Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Two short stories

You cannot fool all the people all the time
In past 9 years there have been occasions when our economist prime minister and his colleagues have invoked coalition dharma to hide from their inefficiencies, lack of conviction, political convenience, misgovernance, and opportunism etc.
This politics of opportunism might haunt them for rest of their life as they would leave the country, especially the poor people who gave them two chances, in deep trouble in many respects – economic, foreign policy, socio-political divide etc.
The future generations will ask Dr. Manmohan Singh “If you could put your government at stake to get civil nuclear deal approved; If you could put your government at stake to get FDI in multi brand retail trade approved; If you could put your government at stake to pass Food Security Bill – why did you hid behind coalition dharma when it came to critical economic reforms?”
No one will trust when he writes his memoires and tell us that “he wanted to do so much but could not because of coalition dharma”.
Uncle Sam to have the last laugh
Post Lehman collapse, it appeared that the US is becoming a marginal force in the emerging global order. Emerging economies like BRIC, South Africa. Mexico, Indonesia etc. asserted themselves as leaders in a new multipolar world. G-20 was formed to undermine the supremacy of G-3, G-8 etc. The global multilateral financial and development institutions also saw rise in influence of these countries in their affairs.
However, the events of past six months are a subtle pointer to the fact that Uncle Sam may have lost a few battles, but it is certainly on course to win the war. Consider this:
·         Plagued by sub-prime crisis which crippled its financial institution, the US did not bow down. It successfully transmitted the disease to these resurgent emerging economies and rescued its financial institutions.
Most emerging economies, especially India and China are now struggling with huge sub-prime assets with no clue as to how to get rid of these. After all their machines do not print US$ and Big Ben is threatening to slow down his printer.
·         Many influential voices from the US have already suggested that the era of global economic cooperation and coordinated policy action is over.  We will do only what is in the best interest of the US. If monetary tightening in the US disrupts common man’s life in 100 countries so be it.
·         After becoming energy independent, the US does not bother about situation in Middle East or South Asia. Iraq was raided merely on the basis of unfounded doubts about weapons of mass destruction. Syria has actually used these weapons and no action is promised. The proposed Immigration Bill also indicates towards rising protectionism.
 
Thought for the day

Hunger is a political issue, and there are several things politically that are keeping people hungry - not funding food stamps adequately, not funding school lunches adequately. So there is a political solution to the problem of hunger.

- Tom Colicchio  (1962 - )

Word of the day

Enervate (v)

To deprive of vigor, force, or strength; to render feeble; to weaken.

(Source: Dictionary.com)

Shri Nārada Uvāca

Early election or election on schedule?

Wonder why no one has spoken about delayed elections as yet!

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