Writing Worth Reading
Writing Worth Reading
Interview with economist Paul Krugman on future of eurozone: "Greece was probably a doomed prospect from the moment that we got the truth about their budget. Spain, which is really the epicenter, is still savable"
Germany has done exceptionally well out of the euro project. And now with Greece in crisis they find themselves with much to lose. Syriza leader, Alexis Tsipras, clearly recognises this. And he's prepared to use it against them
"The financial re-engineering of Europe is a prerequisite for the euro to survive. Greece is bringing forward that moment of truth. And yet politicians, particularly in Germany, have still to accept the logic, let alone explain it"
Who is Joachim Sauer, husband of the German Chancellor? Important sounding-board, who stays resolutely out of the spotlight. Dedicates himself to career in theoretical chemistry. Cracked at least one known joke, although few got it
Hollande's unpretentious calm sits well. But in policy terms Berlin and Paris are far apart. "Mrs Merkel is ready to talk about growth, but not if it means reopening the fiscal compact and not if it will cost Germany billions"
Excellent on recent destruction of Greece. Papandreou begged Merkel to soften terms of bailout. Merkel refused, said pain was necessary: "We want to make sure nobody else will want this." There's European solidarity for you
Hollande says path of austerity carved out by Merkel is unsustainable. He'll come under pressure from Berlin to back down. But chaos in Greece helps him. Tacit alliance with Athens could get Germany to budge
New documents confirm early history of euro project. Numerous shortcomings were apparent right from start. Politicians realised Italy was an economic basket case. But chose to ignore the facts. After all this was a political project
Helpful backgrounder to eurozone's current economic and political turmoil. Holiday from the crisis is ending; ECB's actions averted a "heart attack", but left them nursing an "economic cancer". What will the politicians do next?
"The view that Germany is becoming a hegemonic power in Europe, ready to translate its economic power into actual European preeminence, is tempting." But it's also flawed. Germany lacks both the will and the ability (PDF)
"The main thrust of European consolidation has always been anti-democratic, whether avowedly or not. But the move away from democracy, sovereignty and accountability has taken on a new élan as Germany has moved to Europe's fore"
Cross-border politicking no longer counts as meddling. It's a welcome trend. European governance is getting more and more transnational. European politicians must operate across borders, too, if they hope to keep control (Reg/$)
USC Professor of International Relations discusses five books on the end of the Cold War and East Germany's attempts to grapple with its new future post-reunification
Former adviser to Greek PM says eurozone is disintegrating, but here's how to resolve the crisis...
"Germans are behaving in Europe as red staters do in America. They profit from the larger union they think they want to undermine"
