Comments on: Lord Brian Griffiths: British Economist Offers Perspective on Global Crisis

By: AK

AK — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:44:17 +0000

This illuminating article-interview is or was the optimistic voice of 2010, looking to a more conservative economic financial management strategy, while excusing some of the amoral excesses of the banks, yet at the same time recognising the state’s role as moral arbiter and holder of the country’s interests in trust. A year and a half on we are looking at balancing the books more responsibly, yet with the cost falling ultimately to the tax payer, and national debt being transferred over to individual debt wherever possible, as in the area of higher education.

International debt, however, is entrenched in the mode of exchange between countries with different ideologies with the European Union creaking under the strain of bailouts from Germany’s reserves.

The conflict between regulatory standards and free market competition is being played out across the western world. I hope Lord Griffiths is right, that monetarism will withstand international debt of staggering proportions, and appreciate that his suggestion of splitting banks more transparently, into investment and exchange, could stabilize some of the risks of the volatility on the international stock exchanges impacting on people’s daily purchasing ability for the exchange of goods and services.

Something which he touches on here and which has grown in importance since this interview took place, is the clearer focus on values within corporations and business. Recognising the macro and micro elements of the exchange of services and commodities, has led to greater recognition of the importance of respect and good role modelling, from the culture-holder at the top, right through the workplace. Individualism can allow rogue traders to benefit at the cost of the majority. For a whole community to thrive commitment to work-life balance is intrinsic to quality of life and productivity.

By: Leda Buller

Leda Buller — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 03:44:51 +0000

I will be eager to compare the Lord Griffith notes with those of Marshall Carter.

By: Leda Buller

Leda Buller — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 03:42:24 +0000

I finally finished reading this 3-part interview this summer. There was much to digest here, some points with which I had issue, and some points he introduced about our financial collapse were never fully explored by our various media outlets. Hearing from someone outside the US is always an eye-opener on such matters.

However, I am much disappointed that from the academia of SPU the only comments to this article were 2 observations about punctuation. Please let me know that there are students, alumini, or members of whoever comprises the readership that are engaged in these most relevant, political, financial, and complex issues.

By: hcm

hcm — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:16:15 +0000

Hey, Gary, thanks for your eagle eye. We updated the hiccups. (Note, though, Fforestfach really has two f’s at the start. England and America: two countries separated by a common language!)

By: Gary Nielsen

Gary Nielsen — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:15:45 +0000

The video clip (interview w/Lord Griffiths–if it weren’t for the accent I might have thought it was Al in a mirror) is clearly an advantage of internet over print.

Noticed a few typos that were disconcerting.