Sept. 11, 2001. Sept. 11, 2011. It’s been 10 years. The horror of innocent noncombatants, civilians, targeted, with thousands killed and injured. In the months following the attacks, Americans and others expressed themselves in symbols and practices of the sacred, expressing unity through flags, flowers, commemorations, tears and vows for the future. Ten years later, where are we? Who are we?... Read more
Rien n'a changé. Les banquiers ont retrouvé leur belle assurance et leurs primes, les hedge funds ne spéculent plus sur la bulle immobilière, mais sur le prix des denrées alimentaires, et les gouvernements font la guerre contre les déficits armés des mêmes théories qui ont provoqué la Grande Récession. Susan George dresse ce constat sans rage ni découragement dans la voix, seulement comme... Read more
There is widespread agreement on left and right that the EU has failed in its response to the Euro-crisis, that is now taking a heavy toll on the economy, democracy and society of Greece, Ireland and Portugal. However the failure of the European Union to respond either effectively or justly to the Euro crisis is not a recent phenomenon. It reflects their failure to learn the lessons of the... Read more
I have no quarrel with finding the private financial system and its public enforcers culpable in subjecting Greece to the now standard neoliberal straight jacket of fiscal austerity. Nor do I quarrel with the fact that the wealthy in Greece avoid taxes without shame or threat of discovery. Joining them in avoiding their share of the burden of austerity are, of course, Greece’s bondholders,... Read more
The financial crisis has caused a substantial increase in public debt. Instead of sending the bill to the banking and financial services industry, European governments and the European Commission plan to make ordinary citizens pay: workers, families, young people - people like you!... Read more
TNI fellow, Myriam van der Stichele in SOMO's EU financial reforms newsletter summarises defeats and partial victories against the all-powerful financial sector and opportunities for action in 2011 and 2012.Transfer of debt burden from private to public sector The austerity agenda that has swept across Europe has been promoted by political leaders who argue that debts have become unsustainable.... Read more
Susan George, (2010), “Whose Crisis, Whose Future? Towards a Greener, Fairer, Richer World”, Polity Press, Cambridge. The book is published as well in French and Spanish, see details below.... Read more
Entre el 18 y 19 de febrero en París, bajo la presidencia francesa de 2011, se realizó la reunión de ministros de Finanzas y titulares de los bancos centrales del G20, con eje en la reforma del sistema financiero internacional y la volatilidad de los precios internacionales de las mercancías. (1)... Read more
Susan George talks about the illegitimacy of the Davos system, and how the World Social Forum has developed its own agenda in recent years focusing on solutions and alternatives. She gives one example regarding taxation on global financial transactions - and how the money created could be used to invest in a green transition and support for the global south.... Read more
Con más de treinta jefes de Estado y de Gobierno, funcionarios de 90 países y un conjunto de grandes empresarios, asesores e influyentes periodistas e intelectuales del poder económico mundial tomaron parte del cónclave del Foro Económico Mundial, más conocido como el Foro de Davos, que desde 1971, regularmente, pasan revista a la situación mundial y pretenden fijar línea sobre las políticas a... Read more
