……and even probably many of us all and perhaps of some of society in general…Christine Desan in discussing her book said she initially “majored in religion and sociology of religion”. The book itself ‘Making Money: Coin, Currency, and the Coming of Capitalism’ is unfortunately expensive to buy but at least it is cheaper as a… Read more
Category:
Economics
Economics Theory
Promissory notes, Treasury notes and Bank notes
In Felix Martin’s Book ‘Money the Unauthorised Biography’ he quotes this wonderful fact: In 1702, just six years after the foundation of the Bank of England, in Clarke v, Martin, the Chief Justice described the still very new ‘promissory notes’ as ‘a new sort of specialty unknown to the Common Law’ and ‘invented in Lombard… Read more
What is democratic government for?
I liked this from Cold War Steve: But I was less keen on this: Certainly I sort of appreciate Eustice’s direct response – and I also know that fishermen generally and especially in the north east of Scotland were in favour of Brexit – but what he ought to ask himself, Cornish farmer that he… Read more
Groundhog day or excellent advice?
If only government would listen for just one and a quarter minutes… It is remarkable (to me at least) how the government keeps trying to kickstart the economy at every opportunity – and which simply results in another lockdown principally because there is no functioning test trace and isolate system. And it happens again and… Read more
Brexit keeps on giving
According to the Times The EU is prepared to ease post-Brexit border friction if Britain drops its plan to create a “Singapore on the Thames”, according to senior diplomatic sources. So the predictions that Brexit discussions would be continuous seem, just 21 days in, already to be correct. Brexit will never be ‘done’ although in… Read more
This is what ‘prospering mightily’ actually looks like
For a few cheese exports – something I used to do: Austria– Meat, Cheese and foodstuffs containing animal ingredients, fish and fish products are prohibited.Belgium– Anything that requires veterinary control is prohibited therefore you cannot send here.Bulgaria– Can be shipped but additional Analysis and Quality Certificates required for customs.Croatia– Any shipment containing animal products are… Read more
Welcome to Vassaldom
These remarkable pictures are of Europe’s biggest fish market, Peterhead. Just compare with its more usual activity shown on their website here. This lack of life is all caused of course by the mountain of red tape Brexiters have imposed on the country, rendering swift fresh food distribution to European markets virtually impossible. The emptiness… Read more
The EU/GB agreement may not be approved before April – or ever…
Tony Connolly of the Irish Television network RTE has disclosed that the EU member states want to extend the Brexit agreement deadline from the end of February to some time in April. This could be of interest to Johnson, already seemingly throwing his weight around with regard to labour and tax laws, which he seems… Read more
‘Global Britain’ turns out to shrink the UK
Although I enjoyed this, it comes amid worrying news that Palletways has joined DPD and DB Schenker in suspending shipments between the UK and the EU (including Ireland). It particularly hits home for me because I was such a regular customer of Palletways… Much more of this and Labour will win the next election –… Read more
‘Barefoot economics’
Was the intriguing summary of the ideas of a Chilean economist, Manfred Max-Neef, who I discover, sadly died in 2019. Our government could – should – learn a lot from these – particularly his fundamental value principle: The principles, you know, of an economics which should be are based in five postulates and one fundamental… Read more