The Earthly Algorithms of the Heavenly Affairs

The Earthly Algorithms of the Heavenly Affairs Six years ago, “Pope Culture” flashbacks

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

The papal institution opens up the road to redemption for more than 1.200 million Roman-Catholics – that is for the so-called “Western Christianity” –, according to Vatican statistics. Through its doctrine of closeness to God, far and away from any canonical schisms, the Holy See inspires all Christianity, pervasively radiating to all hemispheres, over other distinct cults as well. The fact is that to be able to order the immanent chaos while indulging your mind to wander with the transcendent is a tough penance. Even if you have adhered to your faith wholeheartedly, the spiritual stakes were and are under assail by the modern-version-of-Canaan capitalist hedonism (now called insatiable consumerism), by the anti-social socialism (now dead, but still not buried), and by “welfare-warfare” statism (now, as ever, trying to divide and conquer, and command and control). The aforesaid progenitors of the human “fallen existence” have declared foreclosure on the most valuable assets of the life we lead, all except for the “perceivable physical” biases. The pitfalls looming ahead of all our mundane trespasses, entailed by the very nature of the interaction with our own kind, tarnished as that may be, are lurking as far as the eye can see, even what we now call in vernacular the supreme “consultancy” and “governance”: namely, the one covering the “salvation of our souls”. All human beings, with all their burning passions, are, since the beginning of times, fumbling in the dark to find their way to reach Him. And the mission is not easier even for His most faithful servants. As the supreme pontiffs, the Bishops of Rome, are (supposed to be).  More

Sicut in Caelo, Et in Terra

Sicut in Caelo, Et in Terra The efforts of Pope Francis to transform the Catholic Church

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

When Pope John Paul II visited Romania in 1999, he achieved a historical landmark as it was the first time the head of the Catholic Church visited a primarily Eastern Orthodox country since the Great Schism in 1054. While his papacy did not escape criticism and controversy, John Paul II was arguably one of the most charismatic and well-liked popes in recent times, having received recognition for several breakthroughs: he is widely credited for his role in motivating political movements that led to the collapse of Communist regimes and of the Duvalier rule in Haiti; he publicly addressed apologies in the name of the Catholic Church to those individuals and groups who had suffered because of it, for instance the Galileo affair, the actions of the Inquisition or the Church’s underwhelming response to the Holocaust. Another key feature of his tenure was the efforts he invested to establish and sustain dialogue among the Abrahamic faiths. Although, from a theological viewpoint, he is considered to have been a conservative, he came under criticism from both progressives and traditionalists for issues such as failing to adequately handle the sex abuse of children by Catholic prelates, his stances against artificial birth control methods or his support of religious freedom. More

The Supreme Unity, the Unity of the Species

The Supreme Unity, the Unity of the Species Reflections about space exploration and the human factor

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

After exploring continents, seas, and then, with great sacrifice, the air, we wanted to know for sure what lies beyond the Earth’s confines. Mankind’s scientific adventure in outer space and even beyond, in the interplanetary area, is directly connected with the long-lasting question regarding the origin of life on Earth. Did the seed of life originate from our own planet, or is it coming from the galactic space? If Panspermia is indeed true, does life outside of our world hold the same Carbon building blocks and RNADNA construction? Could we be compatible? However, if our life began on Earth, birthed by our planet’s unique conditions, what would life look like in the other parts of the Universe? In lieu of concrete methods of analysis, these questions are being approached by scientists in a rather philosophical way, but they are indeed questions which will, sooner or later, require an answer, once incremental steps take us to the exploration of place where alien life may be present, even in our Solar System.  More

