7 points in defense of Greece

1) Greece does not use nuclear for energy thus does not risk the safety of others, as many other EU/Eurozone states (and others) do.

2) Greece does not use ultra low corporate taxation, thus does not take taxable income away from other EU/Eurozone and other countries/states.

3) Due to geo position (and lack of a US of E), Greece has to spend for defense per capita more than anyone in the EU. EU/Eurozone "paymasters" Germany, France, NL are among the main sellers of arms.

4) Greece has been too loyal a believer in the EU Single Market concept (but alas only on the imports side)

5) Greece joined the EEC and then the EMU/Euro primarily not for economic but other (especially security) reasons (many others did too).

6) Greece's geo location (no land borders with the rest of the EU until 2007 and none with the rest of the Eurozone even today) affects the competitiveness of its exports (existing and potential).  

7) Greece's geo morphology (islands etc) breaks its internal market into many local ones thus hindering economies of scale and competition.

Some things are not the Greeks' fault

Some things are not the Greeks' fault! 

 The Greeks/Greece have in the last 2.5 years been blamed by many analysts, commentators, media etc for the Eurocrisis. 

The main premise for the blame is their perennial government deficits and resulting national debt. One can debate that, but that's not the point of this post. 

 The point is: So many allegedly "successful" country (national) economic models are actually based on gimmicks, "piggybacking" on other countries, myths/stereotypes, etc! 

For example: Some countries over-rely on exports (trade surplus). While some exporting is of course a very good thing, there are limits. 

A country cannot and should not rely too much on the consumers of other countries (that a perennial trade surplus indicates). 

All in moderation. Some countries rely on tax competition (too low tax rates, off-shore tax heavens, etc). Nothing to be proud of. 

On the contrary. 'Some countries' economic model takes advantage of nuclear energy, putting into risk their neighbours and the whole planet! 

The same, but to a different extent and nature, applies to CO2 emitting industry. 

Past and present mega polluters (see global warming). 

Originally posted in https://npthinking.blogspot.com