If ever I run a discussion relating to measuring GDP again - I'm going to use an article which was in the Sunday Age this week. It linked to the selling of infant milk formula to China, moving on to talking about what happens to national production measures for a nation if infant milk formula is substituted for breast milk. The results in terms of imputed value of breast milk were quite staggering.... Here's the link to the article http://www.theage.com.au/comment/gina-rineharts-dairy-investment-contrasts-with-undervalued-breast-milk-20141114-11mmjf.html . I've also made a printfriendly pdf of it just in case it isn't accessible on the net.
I decided to Google search 'Comparative Economic Systems' to see what might be available at an academic level to update me - despite a continuing interest in this area as a teacher and as part of professional development and lifelong learning - I need to apply what I hope is a fertile and flexible learning base and a still inquiring mind to new analyses and developments in theory.
I found a course outline (extremely full, almost a course in itself, with links to extended reading) in Comparative Economic Systems run by Professor Gabriel, along with a website with lots of linked references and more. A link to work from - https://www.mtholyoke.edu/courses/sgabriel/321.htm . Thought provoking articles appeared over the week related to whether and how issues of inclusiveness and climate change might be incorporated as part of the G20 summit in Brisbane.
Tim Costello, chairperson of the C20 and Cassandra Goldie from ACOSS, both feature in the video above. I found an article about the 'C20' meeting which 'got me interested' and am waiting on papers from the Inclusive Growth conference in Melbourne last week to appear on their website. I got a lot out of reading an article by Gareth Hutchins, stimulated by a report which 'landed on my table'--Gareth's article was titled 'Tony Abbot's G20 - don't mention the word inequality'. http://www.theage.com.au/business/g20/tony-abbotts-g20-dont-mention-the-word-inequality-20141111-11ke8l.html Tanya Pliberseck... spoke at the McKell Institute on Thursday 13 November on inclusive growth--http://tanyaplibersek.com/2014/11/mckell-institute-address-inclusive-growth/ - I think spending time reading this article would take me someway into the world of Tanya and her team as they work to develop a clear understanding of the nature of 'inclusive growth' prior to disseminating it... From the Economist today (15 Nov 14)
"Not many people like bankers. And when governments and central banks are forced to step in to rescue the titans of finance, the idea of a free market also goes out the window. A system that privatises profits and nationalises losses is impossible to justify. Perhaps this is why capitalism is so unloved at the moment. Even in America, capitalism's spiritual home, a recent survey found that just 54% had a positive view of the term. But somehow, capitalism must be rescued from the bankers.... http://econ.st/1EL2lCr?fsrc=scn/fb/te/pe/ed/allitneedsislove I'm currently reading Clare Wright's 'The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka' for book group....there is a 'social economics', economic history feel to it so it does have a place on this website.
One of my first realisations was that through this book Clare Wright has provided me with a enrich context in which to understand the stories I've come across in developing family trees. Goldfields stories have arisen in the 1850's and '60's in Sunbury, Kyneton, Bendigo in a number of families in which it was clear that women were present. I once owned a little single fronted terrace in Eyre Street, Ballarat, next to a tiny historic hotel. Sadly this little hotel was pulled down to be replaced by two units in 1997--I complained, to no avail. I often visited clients living in old miner's cottages in the mullock hill areas on the road out to Buninyong ...when visiting the Ballarat Art Gallery I would always spend time in front of the Eureka Flag. I had visited, and often passed by the Eureka Stockade park, and from time to time visited Sovereign Hill with its representations of tent life during the gold rushes.... I owned a miner's cottage in Daylesford for over 20 years, and my friends Mary and Leon lived on a Mullock Heap area on the road to Jubilee Lake...so I guess I'd synthesized some 'dreaming' type awareness of life in the goldfields as a base on which to continue reading. It was clear from the early chapters that it was going to be inclusive of both women and men, also reflected in this review on the Drum website - http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-30/perkins-review-the-forgotten-rebels-of-eureka/5421162 - is that it is inclusive of both women and men... it is not attempting to write anyone out of history... Then there were links to my own reading, interests, as with the mention of Harriet Martineau and the role of Caroline Chisholm. It also made me think of the book written by Ray and Richard Beckett .... Also contextualising my own family history - I found that the chapter focusing on ship life made me think about family experiences as various family branches migrated to Australia, something which had been a learning need; and also made me think of the role of my great, great grandfather as a ship's captain, an 'East India' man, and my great grand uncle Henry Taylor as pilot in Port Phillip - both now buried at Queenscliff/Port Arlington. An interesting perspective from The Drum on-line today from Debbie Millane, who believes our economic policies are stuck in old Australia. It's worth reading as it encapsulates a range of changes over time which mean that old policy mixes aren't going to improve outcomes...
Certainly we grew up understanding that if we at least owned our own home, we would be able to exist on a pension, that the consequences of not doing so would make being on a pension more akin to penury... Nanna and Poppa owned their own home, Mum and Dad were relatively close to doing so on a low interest war service home when Dad died and Mum was jubilant when she paid the last instalment... and I now have an encumbrance free land title ... though should have had this year ago. It's still hard coping on a pension - and I even have a small super pension, although again I should have had much more. Not to have this capacity is going to be difficult for young people... although some will clearly be advantaged as beneficiaries of those who have fared extra well in the widening of the income inequality gap. A Guardian article which would be terrific as a resource in a discussion in economic philosophies and income inequality.... While arguing his solutions are wrong, this article suggests it's a good sign when even Rupert Murdoch is worried about inequality ...
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This blog reflects issues and events which interest me, the sources which help in my continuing quest for 'lifelong learning' about economic and social issues and education.
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