***** "I am sorry but you already live in this world!" No we don't. Although to some people it may appear so. The food the Greeks ate and goods they consumed (for the money we gave them) were not created out of thin air.
Such as? All the titles in the world won't translate into good policy by themselves, you know. Up until now this man has a lot of fun playing politician and holding lengthy speeches where he elaborately presents the views that any left-winger with or without a grade in economics repeats ad nauseam already. This is fan-service, not any breakthrough policy. And "his track record in the practical field" has little to do with the challenges at hand. He isn't coordinating some powerful world-wide company, he has to deal with a national economy caught in a giant, suffocating clusterfuck of debt and tax evasion.
He is determined to help in the dissemination of ideas and suggestions concerning the way we interpret and act upon our mad, sad and bewildering post-2008 era.
I have a lot of respect that he, as a European, admits that Europe has made terrible mistakes in the past, and want to own these mistakes by claiming responsibility for them. I've always found it strange that Europe is always held up as a standard of equality and fairness, when its record over the last century has been so shockingly poor. I feel that hard lessons have been learned, and I respect that tremendously. This is one of the reasons I am so shocked when I read comments talking about "lazy Greeks". Is this not another face of fascism?
"This is one of the reasons I am so shocked when I read comments talking about "lazy Greeks". Is this not another face of fascism?" Please don't be throwing out words like fascism like you don't know what they mean. Accusing the Greeks of being lazy is not fascism, it's simply having prejudices with no foundation in reality. The same, by the way, is true when Germans are portrayed as blood-thirsty Nazis who are out for Greece's blood.
getreal155 So far he hasn`t proven himself :-( - Didn't live up to his promises to greeks nor the EU - He has lied (#finger) - The unlucky magazine photos in Paris Match (#litosvios)
***** Fact is that greece went bankrupt. The EU paid the debt for greece and now they don't pay back but instead greece is a very cocky parasite. Saddest fact of all is that Greece was not hit by a tsunami or an earthquake - it was hit by its on citizens! Stop putting the greek self-esteem on this smooth-talkers shoulders. Because whatever he tells you, it ,may or may not be correct.
Intellectual differences? LOL You have a low self-esteem because of greece being a lazy and cocky country. Greece: -1 Rest of world: +1 Even turkey laughs about you! Cry me a river! Haha
Varoufakis is very right,hat's off to his knowledge of economics,courage and command of the english language,he is Now one of the few new politicians(he was not a politic up to now after the last elections in Greece) that speaks in this manner and so far from what he sais and does,he is really one of the very few public figures, that tells things how they really are,yes his speech can be a bit graphical at times, but it totally makes sense is scientific and most of all is very Honest. I hope more people see the truth of what he says and wil syntax with him,to make new reforms that benifit all the european family people Greece and everyone else as well
Debt cancellation seems ok to me, but backing off from austerity? If Syriza wants to re-hire public servants, increase pensions etc ...and operate at a deficit ...where will that money come from? Greece, France, Spain etc ...they all need to become more competitive, they need to create jobs that generate wealth not consume it.
Well, to back off of austerity would mean to give money to the citizens. Thus the citizens have more money to spend and thus, there is a better flow of cash. That's the logic as I understand it at least. That is why Greece asks for a loosening up of some the whole debt business.
If we don't back off from austerity, this is only going to get worse and worse. Public servants are NEEDED in some positions, there are many areas of the public sector that are seriously under seated (for example schools and hospitals are in a very bad position in our country). My belief is that the public sector needs a total overhaul, since there are many areas heavily underseated in very critical positions, and other areas heavily overseated (like government seats, syriza seems to understand this so far, but ask me again in a few weeks). The amount of public servants is not the problem and never was, it just needs work to be competitive. Plus, i am not an economist, but from a few economics i saw in college as a side lesson, i remember that in times of crisis, public sector needs to push money in the market so that economy will flow (and taxes will come flowing again).
Actually, the want to increase the minimum wage to 751euro per month. First of all, it is very difficult to make ends meet with that kind of money but even so, it's better than 480euro per month which is what most people are making now. And if you think about it, that extra 250euro per month, is just going to be spent and go back into the economy thru taxes so, it's actually a very smart move. The pensions raise as well, are for people who have a pension under 500 euro per month. As for re-hiring public servants, is it better for them to be on the streets?
Haris Manou 'Fed and the rest of the world' The 'rest of the world' has had high growth from a low base. They do not have the bloated public sectors and social programs that have emerged from decades of borrow and spend in Europe. What they do have are dynamic economies and competitive labour and that is what Europe as a whole needs to recapture. The US is a special case as the World's major reserve currency. I could go on about them, but time precludes that. Greece may well need some stimulus such as the US [and UK] has provided. But it has to go hand in hand with economic reform, or Greece will just end up where it started. When entrepreneurs [investment money] feel confident in the Greek workforce, in the rule of law, in the tax system. They will invest and jobs will come. Greece can't just go back to inventing public sector jobs. I say again where will the money come from?
Im greek but thats completely irellevant when i say that this man is an unbelievably well educated man with disarming knowledge, logic and thought proccess. Really i dont know anybody in my country that spoke genuinely good of a politician before Mr. Varoufakis. Yanis i salute you, you give the country small wins everytime you speak and analyse a terrible socioeconomic situation, and nobody can refute those arguments. Getting to the truth about the European Union and previous Greek governments is win enough for me. And at last, people in Europe want to be united and governments should let them for a change. People have no differences, governments make them think they do.
He sounds to me more European than I initially thought. I don't agree with him in all his views but I can follow his logic at least... and I was surprised to witness that the Professor and now Ministry of Finance in the Hellenic Republic sounds to have a vision of Europe... Anyway he and the new elected Gouvernement in Greece will be judged on what they will succeed and not about what the talk in amphitheatres...
The basic problem was legislative micromanagement, combined with an unworking compromise. And insistence that we follow the resulting rules to the letter, without allowing some flexibility to those to whom we delegated the task to implement them. And of course the rules never envisiged something like an economic crisis happening. Now we're in classic tragedy: hubris leading to crisis. And we can only avoid downfall if we dare to trust each other. But crisis is eating at our mutual trust.
