Badm 380 Economist

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Title of Article

Date of Issue

Focal Country/

Countries

Focus of Article

(politics, economy, social, etc.)

Brief Synopsis of article (one paragraph)

Of all the things you learned after reading this article, what one thing stands out the most? Why?

(Show your thought process)

What is the most probing question you have about what you learned.

(Show your thought process)

1

Paradise Lost:

How Hurricane Irma will change the Caribbean

September 16, 2017

Caribbean Countries

(Cuba, Puerto Rico, etc)

Social,

Economy

The article summarizes the tremendous damages that Hurricane Irma did not only throughout its three-day track across the Caribbean but also the aftermath damages. The 185-mph storm left at least fifty islanders dead, thousands homeless, and wiped out entire settlements. It was stated by the Center of Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology that it will take nearly 13 billion dollars to rebuild the ruins in the Caribbean, since they are not looking to replace but rebuild stronger.

 The biggest takeaway I had from reading this article is how the storm greatly affects all the Caribbean Island’s GDP. It was stated in the article that the average Caribbean Island has a GDP of over 9,000 dollars per person; this classifies the islands as middle-to-high income countries. I learned that this GDP per person is highly, if not solely independent on the Caribbean’s tourism. The article illustrated this by showing when Ivan hit in 2005, all the island’s GDP fell on average by 24%. Since Irma caused exponentially more damage, the Caribbean Islands are expecting to see a much larger effect on GDP. Overall, I learned that Irma is going to destroy all the Caribbean Islands GDP for the time being.

The most probing question I had while reading this article was: Why start rebuilding now instead of simply replacing, like in the past? I began to wonder what caused government officials in the Caribbean Islands to want to be more prepared suddenly rather than quickly rebuild just to be knocked down again with the next big storm. I wonder if it had to do with short term thinking rather than long term thinking, as the article suggested and proved with St Martin. I also wonder if the government for the islands recognize that due to global warming storms are getting stronger than ever. Even though hurricanes existed, it is evident that they are getting stronger and can only do more damage; due to the facts, I wonder if this was part of the reasoning to rebuild stronger. Overall, I wish I could get into the heads of the Caribbean officials to see why they decided to rebuild stronger now than prior disastrous years.

2

Elections in New Zealand:

Jacindamania

September 16, 2017

New Zealand

Politics,

Economy

Jacinda Ardern was elected deputy leader of the Labour Party in March when her boss resigned. The press is calling her rule “Jacindamania’ because she is implementing a mood for change across New Zealand.  The country’s economy has been strengthening, but it had been hurting people because the wages are stagnant. Due to the strong economy, more immigrants are moving to New Zealand; this has been creating a housing crisis within New Zealand borders. Ardern wishes to ban immigrants in order to help current residents.

The most impressive item I learned from the article was the New Zealand has an immigrant issue. I had no idea how many people want to move to New Zealand; it personally has never crossed my mind. The article stated than there were 71,000 more people who entered the country last year than left. I was in shock by seeing how high the number of immigrants was for New Zealand. It makes sense that the Kiwis would return to their native land, since it is prospering. It also makes sense that MNCs would want to be entering New Zealand to conduct business and creating jobs as well due to the soaring economy. Basically, my biggest takeaway was amazement that New Zealand was doing so well economically it was wanting to turn future growth away. That is a rare occurrence in today’s society.

My biggest question when reading this article is about Arden’s choice to ban immigration. Is banning immigrants the best idea for New Zealand? Personally, I believe the country should not stop immigration.  I realize Ardern is panicked about how currently New Zealand is 60,000 homes short and that the government spends 100,00 a day supporting the homeless. I also understand how she could get frustrated that the American and Chinese business men and women are taking homes while leaving her own on the street. However, I simply believe this is not the right steps to take.  If Arden were to ban immigrants, it would greatly hurt the economy. The boom that is occurring due to increased businesses would no longer last if she banned immigration. Also by banning immigrants, she is banning more income that is going to be included in the society; all this extra income sources the money the government is spending every day. In my opinion, I question why this is her focus. Just thinking analytically, with a business mind, it makes sense to allow the economy to keep growing and to spend the money on building infrastructure like new homes. Also, she wants to bring in refugees, while deleting immigration, which makes no sense economically. Personally, I believe that is the steps Ardern should be heading towards with New Zealand. Due to this, the most probing question for me is why Arden is deciding to ban immigration.

3

Bello:

Punishing Nicolas Maduro

September 16, 2017

Venezuela

Politics

Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro has imposed a rigged constituent to replace all elected and opposition-controlled parliament. As part of the process, Maduro is jailing and killing any protestors that stand in his way. After four months, there have been over 120 deaths.  Today, the protests have stopped and Maduro is running Venezuela exactly how he wants to with no repercussions. The only opposition that Maduro is getting is from outside countries and the fact that Venezuela is starting to run low on money.

