Agora
Posts by Jens Bastian
Buying time: The delayed crisis of democratic capitalism - a review
By now books about the financial crisis of 2008/09 and the sovereign debt crisis in the euro area since 2010 could fill entire libraries across the globe. The crisis narrative continues to carry such resonance in publishing houses, ranging from eye witness accounts, academic analysis, textbook guidance and even finding its way into novels.
Contributor: Jens Bastian
Categories: Europe (292), Politics (409), Economy (344), Society (149), Greece (522)
The complexities of regaining market access: Could Greece learn from Portugal?
Portugal is trying for the second time in three months to test its capacity to return to international bond markets. Seeking to regain full access to such debt markets is a central policy objective for the government of Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho. Greece, Portugal’s eurozone peer and fellow programme country in southeastern Europe, finds itself in a similar position.
Contributor: Jens Bastian
Categories: Europe (292), Economy (344), Greece (522)
Greece in 2014: The risks and opportunities of moving forward
As Greece assumes the rotating EU presidency for six months in January 2014, we ask what lies ahead for the country, its political economy and how will its citizens fare? This inquiry is not only focused on the first six months of the year, until the political authorities hand over the presidential responsibilities to their Mediterranean EU peer Italy at the end of June. Instead, we seek to address the issue of what are the risks and opportunities for Greece moving forward in the coming year?
Contributor: Jens Bastian
Categories: Politics (409), Economy (344), Greece (522)
Debt relief or debt restructuring for Greece?
The two economic adjustment programmes for Greece from 2010 and 2012 as well as the sovereign debt restructuring from April 2012 and the debt buyback initiative in December of the same year have had a significant impact on the debt profile of Greece as a sovereign creditor. Greece’s creditor structure in 2013 compared to the point of departure in 2010 hardly bears any resemblance.
Contributor: Jens Bastian
Categories: Europe (292), Economy (344), Greece (522)
Credit origination and transmission: Are Greek banks part of the problem or the solution?
The twin challenge in Greece’s financial sector remains the liquidity position of banks and their lending capacity to the real economy. Any assumption of a quick return to normality and business as usual are premature.
Contributor: Jens Bastian
Categories: Economy (344), Greece (522)