If indeed he is trying to do today that supports here, I understand why there is so much resistance in his plans. It is a big step, such reforms, for the Greek government, the European Union and perhaps the world economy in general. And from my experience I understand that feeling of futility, endeavor to offer something better (according to your university knowledge and your research findings) but to no avail. From the simplest to the most complex issues to find resistance and derision. Why? No one can answer. Science is not wrong (while some things are useful) - science is always right, but not perfect. Mr. Varoufakis, without wishing to belittle any political person, did not entered politics (and became a minister) to make some impression, but rather to apply science. This is my humble view. This is also seen from the discussions (old and new) that makes publicly. Whether this theory is sustainable and in the end beneficial is another story ... only if applied we will find out.
Austerity is a bad thing for europe right now. You can't cut public spending and expect the economy to grow in the same time, while the private sector is is deleveraging. So, if growth is the mission, someone has to spend money, and this time it is the public sector. And not to mention the social costs that come with austerity policy.
Too much reliance on analogies, and metaphors in nearly every sentence leaves one with nothing but a vague feeling. Some concrete analysis might have made his points more accessible and convincing..
I doubt there are that many valuable points in his speech. He's body language reminds more of a Texan rodeo cowboy than a thoughtful and rational thinker. BTW what do cowboys rodeo for? Fame, money, the kick, the chicks?
Rostislav Svoboda Oh I thoroughly support his point of view. Perhaps he would explain himself more clearly to an audience of economists or financiers. It is the attempt to paint a picture that makes me feel uh covered in paint
Paul Hirsh We need to change something. I agree on that point. But talking like that in front of a TEDx audience is simply not appropriate. Greece needs someone like Merkel. Definitely not a narcissist like Varoufakis.
Prof yanis is one of the most perceptive minds in Europe today . We must not allow the little minds to dictate the terms for the maturation of coherent and noble Europe. As i see it ,it would ma ke sense to dismantle our dysfunctional nation states which only thrived on the construction and exploitation of empires, and return to a more medieval ,regional model of European divisions that would make up for the democratic deficits which pervade the continent. Then we could have them properly represented with powers of subsidiarity at the higher federal level. No more germanys, no more England's, no more Spain's etc,but burgundy,basque,Scotland, and even metropolitan cities many of which presently dominate and distort their nations. We can run Europe wide football. Why not regions? The present economic and nationalistic mess cannot continue, otherwise we face disintegration,hyper inflation and the rise of fascism. And it won't be greeces fauult. Does Germany have the courage to move away from a fixation with its newly won United self image? Does Dr merkels greatness reach that far?
I never voted for the dissolution of Greece! As a Greek, I believe that I am entitled to chose between rudimentary economic stability with tolerable uneventful subsistence, and having my own country!
The definition of the ideal minister. Greetings from Eurasian Union. We are going to build monetary union too, so now we see that it's very difficult to make it right.
Also jetzt haben wir einfach alles von unserem lieben Varoufakis gehört. Nehmt einfach schön weiter, während ihr gleichzeitig kritisiert und Geschichte zu eurer Güte ausnutzt; in dem Fall dieses Videos durch Rauchgranaten und Ablenkungen.
hey! you want all europeans to be the F nazi germans slaves. Where Hitler failed, scrubble is trying to succeed? is that what you're saying? talk about the F master race???
four years of this conference, and today the terms of a 2015 outbreak is giving bienen be retrievable if their individual economies, "much to do little willingness to understand"
So, if Greece does cave in? What plans, strategies in the EU coming up with to avert a similar situation in the future? Something. Anything. (sound of crickets)
I am dying of jealousy. I wish my country can have such a leader.
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benjo moreno Uhm, you're aware that he destroyed Greece's chance to avoid bankruptcy, wasted all political goodwill, bankrupted Greece, and now he has abandoned his post by resigning now that he's finding out that his extreme-left dogma doesn't work in reality? As leaders go, Varoufakis has shown that he's about as incompetent as a person can possibly get.
Greece is already bankrupt before the party his in came to office. The country's net dept was 125% of its GDP in 2010 and with the help of the world bank's so called 'austerity', it now looms to 180%. Is this the political Goodwill are you talking about? An another austerity? - please use a bit of common sense, though it is not common thought. On the reason why he resigned from office, it is just POLITICS 101.
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benjo moreno You've exactly said it. While Varoufakis was busy destroying any goodwill and not making the necessary reforms, the debt ratio increased by nearly 60% in a year. As leaders go, that makes Varoufakis among the most incompetent ever. He's literally done nothing positive. A competent leader would have: -Urgently reformed pensions so Greeks, like nearly all Europeans, get to retire at 67 and often work untill then. Now they retire from age 50, and by 60 nearly nobody works any longer. -Cut military expenditures by hundreds of millions at least. -Abolished the special tax advantages for farmers, through which Greece currently loses billions a year -Instantly abolish diesel and oil subsidies. These are all simple and quick measures that could've been implemented easily. Better yet, the Eurogroup handed Varoufakis ready-made plans for reform that he could've just adopted without study on his part. Yet Varoufakis was even too incompetent to do the work others had prepared for him. He can't even think for himself, he's even too incompetent to carry out plans where others have already done the thinking work for him.
What are you talking about? The Greek People NOW have been suffering so much. To abolish the special tax for farmers in this trying times, and also what? the subsidies abolition of diesel and oil is quite frankly a crazy proposition? (only stupid's will agree as such).The Greeks now has less purchasing power and Yanis as a REAL ECONOMIST knew that by implementing such austerities will only bring much more suffering to the people. Tsipras and company did the right thing to stand their ground and rallied the people for their dignity.
Leave it to the Greeks to cite history: "...unscrupulous bankers, inane politicians, conniving entrepreneurs, cynical academics and uncritical citizens..." Sounds like every ancient civilization at it's peak, or most HBO series today... "...the medical profession only recently managed to save more people than it kills... up until the 1920s the disease was preferable to the cure." At least we're batting over .500 now... even if iatrogenic causes are still the number one, most common killer today... See Yanis, always a silver lining if you look for it... Opa!
