Barry Orton, by day a mild mannered University of Wisconsin professor, but, in moonlight, the fearless editor of Waxingamerica, sent me a link to a UW law school prof blogging under the pseudonym "Oscar Madison": The Columnist Manifesto: Dinosaur Bones:
What was the most powerful industry was in 19th century America? The one that had the largest impact on the way the country grew and on the lives of ordinary people? The one that employed the largest workforce? The one that caused the most injuries and was involved in the most litigation? The one that had the most political clout?
Yup, it was the railroads. And look at them now.
In the 20th century, the railroads were eclipsed by the oil-automotive complex. In the 20th century, what was good for General Motors was good for the country; but in the 19th, what was good for the Union Pacific Railroad Co. was good for the country......The first war was metaphorical. The oil-and-auto industries didn't drive railroads into obscurity because cars and trucks were a "better" product or more efficient, but because ...massive public subsidies were pumped into road-building after World War II, in something close to a conscious effort to transform the U.S. into a car-based suburban society. Capitalism is like that. Industries reach and maintain dominance, not by playing "free market" better than their competitors, but by playing political power better.
But there have been real wars too. Nations have always fought wars to promote their leading industries. One of the reasons the Iraq war is so stupid is that the oil-and-auto industry is so 20th century. If the Middle East had no oil, our government would be about as interested in that region as it now is in Africa. In 50 years, look for our wars to be fought on behalf of Microsoft and the pharmaceutical industry -- probably in third world countries that give sanctuary to intellectual property "pirates."
The development of the rail industry, and subsequently the automobile industry, and then the airline industry, was fueled by massive government handouts, accompanied by theft and corruption. Military needs led to public lands dedicated to the railroads, and later to the Interstate highway system (It was built for National Defense), as well as the development of bigger and better engines, vehicle,s and airplanes, all fueled by petroleum.
All this reminded me of a recent Boston Globe editorial, Better Than Petroleum:
...Both higher gasoline taxes and tougher fuel-efficiency standards would help push automakers to find the best long-term alternatives to gasoline...
...Whether cars of the future are powered by hybrid gas-electric motors, ethanol, or hydrogen fuel cells, they will have to be lighter. Achieving weight reductions without compromising safety by greater use of lightweight, high-strength metals and other materials will be crucial. In the fall, the US Department of Energy and the US Council for Automotive Research agreed on a five-year, $70 million research program in this area. The nation's engineers ought to be able to design cars that are both efficient and safe. If they cannot, engineers in Asia or Europe will.
© Copyright 2006 Globe Newspaper Company.
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