According to The Economist magazine, ISDS clauses that allow companies to sue states for profit-reducing decisions favor the short-term profit interests of big business at the expense of people's trust and welfare. ISDS clauses make it more difficult to e.g. abolish nuclear power, improve consumer protection and discourage smoking. However, they do not favor growth very much. The companies could have received equivalent protection against…
Month: October 2016
Get rid of CETA at the last minute
CETA is a trade agreement between Canada and the EU. Just like the TTIP trade agreement, it contains several undemocratic mechanisms. Investor protection is included and companies can sue states in private arbitration courts.
The boom under the red-green government continues
We invent many of our tasks ourselves
It varies from job to job, but common to many is that we often invent many of our tasks ourselves. It can be reinforced by a culture where anyone who doesn't stress is looked down upon and despised.
Individuals cannot save the climate
Andreas Gustavsson wrote in Dagens ETC's leader on 6 October 2016 that individuals must be ready for significantly more and tougher sacrifices in order to save the climate. In part it is true, but the solutions can be quite comfortable with respect for the individual's freedom and shortcomings if structural solutions to the environmental threats are introduced.
The new Series Parade cheers you up with apt satire
A year ago I felt that too much was going wrong in the world. I still feel that, but then Nya Serieparaden's witty satire on life, work, relationships and society can cheer you up and give you the willpower to continue. The humor is often felt in the red-green. Now only the magazine is used.
Pleasure is red like justice
It can take a long time to realize the obvious. But as my previous post "Happiness is often also true" says, life is not all struggle and misery. There is a lot of pleasant culture, popular culture, humor, opportunities to improve one's life and opportunities to enjoy as well. That doesn't mean everything is…
Kind managers produce kinder and more efficient employees
The tyrannical boss who publicly incites and judges does not produce more efficient but only more stressed and sick employees, two new surveys show. Kind managers make more productive and healthier employees. And teams that show security and concern for each other are in turn the best performers of different team types.
Happiness is often also true
There is also happiness. Of course, the fight for a just society is the most important thing, but we should not miss enjoying all the good things we have achieved in society. A good dinner with a friend or family member. A glass of beer in the pub sometime. A walk or a workout because it reduces stress and makes us…
The undemocratic TTIP and the secrecy
Europaportalen reports that members of parliament may only read the TTIP agreement in special rooms in Brussels. Otherwise, there is a "risk" that the Swedish publicity principle would come into effect.