Adding to the scope of what he is saying... here is how poverty is created: www.fastcoexist.com/3041841/change-generation/4-things-you-probably-know-about-poverty-that-bill-and-melinda-gates-dont
Joe Brewer #1 Eu didn't impose austerity to stabilize or help the economy - they demanded for Greece to learn to live by its budget. Greece has a yearly budget deficit of more than 3% since decades, often times between 7-18%. That means it generally spends far more than it earns even outside of loans and debts - it is unable to balance a budget which led to its humongous debts. Greece was supposed to show they can balance their budget for several years with help to sustain their debt, only after they have proven that they would get additional money for economical help and debt reduction beyond sustaining it. Giving them money before they can properly manage their budget is a complete waste of resources and wouldn't change a thing about how they handle it - it would be like shovelling money into a dark bottomless hole. The mistakes in that article are astonishing for people who claim to be Professor's of Economics.
A demagogue /ˈdɛməɡɒɡ/ (from French "demagogue", derived in turn from the Greek "demos" = people/folk and the verb "ago" = carry/manipulate thus "people's manipulator") or rabble-rouser is a political leader in a democracy who appeals to the emotions, fears, prejudices, and ignorance of the lower classes in order to gain power and promote political motives.
Well, very clever of you to write a definition there. Would you care to enlighten us plebs with the real meaning of what you are saying? And, it is good practise to cite your source, where's this from? The Dictionary of Trolls?
The problems of EU are not going to be solved by creating more institutions, papers, debates! This is the very thing that got them into crisis. Many people dedicate their time and efforts into playing with papers, visiting other "leaders" and having nice chats. The rest of people (woking class if you will) is paying for that. The only solution is to REDUCE bureaucracy to minimum, reduce taxation and LET people WORK for themselves instead of politicians. Even Yanis admits that higher VAT (more money in public sector, and less money in private sector) is causing lack of demand -> lack of employment and more crisis.
He was playing devil's advocate. Reforming Greek pharmaceutical and taxi sectors is not going to solve Greece's problems. When you're in a monetary union, by definition some surplus distribution is required. Not everyone can be an exporter. What kind of economic theory? Basic economic theory.
A worker earns €80 per week. He's told by his Government that a private investor had to be bailed out and the burden of paying back this debt now falls on his shoulders.:€100 per week with an interest rate of 20% per week. A foreign investor, having made a deal with his government says we'll lend you the €100 per week @ 30% interest per week. Now, even though the country is in a recession,austerity measures have been applied, such that factories and businesses are closing, wages are being cut, public services are cut, so there is no prospect for that worker improving his financial condition, he has to accept that it is for the good of the country that he knuckle down and pay what is owed even though it was never his debt in the first place. What is the solution to this, well, it's obvious isn't it: it's the worker's fault! It's 'well known' that workers from that country are lazy and corrupt.They need to understand that debts must be paid so stop whining and pay what you owe, and, have you heard about the great pensions they have and how early they can retire!!?.. This worker, and his type, is nothing but a sponger; living off the money we have lent him; looking for ways to avoid paying what he owes.
“cross-currency swap”-a complicated transaction in which Greece’s foreign-currency debt was converted into a domestic-currency obligation using a fictitious market exchange rate. How is this possible...????
we have no need of a united Europe from the euro, but we have the need for all member countries do the best to fight against the real problems which attack our economies, such as waste, immigration, corruption, and social inequality, where you can take the money? very simply by selling the state-owned companies, and then create new ones through the process of national currency
It seems to me that the European Union was just fine until the institution of the Euro currency.. Was the Euro created on the same model of the Federal Reserve? A private bank that loans money out of thin air and charges interest requiring more and more debt..
The euro has been a flawed and dangerous concept since its inception. Eurozone is anything but an optimal environment for a currency union: separate languages, business cycles, fiscal systems, financial cultures, levels of development etc. Without euro neither Greece (exploding public debt) nor Spain (real estate frenzy) could fall in such deep troubles. EBC is governed by heads of national central banks of member nations (19) + members of its executive board (2+4, nominated by agreement between heads of governments). Both euro and dollar are fiat currencies. What's wrong with creating money "out of thin air"?
Well, I didn't see the whole video, he's probably a genious, but who cares !! Europe (ie Germany) won't pay for Greece's mistakes because it's simply unfair (I'm not german btw). So stop whining and blaming others for shit your own government did. You are lucky you're part of a great family that is ready to help you, you just have to make real efforts showing that you deserve their help and that you worth the time they are wasting. Taking hard and harsh decisions has never been easy, but it's a must for a bright future. With all my love
I've got an impression Mr. Varoufakis likes his metaphors so much that he fails to expand his main points. This talk could be accomplished within 2 minutes. Very modest indeed.
he proposes radical changes that are impossible to implement within the forseeable future. His proposition might make sense from an economic perspective, but the european society is not ready for such a change (as many commentors have proven with their very aggressive comments).
Well, the only solution "to prevent this" is Paradism . A world without money and without work. And we can do it for the well being of everybody (Paradism ORG)
He just gave a 13 minute lecture on TEDx and had very little of any use to put forward. Ideological bias is the only thing that moves people like mr Varoufakis to places of prominence.
13:11 man with the blue shirt on the left says it all.. instead of focusing on real problems he was more concerned on a general idea of how to rebuilt Europe.
I have to admit that he greatly overestimates the intelligence of a part of his audience. No wonder why some people get so frustrated every time he speaks.
His great plan ECB telling states how to spend, EFSF propping euro banks up and European Investment Bank coordinating state-led investments on the eurozone.
Why does it matter? Just change it in your mind: "as it is commonly believed that Gandhi said,." Works even better! Who cares who said it? It'd be a good answer, even if Hitler said it. Its a homage to Gandhi that it is attributed to him.
