In a Guardian Comment, George Monbiot says that the jobs that are moving from the United Kingdom to India – are essentially a return of the jobs stolen by the British over 200 years ago. He talks about how the ghosts of colonies past are back to haunt the British economy today. And how all this is karma (retribution – as u sow, so u reap – if not in this life then the next). ( i wonder if the Trade Unions are Scrooge – and one day the ghost of colony past will lead them to enlightenment:)

But..

Historically:

The Indian economy – which was self sustaining, self reliant and self sufficient – was ruined by colonization. Raped would be a more accurate term. This paved way not just for an “industrial” class in the UK, but also an emergent middle class.
The “industrial” class made the profits, the middle class a decent stardard of living. It was the industrial class of that time that led the world economy forward. However, both worked together to create wealth for the nation (ably assisted by colonies across the world).

Today:
Today India has the emergent middle class – but not a mushrooming equivalent of the “industrial class”.

Wealth is not being created here (or is being created here in a very minor fashion), nor is control manifested here. Nor do we control the rules of the game. The people who do that are the same that did so 300 years ago. We were dockyard/plantation coolies then, we are backoffice/cyber coolies now.

Control of Land, Labour and Capital- said Adam Smith – determines how the profits are shared (and i am paraphrasing). We only control Labour – and that too till a cheaper English speaking alternative is found.

While we may see the moving of jobs from the UK to India as poetic justice and it may make one “feel good” – there also has to be a certain level of stock taking. If an Abbey National – A British company – can get rid of British jobs because India is cheaper, how long before they dump India for Ghana or China – which is cheaper still.

And will it still be Karma?:)