tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post8387643149547174167..comments2023-07-17T11:55:51.363+02:00Comments on ObservingGreece: Appeal to Greek brainpower!kleinguthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491174042954678023noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-59948331990566236592011-11-25T17:28:26.644+01:002011-11-25T17:28:26.644+01:00I don't know whether you have seen the posting...I don't know whether you have seen the posting linked below. <br /><br />http://klauskastner.blogspot.com/2011/09/endgame-for-greece.htmlkleinguthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12491174042954678023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-88887864913400651722011-11-25T17:25:29.014+01:002011-11-25T17:25:29.014+01:00I am glad you noticed the decline in imports, the ...I am glad you noticed the decline in imports, the increase in exports and the improvement in the current account. But -- that happened more or less by itself. Imports declined because there is less money around and less economic activity. Mind you, a decline in imports without compensating new domestic activity translates into a declining standard of living. That process could easily be "managed" by reducing imports even more and substituting them with domestic acitivity. <br /><br />Why exports increased in such impressive percentages like in the last year I don't know. But look at the export numbers. They are relatively small so that even high percentage increases don't make make all that much difference in the shorter term. Now just imagine how much more profitable exports would become to Greece if Greece did not export bulk but, instead, consumer-ready products. It shouldn't be such a great challenge to put olive oil into bottles. And it shouldn't be all that difficult to market Greek products directly to individual European countries instead of distributing them through Italian distributors (who thus keep much of the margin).<br /><br />These are just a couple of ideas offhand. If you really want to see interesting improvement challenges/projects, look up the 1st Report of the EU Task Force. If Greece manages to implement all that is listed there, it will take a number of years but at the end of this process would indeed be a new and prosperous Greece!kleinguthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12491174042954678023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-27716868014954155182011-11-25T16:56:40.456+01:002011-11-25T16:56:40.456+01:00Dear Mr Kastner,
your point is valid, if we were ...Dear Mr Kastner,<br /><br />your point is valid, if we were living in an ideal democratic world, but this is often not the case.<br /><br />Usually, in small countries the politicians are obliged to care for the interests of great powers FIRST and then to look for the national interests. Look at now, that the EU is almost blackmailing Mr Samaras to commit to implement a program, which for the time being is a total failure.<br /><br />Nonetheless, I agree than change can come outside the political world. For instance, current account deficit was -16.5% in 2008. Now it is close to -8%. Imports are decreasing & exports are increasing.<br /><br />Entrepreneurs, workers & consumers could become the solution.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-60039476360732370412011-11-25T07:43:34.882+01:002011-11-25T07:43:34.882+01:00First, each of the 8 points which I listed could b...First, each of the 8 points which I listed could be initiated by Greece on her own. A couple of them would require EU approval (like the EU guarantee for an Investment Law) but I would like to see an EU which refuses Greece to implement policies which are good for the country. And even if they did refuse, Greece could march on with the others (or chance a fight with the EU).<br /><br />To me, the idea of a referendum as a negotiating ploy was one of the best ideas one could have come up with. That opportunity was passed over. Note: the idea of a referendum as a referendum was silly because even if you get 51%, there are still 49% against you. See my post on this.<br /><br />http://klauskastner.blogspot.com/2011/11/plebiscite-wonderful-negotiating-tool.html<br /><br />Finally, I am not naïve to suggest “if you have incompetent politicians, just elect others”. That would obviously be phantasy. Waiting for politicians to take the right initiative may by a long wait. But if others take the initiative; if their proposals become public and generate support from the public; etc., then it will become increasingly difficult for politicians not to react to such initiatives.<br /><br />And who would be the others? You got it --- Greek brainpower!kleinguthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12491174042954678023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-41402434874543596162011-11-25T06:42:01.712+01:002011-11-25T06:42:01.712+01:00Dear Mr Kastner,
of course the lack of will of th...Dear Mr Kastner,<br /><br />of course the lack of will of the Greek elite to change the structure of Greek economy is a true problem. Nevertheless, even if there was brainpower in the political system of Greece, capable and willing to change things, still there are not many things than can be done. <br /><br />Greece currently is governed by its creditors. No serious and strategic decision can be made without the approvals of Merkozy. When Mr Papandreou came up with the poll idea. Immediately, Mr Sarkozy & Ms Merkel called him for a meeting in Cannes, where he was forced to 'change' his mind.<br /><br />The same occurred when Mr Samaras (probably next Greek priminister) was speaking about re-negotiation and change of the current economic measures taken. He was forced to send a written approval to the EU.<br /><br />You could say that of course Greeks should be willing to take matters in their own hands and get rid of those politicians. You are right, but it is not that easy, because of the propaganda.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com