Eris K This presentation was set out in a well ordered and argued manner, consistent with Varoufakis position as a leading economist at that time. He still stands today as the most authoritative advocate for change in the EU and Eurozone. The criminal bankers rely upon people like Eris K (who are most likely either stupid, ignorant, or stoned) to support their policies. I have said before in other forums that the situation the Greeks now find themselves in, is actually a German problem caused by their slavish adherence to the support of a federalist Europe agenda, which was the real reason the Greeks were let in the Eurozone in the first instance. Yes the Greeks fiddled the books to get entry, (with the connivance of Goldman Sachs), but the Due Diligence exercise was either not done, improperly done, or the reports ignored. Therefore...caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) applies, and the Germans should be the ones forgiving the debt in its entirety.
....speaking of a new europe makes sense - but not if you have no allies that back up your plans. Politics is to be compared with 3 times marathon running and not a 400 m dash which Varoufakis did. Patience, diplomacy, allies, good ideas and solid planning is much more nececarry than such empty emotional promises Syriza gave out as ... almost easily makable. When the result is 18 to 1 one should give in and come up with plan B - but there wasn't one.
The goal of this talk was to continue to air the concept of the real 'New Jerusalem' project and little more. Israel will indeed come to be part of the EU, likely as part of a peace treaty with the Palestinians. All will rejoice and soon after that Jerusalem will indeed become the New Jerusalem, the New Brussels. Bless them for they know exactly what they are doing. There's is a fantasy being turned into a reality. Pity the human race can't move on from their ancient yearnings to call God to Power.
stevo728822 since I've been accused of doing just that, I might as well let you know that maybe you're the problematic in this case (no offense, just a hypothesis :p no, seriously). He's using common sense (and is "generally speaking" all the time) but only a few possess that. The rest deem what they hear as "theoretical bullshit", which might be true to an extent because in practice a lot of unexpected factors come into play (since we choose to make things more and more complicated in this current corrupted system -- well, yh, it seems like any system seems ineffective in controlling greed/hate, not just this one), but I know exactly why he means and why he does that, when he does it, of course. I mean, I don't believe he's as vague as one might think.
yanis explains well why why eu doesn't work, but insists on staying in it. i find that inconsistent. he can not bring democracy to greece, but says, "let's do it in europe." i am ever less impressed.
European Union is unworkable. it's the cousin of the Soviet Union. But at least in the Soviet Union there was more of a union. This guy is right. European countries should get their houses in order before any wild federalization schemes are involved. This guy is one of the few European govt. officials who's awake. He knows Greece cannot run on a credit card. The crash of 2008 exposed serious weaknesses in the EU system. And in another interview, he names the problem with Greece, that it's not tax evasion that plagues Greece, it's tax exemption for the rich and well-connected. It's good to see that he doesn't buy the bankers' rubbish and has the courage to say and do what's right.
"well whatever he wrote, became reallity" Yes, Marx and his kindred thinkers have in fact repeatedly proven their ability to foresee Capitalist crises. Not only capitalist crises, but what will come after the final crisis of capitalism.
Good luck greece, you give hope to the world, standing up against the greedy, the corrupt, and the scum of this earth.
Thank you, it's the first time we have see a bit of hope after many many years.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!!!
***** Only two members of Siriza come from PASOK
***** Yea right! Let's create a world where you can eat more than you put on the table! Death to numbers! By starvation!
***** "I am sorry but you already live in this world!" No we don't. Although to some people it may appear so. The food the Greeks ate and goods they consumed (for the money we gave them) were not created out of thin air.
This man is a brilliant economist, a humanist and a man with passion and foresight - I wish I could say the same for the rest of the EU.
What in this video has you convinced he was a great economist or a great anything other than a know-it-all?
His academic credentials in forward thinking strategic economics is enough, let alone his proposal and general track record in the practical field.
Such as? All the titles in the world won't translate into good policy by themselves, you know. Up until now this man has a lot of fun playing politician and holding lengthy speeches where he elaborately presents the views that any left-winger with or without a grade in economics repeats ad nauseam already. This is fan-service, not any breakthrough policy. And "his track record in the practical field" has little to do with the challenges at hand. He isn't coordinating some powerful world-wide company, he has to deal with a national economy caught in a giant, suffocating clusterfuck of debt and tax evasion.
Astma Grooved arxipseftis!!!
Astma Grooved Δεν είναι ψεύτης. Η Ελλάδα έχει δηλώσει ψέματα.
Thank you Professor Varoufakis, You're a rare but valuable light on the end of the tunnel. I wish you all the best.
He is determined to help in the dissemination of ideas and suggestions concerning the way we interpret and act upon our mad, sad and bewildering post-2008 era.
I have a lot of respect that he, as a European, admits that Europe has made terrible mistakes in the past, and want to own these mistakes by claiming responsibility for them. I've always found it strange that Europe is always held up as a standard of equality and fairness, when its record over the last century has been so shockingly poor. I feel that hard lessons have been learned, and I respect that tremendously. This is one of the reasons I am so shocked when I read comments talking about "lazy Greeks". Is this not another face of fascism?
"This is one of the reasons I am so shocked when I read comments talking about "lazy Greeks". Is this not another face of fascism?"
Please don't be throwing out words like fascism like you don't know what they mean. Accusing the Greeks of being lazy is not fascism, it's simply having prejudices with no foundation in reality.
The same, by the way, is true when Germans are portrayed as blood-thirsty Nazis who are out for Greece's blood.
antred11 Lazy no, rotten-to-the-core corrupt yes.
Lets hope that this true hero will get the chance to fulfill his mission.
getreal155
So far he hasn`t proven himself :-(
- Didn't live up to his promises to greeks nor the EU
- He has lied (#finger)
- The unlucky magazine photos in Paris Match (#litosvios)
*****
Fact is that greece went bankrupt.
The EU paid the debt for greece and now they don't pay back but instead greece is a very cocky parasite.
Saddest fact of all is that Greece was not hit by a tsunami or an earthquake - it was hit by its on citizens!
Stop putting the greek self-esteem on this smooth-talkers shoulders.
Because whatever he tells you, it ,may or may not be correct.
***** You seem to have trouble hearing the truth. Greeks are a disgrace!!
Intellectual differences? LOL
You have a low self-esteem because of greece being a lazy and cocky country.
