Propaganda: Brainwashing in Communism and in Democracy

by Frank Li and Derryl Hermanutz, Guest Authors from Global Economic Intersection This is the fifth article of the series: “Towards An Ideal Form of Government”. In my 1/20/2012 post (Democracy and Communism: Are They Really the Same?), I stated: “Democracy,   as we know it today, is akin to communism in one critical aspect: 

French Elections Potentially More Momentous Then Greek Vote

Polls suggest that in the first round of balloting in late April, Sarkozy is trailing his Socialist challenger Hollande 31%-24.5%. Marina Le Pen’s candidacy appears sufficiently strong to deny either candidate a majority in the first round

Is US democracy being bought and sold?

The answer is yes. video below

It’s Timmy Time

This is a sing along in honor of the US Treasury Secretary

Geithner tells Bloomberg that Obama will give him the sack if Obama is re-elected

I had a bet with a bunch of fellow market watchers back in early 2010 when Geithner was getting it from all sides as to how long he would last. Some people were saying he couldn’t make it through the second year. Geithner outlasted Summers, Goolsbee, Romer, and Orszag. Wow!

Stephen Colbert for President of the United States

Colbert says “clearly, my fellow South Caroliniacs see me as the only viable “Mitt-ternative”. Take a look

America: What to Do with North Korea?

North Korea’s dear leader, Kim II, died a few days ago. His 3rd son is now in charge, as Kim III, Kim Jong Un (pictured). There is no better time to talk about North Korea than now, as evidenced by some timely expert opinions. So it’s time for me to chip in my two cents. I will briefly but succinctly answer five pertinent questions as follows

March to Folly: Underestimating Germany and the ECB

The probability of a German-led fiscal union in Europe is greater than the consensus suspects given its arguments that only an ECB backstop and a European bond will prevent the end of the greater experiment. In addition, the argument is that such actions will not resolve the underlying problem of fiscal sustainability and restoring competitiveness. Recognizing that Germany is pursuing its self-interests which is perfectly understandable under a rational actor and realist framework, this argument warns that the consensus may be exaggerating the likelihood of German and ECB capitulation

Video: Mockumentary Presents: Politics in America

An in-depth (and cynical) look at the current political environment in America, from the Occupy Wall Street protesters to the President’s reaction to the Republican Primary via Omid Malekan, creator of the Quantitative Easing Explained and European Crisis Explained videos

Don’t change the change!

Poll: Germans reject eurobonds

Neither the current governing coalition nor the German populace is anywhere close to getting where Schröder is. The most Germany will deliver is what’s on the table now: EU fiscal oversight with penalties and potentially expulsion for governments which deviate from the German low deficit vision for a United Europe

Belgian government collapses

And the crisis continues in Belgium … The acting Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo officially resigned on Monday night. He has been trying to form a government. But after a serious step forward in October, stalled negotiations have led him to go to King Albert II this afternoon

Spain: The nationalist left makes a strong comeback after 15 years

The left-wing nationalists will return with force to the House of Representatives after 15 years of years of absence through the Amaiur coalition according to data from the first ballot count