The most shocking thing I learned from reading this article was that other countries, such as Russia and China are aiding Venezuela occasionally. I honestly thought that Maduro was running the operation on his own and would crash and fail soon. Even though he has some outside support from China and Russia, I still doubt how long it will last. For example, China officials have started voicing concern over aiding Venezuela, but also like the fact that the ally is on the doorstep of the United States. Russia is lending Venezuela money in return for oil. In actuality, both countries only help Venezuela, because they both get something out of it. Overall, I was still very shocked to see such prominent countries in global politics aiding Venezuela, a politically unstable country.

 My biggest question after reading the article is one probably everyone has: How is Maduro getting away with this? I just don’t understand how he isn’t stopped. Obviously, he has had protestors since there have been over 120 deaths, but I imagine the wrong people are speaking up. Where are the elected government officials? I want to know why they haven’t all teamed up to take him down. I know some countries, such as the United States, originally tried to aid the government to overthrow Maduro. However, now most are no longer involved. For instance, the United States and Trump Administration has placed sanctions on 21 Venezuelan government officials and is no longer allowing business interactions, such as trade, with Venezuela. American visas are also being denied to Venezuelans. Not only is our government making these steps, but global Human Rights NGOs are placing sanctions on Venezuela as well. Hopefully all the sanctions will cause the Venezuelan government to choke, thus cutting off Maduro. I also believe all the sanctions will force Venezuelan government officials to do something.  The deputy national security advisor says they have plans to make the regime suffer and turn Venezuela back into a democracy, but I will believe it when I see it. I just ponder how much longer this can go on feasibly. When will it come to an end? I just can’t grasp how one individual is getting away with all his corrupt actions.

4

Politics in Saudi Arabia:

Saudi Arabia’s prickly prince

September 23, 2017

Saudi Arabia

Politics

Saudi Arabia, a complete monarchy that plans political moves for years in advance is shaken right now. Currently, the police have been arresting all different types of government officials the past two weeks; there does not seem to be an evident connection either. The arrests came shortly after a protest for more political freedom. Some officials believe that the arrests are trying to cleanse the government officials. There are even talks of King Salman abdicating his thrown. This summer, King Salman appointed his son, ‘MBS’, to be the predecessor to his throne.

The biggest thing I learned about Saudi Arabian politics is that King Salman’s son, MBS, will soon take the thrown and create a reform. I had always knew Saudi Arabia was a monarchy, but I did not realize how little freedom they actually had. Saudi Arabians do not have the normal life that we Americans have at all; there are little forms of entertainment and no political/religious freedom. When MBS takes over he is going to cut generous handouts off, stop the country’s economy dependency on oil, and sell the country’s energy giant. On another note, MBS also wants to loosen Saudi culture by allowing cinemas to enter back into the country. All of these possible reforms is infuriating certain Saudis, but he seems determined to take this step forward. I found this reform by MBS extremely interesting.

My biggest question after reading the article was about the true reasons for the political arrests.  Do the arrests have anything to do with the fact the MBS will soon take the thrown and impose a reform on the country? I know some of the government officials thought it was a possible cleanse against the current government. I really start to question that too and if there is a complicated system behind who they actually are arresting. I wonder if they are arresting people to set a tone and show they must be ready to adapt. Although this is a stretch, I definitely think it is a possibility. I also think the arrests have something to do with the fact that people are protesting for more political freedom for sure. I think it is ironic too that when MBS takes over there will be more individual freedom. Overall, the whole secretive, and unrelated arrests confuse me. However, I just want to know what the underlying reason behind them is.

5

Politics of Peru:

Ministerial Massacre

September 23, 2017

Peru

Politics

Pedro Kuczynski has been the President of Peru for a little over a year, but had already lost or reassigned 15 ministers. Most recently, the prime minister resigned from underneath him. When the prime minister, who was also the finance minister, resigned, the rest of the 19 members in Kuczynski’s cabinet resigned as well. Now, the President looks like a sitting duck to many Peruvians.

I learned that the problem with politics lies with the fact that the country is much divided between two parties. Kuczynski narrowly won the popular election by beating out Ms. Fujimori, the previous President’s daughter.  President Kuczynski use to work at the World Bank and his primary goals are to increase the labor force and drive the economy. I thought it was so interesting to see a member from the World Bank go from that position into running a country; I thought it was weird he wasn’t as trusted. However, Ms Fujimori was trusted. Ms Fujimori’s party believes that the current President is too liberal, pro-abortion, too gay-friendly, and pays no attention to people outside Lima. Since 71 of the 130 seats in Congress are of these beliefs, it is causing a hard time for President Kuczynski. Overall, this huge split that is causing the President his problems is the main thing I learned.

Is there anything that President Kuczynski can do to better his position within Peru? This question is by far the biggest probing question for me. I just do not see how he can overcome this completely on his own; he is going to need to receive support from the opposition somehow. I do know the article stated that Kuczynski recently just promoted Mercedes Aroaz to be the new prime minister, and he is greatly liked. I am hoping that this move will help him.  By the looks of it, the new appointment did seem to help as Ms Fujimori even showed support and stated it was time to make things right. I still do not know if only this one move can better his position with Peru as a whole. I think the President should still look into more ways to make the President look more than a sitting duck to all of the Peruvians. How he can accomplish this is my biggest question, and I want to see the next moves he makes.