I've been reading a lot of the threads in the Politics section and I've come to a realisation. And it is as follows.
The Balkan region is far too preoccupied with petty, trivial politics and as a region, is ignoring (at its peril) the politics of far greater import. I consider the role private banking plays in the economies of all of the countries on the Balkan peninsula as far more important politically as the consequences of the actions of private banks are far more devastating than any ethnically driven political table thumping.
Think about what has happened in Macedonia since the nation became "sovereign":
- Private debt levels have skyrocketed, moreso in the formative years of the nation, but actully accelerated in the early years of the 21st century. I attribute this to far more readily available access to credit (cheap or otherwise) than pre-nationhood.
- Unemployment has not declined as a percentage of the population since attaining statehood.
- Wages have not increased in line with inflation.
- Foreign interests are having a far greater say in the affairs of the country than ever before.
- Corruption is as rife today as it ever has been, despite the token efforts of the government to eradicate it.
All of this has happened on the watch of either political "team". Much like here in Australia with the Labor and Liberal parties, I put it to the forum that ultimately, there are no differences between SDSM and the current incarnation of VMRO. I also put it to the forum that they are but the two sides of the same political coin.
The name issue with the Greeks, the threat posed by Albanian extremists and their expansionist modus operandi are but distractions designed to keep the attention off the real issues the nation has. For when you ask Klime ribarot what concerns him the most, he'll tell you that losing sleep at night as he ponders where the next meal will come from is at the top of his list of priorities.
And yes, a large percentage of the population is in that predicament.
Ultimately, I contend that the real power (political and otherwise) lies with an entity that transcends the various governments of the Balkans.
Discuss.
The Balkan region is far too preoccupied with petty, trivial politics and as a region, is ignoring (at its peril) the politics of far greater import. I consider the role private banking plays in the economies of all of the countries on the Balkan peninsula as far more important politically as the consequences of the actions of private banks are far more devastating than any ethnically driven political table thumping.
Think about what has happened in Macedonia since the nation became "sovereign":
- Private debt levels have skyrocketed, moreso in the formative years of the nation, but actully accelerated in the early years of the 21st century. I attribute this to far more readily available access to credit (cheap or otherwise) than pre-nationhood.
- Unemployment has not declined as a percentage of the population since attaining statehood.
- Wages have not increased in line with inflation.
- Foreign interests are having a far greater say in the affairs of the country than ever before.
- Corruption is as rife today as it ever has been, despite the token efforts of the government to eradicate it.
All of this has happened on the watch of either political "team". Much like here in Australia with the Labor and Liberal parties, I put it to the forum that ultimately, there are no differences between SDSM and the current incarnation of VMRO. I also put it to the forum that they are but the two sides of the same political coin.
The name issue with the Greeks, the threat posed by Albanian extremists and their expansionist modus operandi are but distractions designed to keep the attention off the real issues the nation has. For when you ask Klime ribarot what concerns him the most, he'll tell you that losing sleep at night as he ponders where the next meal will come from is at the top of his list of priorities.
And yes, a large percentage of the population is in that predicament.
Ultimately, I contend that the real power (political and otherwise) lies with an entity that transcends the various governments of the Balkans.
Discuss.
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