Archive for the 'Political' Category
May 14th, 2012 by Justin
The Eurozone is the collection of countries that use the euro currency. In light of the recent economic turmoil in Greece, it has been argued that Greece was never a strong enough economy to be a member of the Eurozone. It’s becoming more and more likely that Greece may have to leave the euro and reinstate the drachma.
These are the total GDP figures for 2011 for all Eurozone countries (source: CIA):
- Germany: $3 trillion
- France: $2.2 trillion
- Italy: $2 trillion
- Spain: $1.4 trillion
- Netherlands: $706 billion
- Belgium: $412 billion
- Austria: $351 billion
- Greece: $308 billion
- Portugal: $247 billion
- Finland: $197 billion
- Ireland: $182 billion
- Slovakia: $127 billion
- Slovenia: $59 billion
- Luxembourg: $44 billion
- Estonia: $27 billion
- Cyprus: $24 billion
- Malta: $11 billion
In terms of rank, Greece is right in the middle of the pack. In terms of economic weight, Greece is either the smallest of the large countries, or the largest of the small countries, depending on one’s perspective. I created this graph using Microsoft Excel to depict the size of the various economies of the Eurozone in relation to each other:
The top 4 countries–Germany, France, Italy and Spain–account for over three quarters of all Eurozone economic output. Greece, at 3% of total Eurozone economic weight, is not terribly significant. The recent economic and fiscal problems in Spain are much more troublesome given Spain’s relative significance.
Leaving the Eurozone and being able to heavily devalue its own currency, if managed correctly, would have benefits for Greece. A devalued currency would help stimulate exports and tourism, in turn contributing to a broader economic recovery. As long as Greece persists in economic crisis on the periphery of the Eurozone, the euro suffers and the economies that use it continue to suffer as well. In some ways euro membership has become a kind of trap forcing Greece into painful and (thus far) ineffective austerity measures, without the ability to devalue its currency and stimulate exports. As long as Greece is in this trap, economic recovery is delayed, and broader recovery in Europe is delayed as a result.
May 12th, 2012 by Justin
We have seen that the US has significant amounts of Greed, Envy, Pride, Wrath, Lust, Gluttony and Sloth. This is not to argue that any of these things are necessarily bad. But given the significant attention accorded these themes in the Bible and in Christian tradition, the “sinfulness” of America on a number of levels should serve as strong supporting evidence that it is not a Christian society. To be sure, a large majority of Americans happen to call themselves Christians. Specifically, 78% of Americans self-characterize as Christians (of all adults, 51% call themselves Protestant and 24% Catholic). It is worth noting that this percentage has fallen in recent decades. It used to be well over 90%.
But this is irrelevant in any case. We must look at people’s actions and not their words. And that is precisely what we have done in this survey. Probably the strongest cases are for lust, greed, gluttony and envy. America is a basically secular society populated by basically secular people.
May 11th, 2012 by Justin
Seven Deadly Sins in America
Why America is not a Christian Country
7. Sloth
There are a number of ways to measure sloth. One is obesity. Another is the abundant anecdotal evidence in our lives of friends or family who take full advantage of labor-saving technology. One interesting thing we can consider is low rates of voter turnout, which have not exceeded 63% in the last 50 years, and have remained at right around half of eligible voters over the last few decades. Non-presidential election years have seen turnout rates even lower—typically in the 30s, and never greater than 40% (the last time a non-presidential election year saw over 40% turnout was in 1970).
Given the absolute essentialness of voter participation in the kind of sociopolitical system that the US has, the relatively low rates of turnout are significant. One must conclude that either huge numbers of Americans are thoughtfully considering the available candidates, and deciding not to support anyone, year after year, or they are politically sleepwalking.
Now many Americans work very hard on a number of levels, to be sure. And many statistics and studies can be generated supporting a vigorous work ethic and diligence on the part of much, if not most, of the American population. But sloth affects a significant enough proportion of the society and of American life to warrant its inclusion as a factor. On its own, it is not very compelling. But in conjunction with the other 6 sins, it helps to weave a picture of a basically secular population.
More deadly sins:
Greed
Envy
Pride
Wrath
Lust
Gluttony
May 11th, 2012 by Justin
Seven Deadly Sins in America
Why America is not a Christian Country
6. Gluttony
Americans love food. And it shows. The obesity epidemic barely needs mentioning, but estimates are that the majority of American adults are overweight, including a third that are obese. Significant numbers of teens and young people are also overweight (17% in 2006), as well as about 15% of low-income preschool-aged children as of 2008. Accordingly, as of the year 2000, daily per capita calorie consumption was at or near all-time highs, and average daily calorie intake rose 25% from 1970 to 2000.
An unscientific but thought-provoking look at weekly food consumption around the world is provided in a series of photographs here. Note the high per person food consumption of the American family (just 4 people) relative to the Italian family depicted (consisting of 5 people) or the Egyptian family (12 people—none of whom seem particularly malnourished).
Needless to say, another vital component of the obesity epidemic is low physical activity. Hence sloth, the next deadly sin.
More deadly sins:
Greed
Envy
Pride
Wrath
Lust
Sloth
May 11th, 2012 by Justin
Seven Deadly Sins in America
Why America is not a Christian Country
5. Lust
Estimates of the total value of the pornographic industry vary wildly, but the LA Times reports that:
At least five of the 100 top websites in the U.S. are portals for free pornography, referred to in the industry as “tube sites,” according to Internet traffic ranking service Alexa .com… Sites like Pornhub, YouPorn and RedTube attract more users than TMZ and the Huffington Post.
Even accounting for the fact that these websites are open for the whole world, one must recall the significant number of Americans that are on the net relative to other countries.
In the area of real-world sex, over 90% of Americans have done it by age 23, and yet the median age at first marriage is several years later and has been rising for years. These two facts produce a situation in which a staggering 95% of Americans have had extra- or premarital sex by age 44, according to a widely-cited study from 2006 (reported here, here and here, among other places). And premarital sex has been the norm for generations.
Since Christianity demands delaying sex until marriage, it is clear this situation does not characterize a Christian society. (Interestingly, a google search for “sex before marriage” turns up an unusually high number of Christian and Christian-themed websites, overwhelmingly against it, of course. Though they would seem to be swimming against the historical and cultural tide.)
More deadly sins:
Greed
Envy
Pride
Wrath
Gluttony
Sloth
