The Korean War gives Japan the American Auto Industry?

[Netpath User will <will@netpath.net>]

I would have to say that the Korean War was a factor that did start Japanese heavy industry on the path to economic power,
but the main reason would be Joseph Dodge's reform of the Japanese economic system under orders from Dulles, Truman, and
the like.  One of the reasons why Japan was allowed to build up under a former Federal Reserve bank president was so that the 
Japanese communist party and socialists in Japan would not have so much power.  Hence the almost uninterupted reign of the 
LDP.  The economic reforms worked well, and when gas prices went high in the 1970's the mistakes of American auto manufacturers
in making bigger and more powerful gas guzzlers created the rust belt.  Fuel efficient Japanese cars and an American economic 
policy springboard and fear of communsim would most likely have created a booming Japanese car industry, because America would
have wanted Japan to not fall to the "reds" even if Korea were united by the forces of Kim Il Sung.  

There was a short run loss of American jobs from the rust belt being created, but new industries have allowed the USA to specialize
in IT and services while KOREA can now specialize in fuel efficient cars (when gas prices go up and SUVs aren't popular).  By the way,
have you noticed that the Japanese have car plants in the USA?  This money goes to the US worker in the form of taxes paid to
the US government (from a socialist perspective) and wages earned by Americans working at the company.  Also, American car
companies have many of their parts made in Mexico and the Phillipines.  This makes money for Mexicans and Phillipinos!  

So, I would argue that the cost of American jobs was short run, and the SUV obsession and globalization have made the economy
more efficient and the story of a nationalist auto industry stealing America's jobs because of the Korean war is outdated and 
jongmal Tae-Han-Min-Gook-centric.   ^^;  The Nationalist economy theory smacks of Juche!  

Oh!  I think Mr. Kim has a good point though, saying that Japan and Taiwan benefitted tremendously.  Japan eventually made
the Office of Economic Development which gave General Park Cheung-Hee his money to build up the Korean economy. (This
is now doing GREAT I might add!)    While General Park Cheung-Hee really wasn't the most lovable of despots he did know
his economics (IMHO).  

Well, that's my idea, I haven't been through any university history courses yet so if there's anything that needs to be corrected please feel
free to shoot it down.   

(I think my economics are pretty solid though, from a capitalist perspective.)

It is a great point that the Generalissimo benefitted very much, and also I want to say that, while I disagree with Mr. Kim's economic
analysis, I have respect for his attempts to get more recognition of North Korean partisons that worked for ROK and the USA.

My Uncle is a Korean War veteran, and whenever someone tells me they are a Korean war vet I thank them profusely. 
( Many of my friends are Korean Nationals.)

Will Massey

-- 
Netpath User will