Do as we say but not as we do

[PhilinBSAS]

The truth is that they can't compete on quality nor price (nor really innovation for that matter). Show me one thing that is designed and/or made here for export that is of matching or higher quality irrespective of price or if of lessor quality, is sufficiently cost-effective to make up the difference.

The answer is nothing. Only commodities and some wines and beef are export worthy.

Why is this? Is the Argentine mentality just basically incapable? My personal believe is that they have the inherent capability to compete internationally but as a nation, they're simply too corrupt and lazy to really achieve anything. The growth rate of the last 9 years has been fueled by high commodity prices, a refusal to pay back what they were loaned and a bounce from the very bottom. It's all coming back now though...only a matter of time and the sitting government knows they're lying to everyone, hence saving in dollars. Wankers.

Anyone disagree?

Yes I do disagree!

Terms of trade globally have switched in the 1990's onwards in favour of primary producers so commodities such as soya can and should form a viable basis for national economic growth.

Common fallacy to think that only path to economic development is "making things" i.e bashing metal

The issue for Argentina is how further development might ride on the back of comparative advantage of primary products.

Can anyone seriously suggest that Brazil is any less corrupt than Argentina? Need to look for other factors rather than rest on comforting stereotypical prejudices of supposed "national character"

Anglo-Saxon model of free international trade/"liberalism when is suites us but no way when it doesn't" has historically benefited the industrialised north (terms of trade again) but it isnt working that great at the moment is it?!!

If you want to smile just read the first couple of pages of this ...

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons/lib/research/rp99/rp99-014.pdf

To be informed about what the K Governmental is seeking to do then helpful to read up about Raúl Prebisch!

K Government macro-economic strategy since 2001 has lent on this however bi-polar their political efforts are in implementing this in practice - which is another matter but one I think we can all agree about!

 

[BienTeVeo]

Burger King sold to Brazilians? Hijos de puta! Is NOTHING sacred?

 

[camberiu]

Burger King sold to Brazilians? Hijos de puta! Is NOTHING sacred?

So was Budwiser and Pilgrim's Pride. All Brazilian brands now

Brazil's JBS group is now in talks to buy Sara Lee.

 

[BienTeVeo]

So: burgers, apple pie, beer, and the chicken in every pot. What's next? Mother's milk? The Auburn Marching Band?

 

[MiamiExpat]

Yes I do disagree!

Terms of trade globally have switched in the 1990's onwards in favour of primary producers so commodities such as soya can and should form a viable basis for national economic growth.

Common fallacy to think that only path to economic development is "making things" i.e bashing metal

The issue for Argentina is how further development might ride on the back of comparative advantage of primary products.

Can anyone seriously suggest that Brazil is any less corrupt than Argentina? Need to look for other factors rather than rest on comforting stereotypical prejudices of supposed "national character"

Anglo-Saxon model of free international trade/"liberalism when is suites us but no way when it doesn't" has historically benefited the industrialised north (terms of trade again) but it isnt working that great at the moment is it?!!

If you want to smile just read the first couple of pages of this ...

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons/lib/research/rp99/rp99-014.pdf

To be informed about what the K Governmental is seeking to do then helpful to read up about Raúl Prebisch!

K Government macro-economic strategy since 2001 has lent on this however bi-polar their political efforts are in implementing this in practice - which is another matter but one I think we can all agree about!

If you could, for the sake of the peanut gallery, briefly describe this "macroeconomic strategy" the K government implements and in what way it will lead to long-term economic growth, prosperity, and increased quality of life for Argentine people, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[camberiu]

So: burgers, apple pie, beer, and the chicken in every pot. What's next? Mother's milk? The Auburn Marching Band?

Maybe Trojan condoms, Oxyclean and Ginsu knifes, if I have any say on it.

 

[PhilinBSAS]

If you could, for the sake of the peanut gallery, briefly describe this "macroeconomic strategy" the K government implements and in what way it will lead to long-term economic growth, prosperity, and increased quality of life for Argentine people, it would be greatly appreciated.

I'm certainly not an apologist for the K regime and as people are taking to the streets again whole-scale - which is the third time in my experience of Buenos Aires - the whole thing is becoming very polarised and nasty as people are getting rather frightened.

I don't subscribe to the "Argentines are lazy" explanation for the state of the Argentine economy - which I feel is verging on the racist

as a nation, they're simply too corrupt and lazy to really achieve anything.

I and everyone else was challenged to deny that statement and I certainly do. Shame on the rest of the readers here not doing so either

There are other explanations for why the Argentine economy has failed to live up to the promise over the long term.

IMHO we hear tired old so-called "free market" arguments and statements seemingly based on the discredited Washington consensus but these haven't done Argentina any good nor a number of other economies struggling to develop. Arguably the application of the "anglo-saxon" neo-liberal model of international free trade is at least partly responsible for the economic melt down going on in other regions as well at the present time.

The quote I set out from the UK House of Commons Paper is laughable because talking about the SE Asian currency disaster the analysis and remedy was more or less predictive to what came up in Argentina culminating in 2001 and for that matter in N American/European culminating in the crisis of 2008 onwards

I'm pointing out that there is a credible and cogent alternative non-marxist macro economic theory of economic development and it is apparent the current inept K Government is groping around this as a reaction against neo-liberalism.

So you and whoever else is interested the origins of structuralist economics are accessible here ..... Or do you wish me to cut and paste?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prebisch

Having read a number of strands on the message boards here I dare say its a minority view amongst English speaking Ex=Pats but the Singer–Prebisch thesis has been a significant influence on emerging and increasingly successful developing economies.

Such as the Brazilian economic model which has provided there something approaching as you say ... long-term economic growth, prosperity, and increased quality of life for (those) people!

If Argentina is indeed trying to apply structuralist theory then they are doing so ineptly and In my opinion that has more to do with the corrosive Peronist inheritance

 

[Crema Americana]

Maybe Trojan condoms, Oxyclean and Ginsu knifes, if I have any say on it.

And what are you planning to do???



It's not that Argentines are lazy in a racial sense... but culturally? A government's policies can influence their people's behavior and attitude towards work. I wouldn't say Argentines are very hard working compared to the Japanese, Northern Europeans, or even Americans (as a people, as individuals there's all types everywhere.) There's certainly potential, but if shoddy and half-assed is okay, that's what you're going to get.

If they were a more take-charge hardworking type of people we'd have cleaner streets, more serious government, and better quality goods.

 

[JoeGillis]

Thanks, Eclair. You just took the words right out of my mouth.

 

[el_expatriado]

Maybe Trojan condoms, Oxyclean and Ginsu knifes, if I have any say on it.

Its just amazing how Brazil has progressed over these last 15 years or so. Not only are they buying up companies, but they have world-class homegrown firms.

And for movie buffs, don't forget to check out the Elite Squad movies (on iTunes for the last month or two), which are as good (or better) than any action flick Hollywood has put out in recent years. Very cool stuff.

Three cheers for Brazil!