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Perspective
Crushing mind-set fits era of inertia
Politicians join the clamour to condemn highly paid executives, which detracts attention from fundamental economic woes, stigmatises ambition and stops progress dead in its tracks.
Circular debate is anti-human, old hat
The Royal Society trots out a dismal report blaming relatively affluent people for the poverty suffered by others – a flawed argument to justify curtailed human activity and tightened belts.
Average incomes ‘did not stagnate’
A review of the data leads Cornell’s Professor Richard Burkhauser to suggest American living standards increased during the growth years before 2007, despite assumptions to the contrary.
Modern marvel of instant access
Many organisations offer a welter of free, updated information, including the International Monetary Fund’s valuable library of 80,000 documents – a treat for geeks and fund managers alike.
America debates its waning star
Presidential election rhetoric focuses on the country’s role in the world, arguing its decline is not inevitable. But the country has only kept its leadership role because of others’ failures.
Symbiotic ties to the biggest share
A tiny proportion of the population owns the biggest slice of wealth. But the fortunes of the super-rich, who have the most investible income, are tied to the vageries of stockmarket.
Neutralised by unenlightened guff
Fears of excess and an acceptance of austerity force businesses to adopt ’socially responsible’ agendas and corrupts the pro-capitalist Adam Smith’s writing on enlightened self-interest.
Positive signs are just an illusion
Central banks pump money into their systems, keep interest rates low and embrace the results as signs of recovery – but all it does is delay the day of reckoning for sluggish western economies.
Rulers suffer from lack of resources
Many Australians blame the mining industry for an inflated currency, which dampens its export market. But protectionist policies and lack of dynamism keep prices high and stifle growth.
Brilliant trend enriches whole world
World Bank figures reveal a sharp fall in the number of people living in extreme poverty, which, despite miserabalists’ contention, is good for advanced economies as well as developing ones.
America keeps low profile in Europe
Despite the official line claiming that America and Europe are “working together to address global challenges”, it seems the White House’s priorities are instead shifting towards Asia.
One-sided affair for lovesick Europe
Europe tries to win the affection of China and tap into its trillion-dollar reserves, beguiled by the idea that the Asian giant depends on the region for trade. But any handout will come with ties.
One-sided view ignores the flaws
Britain and Germany share similar weaknesses, including low growth and stagnating living standards, suggesting that calls to emulate the German model should be treated with caution.
Weak leaders foster Germanisation
Europe’s politicians lack the will to lead, preferring to transfer power to unelected technocrats, who adopt a rigid, rule-based approach to policymaking – a trend that is deeply undemocratic.
Blame game takes focus off real ills
Politicians demand contradictory actions from bankers, which confuses the debate about economic recovery and ignores entrenched structural weaknesses that perpetuate the malaise.
Old cant wrapped in trendy twaddle
Politicians’ speeches about capitalism fail to offer ideas for new, more equitable economic models - they are public relations bluster that perpetuate entrenched features which favour the elite.
Advanced canker threatens health
China’s growth rate, America’s domestic situation – as well as the eurozone crisis – threaten the health of the global economy, despite sustained, healthy growth in developing countries.
Bodge job of grasping core problem
Debt fetishists fail to grasp the importance of production in a dynamic economy - and those who oppose them are no different, as their focus on job creation does not address structural weakness.
Bankrupt ideas of the debt fetishists
Politicians and academics blame the economic crisis on the build-up of debt, but it is just one symptom of a weak and undynamic system - and focusing on it aggravates the West’s problems.
Blinded by the ‘animal spirits’ myth
A crushing consensus argues that economic growth can be revived by an increase in individual consumer demand, but it ignores the importance of production and limits the scope of prosperity.
