Interesting article on TNR about the Argentine ruling clan’s opposition to neoliberalism, and its disastrous consequences for a country that’s about to pass Bolivia as Latin America’s reigning economic basket case (I exaggerate. But still…) The local tie-in–as noted earlier this week–is that JSachs lauded Kirchner as “the future of Latin America” less than two months ago, atan even that inluded Shakira, a well-known music producer, four other heads of state, and no student Q and A. Or any Q and A, period.
Said Sachs, according to the Spec’s coverage:
“This is Latin America’s time, I believe,” Sachs, who moderated the discussion, said. He added that, given the area’s resources, food, and energy, “Latin America has what it takes for the decisive breakthrough in this generation.”
I think I did about as much moderation at this event as Sachs. Luckily, Spec slyly commented on the self-congratulatory nature of the gathering:
Shakira and Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute, which hosted the program, were joined by an impressive list of speakers, including five Latin American presidents, some of whom spent much of the forum thanking each other.
Most crucially, the article recorded Kirchner spewing the same party line on regulation and state control which, according to the TNR article, has brought Argentina to its knees:
Argentinian President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner added that for this breakthrough some aid might be needed, drawing on the example of America’s $700 billion bailout to show that every country requires state intervention. “Many of the things we see in today’s contemporary world, even at the center of the world’s largest economy, show that lack of state intervention is a fiction,” she said.
From Fair Alma’s tyranny. And also freedom for yours truly, who’ll get a much-needed break from all the late-breaking campus and national mischief. But the Commentariat won’t be completely gone during the Spring holiday–for one thing we’ve got this Jeffrey Sachs