To the Moon and Back

To the Moon and Back

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

On July 20th 2019, the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first manned mission to touch down and explore the Moon’s surface. At the time, this was generously presented by the Americans as an achievement for all mankind, but it was, in fact, a near knock-out punch in the Space Race between the US and the Soviet Union. This race was, among other things, a competition for prestige in the eyes of the world and a validation of each country’s individual development model. It was also what Jerry Pournelle and Stefan Possony termed “technological war” in their landmark book “The Strategy of Technology”. Conquering and developing space or “the high frontier” became a priority for the rapid advancement of the military applications of the new space technologies – reconnaissance, early warning, command, control and coordination of conventional and strategic military assets etc.  More

The Steering Wheel with Free Will

The Steering Wheel with Free Will Traditional cars versus autonomous vehicles

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

“The advent of AVs on the busy roadways of the world’s nations represents a sea change in the way human transportation is conceived and enacted. We are now witnessing an epoch of significant transition in which active control of the vehicle is being taken from the human driver and placed within the charge of the on-board computer systems themselves.”Hancock P.A. 1997. Essays on the Future of Human-Machine Systems. Eden Prairie, MN: Banta Information Services Group.  More

In Memory of Romania’s Last King: His Royal Majesty Michael I (1921-2017)

In Memory of Romania’s Last King: His Royal Majesty Michael I (1921-2017)

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

The life of King Michael I (Mihai I, for Romanians) embodies almost perfectly the tormented and tragic destiny of Romania, his country, in the 20th century. His quiet and reserved personality, almost a monument to stoicism, was testimony to a man who, in the face of great adversity, always tried to do everything right, but in the end to no avail.  More

Ludwig Wittgenstein on Errors Made in Economic Language

Ludwig Wittgenstein on Errors Made in Economic Language

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

You may be wondering why a philosopher like Ludwig Wittgenstein is so important in economics. We know how vital the ideas of Adam Smith, John Stuart Mill, Francis Bacon, David Hume, Karl Marx, Keynes, Mises and Samuelson were in the history of the economic field and a name such as Wittgenstein seems uncommon. Yet, we have to admit that Wittgenstein was a philosopher who dedicated his entire life to shape the perfect arguments on the basis of pure logic. Moreover, a state of fact which is correctly observed is linked to logic. When it comes to the power of decisions, the truth is found in actions and is the only way which enforces the reasoning capacity of human beings. More

Prospects for Russia’s Energy Market

Prospects for Russia’s Energy Market

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

Both during and after World War Two, analysts recognized the vital role played by energy resources – petroleum, natural gas, and coal – in calculating national power and a nation’s ability to endure an international crisis. Economic development and industrial production are largely determined by success in securing these crucial energy components. More recently, nuclear power has joined the ranks of essential energy resources.  More

The Curse of the ‘Abroad’: A Romanian Perspective

The Curse of the ‘Abroad’: A Romanian Perspective

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

Samuel Huntington’s observations summarized in the above quote offer valuable insight, mostly regarding the mentality of former empires and great powers. For Romanians, the opposite is true. The ‘abroad’ has always been civilized, while we Romanians were not. We identify as being outside of the civilized world. Romanians have had a passionate love and desire for all things foreign for a long time. The socialist regime only helped intensify this desire by forbidding it. So, to any canny observer, this love for the abroad is not a new phenomenon. Neither is the low national self-esteem which comes with this reality, by focusing the attention on how much better off ‘the abroad’ is and how deficient Romanian society is. More

No Laughing Matter: What the Presidential Elections in Ukraine Have to Teach Us about Politics

No Laughing Matter: What the Presidential Elections in Ukraine Have to Teach Us about Politics

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

When the possibility arose that Ukrainian actor and comedian Volodymyr Zelensky could run for President of Ukraine and actually win, it might well have elicited a few amused chuckles and raised eyebrows, but it was no longer a laughing matter when he came to dominate opinion polls and eventually confirmed his approval ratings by winning the elections by a landslide, garnering over 73% of the votes. Zelensky soundly defeated incumbent Petro Poroshenko against the backdrop of the ongoing war in the Donbass region between anti-Russian and pro-Russian factions.  More

In Need of Cyber-Education

In Need of Cyber-Education Add Fi to Sci

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

Before the Industrial Revolution, education was a luxury few could afford. Currently, you can benefit from education free of charge (if you ignore the “stealth” taxation, as there is no free lunch, and neither does free schooling exist either), but its value is much lower if we understand value as the satisfaction derived from the consumption of the product. Human intelligence accommodates the ability for academic exigency, but this does not mean that academic exigency defines intelligence as a whole. Education should be adapted to cope with the changes to come at the grassroots of daily progress. More

What Kind of Innovation Do We Need?

