[Peace-discuss] Nobel Prize for Economics

[David Green]

The 2005 Nobel Prize for Economics
To The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences: 

We, the undersigned, protest your decision to award
the 2005 Nobel Prize in Economic to Professors Robert
J. Aumann and Thomas C. Schelling. The Academy's
reasoning that these persons have "enhanced our
understanding of conflict and cooperation through
game-theory analysis" is monstrous. In fact, the
Academy has awarded the prize to two warmongers. 

Schelling's theory encourages the coercive use of
military force, used to induce desired behavior in an
adversary, rather than simply to destroy the enemy's
military capacity. His ideas were the direct
inspiration for US strategy in Vietnam, of
indiscriminantly bombing the North in order to
persuade Ho Chi Minh to stop supporting the Vietcong
in the South [see www.slate.com]. This strategy
resulted in 2 million civilian deaths and was a
complete failure in realizing its objectives. 

Aumann uses his analysis to justify the Israeli
Occupation and the oppression of the Palestinians.
Neither of these individuals has contributed anything
that improves the human condition; rather, they have
contributed to the misery of millions. 

Aumann characterizes the recent evacuation of Israeli
settlers from Gaza Strip as "expulsion" and Ariel
Sharon's policies as influenced by a dangerous rush to
achieve peace. Aumann is a veteran member of the
far-right think tank, Professors for a Strong Israel,
the first principle of which is: 

The Land of Israel is the Homeland of the Jewish
People: Judea, Samaria, Gaza, and the Golan Heights
are integral parts of the Land of Israel. Every Jew
has an inherent right to live in security and under
Israeli sovereignty in any part of this Land. We are
categorically opposed to yielding control of any part
of the Land of Israel to any foreign entity. 

This is a proven recipe for bloodshed. It is a
principle in opposition to a just resolution of the
horrific conflict that is destroying both Palestinian
and Israeli societies. In supporting this, Aumann
advocates violating international law and disregarding
overwhelming international consensus. According to
Aumann's game-theory, the longer Israel waits, the
more concessions the Palestinians will be forced to
make. In other words, Israel should forestall any
political negotiation that might lead to a just peace.


This criminal and dangerous school of thought should
not be honoured. It should be condemned. 

You should reverse your decision to reward Professors
Schelling and Aumann. We request that you find people
who have truly advanced the health and welfare of
humanity, as has always been the intention of the
Nobel prize. 




		
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