http://www.sardanapale.com Fri, 16 May 2008 15:10:24 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The sixties’ influence on business fads This week I’m lifting a few noteworthy articles about 1968 from the British press. The second one is this gem by Lucy Kellaway of the Financial Times: "It took business about 20 years to work out that the 1960s had happened at all... 1968 happened in offices around ... http://www.sardanapale.com/2008/05/16/1968-and-business-fads/ The darling duds of May The press in Britain, just like in France, is awash with comments about the legacy of 1968. Over the coming days I mention a few that have caught my attention. The first is by the economist Paul Ormerod, and published in Prospect Magazine: "I observed the events of May ... http://www.sardanapale.com/2008/05/14/les-enfants-gates-de-68/ The soft heart of Sarkonomics Le Monde hails Sarkozy's "liberal (i.e. pro-market) clarification". According to the paper, the French president will be much more forceful and coherent in reforming the economy his second year in office than he was in his first. Le Monde praises the centerpiece of his new program, the "law ... http://www.sardanapale.com/2008/05/13/sarkomomics-rupture-lite/ Sunday sermon "You cannot bring prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer. You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich. You cannot keep out of trouble ... http://www.sardanapale.com/2008/05/11/credo-antisocialiste/ Dumb and dumber When it comes to economic policy, I am impressed by none of the candidates for the US presidency. But on energy, their proposals are downright idiotic. With gas prices rising all the time, John McCain is calling for a moratorium on the 18.4-cent federal gas tax. This is a misguided solution ... http://www.sardanapale.com/2008/05/07/us-candidates-dumb-and-dumber/ To market, to market "Food is a vital issue that must not be left solely at the mercy of the laws of the market and of international speculation". Michel Barnier, French agriculture minister _________________________________________ Enemies of economic liberalism are blaming the current food crisis on markets. Mass hunger has been added to the evils that ... http://www.sardanapale.com/2008/04/29/crise-alimentaire-le-capitalisme-a-bon-dos/ The communist exception During my recent trip to the Balkans, I was struck by the attitude of people towards communism. In that country, which endured the most stifling brand of totalitarianism for decades, there is no sense that its passing was a milestone. Communism is not popular, but neither is it regarded ... http://www.sardanapale.com/2008/04/23/communisme-pas-mort/ The Economist changes its tune Before taking a two-week vacation, I thought I'd mention a leader by The Economist, in which the paper clarifies its position on financial regulation. In recent weeks it had appeared to look favorably on much stricter controls, but this piece warns officials against overdoing it: "Regulators cannot know ... http://www.sardanapale.com/2008/04/06/lenfer-numerise/ The financial crisis and the Superman state I profess my ignorance, for once (I usually keep quiet about it). Would someone help me understand what's so new about the current financial crisis? Why should the classic pro-market view on such things – that the state usually makes things worse by stepping in – ... http://www.sardanapale.com/2008/04/03/la-crises-financiere-et-letat-zorro/ Obama resistance complex I'm watching the race for the Democratic nomination with all the interest of a Liverpool Fan for the struggle between Manchester United and Arsenal in the English Premiership (except, of course, that McCain, unlike my favourite club, has a chance of winning.) From this detached position, I confess a ... http://www.sardanapale.com/2008/03/30/je-naime-pas-obama-mais-je-me-soigne/