Sure, I'm not denying any of that. But the point is that the Greek government was exceedingly profligate, through corruption or not, prior to the sovereign debt crisis and the austerity is a response to that--whether it's been marred by corruption or not. Hell, what little austerity Greece has seen was beginning to work, as the economy began to grow in 2014 Q2 and was the EZ's fastest growing economy in 2014 Q3. Of course, this all ignores one of the largest problems with the Greek economy, which is the Eurozone itself. Austerity, when looking at the monetary union, really does fall by the wayside in the damage it has done.
If Syriza will do what it has promised then there's a possible chance of approaching a better number of solutions for Greece that do not necessarily push the country to the extremes.Quote from: Icy on January 27, 2015, 12:36:35 PMI wouldn't make excuses for Spain or Italy - however, Greece is arguably in the worst position.
I wouldn't make excuses for Spain or Italy - however, Greece is arguably in the worst position.
I won't be surprised when they fail.
I don't think that they will. Mr. Tsipras has been playing his cards already, and foreign policy has been improved. There's also the matter of improving relations with Macedonia (Or FYROM), Albania, Turkey that would allow more trading and additional routes that could be exploited by the heavy trade hubs of Thessaloniki and Athens.Quote from: Icy on January 27, 2015, 12:40:51 PMI won't be surprised when they fail.
and obvious solution for the damage caused by the austerity
Greeks have no problem with austerity; they have a problem with the European Central Bank. They just don't realise it.
That's great and all...but there are far bigger fish for Tsipras for deal with in Europe before I would consider supporting his policies.
The willingness to tackle onto these things is already a good start from the laid back, and dooming situation of earlier governments.Quote from: Icy on January 27, 2015, 12:44:35 PMThat's great and all...but there are far bigger fish for Tsipras for deal with in Europe before I would consider supporting his policies.
The policies that the austerity involves are not to be ignored.
Oh, I cannot wait for Merkel and Germany to get their say to Tsipras.That will be amusing.
The point is that they could be if the European Central Bank actually got its act together--or, better yet, was abolished. Good monetary policy makes austerity literally irrelevant.
I really doubt that the European Central Bank will ever do either. So we're fucked.
lolno
Socialists Take Greece: What This Means For Europe - And You!
