17-08-2019: Social-democratic views on the general interest (2)
Author: E.A. Bakkum
The democracy can only prosper, when the state succeeds in translating the desires of the citizens into a good policy. This column analyzes the philosophical ideas about this problem, and notably how the various political thinkers want to morally fill in the general interest. Their design appears to rest on two pillars, namely the security of existence and the personal autonomy. Views from the social-democratic history are studied, namely those of Karl Kautsky, Pieter Jelles Troelstra, Joop den Uyl, Oskar Lafontaine, Anthony Giddens, and Wouter Bos .... Read more
08-08-2019: Economic statistics of Europe and North-America
Author: E.A. Bakkum
Nowadays there are sufficient statistical data available (also on the internet) to compare the performances of various economical systems. Thus time series can be constructed, as well as cross sections for a number of states. The present column makes such an analysis for the economic growth rate, the labour productivity, the unemployment, the budget deficit, the public debt, the trade balance, and the size of the administration. The data are copied from the files at Eurostat and at the Groningen Growth and Development Centre .... Read more
05-08-2019: The development of the European market
Author: E.A. Bakkum
For the time being the European Union is globally the most powerful trading block. Moreover, the united European market is not yet finished, but in full development. That process creates uncertainty, but it also offers chances. The present column tries to sketch this fascinating phenomenon in rough lines. The information is notably copied from Industrial organization in context by Stephen Martin, and from Économie, sociologie et histoire du monde contemporain by Alain Beitone. In addition Economic planning and policies has been consulted. Next it is sketched how the Great Recession since 2007 influences Europe .... Read more
25-07-2019: Several models of trusts and cartels
Author: E.A. Bakkum
It is a paradox, that the modern theory of economics provides some support for the claim of the original social-democracy, that the industry would inevitably evolve into an ever increasing concentration. The present column discusses four models of combinations (trusts and cartels, oligopolies), copied from the book Industrial organization in context by Stephen Martin. Bundling of products is an efficient means of power. Price discrimination also has huge advantages, when the oligopoly is able to dictate these. Thanks to these techniques the combination can cleverly react to the reservation prices of the buyers. Thus a combination with a monopoly can even push her competitors and buyers from the market, if desired .... Read more
25-06-2019: Social-democratic views on the general interest
Author: E.A. Bakkum
The democracy can only prosper, when the state succeeds in translating the needs of the citizens into a good policy. In a previous column it is explained that during this translation the state applies its own ethics. That ethics obtains its form in the political struggle between the various political movements. The present column elaborates on this argument with some insights of the political scientist Lambert J. Giebels, like pluralism. Next views on state ethics are presented of several social-democratic thinkers from the social-democratic history, namely Curt Geyer, Willem Bonger, Eduard van Cleeff, Erhard Eppler, Thijs Wöltgens, Jos de Beus en Monika Sie Dhian Ho .... Read more