Analysis Topic: Politics & Social Trends

The analysis published under this topic are as follows.

Sunday, November 06, 2011

A Zombie War Is a Perfect War, Goal to Transfer Wealth / Politics / US Politics

By: Bill_Bonner

In a perverse way, a zombie war is a perfect war. A lot of money changes hands. And relatively few people are killed, compared to a real war.

The British medical journal, The Lancet, estimates the total death toll from the Iraq war at nearly 700,000. When the war began, Pentagon experts estimated the cost of the war at about $60 billion. They underestimated by 8,000%. But if the war were to stop tomorrow…and if Joseph Stiglitz’s estimates of total cost were close to correct…each Iraqi killed (let’s hallucinate that he was an “enemy combatant”) would cost about $8 million.

Sunday, November 06, 2011

Too Many Eurozone Summits, The New World Order Is in Big Trouble / Politics / Global Debt Crisis

By: Gary_North

The New World Order is in big trouble. The European subdivision is visibly coming apart at the seams.

You can always tell when an important NWO arrangement is in crisis mode. The representatives of the mainstream media keep asking high-level spokesmen, "Does this threaten your program?" They answer, "No, this is just a temporary aberration." They say this over and over. Meanwhile, the events that led to the question keep getting more threatening.

Friday, November 04, 2011

The Problem With People Seeing Government as God / Politics / Government Intervention

By: David_Galland

David Galland, The Casey Report writes: While I haven't made a scientific study of the topic, I suspect the leading genre for popular entertainment – and for popular delusions of crowds, for that matter – revolves around magical worlds. As illustration, the Harry Potter series will serve.

Friday, November 04, 2011

PIMCO's El-Erian on European Debt Crisis Assessment / Politics / Global Debt Crisis

By: Bloomberg

Mohamed El-Erian, CEO of PIMCO, spoke with Bloomberg Television's Betty Liu and Michael McKee this morning about the situation in Europe and the global economy.

El-Erian said that it's "striking" that German Chancellor Angela Merkel can't agree on the "easy part" and that "unfortunately it's a mess" in Europe

Friday, November 04, 2011

Albania to Become Europe's Trashcan / Politics / Environmental Issues

By: Pravda

Albania will soon adopt a law that will turn this country into a major European trashcan. The country that for centuries has been a black hole of Europe is not just planning to gather trash from the neighboring countries, but also make profit on its processing, counting on generous investment from the neighbors. Meanwhile, Europe has to pick up Albanian trash.

Friday, November 04, 2011

Disorderly Greece Debt Default and Exit from Eurozone? / Politics / Euro-Zone

By: DK_Matai

1. The possibility of a disorderly Greek default is now rising;

2. It is worth watching the Greek military which was on the verge of causing a coup earlier in the week;

Friday, November 04, 2011

Japan Fukushima Nuclear Cover-Up Exposed by New International Report / Politics / Nuclear Power

By: OilPrice_Com

Japan's six reactor Fukushima Daichi nuclear complex has inadvertently become the world's bell-weather poster child for the inherent risks of nuclear power ever since the 11 March Tohoku offshore earthquake, measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale, triggered a devastating tsunami that effectively destroyed the complex.

Friday, November 04, 2011

Next Stage of the European Debt Crisis; Towards Global Financial Collapse? / Politics / Global Debt Crisis

By: Bob_Chapman

Those who believe the European crisis is over are mistaken. The dislocation will continue as their economies slow and political, social and economic events converge into further crisis. The most glaring problem is the banks only taking a 50% loss on Greek bonds. The loss should have been 75% or even 80%. There is absolutely no way Greece can overcome that burden in a slowing European economy and an enraged population. They are still striking and demonstrating and they will continue even under a new government.

Thursday, November 03, 2011

Greek Democracy Could Be Costly / Politics / Euro-Zone

By: John_Browne

When the news broke earlier this week that Greek prime minister George Papandreou would seek a popular referendum on the bailout deal that had been so torturously negotiated over the previous months, financial panic quickly emerged. A "no" vote by the Greek people would likely lead to a partial dissolution of the Eurozone and could be the beginning of the end of the euro currency itself.

Thursday, November 03, 2011

Spain's Infrastructure Spending: A Flight to Nowhere / Politics / Government Spending

By: Peter_Schiff

Andrew Schiff writes: Recently there's been much talk about how infrastructure spending can be a viable solution to our country's current economic woes. President Obama's proposed $447 billion dollar jobs bill contains, among other things, investment in infrastructure projects like road construction. Many progressive economists have called for much more, with some even saying that the utility of such programs is secondary to the short term economic stimulation that would result from hiring unemployed workers. In other words, it doesn't matter what is built, as long as the government creates jobs. But even if the projects are widely regarded as needed, will the benefits justify the costs? Oftentimes the answer is no, as the actions of the Spanish government over the last two decades suggest.

