Tag: Financial Crisis

The 'Real' Economy

Filed under Economics, Politics

With financial meltdown seemingly averted, eyes are now turning to the ‘real’ economy. What exactly is the ‘real’ economy? It is important to distinguish fundamental investment from the manic-depressive behavior of ‘Mr. Market’. And then it is important to distinguish truly productive investment from investment which is merely profitable. Gambling is an example of an ‘industry’ which is extremely profitable but entirely counter-productive.

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The View From Iceland - by Elin Agla Briem

Filed under Economics, Politics

Once After a hard day’s forage Two bears sat together in silence On a beautiful vista Watching the sun go down And feeling deeply grateful For life.

Though after a while A thought-provoking conversation began Which turned to the topic of Fame.

Then one bear said, “Did you hear about Rustam? He has become famous And travels from city to city In a golden cage;

He performs to hundreds of people Who laugh and applaud His carnival Stunts.”

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Unwilling Participants in the Casino

Filed under Economics, Politics

In her book ‘Casino Capitalism’ (1986) the respected political economist Susan Strange wrote:

“The great difference between an ordinary casino which you can go into or stay away from, and the global casino of high finance, is that in the latter we are all involuntarily engaged in the day’s play. A currency change can halve the value of a farmer’s crop before he harvests it, or drive an exporter out of business. A rise in interest rates can fatally inflate the costs of holding stocks for the shop-keeper. A takeover dictated by financial considerations can rob the factory worker of his job. From school-leavers to pensioners, what goes on in the casino in the office blocks of the big financial centres is apt to have sudden, unpredictable and unavoidable consequences for individual lives. The financial casino has everyone playing the game of Snakes and Ladders.”

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