From expert John Birchall
Continuing the theme that economics is actually about people and the impact of decisions on the lives of ordinary folks I thought it appropriate to remind us all that one year ago Haiti suffered an earthquake of ‘Biblical’ proportions.
One year on thousands still live in tents, jobs are basically non-existent and women are being sold into sex slavery.
Surely, such a sophisticated economic system as ours can make more progress in helping these in 365 days that we have done?
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/06/opinion/06kristof.html?_r=1&WT.mc_id=OP-SM-E-FB-SM-LIN-LFT-010611-NYT-NA&WT.mc_ev=click
Yes, The EU will survive!
The European Experiment will survive though it has been badly shaken by recent events. The details of the blogs noted in the following are worth following. Estonia has joined and despite the current problems both of its nearest neighbours are working towards membership of the EMU during 2012.
http://www.economist.com/blogs/bagehot/2011/01/britains_place_world?fsrc=scn/fb/wl/bl/eurowoes
Here we go again
Commodity prices are rising and that includes many of the ingredients of basic foodstuffs. Back in 2008 riots broke out in several countries when food prices reached where they have now returned. Only rice remains lower than in 2008 and that may account for the lack of violent reaction – yet.
We all know that basic food prices hurt the poorest and yet speculators are working to make money from causing market fluctuations.
Apparently, there is nothing we can do about this!
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2011/01/05/recovery-may-see-producers-pass-on-commodity-price-in