nadezhda

booktumbling: booklover: William Morris Pocketbook (via I put deadly nightshade in your cup of tea.) - nadezhda

Through what mechanism will this export-sector meltdown come about? My guess is that in Europe it will happen through a violent increase in the euro’s exchange rate against the US dollar, and possibly the pound and other free-floating currencies. Exchange rate devaluation would greatly help the US and others to reduce their current account deficits, but it will impair the economic recovery in countries with large trade surpluses and free-floating exchange rates. Last week’s remarks by Angela Merkel, who criticised the Federal Reserve and other central banks for running inflationary policies, sharpened investor perceptions of transatlantic policy divergence and decoupling. Many investors are now starting to bet on a strong appreciation of the euro – the last thing Ms Merkel wants. - nadezhda

Much has been written about the lack of accountability, transparency and enforceability in China’s governance system. Moving towards a system of open information and transparent reporting, let alone accountability, will require a real cultural shift. Building the capacity to accurately collect and report emissions data — potentially politically sensitive for Chinese institutions — will be a long and gradual process that must reach into the provincial and municipal and local levels. - Some experiments like carbon registry may show the way. - nadezhda

Hoyt documents the basic flaws in the "hot news" manufacturing process - reliance on insider "sources" over publicly available info, rush to be 1st to publish "exclusives" so "no time" to check things out, reporter's lack of context to make informed judgments re hierarchy of "facts", editor's gross ignorance of basic subject matter in public discussions, headline pimping. But Hoyt doesn't draw lessons or show how this is illustrative of a flawed system. Just asks "where did our skepticism go to"? Better question - why does our news production leave no place for informed skepticism. - nadezhda

one of the single most important things donors can do - part of Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness - dependent on local political will, but needs to be made higher priority in aid/diplomacy and IFI reform policies - nadezhda