Parmalat's Downfall

It seemed, for a while, that Europe was insusceptible to the wide sweep of scandals that sweep most successful businesses. However, Italian company Parmalat disproved that theory in the latest embarrassment reported a 5 million dollar account that was not only fraudulent but did not exist. This huge disgrace outweighs the other scandals that have swept the US, Enron, WorldCom, Tyco, etc. Parmalat started as a family business producing salami,that branched out to be the champion of Italy's economy and business world.

National Savings

National savings are material standards of life that include savings of private sector, firms and governments. Such standards comprise also superannuation - the key element of private savings. Private or households savings may be determined as domestic savings divided by household disposable income. National savings are basically dependent on consumption opportunities. Savings may be positive or negative.

Optimism and Short Term Credits in Spain

A recent article in a Spanish newspaper revealed that short term credit in Spain reaches one billion euro this years. This announcement interested me, because the Dutch are famous for their propensity to save; they export more than they import, which is just the opposite in Spain where the imports outweigh the exports.

The Future Economic Implosion of Venezuela Predicted by Futurist

One futurist in the United States is very closely watching Venezuela make mistakes and predicts the complete collapse and economic implosion of the Communist Nation State of Venezuela. But how could that happen, as Venezuela is rich in oil you ask? Well easily really, you see Venezuela has a state run oil

The International System

Beginning in the mid-19 th century, as world trade was expanding rapidly, a global economic system began to develop. With the advent of the railroad and the opening of the trans-Atlantic telegraph wire in 1866, the first round of globalization had begun. This first round, however, came to a pause in 1914 with World War I.

Citgo? Really? Hugo Chavez, US Relations with Venezuela, and Oil Prices

Many Americans are calling for boycott of Citgo products lately. Why? The fact that Citgo is 100% owned by ...

The Downfall of Money

Do you think we are being robbed?

China is buying Goods Made in the U.S.A. – Scrap Paper

Scrap Paper and several other categories of products are on the positive side of the ledger for exports to China. Who would have dreamed that China would use our scrap paper to create other goods?

US Should Not Continue Tightening the Economic Grip on Cuba

The US government is one of the three countries in the world that have initiated and maintained the Cuba blockage. Specifically, only US, Israel and Uzbekistan are the rejecting the voice of the United Nations General Assembly to seize this type of trade treatment.

Minimum Wage Law Only Increases the Gap Between the Haves and the Have Nots

By raising the minimum wage to $7.25 proponents believe that the working poor will reap greater economic benefit. Yet, these individuals fail to understand the simple difference between having something and not having something.

Acid Rain in China

Acid Rain is very serious indeed and it is getting somewhat serious in China these days. Why you ask? Well, due to all the air pollution and this is causing a huge issue in the reservoirs and rivers, soon the oceans off the coast as all this water makes its way to the sea.

Understanding Emissions Trading and Global Warming

It goes without saying that there is often an inherent conflict between science and economies. Emission trading is an interesting effort in the global warming arena.

Natural Gas Prices

The value chain of the gas industry consists of oil and gas exploration, drilling, gas processing, transmission and distribution, and the final end users such as residences and industries. After three years of stable residential gas expenditures, the forecast for this year indicates a rise of 40 percent.

Economic Growth Strongest in the West

Economic growth this year will be strongest in Canada's western and easternmost provinces, according to a new provincial forecast prepared by BMO Financial Group. The boom in prices for natural resources, which is benefiting Alberta and Newfoundland in particular, is weighing on the other provinces.

Relating The Macro Economy to Your Small Business

Believe it or not, the success of your small business depends to some extent on the economy as a whole. This article explains how economic indicators may be influencing your business success.