A New Regime Won't Solve Egypt's (Big) Problems

dharma · 02-08-2011, 11:32 PM

Brace for a wave of disillusionment if democratic reforms succeed—and things get even worse. Why? Peak oil.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/2503...me-might-think

Ought Six · 02-09-2011, 12:33 AM

Add to that the fact that Egypt imports half their wheat, and we know which way food prices are headed. Their economic future looks pretty bleak.

dharma · 02-09-2011, 12:49 AM

Yup.

I would feel a great deal more positive in spite of this increasingly uphill road to the future if I felt current trends portended a truly open society, and free market economy, on the way. I don't. Egyptians still have a long journey to freedom.

Ought Six · 02-09-2011, 01:40 AM

I have known a number of Egyptian businessmen, and they are incredible capitalists. They really know how to deal. If they could get true free markets, even with their great handicaps I think they could kick ass. We can only hope.

Mayerling · 02-09-2011, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ought Six

I have known a number of Egyptian businessmen, and they are incredible capitalists. They really know how to deal. If they could get true free markets, even with their great handicaps I think they could kick ass. We can only hope.

Yes, we had some of those Egyptian businessman in the recently deposed cabinet. And some of those now detained, did quite a bit of good for the egyptian people The Minister of Housing fired alot of his employees since they weren't doing anything except asking him for parcels of land. he brought water to many poorer areas and built homes for the poor and encouraged low interest rates for homes. He is immensely wealthy thru family money ( attained outside of Egypt by the way) and increased that inheritance thru smart investments. Most of these cabinet members were wealthy enough on their own without getting freebies from the govt. Minister maghbrai did not seek this position nor his protfolio as minister of tourism priot to this appt, he was more or less ordered to accept.
Mind you - the minister of housing, trade, finance, and health were all western educated.