Greece: -1
Rest of world: +1
Even turkey laughs about you!
Cry me a river! Haha
BlammoGer ???"?? wtf dude...
I understand why this man is such a rock star in Europe. GO GREECE!
Direction abyss
Varoufakis is very right,hat's off to his knowledge of economics,courage and command of the english language,he is Now one of the few new politicians(he was not a politic up to now after the last elections in Greece) that speaks in this manner and so far from what he sais and does,he is really one of the very few public figures, that tells things how they really are,yes his speech can be a bit graphical at times, but it totally makes sense is scientific and most of all is very Honest.
I hope more people see the truth of what he says and wil syntax with him,to make new reforms that benifit all the european family people Greece and everyone else as well
A true visionary, absolutely compelling
Varoufakis is BRILLIANT! GO Yanis, GO!
Debt cancellation seems ok to me, but backing off from austerity?
If Syriza wants to re-hire public servants, increase pensions etc ...and operate at a deficit ...where will that money come from?
Greece, France, Spain etc ...they all need to become more competitive, they need to create jobs that generate wealth not consume it.
Well, to back off of austerity would mean to give money to the citizens. Thus the citizens have more money to spend and thus, there is a better flow of cash.
That's the logic as I understand it at least. That is why Greece asks for a loosening up of some the whole debt business.
If we don't back off from austerity, this is only going to get worse and worse. Public servants are NEEDED in some positions, there are many areas of the public sector that are seriously under seated (for example schools and hospitals are in a very bad position in our country). My belief is that the public sector needs a total overhaul, since there are many areas heavily underseated in very critical positions, and other areas heavily overseated (like government seats, syriza seems to understand this so far, but ask me again in a few weeks). The amount of public servants is not the problem and never was, it just needs work to be competitive. Plus, i am not an economist, but from a few economics i saw in college as a side lesson, i remember that in times of crisis, public sector needs to push money in the market so that economy will flow (and taxes will come flowing again).
Actually, the want to increase the minimum wage to 751euro per month. First of all, it is very difficult to make ends meet with that kind of money but even so, it's better than 480euro per month which is what most people are making now. And if you think about it, that extra 250euro per month, is just going to be spent and go back into the economy thru taxes so, it's actually a very smart move. The pensions raise as well, are for people who have a pension under 500 euro per month.
As for re-hiring public servants, is it better for them to be on the streets?
Where will the money come from to create and sustain these public sector jobs and pay rises?
Haris Manou
'Fed and the rest of the world'
The 'rest of the world' has had high growth from a low base. They do not have the bloated public sectors and social programs that have emerged from decades of borrow and spend in Europe. What they do have are dynamic economies and competitive labour and that is what Europe as a whole needs to recapture.
The US is a special case as the World's major reserve currency. I could go on about them, but time precludes that.
Greece may well need some stimulus such as the US [and UK] has provided. But it has to go hand in hand with economic reform, or Greece will just end up where it started.
When entrepreneurs [investment money] feel confident in the Greek workforce, in the rule of law, in the tax system. They will invest and jobs will come.
Greece can't just go back to inventing public sector jobs. I say again where will the money come from?
Im greek but thats completely irellevant when i say that this man is an unbelievably well educated man with disarming knowledge, logic and thought proccess. Really i dont know anybody in my country that spoke genuinely good of a politician before Mr. Varoufakis. Yanis i salute you, you give the country small wins everytime you speak and analyse a terrible socioeconomic situation, and nobody can refute those arguments. Getting to the truth about the European Union and previous Greek governments is win enough for me. And at last, people in Europe want to be united and governments should let them for a change. People have no differences, governments make them think they do.
Amo a este hombre!!! Inteligente, y parece que le interesan las personas, ojalá que le vaya bien en el referéndum para que el pueblo griego crezca...
Casarte con el
Note:
Brilliant Mind. Thank You Mr.Varoufakis
He sounds to me more European than I initially thought. I don't agree with him in all his views but I can follow his logic at least... and I was surprised to witness that the Professor and now Ministry of Finance in the Hellenic Republic sounds to have a vision of Europe... Anyway he and the new elected Gouvernement in Greece will be judged on what they will succeed and not about what the talk in amphitheatres...
The basic problem was legislative micromanagement, combined with an unworking compromise. And insistence that we follow the resulting rules to the letter, without allowing some flexibility to those to whom we delegated the task to implement them. And of course the rules never envisiged something like an economic crisis happening.
Now we're in classic tragedy: hubris leading to crisis. And we can only avoid downfall if we dare to trust each other. But crisis is eating at our mutual trust.
If indeed he is trying to do today that supports here, I understand why there is so much resistance in his plans. It is a big step, such reforms, for the Greek government, the European Union and perhaps the world economy in general. And from my experience I understand that feeling of futility, endeavor to offer something better (according to your university knowledge and your research findings) but to no avail. From the simplest to the most complex issues to find resistance and derision. Why? No one can answer. Science is not wrong (while some things are useful) - science is always right, but not perfect. Mr. Varoufakis, without wishing to belittle any political person, did not entered politics (and became a minister) to make some impression, but rather to apply science. This is my humble view. This is also seen from the discussions (old and new) that makes publicly. Whether this theory is sustainable and in the end beneficial is another story ... only if applied we will find out.
It is very simple, Share the resources which belong to everyone, by sharing we create Justice and therefore Trust between Nations.
Austerity is a bad thing for europe right now. You can't cut public spending and expect the economy to grow in the same time, while the private sector is is deleveraging. So, if growth is the mission, someone has to spend money, and this time it is the public sector.
And not to mention the social costs that come with austerity policy.
Sounds logical in theory. One question, though. Where's the money going to come from?
antred11 Nowhere, with austerity.
chriskalos
And without it? Where are you going to take it from?
antred11 I dunno, production? I really don't know how countries exit economic crises.
chriskalos
they go to war
His solution, the centralized European organization, comes in at 11 minutes.
Civilization - what a splendid idea it would be.
Bravo! Excellent communicator! A true scholar!