What Kind of Innovation Do We Need? Economy Near Us (XVIII)

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

The morality of capitalism is, without a doubt, based on the value called to have (money, goods, power, social position, and so on) – and to have-to be is intensely debated in social philosophy and in ethics. I will not examine this from an ethical standpoint, since it is generally accepted both by the supporters of capitalism and by its opponents. I will narrow my considerations to the issue of innovation, as a paradigmatic model of improving human life.  More

With Concern, Concerning Pensions

With Concern, Concerning Pensions Economy Near Us (XIX)

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

In a well-ordered society (in Rawlsian terminology), every person gains his social place and, consequently, his income (wealth) based on his objective merits – usually based on his work. Unfortunately, beyond a certain age, the physiology of humans does not allow people to engage in work activities anymore. In such a situation, some resources (usually in monetary expression) are needed to maintain the standard of living or, in more general terms, the wellbeing (no matter if all persons agree with a little smaller level of it, since, in fact, the general needs are, after the mentioned age, smaller). These resources form the concept of pension – that is retirement benefit. But who must provide the pension to retired persons? All logical judgements would tell us that the pension should be composed of savings on the part of the beneficiaries themselves, from their personal (or disposable) income gained during the active period of their life. Such savings should be the result of prudential behaviour in the long term. Since, in the real world, the prudential behaviour is not granted to all persons, the state took over the burden to fuel that “savings account”. Such saving has some features as follows (NB: I discuss here only the type of public pensions of the 1st pillar in the Romanian system, the pay-as-you-go public system):  More

Who Wins Trade Wars? A Brief Incursion into History

Who Wins Trade Wars? A Brief Incursion into History Economy Near Us (XVII)

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

Intended to restore the greatness of America (how can we forget Make America great again?), the trade war triggered by the United States against uncomfortable partners such as China on the basis of secular trade deficits and other grievances is causing a wave of global concern. It has resulted, at the very least, in a slowdown in the increase of the international trade volumes, 2.6% in 2019 compared to 3% in 2018, according to a World Trade Organization Press Release.  More

The Iron Laws of Romanian Politics

The Iron Laws of Romanian Politics After the European elections

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

The 26th of May European elections have produced a mixed picture across the European Union, where Eurosceptic, populist or non-mainstream parties have consolidated their gains in some of the largest Member States (such as France, Italy and, for what it is worth, the UK), while suffering losses in some medium sized and small states (such as Romania, the Netherlands and Austria), with no notable change occurring in most countries (such as Poland, Hungary, Sweden or Germany). Still, even a country now hailed as a bulwark against right wing populism, such as Spain, will feature a far-right party in the European Parliament for the first time. More

The Romanian Electoral Spleen

The Romanian Electoral Spleen A concise political map and chronicle in a spicy year for voters

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

The European and presidential elections to be held this year in Romania will be heralded as a turning point, but despite their importance – particularly for the broader European context, where populist parties might tip the political balance – they fall into a familiar post-communist pattern: a battle between a corrupt, populist, but highly effective governmental force and a fragmented, noisy, but often equally tarnished, incompetent and amateurish opposition, not very capable to govern either. Although Romania is usually classified as a relatively new democracy in international political analyses, because of the totalitarian and authoritarian interlude, this pattern runs deep in the country’s history, sociology and institutional make-up, encompassing pre-communist as well as post-communist elements, despite the superficial novelties of one-time electoral contests.  More

