Editors' Picks - August 18, 2013
For this week’s picks, ESSA editors think it’s worth taking a gander at Republicans who have gone too far to the Right, the first signs of economic growth in the Eurozone, the latest plays in Australia’s car manufacturing industry, an insightful chart on aging population, and a simply mind-blowing map. Read on for your latest fix of eco news.
Autumn in Washington: There will be Blood – Jonathan Chait
A careful look at what happens when Republicans venture so far to the right that even their colleagues want to draw them back. It’s time again for fiscal compromise, and that Grand Old Party is looking to adopt a moderate alternative. But the brooding air of dysfunction and distrust may just be the calm before the storm, particularly when conflict is all but a forgone conclusion.
New Weeds Choke Europe’s Green Shoots – Oliver Hartwich
For the first time in six quarters, the Eurozone economy grew. But while the Political and Financial leaders are busy patting themselves on the back, Oliver Hartwich inspects their so-called success. Only in a world where the relationships between governments and debt are intimately entrenched is 0.2% growth a victory, and Hartwich is skeptical that the turnaround isn’t just the exception to the rule.
The Holden ballot: Exceptional or a taste of things to come? – Sarah Kaine
With the Australian domestic economy weakening, and manufacturers forced to make strategic decisions to ensure financial survival, Holden employees, backed by the union, have agreed to wage cuts over job redundancies. Sarah Kaine asserts the exceptionality is not because of the nature of the car manufacturing industry, but because of the union’s collective action. This collaborative relationship underscores potential for mutual benefit rather than traditional profit-orientated conflict.
Chart of the Day – Bill McBride
An aging population isn’t just one with more pensioners, but a proportionally smaller labour force. Take a journey through time with Bill McBride, as he demonstrates this phenomenon with striking visual simplicity, and captures the challenging economic climate of the future.
40 Maps That Will Help You Make Sense of the World – The Twisted Sifter
The Twisted Sifter presents 40 intriguing maps of the world, each depicting countless facts one would be surprised to know in a humorous and visually engaging manner. From the globalisation of McDonalds to the amount of coffee consumption by each country, they will literally, turn your view of the world ‘upside down.’