The 1.5 Sigma Shift Story
One of the greatest criticisms that have been mounted against the six sigma methodology is the fact that there is a possibility that the entire system is built on fudged numbers. Statisticians have claimed that the name six sigma is misleading. Here are the reasons why: 3.4 Defects Per Million or 2 Defects Per Billion […]
Should Prices Always Rise?
The modern economy is obsessed with rising prices. An era of falling prices is called deflation. It is almost always considered to be bad news from an economic point of view. The commonly held viewpoint is that falling prices create negative sentiments and ultimately to a recession. Falling prices have been given the name “deflation”. […]
Emerging Markets and International Business
International Businesses and the Opening up of Emerging Economies The previous articles in this module have discussed the contours of international business and the key drivers of the phenomenon. This article discusses how international businesses are affected by the rise of the emerging markets especially the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) and […]
The Misconceptions about Poverty
Many governments all over the world have made attempts to abolish poverty. However, most of them have not succeeded. The theme of eradicating poverty has been common to both socialists as well as capitalists. However, no one seems to have been able to solve the problem. It is likely that the problem itself has been […]
What is Custo Brazil
Brazil is the most expensive country to live in Latin America. The real problem is that Brazil has become more expensive than most countries in Europe and maybe it is expensive when compared to America as well. The real problem is that people in these developed countries make three times the income of an average […]
As the world watched in horror at the images of mayhem and destruction that were underway in the United States, many were left wondering as to what has become of the World’s Oldest Democracy and a Beacon for Liberty and Free Markets.
Indeed, it was hard to reconcile the global perceptions of the US as a Champion of Trade and Commerce and as a Law Abiding Country with that of the stark reality on display during the storming of the Capitol Hill.
With the events of the day proving that the United States is on a dangerous road, it is worth asking as to what the future holds for this Great Country and how would it impact both Global and American Businesses as well as the American Economy and by extension, the Global Economy.
Moreover, it is clear that Big Business has to take its share of the blame as many leading American firms tolerated and even encouraged Donald Trump for his Tax Cuts and other Business Friendly policies even as he systematically attacked each and every vestige, symbol, and institution of American Democracy.
To start with, it would be an understatement to say that the Worst is over and with Joe Biden taking over; it would be Business as Usual (Literally and metaphorically).
Indeed, with two more weeks to go before the Inauguration, it is anybody’s guess as to what Trump and his Supporters would do and moreover, the damage has already been done.
What more, Trumpism would survive and outlast Donald Trump himself and hence, it is better for the United States to start rebuilding its democratic structures as well as strengthen its foundations before it is too late.
In addition, for the American Economy to flourish there needs to be a stable political environment, and hence, it is in the interest of Corporate America to help the Incoming Administration in this regard.
The point to note here is that businesses need law and order to transact and the Wheels of the Economy run only when there are no obstacles and the Cogs in the Wheels are Well Oiled. Given what happened on Capitol Hill, it is clear that some of the assumptions of the United States being a Law Abiding Country have certainly proved false.
Therefore, this incident must be a Wake up Call.
On the other hand, what is America’s Loss is China’s Gain and as the news emanating from there showed, they are celebrating the misfortune of the Americans. India has a stake as well since the United States is one of the leading trade partners in addition to the Humungous Indian Diaspora that is settled there.
Moreover, Prime Minister Modi is keen to take the Indo-US partnership to New Heights and given how he and Trump hosted each other, there is bound to be some unease at the way things are unfolding.
Of course, in purely economic terms, the World’s Largest Economy cannot suffer an Outage without impairing the Global Economy.
With the Covid 19 Pandemic ravaging the United States more than any other country, one wonders whether America is in the midst of a Perfect Storm of Crises that can easily overwhelm the country and even push it to breaking point and eventual collapse.
This then is the central challenge before Biden and it would be a tough ask for him to get the country and the economy back on track without losing much ground further.
Indeed, as the converging crises accelerate, collapse cannot be ruled out completely.
Having said that, it is also the case that the overall institutional framework and the economic foundations in the United States are strong enough to withstand such assaults on them. Indeed, this is the country that was weathered Two World Wars, the 911 attacks, and other such emergencies and come out stronger.
The saying What Doesn’t Break You, Makes You Stronger, is very much the case with the United States.
However, going forward, there has to be Political Bi Partisanship and unless, the leading parties cooperate with each other, the Fault Lines of the Country that are cracking would soon give way to a Tectonic Earthquake.
Therefore, the Road Ahead is indeed difficult and it remains to be seen as to how successful Joe Biden would be. Moreover, the Flames of Polarization and Hatred have been Fanned Enough to Set the Barn on Fire.
In addition, Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs are finding it hard to survive the Pandemic coupled with the Dire Straits in which the majority of Americans find themselves in.
It is a Sad Reflection on the country that the Congress and the Senate cannot agree on how big the Stimulus and the Assistance to the poor be.
Last, it is high time for the Business Leaders in the United States who pride themselves on their Patriotism to Rise to the Occasion and help Joe Biden Steady the Ship.
Moreover, the American Dream seems to be fading and hence, this is the time to follow inclusive policies rather than policies that make the Rich Richer and the Poor Poorer.
Indeed, the Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher for the Country and where it Goes from Now would depend on how well all the stakeholders mentioned here come together to Make America Great Again not only for some but for all.
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What the Current Wave of Protectionism and Populism mean for the Future of Globalization and Free Trade
February 12, 2025
