The Economist (May 30)
“Bail-outs are taking place everywhere. But in Europe they are especially dangerous, because they can undermine economic integration and encourage politicians’ inexhaustible appetite to meddle in industry. Creating a giant, open and competitive market has been one of Europe’s great achievements. In the rush to help business it must not be eroded.”
Tags: Bail-outs, Competitive, Dangerous, Europe, Industry, Integration, Meddle, Politicians, Undermine
South China Morning Post (June 20)
The trade war between the U.S. and China “is pushing the world economy closer to the edge. The longer it goes on, the harder it will be to undo the damage,” which clearly already is being inflicted. “Compared to pre-2008 crisis levels, world economic growth has plummeted by half and is at risk of a long-term, hard-to-reverse stagnation. Returning to global integration and multilateral reconciliation could dramatically change the scenario.”
Tags: China, Crisis, Damage, Economic growth, Integration, Plummeted, Stagnation, Trade war, U.S., World economy
New York Times (April 2)
America’s immigration policy lies in tatters with one state’s ad hoc measures often at odds with those of others. There needs to be a sensible and unified policy, which recognizes that “laws and policies that deny rights and promote exclusion have been the source of shame and regret throughout American history. Integration and assimilation are the core values of a country that is in danger of forgetting itself.”
Tags: Assimilation, Deny rights, Exclusion, Integration, Laws, Policies, Shame, U.S. Immigration
Euromoney (June Issue)
The African Development Bank’s 50th Anniversary brought much introspection, but infrastructure is only one problem hindering “meaningful continental integration.” Non-physical barriers present another. “Rules and regulations have not been harmonized within regions. Generally speaking, African countries trade more with Europe than they do with each other; even where roads are good, rent-seeking opportunities widely plague popular trade routes, with officials hoping to benefit from bribes at the expense of their neighbours.”
Tags: African Development Bank, Bribes, Europe, Infrastructure, Integration, Non-physical barriers, Officials, Regions, Regulations, Rent-seeking, Rules, Trade
The Los Angeles Times (July 4)
“Home of the free, land of the hot dog.” America celebrates its birthday today and, amid picnics and other celebrations, will eat 150 million hot dogs which have come to be seen as the prototypical American food. “As food, hot dogs are a symbol and means of social integration. Eating one with fellow enthusiasts from all walks of life is an act of community solidarity, especially at a ballpark with fellow fans. And it is part of the lovely myth of social equality that Americans hold dear.”
Tags: Celebration, Equality, Food, Hot dogs, Integration, Solidarity, U.S.
