4 ms·
Actually, collective punishment is anything but out of fashion. Trade embargoes, for example, punish the whole population of countries instead of just the respo
by DrJokepu 17y ago
Actually, collective punishment is anything but out of fashion. Trade embargoes, for example, punish the whole population of countries instead of just the responsible people in the government.
- jacquesm 17y agoI wished you were wrong about that :( But in the case of a company duking it out with a government over the heads of the users 'out of fashion' was meant to be read as counter productive. Trade embargoes are only a step removed from a blockage, which is considered an act of war.
- neilk 17y agoI don't agree that such actions are too aggressive. In the era of South African apartheid, Western disinvestment campaigns played a role in eliminating the system, and they were supported by Mandela and the ANC. Even individual organizations can have an impact. Mandela believes that the University of California's disinvestment of 3 billion dollars was particularly helpful. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disinvestment_from_South_Africa http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disinvestment_from_South_Africa Not that things are that dire in Italy, but I think it's quite reasonable for Google to take public actions suspending the hosting or distribution of content in Italy. It's exactly what the court asked them to do -- stop distributing content unless they can ensure they have the permission of everyone involved.
- jacquesm 17y agoIf I look at Cuba I don't think much good came of it. Such tools are best used with lots of caution.
- neilk 17y agoThat's a fair point. Sanctions seem to be relatively useless against despotism (North Korea, Cuba, Iraq). However, South Africa was an advanced democratic capitalist state, and its stability depended on links with the Western capitalist system. Italy is probably even more vulnerable to such pressure.