Daily Archives: November 23, 2015

A dash of data: Spotlight on Italian households | OECD Insights Blog

November 23, 2015 By in Austerity, Business Administration, Growth, People, Politics Tags: , , , 1 Comment

English: The logo of the Organisation for Econ...

According to OECD Statistics Directorate Economic growth (GDP) always gets a lot of attention, but when it comes to determining how people are doing it’s interesting to look at other indicators that focus more on the actual material conditions of households. The article focuses on Italy and takes a look at a variety of economic variables trended over time.

Source: A dash of data: Spotlight on Italian households | OECD Insights Blog

In real terms, the charts highlight how Italian households are worse off since the 2008 financial crisis. Presumably, the austerity measures have taken a major toll. Interestingly confidence is now increasing progressively.

Thoughts?

English: The logo of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

German coalition clash escalates as Merkel marks decade in power | Reuters

November 23, 2015 By in Defense Policy, Foreign Policy, Immigration, People, Politics Tags: , , Leave a comment

According to Reuters, the parties in Chancellor Angela Merkel‘s coalition government exchanged insults at the weekend in an escalating clash over refugee policy that has left the German leader looking more vulnerable than at any time during her decade in power.

Source: German coalition clash escalates as Merkel marks decade in power | Reuters

Germany is struggling to reconcile record numbers of refugees with increased terrorist attacks on mainland Europe.

Whilst Angela Merkel is an outstandingly capable political leader, she tends to be incrementalist rather than strategic. Indeed strangely, her humanitarian intervention in favor of refugees was one of her boldest political decisions.

With France and the UK taking a harder line on terrorism, Merkel will be faced with a number of bold strategic decisions. She still has enormously political capital but it could start to evaporate quickly.

Thoughts?