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LostInParadise's avatar

What is going on with Greece and the Eurozone?

Asked by LostInParadise (31923points) June 29th, 2015

It sure seems like a major crisis but I have heard little in the way of news analysis. All people here seem to be talking about are gay rights and the confederate flag.

I have seen articles by Paul Krugman and Joseph Stiglitz suggesting that Greece has been treated unfairly. They say that the Greeks have taken all the austerity measures that were asked of them, but their economy has gotten worse.

Krugman said that what countries usually do when they have a debt problem is to devalue their currency. This has the effect of reducing imports and increasing exports, the very thing needed to create a favorable balance of trade, allowing the country to pay off its debts. Being stuck with the Euro, the Greeks do not have that option. Both Krugman and Stiglitz say that either way that the Greeks vote next week, it is going to be hard on them, but they both hinted that it might be best in the long run for them to quit the Eurozone.

Any thoughts on this? Have you seen any analyses? I would think that at least among European jellies, there has been more discussion about this, though I suspect that it is likely to be mostly anti-Greece.

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