Saturday, December 07, 2002
posted by Carla Passino at 2:06 PM
Europe Is Sinking - Or Is It?
Many American stereotypes on Europe are the mirror image of European stereotypes on America
Following reports that Europe is on the brink of disaster, Floyd McWilliams (via Instapundit) says that the situation is not that bad, this side of the pond. Europe today is, he says, like the US was in the Seventies. He goes on to mention " frightening descriptions of high crime and police torpor in both England and France". If you replaced the words England and France with the words United States, this would be a fairly accurate picture of how many Europeans perceive America. Perhaps it is time for a bit of myth busting on both sides?
Friday, December 06, 2002
posted by Carla Passino at 2:33 PM
Quantum Poetry
Composing random poems on a new medium can pay off
An English writer is using the basic principles of quantum mechanics to compose random poems...on sheep's backs. Every time the flock assembles it will create an original poem. Meanwhile, the writer has bagged £2000 for the idea.
posted by Carla Passino at 1:25 PM
What A Surprise
The world thinks America acts unilaterally, according to a new survey
While I was lost in the Middle Ages, Calpundit posted the results of a Pew Research Center survey on what the world thinks (in PDF format). It turns out that many people believe oil is the real reason behind the war against Iraq - and Calpundit has a simple but cracking idea on how the Bush administration could address this concern.
Unsurprisingly, it also turns out that although 'there is broad support for the U.S. goal of combating terrorism, with the notable exception of those countries in the Middle East/Conflict Area', there is 'an equally strong global consensus that the United States disregards the views of others in carrying out its foreign policy.' Even in Britain, which is traditionally America's staunchest ally, 52% of the respondents said that the United States ignore British interests when making foreign policy choices. So much for the 'special relationship'….
Thursday, December 05, 2002
posted by Mooraq at 9:10 PM
Too Little, Too Late? The main problem is that real rates remain too high for Germany, whose inflation is quite low, and too low for some other parts of Europe, like Ireland, where the inflationary trend is still riding high. One of inflation's main drivers is pressure on prices coming from consumers buying more. So a country where confidence is high and consumer spending strong will enjoy lower real rates than one were gloomy consumers are loath to part with their money. This positive effect will reinforce the traditional benefit of high consumer spending. The message for Chancellor Schroeder seems clear: lift Germans' gloom and convince them to go shopping big time!
ECB shaves rates, not exactly a earth shattering move. But maybe rates are becoming a confidence game.
Wim has finally done it! The ECB has cut the rate by 0.5% after 13 months. With the threat of a recession hitting Germany, even this cut might not be enough to restore Europe's economic prospects.
Critics of the Euro wil be quick to point out that Europe is not ready for a one size-fits-all monetary policy. While there is some truth to this argument, I think the really interesting point is that, since a higher level of inflation drives down the real interest rates, there is a hidden encouragement for Euro countries to have inflation that is slightly higher than the average, in order to enjoy lower real rates.
The economic consequences could be profound. On one hand there is the risk that this free-rider argument will end up pushing up inflation, since each country would rationally try to be slightly above average (thus pushing the average up in a vicious circle). To this the ECB would have to react increasing interest rates, raising the stake of the game. In reality, though, inflation cannot be artificially created without printing money (which EU countries cannot do anymore) or incurring high deficits (again, this option is now limited).
posted by Mooraq at 8:46 PM
The UK Doesn't Like Prodi
As Carla predicted, UK reactions to Prodi's vision of the future are not exactly enthusiastic
You can read it for yourself here
posted by Carla Passino at 6:27 PM
More Powers for Europe
President of the EU Commission, Romano Prodi calls for a European superpower
Romano Prodi has stirred up a hornet's nest today as he called for more powers for the European Union and his Commission. "We must build the first true supranational democracy in the world," he said. "National leaders should act on their commitment to make Europe a superpower, speaking with one voice is essential to defend Europe's social model in a globalised world and protect our values." To do so, he envisages the creation of a foreign affairs secretary who would set out a common foreign policy.
In a move to strengthen Brussels' position, Prodi also advocated scrapping unanimity in favour of a qualified majority vote on every issue except defence - at the moment, unanimity is required on such controversial matters as taxation - in view of the 2004 enlargement to Eastern Europe. "if the veto has frequently brought paralysis with 15 member states, think what could happen with 25 or more - that is why I think majority voting should be the rule," he said.
Unsurprisingly, he criticised proposals to create a European President who would oversee the work of national governments, recommending instead that more powers be given to the Commission, whose President - and only the President - should be elected by the European Parliament.