As a matter of fact he has alternative suggestions on the economical disaster. You need to check his blog or other videos.
Very courageous and clever speech!
Too much reliance on analogies, and metaphors in nearly every sentence leaves one with nothing but a vague feeling. Some concrete analysis might have made his points more accessible and convincing..
I doubt there are that many valuable points in his speech. He's body language reminds more of a Texan rodeo cowboy than a thoughtful and rational thinker. BTW what do cowboys rodeo for? Fame, money, the kick, the chicks?
Rostislav Svoboda Oh I thoroughly support his point of view. Perhaps he would explain himself more clearly to an audience of economists or financiers. It is the attempt to paint a picture that makes me feel uh covered in paint
Paul Hirsh We need to change something. I agree on that point. But talking like that in front of a TEDx audience is simply not appropriate. Greece needs someone like Merkel. Definitely not a narcissist like Varoufakis.
@Scetuji Meoferd In general, this guys promises roasted pigeons flying straight into your/our mouths. That kind of speaks for itself.
Rostislav Svoboda whatever you say rodeo cowboy.
Prof yanis is one of the most perceptive minds in Europe today . We must not allow the little minds to dictate the terms for the maturation of coherent and noble Europe. As i see it ,it would ma ke sense to dismantle our dysfunctional nation states which only thrived on the construction and exploitation of empires, and return to a more medieval ,regional model of European divisions that would make up for the democratic deficits which pervade the continent. Then we could have them properly represented with powers of subsidiarity at the higher federal level. No more germanys, no more England's, no more Spain's etc,but burgundy,basque,Scotland, and even metropolitan cities many of which presently dominate and distort their nations. We can run Europe wide football. Why not regions? The present economic and nationalistic mess cannot continue, otherwise we face disintegration,hyper inflation and the rise of fascism. And it won't be greeces fauult. Does Germany have the courage to move away from a fixation with its newly won United self image? Does Dr merkels greatness reach that far?
Brilliant speech and idea!
I never voted for the dissolution of Greece!
As a Greek, I believe that I am entitled to chose between rudimentary economic stability with tolerable uneventful subsistence, and having my own country!
The definition of the ideal minister. Greetings from Eurasian Union. We are going to build monetary union too, so now we see that it's very difficult to make it right.
The proof is in the pudding.
Dr. Varufakis put your vision in to action.
Also jetzt haben wir einfach alles von unserem lieben Varoufakis gehört. Nehmt einfach schön weiter, während ihr gleichzeitig kritisiert und Geschichte zu eurer Güte ausnutzt; in dem Fall dieses Videos durch Rauchgranaten und Ablenkungen.
hey! you want all europeans to be the F nazi germans slaves. Where Hitler failed, scrubble is trying to succeed? is that what you're saying? talk about the F master race???
Brilliant.
four years of this conference, and today the terms of a 2015 outbreak is giving bienen be retrievable if their individual economies, "much to do little willingness to understand"
For some reason I like this guy.
The world (Europe especially) should be dividing, not uniting. Small, self sufficient regions would eliminate global meltdowns.
Very impressive .. thanks for posting
he is totally right
"...the result of course is the uncontrolled disintegration that we are experiencing..." Looking back, he is a soothsayer. I'm a fan.
intelligent,sensitive,passionate I really like him.
Thank you. Very thoughtful!
I could vote for Yanis, though he might be one of those "lazy Greeks". Someone is talking sense! Man, I only wish someone listens.
So, if Greece does cave in? What plans, strategies in the EU coming up with to avert a similar situation in the future? Something. Anything. (sound of crickets)
the king of not facing us to a systematic crisis systematically.
Oh my gosh I know he's super intelligent but I need to also say that he's INCREDIBLY good-looking.
I am dying of jealousy. I wish my country can have such a leader.
benjo moreno Uhm, you're aware that he destroyed Greece's chance to avoid bankruptcy, wasted all political goodwill, bankrupted Greece, and now he has abandoned his post by resigning now that he's finding out that his extreme-left dogma doesn't work in reality?
As leaders go, Varoufakis has shown that he's about as incompetent as a person can possibly get.
Greece is already bankrupt before the party his in came to office. The country's net dept was 125% of its GDP in 2010 and with the help of the world bank's so called 'austerity', it now looms to 180%. Is this the political Goodwill are you talking about? An another austerity? - please use a bit of common sense, though it is not common thought.
On the reason why he resigned from office, it is just POLITICS 101.
benjo moreno
You've exactly said it. While Varoufakis was busy destroying any goodwill and not making the necessary reforms, the debt ratio increased by nearly 60% in a year.
As leaders go, that makes Varoufakis among the most incompetent ever. He's literally done nothing positive.
A competent leader would have:
-Urgently reformed pensions so Greeks, like nearly all Europeans, get to retire at 67 and often work untill then. Now they retire from age 50, and by 60 nearly nobody works any longer.
-Cut military expenditures by hundreds of millions at least.
-Abolished the special tax advantages for farmers, through which Greece currently loses billions a year
-Instantly abolish diesel and oil subsidies.
These are all simple and quick measures that could've been implemented easily. Better yet, the Eurogroup handed Varoufakis ready-made plans for reform that he could've just adopted without study on his part.
Yet Varoufakis was even too incompetent to do the work others had prepared for him. He can't even think for himself, he's even too incompetent to carry out plans where others have already done the thinking work for him.
What are you talking about? The Greek People NOW have been suffering so much. To abolish the special tax for farmers in this trying times, and also what? the subsidies abolition of diesel and oil is quite frankly a crazy proposition? (only stupid's will agree as such).The Greeks now has less purchasing power and Yanis as a REAL ECONOMIST knew that by implementing such austerities will only bring much more suffering to the people.
Tsipras and company did the right thing to stand their ground and rallied the people for their dignity.
Blah b Money is just a tool, not a ressource.
good speech
we can't bear responsibility for the crisis we precipitate.
Leave it to the Greeks to cite history:
"...unscrupulous bankers, inane politicians, conniving entrepreneurs, cynical academics and uncritical citizens..."
