Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Harper to summit: Capitalism works best

Capitalism, despite criticism, is still the best way to create prosperity - but it must be bolstered through proper regulations, Prime Minister Stephen Harper will tell the world's political and business elite at an exclusive summit in the Swiss Alps this week.

Harper is to deliver the keynote address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where his blunt words are bound to draw attention to Canada.

Among his messages: Europe must finally get its debt-ridden house in order, or the economic contagion could sweep around the world and cause a recession.

Canada is keen to "diversify" its trading relationships throughout the world - particularly in growing economies such as Asia - and is keen to seal a free trade deal this year with Europe.

The Canadian energy sector is looking for customers worldwide, not just in the United States.

Harper leaves tonight for the annual gathering, which dates back to 1971.

This year, 40 political leaders and more than 1,600 business leaders are among those who will attend. Amid tight security, the participants attend provocative policy discussions and spend hours in private talks.

Harper will be accompanied by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, International Trade Minister Ed Fast and Mark Carney, who is governor of the Bank of Canada and also heads the international Financial Stability Board.

Harper will also hold roundtable discussions with business leaders. He will be joined after his keynote speech Thurs-day by the summit's founder, Klaus Schwab, in a question and-answer session.

On Monday, Andrew MacDougall, Harper's associate director of communications, said the prime minister will call for "urgent action" to fix the eurozone.

"The European sovereign debt crisis remains an immediate and pressing problem," said MacDougall. "It threatens the strong, sustainable balanced growth that G20 countries have made their priority and risks bringing the world to another recession."

On the issue of trade, he said Harper will stress that Canada wants to diversify - particularly on energy.

Canada is in the midst of free trade talks with a range of markets - such as Europe and India - and announced in November its intention to seek membership in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Among those who will attend the summit are German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron, United States Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde and European Central Bank president Mario Draghi.

Members of the Occupy movement have set up igloos near the summit to protest the political and business elite who they say are discon-nected from citizens.

Last week, Schwab told journalists capitalism needs a complete overhaul.

"Capitalism in its current form, has no place in the world around us," he said.

"We have failed to learn the lessons of the financial crisis of 2009. A global transformation needs to take place urgently and it must begin by restoring a form of social responsibility."

MacDougall said Harper will speak about the need to develop strong financial standards for countries around the world.

Original Article
Source: Ottawa Citizen 
Author: Mark Kennedy 

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