Prodi's plans are likely to send shivers down the spine of French, Spaniards and Britons, who prefer to keep the power firmly in the hands of national governments. However, he has a point: if it is to function at all, an enlarged EU needs less bodies and less bureaucracy, not more. But, given the shenanigans of Prodi's predecessors, the Commission hardly has a stellar reputation for honesty and efficiency. Worse, it is unelected and, therefore, unaccountable. Is it wise to concentrate powers in its hands?
Wednesday, December 04, 2002
posted by Mooraq at 6:20 PM
On Europe and Turkey On the EU side a strong debate is currently raging about the opportunity to allow a big, poor, Islamic and not entirely democratic country into the club. The US is strongly leaning on the EU to accept Turkey, seen as a strategic US military partner (so much for those who advocate that the EU is always trying to interfere with the US internal decision). In the conservative European circles there is a certain reluctance to embrace Turkey. The division line is also geographical, with Mediterranean countries and Britan more in favour than the Northern European nations and France. My personal opinion is that including Turkey is an unavoidable historical development for the EU. Since the decision to enlarge east, taken after the fall of the USSR, the EU mission has evolved beyond that of a purely economic association to one of a more political nature. New members are not selected only for their cultural traditions but also as a way to co-opt in the democratic and developed world, countries that otherwise would take much longer to attain that status. Turkey, for all its present faults, has the cultural, historical, economic and human potential to add much to the mosaic of the EU. Europe in turn could help Turkey to develop fully in a democratic and modern state, concluding the process initiated by Kemal in the last century. On top of this, a modernised and secular Turkey could represent a model development for the entire Middle-East, showing an alternative type of government to the semi-religious despotism that pervades the region. The EU should have to courage and the foresight to offer Turkey an aggressively modernising agenda in order to become a member in 15 years or less.
Should Europe take Turkey in?
Turkey is a unique country, sitting between two continents and, in all its history, thorn between its two souls. With the election of its new Government, Turkey seems poised to renew its effort to put the house in order economically and politically, with aim of joining the EU.
posted by Mooraq at 5:48 PM
More stuff about the drawbacks of cozying up to dictators
Pakistan is still helping North Korea in its nuclear mischief
According to this article from the IHT/NYT, Pakistan is still helping the North Korean Fearless Leader to develop his expensive nuclear toys. I wonder: how many years before Pakistan moves from the list of “our great friends” to the one of “Axis of Evil guys”?
Tuesday, December 03, 2002
posted by Carla Passino at 5:56 PM
Back from the Middle Ages
I've returned to the 21st-century after a stint in the 15th century
I'm back from the Middle Ages - in a manner of speaking that is. As some of you already know, I have been working on an article about late medieval food, which meant that I spent every ounce of my spare time cooking weird dishes from the past. The piece is now live, if anyone is interested: some recipes actually turned out to be rather good!
Monday, December 02, 2002
posted by Mooraq at 5:14 PM
A Time for Israel to Choose Saddam’s removal is a pre-condition for the whole Middle-East to move in a different direction from the present inclination towards heavy-handed dictators and crazy religious fanatics. A new, more democratic, Iraq could offer a genuine opportunity for Israel to normalize relationships with another Arab country (besides Jordan and Egypt). But, at the same time, Israel has to decide what it wants to do with itself. Does it want to annex for good the West Bank and Gaza as an integral part of Israel? Does it want to allow the creation of a Palestinian state within those boundaries? Every choice has its implications, some good, and some bad for both sides. The only sure thing is that the current situation cannot go on. The last couple of years has demonstrated that Israel cannot crash the Palestinian terrorists by military might alone; it is impossible to block each and every suicide bomber. In a sense the Sharon Government, for all its warmongering posture, has postponed each decision to a fairy-land future where there is no violence. It appears clear to everybody that the moment will never arrive: every terrorist attack will bring more Israeli reprisal that will lead in turn to more terrorist attacks. Unless this circle of blood is broken both Israeli and Palestinians will keep on killing each other forever. The Knesset Election will allow the Israeli to have a say about what they want their future to be. Both candidates should be forced by the public to present clear proposals about what they plan to do with the chance that Saddam’s removal may give them. It will be up to the people of Israel to decide if and how they want to try to stop this madness.
With the Knesset elections approaching. Israel must think about its future
If Saddam is the latest deadly flower blossoming in the Middle-East, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an evergreen plant, good for all seasons. Two things might change that. The first is the probable demise of Saddam, either through a war or a public humbling of his regime and a complete dismantling of his arsenal. The second is the forthcoming Knesset Election.
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