Front cover image for Welcome to the poisoned chalice : the destruction of Greece and the future of Europe

Welcome to the poisoned chalice : the destruction of Greece and the future of Europe

James K. Galbraith (Author)
A world-renowned economist offers cogent and powerful reflections on one of the great avoidable economic catastrophes of the modern era. The economic crisis in Greece is a potential international disaster and one of the most extraordinary monetary and political dramas of our time. The financial woes of this relatively small European nation threaten the long-term viability of the Euro while exposing the flaws in the ideal of continental unity. "Solutions" proposed by Europe's combined leadership have sparked a war of prideful words and stubborn one-upmanship, and they are certain to fail, according to renowned economist James K. Galbraith, because they are designed for failure. It is this hypocrisy that prompted former Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, when Galbraith arrived in Athens as an adviser, to greet him with the words "Welcome to the poisoned chalice." In this fascinating, insightful, and thought-provoking collection of essays-- which includes letters and private memos to both American and Greek officials, as well as other previously unpublished material-- Galbraith examines the crisis, its causes, its course, and its meaning, as well as the viability of the austerity program imposed on the Greek citizenry. It is a trenchant, deeply felt commentary on what the author calls "economic policy as moral abomination," and an eye-opening analysis of a contemporary Greek tragedy much greater than the tiny economy of the nation itself. -- Provided by publisher
Print Book, English, 2016
Yale University Press, New Haven, 2016
essays
xi, 213 pages ; 22 cm
9780300220445, 0300220448
926820855
Welcome to the poisoned chalice
Part I. 2010-2014. Europe's crisis : thinking it through to the end
Greece and the European project
A question of moral responsibility
Neither austerity nor growth : solidarity is Europe's only hope
The victory of SYRIZA is not against American interests / with Yanis Varoufakis
The United States and Europe : what is going on?
Part II. 2015. The Greek hope
A message to Sarah Raskin
A comment on the way forward
America must rally to Greece
Reading the Greek deal correctly
A great German Greek Grexit game?
The political level
A report from Athens
Does Europe need debt relief?
Long-term strategy through a realistic lens
Strategic options
A further message to Sarah Raskin
The Greek drama and democracy in Europe
Notes on the meeting, Varoufakis-Schäuble, June 8, 2015
What is reform? : the strange case of Greece and Europe
What can happen in the next days?
Bad faith : the IMF and Europe on Greece
Only the "no" can save the Euro
Nine myths about the Greek referendum
What is the matter with Europe?
Exit made easy
Greece, Europe, and the United States
Plan B
Statement on the Ministry of Finance working group
A note to the editors at the Guardian
Death spiral ahead?
The future of Europe
What the Greek memorandum means / with Daniel Munevar
Back to square zero
A final word : Madrid, October 21, 2015
Appendix. A summary of Plan X