“A good idea always goes through three phases: it is declared stupid in the first phase, it is fiercely fought in the second phase, and it is implemented in the third phase.“
Arthur Schopenhauer
There is an extraordinary strong support of civil society in Europe for the Financial Transaction Tax (FTT). This reflects a general trend in public opinion. Not only many politicians – Merkel, Sarkozy, Brown, Barroso – have supported the FTT, there is – like all opinion polls show – an overwhelming majority of people who want to see finally some substantial steps towards a strict regulation of financial markets and towards making pay the financial industry – at least partly – for the damage they have caused. By Peter Wahl*)
Just two recent examples: within a few weeks a formal online petition for a hearing on the FTT at the German Bundestag passed easily the quorum of 50.000 signatures, reaching 66.000. At the international Berlin film festival Berlinale, which ended last weekend, a video with two famous German movie stars advocating the FTT was presented and reached the top ranking of youtube after only three hours (www.steuergegenarmut.de). The FTT has left the narrow circles of some expert NGOs and has become a real public issue ... ... this article will come up in WDEV 1/Jan-Feb 2010 and is for subscribers only. For direct log in >>> click here.If you have no subscription >>> pick your option or >>>
At first glance, everyday life seems not to have changed in Istanbul. The streets are congested; people hurry to the ferry or the bus. For weeks, there has been no terror attack. Nevertheless, there are some visible changes. There are much more policemen in the streets. In some days, the Istiklal Caddesi, the main shopping street on the European side, seems to be under a state of siege. At every street corner, there is police van with the blue light switched on.
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The global deficit in quality jobs and deteriorating economic conditions in a number of regions threatens to undo decades of progress in poverty reduction, warns a new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO) 2016.
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