Merged Now What?

[Spanx]

All we need to do now is change the national anthem to Queen, I want it all, and brexit will be over.

 

[Aepervius]

I agree. The UK often fails to take advantage of technological innovation preferring to "sweat" existing assets long beyond the point of obsolescence (look at our largely Victorian infrastructure and how outdated most of our motor vehicle production was prior to investment from Japan and Germany) and/or cash in quickly by selling off the intellectual property (why can't we build our own nuclear reactors or wind turbines any more ?). IMO it's part of a corporate (and to a lesser extend national) shortsightedness where the balance sheet for the next 3-6 months (or deficit for the current government) is more important than the long-term financial health of the company (or country).



IMO that's because of different business models employed in the two countries. German industry (and in particular the largely family-owned "Mittelstand" of medium-sized companies) tends to think in the long term. They seem to look 5-10-20 years ahead and would rather grow gradually and regularly than have "boom and bust". IMO the UK is more like the U.S.. It's more about getting a quick return which means that squeezing an extra penny today is more important than investment which could yield benefits in the long term.

German companies, in my experience, invest heavily in equipment, and their staff. This long-term investment, whilst "expensive" tends to higher productivity in the long run. You can only do that if you have understanding shareholders.

Germany is also partly oriented toward exporting automation machine toward the rest of the world. That may play a role in an increasingly automated world.

 

[Belz...]

And let foreigners take over businesses in the uk due to the weak pound.

You asked, I answered. Complex ramifications from a decision always have some negative and some positive, but immigration was one of the key perceived benefits of the Leave vote.

 

[catsmate]

I get the distinct feeling that the UK will be the "mark" at the trade negotiations table but our overconfidence in the size of our economy, our misplaced opinion in our position at the international table and our complete overestimation at our ability to cut a deal will mean that we get comprehensively fleeced

This.

 

[catsmate]

Because Australia's desire to cut a deal is evidence of all those things?

And exactly what could the UK offer Australia that the EU couldn't?
How will such a deal help the UK offset the potential problems with EU trade?

 

[catsmate]

No, but proudly announcing it after the first meeting smacks of desperation and over-confidence to me.

Exactly.

How are the UK suddenly able to negotiate deals that they weren't able to a couple of weeks ago considering their status hasn't changed?

Indeed. And not forgetting the lack of actual people to do the negotiations...

 

[catsmate]

Status has changed to "Going to leave the EU"

Really? Has someone activated A50 and not mentioned it? Because as a EU member (and the UK still is) Britain can't negotiate such a deal.

 

[catsmate]

That's the optimistic view. More probably, the Art 50 process is not completed within two years and the UK is automatically kicked out of the EU without any deal. Extending that deadline indeed requires unanimity. And thereafter, the UK really sits like a beggar at the table, needing a trade deal much much more than the EU.

The only way the two year deadline is extended is if the UK grovels; there's too much ill feeling.

 

[catsmate]

We're paving the way for trade talks which, in the fullness of time, all things considered, when the dust has settled, and after due consultation, might lead to trade talks.

As soon as Britain hires some negotiators.

 

[catsmate]

I can't take any more of this. I'm three birth certificates, one marriage certificate and two death certificates away from an Irish passport. I'm going to the Scottish General Registry Office and the Irish consulate, both in Edinburgh, on Tuesday, to start getting the requisite documents and application forms.

Welcome!

 

[catsmate]

In other words ... "This country has had enough of experts. It's time we listened to the kooks!"

For Democracy!

McHrozni

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Democracy simply doesn't work.

Or as Churchill put it: "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter".

 

[catsmate]

Well that (once again) reinforces my position that improved "competitiveness" post-Brexit will be achieved at the expense of the welfare of the workforce and/or the environment.

That's rather a "well, duh" sentiment, given the Conservative government.

We should be out-Germanying Germany not attempting to out-compete developing countries on price

Yeah, but that would involve investing in education and things like that. Smacks of socialism.

 

[catsmate]

I've red an interesting comment on this some time ago. The key is in UK/US investors (in this case) not being sufficiently greedy. They only want to earn money relatively quickly and are satisfied much too soon. Germans on the other hand are far more greedy and want to extract far more value from their investment.

It's an interesting point of view, at least. When not excessive, greed (like sloth) can easily be constructed into a virtue.

McHrozni

More intelligently greedy.

 

[McHrozni]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Democracy simply doesn't work.

Or as Churchill put it: "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter".

I agree with that quote. I also agree with his other saying, namely:
"Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others."

McHrozni

 

[McHrozni]

More intelligently greedy.

Yes, that is implied

McHrozni

 

[catsmate]

I agree with that quote. I also agree with his other saying, namely:
"Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others."

McHrozni

So how to fix democracy so it's not as susceptible to media influence and irrationality?

 

[Craig B]

So how to fix democracy so it's not as susceptible to media influence and irrationality?

Prevent the concentration of media ownership in so few hands. That would be a good start.

 

[McHrozni]

So how to fix democracy so it's not as susceptible to media influence and irrationality?

You can't fix it, you can only reduce media influence and irrationality through education of the electorate. That doesn't always work, so there's a patch: don't put things with implications like Brexit did on a referendum without agreeing to set a sufficiently high bar to pass.

McHrozni

 

[The Don]

Yeah, but that would involve investing in education and things like that. Smacks of socialism.

Several clients and former employers have made a point of not training staff on the grounds that "if we train them then they will leave". How can any company do well when their business model involves keeping their staff so chronically undertrained that they are effectively unemployable elsewhere ?

OTOH I have found that offering comprehensive and ongoing training is a good way to recruit and retain the sort of people I want to have working for me.

 

[catsmate]

Several clients and former employers have made a point of not training staff on the grounds that "if we train them then they will leave". How can any company do well when their business model involves keeping their staff so chronically undertrained that they are effectively unemployable elsewhere ?

OTOH I have found that offering comprehensive and ongoing training is a good way to recruit and retain the sort of people I want to have working for me.

Yeah I've seen that in action. Sometimes in headlines when a preventable disaster strikes...