Sounds like every ancient civilization at it's peak, or most HBO series today...
"...the medical profession only recently managed to save more people than it kills... up until the 1920s the disease was preferable to the cure."
At least we're batting over .500 now... even if iatrogenic causes are still the number one, most common killer today...
See Yanis, always a silver lining if you look for it... Opa!
Adding to the scope of what he is saying... here is how poverty is created:
www.fastcoexist.com/3041841/change-generation/4-things-you-probably-know-about-poverty-that-bill-and-melinda-gates-dont
Joe Brewer - thanks for the link. Great article.
Thanks, Steve Wright ;-)
Joe Brewer #1 Eu didn't impose austerity to stabilize or help the economy - they demanded for Greece to learn to live by its budget. Greece has a yearly budget deficit of more than 3% since decades, often times between 7-18%. That means it generally spends far more than it earns even outside of loans and debts - it is unable to balance a budget which led to its humongous debts. Greece was supposed to show they can balance their budget for several years with help to sustain their debt, only after they have proven that they would get additional money for economical help and debt reduction beyond sustaining it. Giving them money before they can properly manage their budget is a complete waste of resources and wouldn't change a thing about how they handle it - it would be like shovelling money into a dark bottomless hole.
The mistakes in that article are astonishing for people who claim to be Professor's of Economics.
If that would be true I would feel even more sorry for the economic establishment.
A demagogue /ˈdɛməɡɒɡ/ (from French "demagogue", derived in turn from the Greek "demos" = people/folk and the verb "ago" = carry/manipulate thus "people's manipulator") or rabble-rouser is a political leader in a democracy who appeals to the emotions, fears, prejudices, and ignorance of the lower classes in order to gain power and promote political motives.
You're clearly not talking about Varoufakis.
Well, very clever of you to write a definition there. Would you care to enlighten us plebs with the real meaning of what you are saying? And, it is good practise to cite your source, where's this from? The Dictionary of Trolls?
Wikipedia.
Jasper De Rycker Whatever floats your boat.
"From French" lol
9:51 subtitle error:
"pseudo" not soothest...(wtf "soothest"??)
The problems of EU are not going to be solved by creating more institutions, papers, debates! This is the very thing that got them into crisis.
Many people dedicate their time and efforts into playing with papers, visiting other "leaders" and having nice chats. The rest of people (woking class if you will) is paying for that. The only solution is to REDUCE bureaucracy to minimum, reduce taxation and LET people WORK for themselves instead of politicians.
Even Yanis admits that higher VAT (more money in public sector, and less money in private sector) is causing lack of demand -> lack of employment and more crisis.
The very thing that got "them" into the crisis was that they were printing money.
He was playing devil's advocate. Reforming Greek pharmaceutical and taxi sectors is not going to solve Greece's problems. When you're in a monetary union, by definition some surplus distribution is required. Not everyone can be an exporter.
What kind of economic theory? Basic economic theory.
A worker earns €80 per week. He's told by his Government that a private investor had to be bailed out and the burden of paying back this debt now falls on his shoulders.:€100 per week with an interest rate of 20% per week. A foreign investor, having made a deal with his government says we'll lend you the €100 per week @ 30% interest per week. Now, even though the country is in a recession,austerity measures have been applied, such that factories and businesses are closing, wages are being cut, public services are cut, so there is no prospect for that worker improving his financial condition, he has to accept that it is for the good of the country that he knuckle down and pay what is owed even though it was never his debt in the first place. What is the solution to this, well, it's obvious isn't it: it's the worker's fault! It's 'well known' that workers from that country are lazy and corrupt.They need to understand that debts must be paid so stop whining and pay what you owe, and, have you heard about the great pensions they have and how early they can retire!!?.. This worker, and his type, is nothing but a sponger; living off the money we have lent him; looking for ways to avoid paying what he owes.
“cross-currency swap”-a complicated transaction in which Greece’s foreign-currency debt was converted into a domestic-currency obligation using a fictitious market exchange rate.
How is this possible...????
Varoufakis 2011 :"IF WE FAIL TO CREATE A DECENT(ralized) EUROPE, THE WORLD WILL BE AT WAR FOR THE THIRD TIME IN ONE CENTURY"
2023 τι έχετε να πείτε;
TEDxAcademy - Yanis Varoufakis - A Modest Proposal for Transforming Europe
You just know that the EU is getting played again. I wish I had more patience waiting for the 'end-game'.
excellent!
the best of the best
a common European defense force is a condition of the United States of Europe, for a federation to work.
we have no need of a united Europe from the euro, but we have the need for all member countries do the best to fight against the real problems which attack our economies, such as waste, immigration, corruption, and social inequality, where you can take the money? very simply by selling the state-owned companies, and then create new ones through the process of national currency
Plain to see from this, why the EU wanted him out
Speech should start just after the 9 minute mark.
Sponsored by 'wind for all'. Says it all. None of that seemed to say anything
It seems to me that the European Union was just fine until the institution of the Euro currency..
Was the Euro created on the same model of the Federal Reserve?
A private bank that loans money out of thin air and charges interest requiring more and more debt..
The euro has been a flawed and dangerous concept since its inception. Eurozone is anything but an optimal environment for a currency union: separate languages, business cycles, fiscal systems, financial cultures, levels of development etc. Without euro neither Greece (exploding public debt) nor Spain (real estate frenzy) could fall in such deep troubles. EBC is governed by heads of national central banks of member nations (19) + members of its executive board (2+4, nominated by agreement between heads of governments). Both euro and dollar are fiat currencies. What's wrong with creating money "out of thin air"?
Well, I didn't see the whole video, he's probably a genious, but who cares !!
Europe (ie Germany) won't pay for Greece's mistakes because it's simply unfair (I'm not german btw). So stop whining and blaming others for shit your own government did.
You are lucky you're part of a great family that is ready to help you, you just have to make real efforts showing that you deserve their help and that you worth the time they are wasting.
Taking hard and harsh decisions has never been easy, but it's a must for a bright future.
With all my love
I've got an impression Mr. Varoufakis likes his metaphors so much that he fails to expand his main points. This talk could be accomplished within 2 minutes. Very modest indeed.
