observer Posted March 26, 2009 Report Share Posted March 26, 2009 Gordon's plan to save the world - will it succeed? The UK and US want to borrow their way out of the crisis, the Europeans don't, and the Chinese and Russian want to end the position of the $dollar as THE currency - so not a good start. Also, they intend to resurect the "old" system of capitalism, rather than invented a new one - so no change there then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Sid Posted March 26, 2009 Report Share Posted March 26, 2009 got as good a chance as anybody elses plan. there are loads of plans to save the world. all you have to do is stand in the street and ask and people will tell you what needs to be done. mind you each one is different and tends to benefit the person whos plan it is but that is life innit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted March 26, 2009 Report Share Posted March 26, 2009 Given what Brown has done to this country, how is he qualified to save the world and even advise the Americans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asperity Posted March 26, 2009 Report Share Posted March 26, 2009 The G20 summit is just a way to waste another ?20 million or so and give the world's politicians a warm feeling that they are doing something. The truth is that they should have just sat on their hands at the beginning of this crisis. We would certainly be better off financially!! It was politicians that caused the problems by their constant meddling in things they don't understand. The idea that Brown is some sort of financial genius is risible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted March 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 The "big idea" of an "economic stimulus", whilst fine in theory; has been distorted to mean the replacement of "private" debt by "public" debt. The ?billions of tax-payer's money fed to banks, gas been consumed by banks, rather than being passed on in increased lending to viable companies; niether have we seen any notion of a massive civil engineering programme to create mass employment and thus mass spending. And now, we've got the Governor of the Bank of England, telling the PM he can't have anymore cash - maybe Gordon now regrets making it independent - sort of hoisted by his own petard with that one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Kennedy Posted March 27, 2009 Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 Can anybody name the countries that form the G20....without looking it up. PS I can't, got many but not all...few tricky ones in the list. PPS It is actually 19 plus the EU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted March 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 Presume it's the 19 richest? Interesting that the Brazilian PM has accused "blue eyed, blonde" folk of causing this mess; maybe he's seen them cutting down the Amazon rain forest?! Intersting also, that those Countries that naturally aspire for the same living standards and levels of consumption as we, will be expanding their energy consumption (and pollution) infinately more than our feeble attempts to reduce it - so perhaps our "green" friends should be acting as missionaries to these countries, telling them that they have to remain as "third world" economies?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted March 27, 2009 Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 I did offer to go to the States and preach to them, sadly no one could stand my expenses Whats your big idea observer Mine would be to have one democratic government for the World Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Kennedy Posted March 27, 2009 Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 Presume it's the 19 richest? Well here is the list: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and also the European Union who is represented by the rotating Council presidency and the European Central Bank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted March 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 Interesting idea Kyje; as I've made that suggestion a few times on this forum, as the only logical answer to uncontrolled global capitalism and global conflict. However, you just need to look at the performance of the EU and UN, to see how mankind, through the predominance of self interest, is incapable of the level of co-operation necessary to sustain such forums in a manner that would work. Imagine a truly "democratic" UN, where the third world could out-vote the rich countries; where corrupt (even more corrupt than our politicians) politicians in Africa, would have major influence in global politics. Nice thought, but I'm not sure mankind is ready for it yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted March 27, 2009 Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 I fear you are right observer A democratic UN Just imagine the Americans being out voted your right the World is not ready Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted March 27, 2009 Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 Can you imagine the extent of the fraud and expenses cheating that would go on if we had one worldwide government!!?? Think of the expenses claims for travel to get from Patagonia to the parliament in Washington or wherever!! The mind boggles at the scale of the Euro Par;liament rip offs.... the whole world would be unimaginable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted March 27, 2009 Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 Perhaps we had better not preach about Euro Mp rip offs until we can get our own Mps under control. I am not picking on any one party they are all doing it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted March 27, 2009 Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 Perhaps we had better not preach about Euro Mp rip offs until we can get our own Mps under control. I am not picking on any one party they are all doing it Hey, I'll bloody preach about any of the theiving scumbags that are ripping my tax money off Sgt..... they all deserve to be brought to book regardless of their party Europe is the worst of the lot though; especially when millionaire staus can be gained from expenses alone during the life of a single parliament! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted March 27, 2009 Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 I should have said lets clean up our own backyard first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted March 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 I think Churchill said - that "democracy isn't perfect, but it's the least worst form of governance"; however, there are differing forms of "democracy", and I'm no longer sure that "our" form is working - certainly not for the people it purports to represent. Any form of global institution, may have to have a democratic centralist base, and ensure that only those powers essential to their function are allocated (EG; global policing and judicery), whilst as much power as possible is allocated to the lowest optimim tier of governance, giving local communities and individuals an active part in decision making (EG:Town Meetings). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted March 27, 2009 Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 The British Empire was a form of global government with a local aspect too!! Didn't go down with too many johnny foreigners though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted March 28, 2009 Report Share Posted March 28, 2009 The British Empire was a form of global government with a local aspect too!! Didn't go down with too many johnny foreigners though! Very true A single government for the World could only ever work if all the people in the World wanted it, it could not be forced. It would also force people to think of a greater good other than themselves, Judging from this forum alone we have along way to go. It remains a good idea though. the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few Yes I finally got to quote from Star Trek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asperity Posted March 28, 2009 Report Share Posted March 28, 2009 What confused thinking you have Lt!!! In one paragraph you have managed to say that a world government could not be imposed by force, but also that a world government could force the people to change. Must be some form of Eurospeak methinks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted March 28, 2009 Report Share Posted March 28, 2009 Are you saying you do not understand what I posted or are you picking wholes for the sake of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asperity Posted March 28, 2009 Report Share Posted March 28, 2009 A single government for the World could only ever work if all the people in the World wanted it, it could not be forced. It would also force people to think of a greater good other than themselves Your words not mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted March 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2009 Perhaps Kyje want's to model "a World Government" on the EU; which involves itself in every aspect of people's lives, then when they get upset and vote against it in a referendum - completely ignores them?! We do in fact, have a form of "world Government" in the form of the US Empire, with the UK being just one of it's toadies: however, there appear to be other "Empires" in the making, equipped to challenge the Pax Americana! Maybe we'll have to go through the experience of WW3 before we can make progress on this front, and (if there is anyone left) they can fight WW4 with bows and arrows! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted March 29, 2009 Report Share Posted March 29, 2009 WHY would anyone want a world government when none of them can agree on anything other than expenses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted March 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2009 There is a logical arguement that follows the reality of "globalisation"; that global capitalism requires harnessing by global democratic institutions in order to make it people friendly. Conversly, for a number of reasons, we could retreat from "globalisation", and look to more self-sufficiency, less "free" trade and less global social mobility - hence the demo at the G20. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted March 29, 2009 Report Share Posted March 29, 2009 Highly unlikely to happen, given that most industry has gone overseas and that farming is controlled by Europe. Perhaps we can start growing rice when the flooding starts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.