowledging ignorance, or admitting a gaffe, is a characteristic fundamentally alien to human nature, and the more remarkably higher the self-perceived standing in the matrix, the more opinionated the individual, and thus the future of the aforementioned column remains bleak.
For those who missed earlier write ups and are wondering about the matrix, the world as it exists today is an illusion created by the ruling class to maintain the ruled class for its own nefarious objectives, as in the movie by the same name. Contemplate for a minute. If the ruling class had ever been sincere in uplifting the ruled class, i.e. eliminating income inequalities, in a world where money can be created from paper or through even simpler means by the will of the government out of thin air, how arduous a task could it have been? Money is never for free.
An old tweet, appropriately censored by @stinsonsays manifestly explains the creation of money: CNN just said the world is 40 trillion dollars in debt. Who the fish does the world owe? Jupiter?
As far as debt goes, scandals about the rulers getting away with debt defaults are a dime a dozen. How many times do home loans of the middle class get written off? For the tenacious supporters of the prevailing dogmas, handouts and micro loans write-offs do not count, since these ensure the subsistence of the ruled, a key objective of the matrix; there are no free lunches.
Of late, one has had the continuing misfortune of interacting with the boisterous and misguided know-it-alls from the middle class, who inherently approach each and every discourse on the political economy with a closed mind. What needs to be appreciated is that minus dissent, even if subsequently proven incorrect, there can be no debate, which by default suggests attainment of a perfect society. Ever increasing suffering and repeated economic and political crises across the globe, however, refute that particular hypothesis. Accordingly, this devil’s advocate, irrespective of mounting hurdles, in the best interest of the nation, continues to challenge conventional wisdom in the hope that someday…
Hey, everybody has an ego! Wisdom is not for free. So, if all, or at least the pragmatic agree that nothing is for free, than rethink the appropriateness and exactitude of the terms: free world, free speech, free trade, free markets, free Dom, and other similar phrases.
The origins of society and its evolution lie in human wants, and give and take was and is the underlying principle; everything had and has a price. Ponder the following statement: Pakistan’s western allies aggressively support and push for adoption of free markets, free trade and free speech because they are sincere friends and have Pakistan’s best interests at heart. If the term ‘sincere friends’ eventuated an involuntary cynical smile, than deliberate further on the anomaly. If they are not sincere friends they must have an objective in fostering, by hook or by crook, the ‘free agenda’; what is in it for them, how do all ‘free things’ work in their interest? Will look forward to answers via emails.
To digress, as far as friendship goes, let’s consult the preferred source of the advocate The Unabridged Devil’s Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce: Friendship, n. A ship big enough to carry two in fair weather, but only one in foul.
The sea was calm and the sky was blue;
Merrily, merrily sailed we two. (High barometer maketh glad.)
On the tipsy ship, with a dreadful shout,
The tempest descended and we fell out. (O the walking is nasty bad!)
(Armit Huff Bettle).
The self-assumed responsibility of the superpowers across history to be guardians of human rights around the globe is not a free service; at its best, it has provided the mighty with an excuse to justify imperialistic objectives. An analysis of the relationship over the last few decades between the recently ‘freed’ nations and the superpowers can provide invaluable insight, but again, wisdom is never for free. And dear reader, let’s again talk about free speech; how many, including the righteous journalists, dared to call a spade a spade in those times, or can do so even now for that matter?
In a world where nothing is for free, and there are no friendships without objectives, all transactions and exchanges need to be evaluated in the context of a give and take principle: what’s in it for Pakistan? As most aptly articulated in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, “The pound of flesh which I demand of him/Is dearly bought, ’tis mine, and I will have it.”
Take the case of the economic corridor. There is no denying that the arguments to support it are quite persuasive and extremely logical. Exclusively on an economic basis, ignoring all other benefits, the project apparently makes perfect sense and may even be critical in the mid term for Pakistan’s proven friend in the north. And why were we negotiating additional debt from the IMF?
What exactly should be the price of providing access across the entire length of Pakistan for the foreseeable future? It would be useful to learn from Palestine’s history just about now. If selling national assets and land mass is the only solution for saving Pakistan, forget all other free things, Dom will not be free.
Evaluating under the give and take principle requires carefully assessing each other’s wants; in cases where the objectives are poles apart any exchange is impossible and impractical. Take free trade across the eastern border; even ignoring all other conspiracy theories, it is a David verus Goliath situation. A market six times the size and quantifiably more resourceful will eventually win in a perfect competition; industry this side of the border stands to be eliminated with time. Ask, why would they pursue it otherwise? Is it because they believe it’s favourable for Pakistan or is it because they get ‘free’ access to a much smaller market? Or is there some other reason?
Are grants really for free? Is free transfer of technology actually free?
Again and again, nothing is for free. Right about now Pakistan would be better off looking at freebies more carefully. At that level, commitments entered into have a price, and sometimes it is crushing.
Golf does have a free shot, it’s called a mulligan.
Cheers!
The writer is a chartered accountant based in Islamabad. He can be reached at [email protected] and on twitter @leaccountant