Man has balls of steel .balls of silver Ella
he proposes radical changes that are impossible to implement within the forseeable future. His proposition might make sense from an economic perspective, but the european society is not ready for such a change (as many commentors have proven with their very aggressive comments).
Well, the only solution "to prevent this" is Paradism . A world without money and without work. And we can do it for the well being of everybody (Paradism ORG)
He just gave a 13 minute lecture on TEDx and had very little of any use to put forward. Ideological bias is the only thing that moves people like mr Varoufakis to places of prominence.
He say's the same thing three years ago. Now we see exactly this in Greece. EU system is crumbling.
Why are you listening to this then? It's macroeconomic theory.
13:11 man with the blue shirt on the left says it all.. instead of focusing on real problems he was more concerned on a general idea of how to rebuilt Europe.
This guy's opinion is mostly respected in the american academic world.
I have to admit that he greatly overestimates the intelligence of a part of his audience. No wonder why some people get so frustrated every time he speaks.
His great plan
ECB telling states how to spend,
EFSF propping euro banks up and
European Investment Bank coordinating state-led investments on the eurozone.
Europeans have an incapacity to agree on common symbols; that's why there are bridges on the Euro.
Why does it matter? Just change it in your mind: "as it is commonly believed that Gandhi said,." Works even better! Who cares who said it? It'd be a good answer, even if Hitler said it. Its a homage to Gandhi that it is attributed to him.
No Problem the rest of Europe will pay for Greece, because we all love you so much.
You are a very polititicaly corect man. Good job!
Italy Spain and Portugal must like this guy cause they;re next lined up to get luded!
ζειν λιτως και κατω απο την ακροπολη παιζαμε μονοπολη με δανεικα λεφτα
Wtf is he saying, i didnt get it
Eris K Wow, those insults demonstrate that you couldn't follow a proper education. What a shame.
Eris K He gives you the problem @4:15 and he gives you the solution "modest proposal" @9:10 What's there not to get?
Eris K This presentation was set out in a well ordered and argued manner, consistent with Varoufakis position as a leading economist at that time. He still stands today as the most authoritative advocate for change in the EU and Eurozone. The criminal bankers rely upon people like Eris K (who are most likely either stupid, ignorant, or stoned) to support their policies. I have said before in other forums that the situation the Greeks now find themselves in, is actually a German problem caused by their slavish adherence to the support of a federalist Europe agenda, which was the real reason the Greeks were let in the Eurozone in the first instance. Yes the Greeks fiddled the books to get entry, (with the connivance of Goldman Sachs), but the Due Diligence exercise was either not done, improperly done, or the reports ignored. Therefore...caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) applies, and the Germans should be the ones forgiving the debt in its entirety.
gcljohn it is a fiscal problem, end of story..the european union is not a union like the united states and thats the problem.
....speaking of a new europe makes sense - but not if you have no allies that back up your plans. Politics is to be compared with 3 times marathon running and not a 400 m dash which Varoufakis did. Patience, diplomacy, allies, good ideas and solid planning is much more nececarry than such empty emotional promises Syriza gave out as ... almost easily makable. When the result is 18 to 1 one should give in and come up with plan B - but there wasn't one.
You have no idea what we up against..
British, music acent in his developement.
I even have to change my opinion on TED for giving Yanis a chance!
The goal of this talk was to continue to air the concept of the real 'New Jerusalem' project and little more. Israel will indeed come to be part of the EU, likely as part of a peace treaty with the Palestinians. All will rejoice and soon after that Jerusalem will indeed become the New Jerusalem, the New Brussels. Bless them for they know exactly what they are doing. There's is a fantasy being turned into a reality. Pity the human race can't move on from their ancient yearnings to call God to Power.
We need management of debt at the European level.
He says a lot but never actually says anything.
But he didn't said he would say anything he only said that he would present a flavor or European partnership.
***** Let the Germans pay for our debts.
stevo728822 since I've been accused of doing just that, I might as well let you know that maybe you're the problematic in this case (no offense, just a hypothesis :p no, seriously).
He's using common sense (and is "generally speaking" all the time) but only a few possess that. The rest deem what they hear as "theoretical bullshit", which might be true to an extent because in practice a lot of unexpected factors come into play (since we choose to make things more and more complicated in this current corrupted system -- well, yh, it seems like any system seems ineffective in controlling greed/hate, not just this one), but I know exactly why he means and why he does that, when he does it, of course. I mean, I don't believe he's as vague as one might think.
stevo728822 That mentality is exactly what brought us here,
I think though it would be fair to subtract the WW2 debt money from our debt though.
i think you just dont understand what hes saying..
yanis explains well why why eu doesn't work, but insists on staying in it. i find that inconsistent. he can not bring democracy to greece, but says, "let's do it in europe." i am ever less impressed.
@ 0:27 Varoufakis hands you the bad news that is playing out in real time and will circle the globe. We will all cry OXI
European Union is unworkable. it's the cousin of the Soviet Union. But at least in the Soviet Union there was more of a union. This guy is right. European countries should get their houses in order before any wild federalization schemes are involved. This guy is one of the few European govt. officials who's awake. He knows Greece cannot run on a credit card. The crash of 2008 exposed serious weaknesses in the EU system. And in another interview, he names the problem with Greece, that it's not tax evasion that plagues Greece, it's tax exemption for the rich and well-connected. It's good to see that he doesn't buy the bankers' rubbish and has the courage to say and do what's right.
Very little? He had the solution for the eurocrisis.
8:18 and nothing there, just fear and improper analogies
Gandhi never said that. Bad start
Subtitles for Americans, who never understand other accent than theirs.
"You know".
"well whatever he wrote, became reallity" Yes, Marx and his kindred thinkers have in fact repeatedly proven their ability to foresee Capitalist crises. Not only capitalist crises, but what will come after the final crisis of capitalism.
He is impresionent - but to this time in present he is only theoreticly.
Lets wait what realy goes in 6 months.
Let the results decide.
Greeks will show the World - how to deal with it.