Categories
Quotes

The big picture

Power is shifting from West to East. China has a population that is three times larger than that of the EU and an economy that will eventually be the world’s largest. India has more than a billion people. Indonesia’s population is three times that of the largest European country, and a host of countries – including Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Egypt – have more people today than any EU member state.

This is crucial, because, as technology and capital become globally mobile, a realignment of GDP and population will occur: the larger a country’s population, the bigger its economy. The United States remains extraordinarily strong, with its military easily the world’s largest and best equipped, but its status as the world’s only superpower will become untenable.

That is the big picture. The case for the EU today is that member countries, including Britain, need its heft in order to leverage power in economics, trade, defense, and foreign policy, as well as to address global challenges like climate change. The EU gives Britain a weight collectively that it lacks on its own.

It really is that simple. I admire the idealism of Europe’s early founders, but the rationale for Europe today has nothing to do with idealism. It is brutal Realpolitik. In a world in which China and India both have populations 20 times that of the United Kingdom, Britain needs the EU in order to pursue its national interest effectively. With it, we count for more; without it, we count for less.

wrote Tony Blair

Categories
Movie

You are not my partner

One of the best movies I saw this year was the movie “Arbitrage”.

The story is superb and the performances by the cast (esp Richard Gere) is crackling.

Just love some of the dialogues in the movie:

“You are not my partner.You work for me” ( a father to his daughter)

“There is a thin line between getting rich and getting caught ”

 

Categories
BookReview

Book Review:Suits


This post is in continuation of my book review series (see here)

Suits is a book written by Nina Godiwalla.Nina is a Parsi born and brought up in the US.

The book narrates how Nina got a job on Wall Street and her experiences there.

Since Nina is a woman/an immigrant/from a small town, she had to undergo a series of cultural and other shocks to be able to “fit in”.Here’s one telling anecdote of how Wall Streeters perceive themselves:

Back to our clients,You do realize that they want to be us.They are infatuated with us, and we live out their dreams.That’s why they keep coming back.Don’t forget this is as good as it gets.That’s why you came here.Isn’t it?We’re not reporting in to some head of marketing or crap like that.Instead, we’re telling their CEOs and CFOs what to do.Don’t forget that you’re with the best of the best.

 

After reading this book, one wonders if any woman would like to work on Wall Street !

Would recommend this book to readers who want to get a feel of how Wall Street companies work !

 

Categories
SiteReview

Site Review: Subramoney

This post is in continuation of my site review series (see here)

SubraMoney is an interesting blog written by P V Subramanyam

The author is a veteran of the markets and has seen many cycles in the stock market.

His posts usually deal with personal finance issues such as tax, insurance etc.

The author also narrates various real life anecdotes which makes the blog very authentic and interesting.Sample this

I know a chartist who has NO MONEY INVESTED IN THE MARKETS – he says even holding a small position creates bias. He invests only in mutual funds (through his brother, on a SIP basis) and HAS NO CLUE about the portfolio of the fund scheme. The last time I met him he had earned Rs. 15L as fees from a stock broker for giving calls on the broader indices. Not bad for a months job, eh?

The writing style is informal, honest and authentic.

Check it out for yourself !!

Categories
Video

Mexican Cartel’s kidnapping tactics