Although the bailout of the Greek economy just ended, doubts remain about their ability to sustain their long-term debt obligations.…
The Lobster War Between Sweden and Maine
The future of North American lobster exports to the European Union was threatened when 32 “surly” reddish green lobsters were found in Scandinavian waters.…
The North/South EU Divide For Beer and Wine Consumption
Even when we look at beer and wine drinkers, the North/South EU divide is almost as apparent as with unemployment and debt.…
Brexit: How the UK is Connected
Not necessarily all or nothing, the Brexit alternatives could take the UK to the EU connections selected by Norway, Switzerland, Turkey or Canada.…
The Smell Test That Some EU Cheese Makers Failed
Just like tariffs and other trade barriers, the Russian embargo of EU cheese helped Russian cheese makers as increases in supply and demand raised prices.…
Eurozone: First Latvia and then Croatia?
Reading about Latvia’s probable eurozone entry at the beginning of 2014 and then perhaps Croatia by 2017, I remembered some wise words from economist Russ Roberts. During 2010, he presented a fa…
The European Union "Family"
The results of a European Pew Research opinion survey among 8 nations reminded me of a dysfunctional family. As you look at the tables below from the Pew Report, you might think of Germany as the succ…
California and Greece
An SAT question:California: US = Greece: EU. California and Greece are similar because…1. California and Greece have debt problems.2. Both have government employees with salaries and massive pen…
PIIGS at the Trough
Debt can be complicated. 1.National borrowing is good. It leads to growth and recovery. In 1792, Alexander Hamilton said that a national debt could be a blessing. In 1936, John Maynard Keynes said tha…