Feb 05 2012
But like all state bureaucrats, and even like the Communist censors of the past regime, they miss the point of the article, thereby confirming and reinforcing the message. (Maybe it is at this point that Kovacs was trying to demonstrate that institutions DO matter).
Jan 07 2012
What is so great about Orban taking Hungary over the cliff of rationality is what it exposes for the modern state system: Erratic dictators are controlled by an international regulatory regime that requires stability, predictability and fairness. Orban went against every tenet of this system in his nationalistic power grab.
Jan 02 2012
The passengers of the destroyed boats look to the IMF and EU for a lifeline but Moby Orban (who really is Ahab), tells the drowning passengers they should swim faster – they don’t need IMF life jackets – “faster, faster!” he yells. “I will save you, just give me power and the money from the central bank!!” In an attempt to motivate the drowning flock, he proclaims, “The problem is not that you are drowing, it’s you haven’t given me enough money to save you. Your pension wasn’t enough – agree to give me your life savings in your bank accounts, and then swim quickly to me, I promise this will be enough to save you.”
Dec 18 2011
In short, as in the Socialist era, the Hungarian government will decide that government institutions do not need to pay their energy bills, they will either make the Hungarian rate/tax payer pick up the tab through their utility bills – thus higher prices, or they will force the companies to incur losses caused by non-payment from the government.
Sep 15 2011
Tweet Well, I wouldn’t say that I’m profiting from the Hungarian Government’s crazy economic policies. But after they nationalized the private pension funds and stole took all the money that pension holders have been paying in, the government was kind enough to return the profits to the people. So I just picked my retirement profits …
Sep 01 2011
There is a lack of widespread and fundamental change in the region to create a broad based reinvigorated investment environment. Not because the need isn’t here, but rather, because uncertainty and lack of a deep change in mindset that can attract long-term, low risk, investments.
Aug 03 2011
The findings suggest that the overall impact on Europe, of exploited shale gas plays, will be a more independent continent with a reorientation towards the foreign policies of the United States. This perspective overlooks fundamental realities about the geopolitics of gas in Central and Eastern Europe and how US foreign policy should respond.
Jul 17 2011
First, let’s have a good laugh. “a competitive state player.” While this is an oxymoron, the state can’t be a ‘competitive’ player in a game when it is also the referee.
Jun 16 2011
Tweet The push for or against nuclear power has taken on a new dimension since the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan earlier this year. The German government decision to go it alone, without nuclear power, is influencing the debate in Europe. These were some parameters of the debate last night at the Common Sense Society …
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Mar 10 2013
Cut Orban off at the Soup Kitchen: Suspend EU Funds
Commentary
by Michael LaBelle
Tweet The suspension of EU structural funds to Hungary should happen on Monday, March 11, 2013. This is if the Hungarian Parliament approves the fourth round of revisions to the Hungarian Constitution. Actually, it should happen anyway, as there is no real difference in the state of affairs today and what it will be Monday. …
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Tags: EU, Hungary, institutions, Orban