Reiwa – Bright New Beginning or Small Step Forward, in Kaizen Style

Reiwa – Bright New Beginning or Small Step Forward, in Kaizen Style

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

Spring 2019 came brought with it a new Era in Japan, Reiwa (“beautiful harmony” – the name was inspired from the ancient Japanese collection of poems “Manyoshu”). For the first time in recent history, a Japanese Emperor abdicated.The new Emperor, Naruhito, is a symbol of things that are supposed to be changed in the Japanese society in the years to come. He is a graduate of one of the most prestigious universities in the world, University of Oxford, he speaks fluent English and during his first official meeting with a foreign Head of State, President Trump, he did not use the services of the officially designated interpreter. But, despite the modern attitude, the whole world was able to enjoy the official ceremony of crowning on May 1st, which reminded us of the period when Manyoshu was written, the Heian period. More

The European Union’s New Strategic Agenda for 2019-2024 and the Economic and Monetary Union

The European Union’s New Strategic Agenda for 2019-2024 and the Economic and Monetary Union Economy Near Us (XX)

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

The future of Europe is the major concern of the European institutions, mainly in the context of increasing nationalism and populism around the continent that culminated in Brexit. Long debates and many comments were had, but not so many new ideas. The problems with which our continent is struggling are not new and the quest for pragmatic solution is not at an end. More

The Road to Sibiu, the Road to Wisdom

The Road to Sibiu, the Road to Wisdom Thoughts before the Informal Summit of the European Council, updated and illustrated with a civic selfie at the historical event

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

2018 found Romania celebrating a century of nation-state unity. 2019 finds Romania as the home of the European unity. A freely and firmly committed community of nations is one of the most delicate enterprises of mankind, one that up to now no empire has succeeded in preserving. The nation seemed the ultimate aggregate. But ration is the ultimate aggregator. More

Obelix Runs Away from Fiscalix

Obelix Runs Away from Fiscalix

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

The “fear” of taxation dies hard. In 2013, Gerard Depardieu became a French “tax refugee” in the Russian Federation. Half a decade since then, he became a Russian tax debtor in the Russian Federation. In 2018, he was listed in Russia’s Federal Court Marshals Service database as owing taxes in Saransk (the capital of Mordovia, somewhere in “Yevropeyskaya Rossiya”), where he was registered.  More

Nord Stream 2. Implications for the Eastern Neighborhood

Nord Stream 2. Implications for the Eastern Neighborhood

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

Nord Stream 2, perhaps the most controversial extant gas infrastructure project, not only has divided the European Union in supporters and opponents of the project but is also shaping the transatlantic relation while directly impacting the Eastern Neighborhood of the EU. Supported by a Germany that insists on the economic viability and capacity to improve EU’s energy security the project is maybe the most politicized project. Central and Eastern Europe led by Poland and the Baltic States have a limited timeframe until the project’s construction is finished to negotiate their strategic interests and, together with the rest of the European opponents of Nord Stream 2, to consolidate the EU’s energy priorities. The repeated gas crisis in the Ukraine and the recent events such as the Kerch Straight incident polarized the regional and international agenda to an even greater extent and highlighted the security dimension of the project.  More

Diaspora Remittances: Major Economic Assets for Nigeria

Diaspora Remittances: Major Economic Assets for Nigeria

No. 17-18, May.-Aug. 2019

There are millions of people who migrate each year. With the help of family and friends, they cross oceans, rivers, deserts and mountains. They risk their lives to realize a dream, which is to simply have a decent job somewhere that enables them to financially support their families back home, the same families who helped them before.  More

PRINT EDITION

SUBSCRIPTION

FOUNDATIONS
The Market For Ideas Association

The Romanian-American Foundation for the Promotion of Education and Culture (RAFPEC)
THE NETWORK
WISEWIDEWEB
OEconomica

Amfiteatru Economic
IN THE AGORA
Agora