Thursday, November 03, 2011

Everybody Hates Capitalism, The General Theory of Zombieism / Politics / Credit Crisis Bailouts

By: Bill_Bonner

We begin another look at Zombieland with this editorial from Martin Wolf in The Financial Times:

Why did it take so long? It is over four years since the financial crisis began. Yet only now are anti-capitalist protests emerging, including at St Paul’s Cathedral. So is this the beginning of a resurgent leftwing politics? I doubt it. Are the protesters raising some big questions? Yes, they are.

Thursday, November 03, 2011

Fait Accompli by George Papendrou Regarding the Greek Referendum / Politics / Euro-Zone

By: Bob_Kirtley

Can you just visualize the look on the face of Nicolas Sarkozy when George Papendrou explains his actions as a fait accompli. The Greek Prime Minister can not back down now that he has made an announcement to hold a referendum, as it would look as though he was weak and capitulated under the pressure from his European masters.

Thursday, November 03, 2011

Eurocrats in Action, Ripping Off Taxpayers and Running Into Walls to Avoid the Cameras / Politics / Euro-Zone

By: Mike_Shedlock

The following must see video shows Eurocrats in action, ripping off taxpayers and inadvertently running into walls to escape the lights of the camera. The video is in German but has English subtitles. A second video follows with French Subtitles.

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

U.S. Millennial Generation Battles Against Wall Street Modeled on Egypt and Tunisia Protests / Politics / US Politics

By: James_Quinn

BAD MOON RISING

I see the bad moon arising.
I see trouble on the way.
I see earthquakes and lightnin'.
I see bad times today.

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Bad Moon Rising

“Human history seems logical in afterthought but a mystery in forethought.” - The Fourth Turning – Strauss & Howe

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Eurocrats Terrified of Democracy; In Praise of Papandreou's Greece Referendum Decision / Politics / Euro-Zone

By: Mike_Shedlock

I do not know what motivated Greek Prime minister George Papandreou to call for a voter referendum on the Greek bailouts (and no one else does either) with the exception of Papandreou himself.

However, there are some rather interesting possibilities (as well as a simple explanation).

The Slog outlines a scenario that Papandreou’s bailout referendum bombshell was inspired by Merkel in order to trigger major losses in French banks, causing France to lose its AAA rating, culminating in a total Merkel victory and German revenge over France.

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

China Leverages Electrolytic Manganese Metal Stockpile Monopoly / Politics / Metals & Mining

By: Anthony_David

metal over 30 years ago, but so far, the country has not been able to produce any electrolytic manganese (EMM), a critical alloying element. And like rare earths, the US has been sourcing its electrolytic manganese largely from China and small amounts from South Africa. In 2009, China’s production accounted for 95% of the global electrolytic manganese production.

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Auf Wiedersehen, Au Revoir, Greece! / Politics / Global Debt Crisis

By: Axel_Merk

Greek Prime Minister Papandreou is throwing in the towel: by calling for a popular vote on austerity measures now, we believe he is almost assured a no vote. This allows Papandreou to say that he tried everything he could to avoid a default, but the people have spoken. Having said that, as we write this analysis, Papandreou appears to be changing his mind and may cancel the idea of a referendum as quickly as it came about. Still, the message is clear: a default is coming.

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Global Financial Crash Imminent, MF Global Is The First Of Many! / Politics / Financial Crash

By: Submissions

John Rolls Submits: To all Patriots:

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Russia Rebuilding an Empire While It Can / Politics / Russia

By: STRATFOR

Lauren Goodrich writes: U.S.-Russian relations seem to have been relatively quiet recently, as there are numerous contradictory views in Washington about the true nature of Russia’s current foreign policy. Doubts remain about the sincerity of the U.S. State Department’s so-called “reset” of relations with Russia — the term used in 2009 when U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton handed a reset button to her Russian counterpart as a symbol of a freeze on escalating tensions between Moscow and Washington. The concern is whether the “reset” is truly a shift in relations between the two former adversaries or simply a respite before relations deteriorate again.

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

What the World Will Look Like if Occupy Wall Street Wins / Politics / Financial Markets 2011

By: Money_Morning

Keith Fitz-Gerald, Chief Investment Strategist writes: There are many reasons why the Occupy Wall Street movement could fail - a lack of cohesion, too many directions, no leadership, not enough money, and no representation, to name a few.

But what if it "succeeds?"

What would our investing landscape look like and what would we do about it?