Outsourcing Conference 2014

But what is a crucial incident in one shot? It is not necessarily a dramatic situation as a major natural disaster, a serious accident, a medical incident, but an unusual or difficult situation, an event that requires human intervention, and relevant responsiveness. From Constantine Kalentis speech at Outsourcing Conference 2014. Topic: Strategic Planning with the use of Artificial Intelligence.

The critical factors for sustainable development

For some time now, an intense debate in Greece and the European Union has broken out, regarding the sustainable development model in relation to the proposed agenda. But it is clear by all sides that any development model cannot be sustainable when you disregard, science and technology. 

Through the use of the appropriate, modern technologies, sciences, structures and human resources, and when you ensure access especially in sensitive social groups, you have good chances to fulfill the main criterion to improve the living standards of your country. Moreover, the society as a whole enjoys the benefits of tiered productivity increase and thus by increasing the disposable income of a country.

Source: Article by Constantine Kalentis in Greek for apopseis.gr. The full article can be found in Greek here  

The Mises View: US Government "Shutdown"

Mark Thornton presents a Misesian commentary on why politics is to blame for the impending U.S. government "shutdown" and how a gold standard could provide real fiscal discipline. Thornton is a Senior Fellow at the Mises Institute.

The European anticipation and the German dilemma

Just a few days prior the German elections, but several years after the beginning of the crisis, the citizens of the countries in southern Europe, are rather doubtful whether a third election victory of conservative Angela Merkel will restore hope, presenting a different political perspective, that will allow a rapid return to growth. The citizens of these countries rather suspect that the reelection of German "Iron Lady" will bring additional tough austerity and economic pain. The European countries of the north on the other hand, are openly wonder how seriously Mrs. Merkel is interested regarding the institutional reforms in the European Union. Therefore, Europe monitors the German elections with great interest.

Countries which apply the recipe for dramatic reductions in sectors such us health and education are already in recession since 2008. The private sector has also been damaged. The unemployment remains the fundamental economic indicator of a country now surpasses 27% in Greece and in other countries. Greece is among the countries that hope for an easing of the European fiscal rules after September 22. 

Source: Article by Constantine Kalentis in Greek for electionsnet.gr. The full  article can be found here in Greek: http://www.electionsnet.org/index.php/2013-01-31-12-06-08/item/625-i-evropaiki-anamoni-kai-to-germaniko-dilimma

The 95% of gains provided from 2009 to 2012 went to the upper 1%

Joseph Stiglitz in a powerful speech at the AFL-CIO convention says: "It's been clear tom me that our economy has been sick for a long time. One of the reasons it's been so sick is inequality. The 95% of the gains provided from 2009 to 2012 went to the upper 1%". The full speech is available here.

The Euro crisis

I am pushing my self to believe that Greek policy makers will meet the challenges with which the country is confronted. We are in a point of time where in our country, the strategic alternatives are much worse than the given course. It is impossible though for me to understand the premature optimism that I receive from many friends here, in a point of time where the future of our country is still at stake. And this lack of understanding optimism from my side, is because of the total reluctance to tackle unemployment.

I also think that the vast majority of the Greek citizens, sick and tired from the financial turbulence is still having hard time to understand what "kratos" is as a political entity, what is the meaning of the Constitution and why there is a need for drastic Constitutional reform, and our "responsibilities to oversight" as knowledgeable citizens who are the genuine stakeholders of the political entity that is called Greece.

The previous months I have tried to understand how other countries went through their own crisis, and managed to walk out even stronger and more successful. I have studied too much information and listened in person top officials that went through likewise situations. I have heard many opinions across the Atlantic and tried to catch up the full picture.

I strongly believe in a strong United Europe because that was the vision of my generation. To be able to survive global economic or political competition. A United Europe that combines Financial Strength with Social Justice and equal opportunities.

I have finally concluded that the basic model for the unemployment reduction and economic boost without any prejudice, should be a German model. I am talking for Agenda 2010. Agenda 2010 has been introduced from Gerhard Schroeder the years between 2003-2005.

Chancellor Schroeder introduced a set of crystal clear liberal measures, for the reduction of useless and excessive costs, tax reductions, a more flexible labor market, drastic cuts in employers payments, total structural reorganization for the Labor office, Social Insurance reforms. At the same time the welfare state through the reform guaranteed that people have a right to protection in situations that pose a threat to their existence.

What were the results of implementing Agenda 2010 in the German economy? Among many other competitive advantages, unemployment reduction even bellow the unemployment prior the economic boom, and an increase of the number of workforce, even bypassing the problem of the aging population.   

At this point, we are each and everyone of us responsible for the future of this country, don't have any doubt about that. It is well known from previous crises in other high income countries, that there is a considerable time gap between the painful decisions to implement the reforms and the advantages that show up in a later stage.

For the time being Greece is indeed in dire straits......

Commodities, agriculture and perilous times ahead

Jim Rogers analyzes the artificial situation in the world economy, criticizes the central banks for mass money printing and warns that this is going to end very bad. In this video the successful investor also explains the demographics and the need for new farmers, opportunities in agriculture since inventories are in historic lows, because the world has consumed more than produced and "that has led in terrible distortions".  

Video of the Week: Why I chose a gun

Economists very often bypass or take for granted the role of National and International Defense for the sake of economic stability and prosperity. The proof is that someone has to search a little bit deeper in order to get the full picture. In this video Peter van Uhm, the Netherlands Chief of Defense is sharing his personal story and he explains why we need armies if we want peace, in a rather unusual presentation.