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PIQUE final report out now.
Markus Euskirchen | 25. June 2009 | Filed under: Public Services • Österreich • Privatization's Consequences • Data Compendiums • Privatization | Leave a comment
The PIQUE project (Privatisation of Public Services and the Impact on Quality, Employment and Productivity) investigated the impact of liberalisation and privatisation of public services on the quality or work and employment, productivity as well as the quality of public service provision. The Summary Report brings together the key findings of the project, including the results of an investigation of the processes of liberalisation and privatisation and the forms of regulation in the four sectors and six countries investigated; an analysis of company reactions based on a series of case studies; the impact of privatisation and liberalisation processes on labour relations, employment and productivity; the results of a representative survey on users’ perceptions, as well as overall conclusions and policy recommendations.
NGO warns against biopiracy of climate-resilient crops
Markus Euskirchen | 22. June 2009 | Filed under: Biopatents • Intellectual Property • Monsanto • Biodiversity/gen.Ressources | Leave a comment
Navdanya, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in India, has sought government intervention to stop biopiracy of climate-resilient crops by global gene giants who are reported to have applied for patents on farmers’ innovation of seeds that are resistant to drought, floods and salinity. By attempting to patent farmers’ innovations, the multi-national gene companies are not only out to make profits but also want to position themselves as saviours of the world against climate change said Vandana Shiva, the founder of Navdanya. Read more
History Commons: Genetic Engineering and the Privatization of Seeds
Markus Euskirchen | 19. June 2009 | Filed under: Biopatents • Commons • Intellectual Property • Biodiversity/gen.Ressources | Leave a comment
History commons presents grassroots investigations like the page for the Genetic Engineering and the Privatization of Seeds investigative project. The data published as part of this investigation has been collected, organized, and published by members of the public who are registered users of this website. Read more
Bailout-Economy: Privatizing Gains And Socializing Losses
Markus Euskirchen | 4. June 2009 | Filed under: Bailout-Ökonomie • Finances • Finances • General | Leave a comment
There is no shortage of opposition to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner’s new bank bailout plan, and while some arguments are unfounded, Joseph Stiglitz does make a good point. According to Stiglitz the worst part about the bailout plan is that it will privatize gains while socializing losses. With this in mind it makes it an overall losing proposition for taxpayers. In addition to this argument Stiglitz makes several others against the bailout plan in his article as presented by Mark Thoma.
