text stringlengths 1 330k |
|---|
You are commenting as guest. Optional login below. |
What we do |
Sign up for quarterly notifications and issue highlights. |
Please wait |
Home Stories Issues Editor's Note Winter 2010 |
04 de setembre 2007 |
The viability of an independent Catalan State (III) |
This is the third part of the article by Josep Desquens. |
The fiscal imbalance between Spain and Catalonia |
The long history of Spanish centralism has resulted in Catalans, as opposed to other regions of Spain, traditionally valuing private initiative rather than the state in order to develop. This has led to Catalonia being a relatively rich and dynamic region within Spain, a country that is relatively poor by E.U. standards. Catalonia has a strong net of small and medium businesses and many micro-entrepreneurs. Containing about 16 percent of Spain's population, it provides about 20 percent of its GDP and one-third of the total industrial production and exports. The region contributes about 25 percent of Spain's total taxes, but public investment in Catalonia is scarce when related to either population or GDP contribution. The regionalized investment of the Spanish state in Catalonia from 1982 to 1998 represented only about 8.5 percent of the total. |
Spain's central government controls tax collection and decides the distribution of the fiscal revenues throughout the country. So Catalans pay taxes to Madrid in exchange for public expenditure in the region. The difference between what is paid by the region and what is received back in the form of public spending is the fiscal balance, which can be positive (a 'fiscal surplus' for Catalonia) or negative (a 'fiscal deficit' for Catalonia). Calculating the fiscal balance is not an easy task. There are technical difficulties: Many public services that benefit Catalan citizens are not provided directly in Catalonia but from Madrid (e.g. army, ministries) and so valuing this is complicated. As well, the Spanish central government appears not to make available all necessary data, although it is in theory obliged to do so according to a resolution from the Spanish Parliament. However a number of studies in recent years have estimated the Catalan fiscal balance with Spain, showing not only a deficit (i.e. pays more than it receives back) but one of the highest of any region in the European Union. I refer to this situation as the fiscal imbalance. |
These studies estimate the Catalan fiscal imbalance with Spain to be between 7.5 percent and 10 percent of the Catalan GDP i.e. for every 100 euros of income created yearly in Catalonia, between 7.5 and ten never return. In absolute terms, the deficit is between about 6.7 billion and about 9 billion euros or around 1,240 euros annually per capita (using the median of the estimates, 7.9 billion euros). |
This is a highly abnormal situation when comparing Catalonia to similar regions in other E.U countries. First, if we compare it to regions that have similar levels of per capita GDP, we find that it has by far the largest fiscal imbalance among its E.U. peers. Nine out of fourteen comparable regions - e.g. Aquitaine in France; Scotland in the United Kingdom; Umbria in Italy; and the Southern region in Sweden - enjoy fiscal surpluses in their respective states. In those carrying a fiscal imbalance (e.g. Lisboa-Vale do Tajo in Portugal), it is nowhere higher than 3 percent. A second useful exercise is to compare Catalonia to regions whose income per capita is approximately 20 percent higher than the average of their respective state, as is Catalonia's. These areas include Ile-de-France, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, South East England, Stockholm, Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy. In this case, only the two Italian regions have a comparable fiscal imbalance - a situation that has created an unprecedented political uproar, mainly articulated through the Lega Nord political party, which is resulting in the reorganization of the Italian Republic through the process of so-called devolution. |
The fiscal imbalance has been sustainable in the past because of Spain's relatively closed economy. However, it is not sustainable in the context of globalization. Catalonia will never be globally competitive if it has to carry such a heavy fiscal burden. Catalan companies pay high taxes, only to receive few public services and low infrastructure investment. High taxes result in making the region less competitive, the low level of investment in infrastructure lowers productivity. Not only does it hamper economic growth and the modernization of the Catalan economy, but it also impoverishes Catalan citizens and damages their social and territorial cohesion. As Columbia University professor Xavier Sala-i-Martín puts it: the fiscal imbalance is "the major challenge facing the Catalan economy for its development in the next 25 years." |
Sala-i-Martín has shown that if the Catalan fiscal imbalance had been reduced by one-third over the last 25 years, assuming that the freed funds had been fully invested in infrastructure and education (leading to a higher growth rate), Catalonia would now be a frontrunner in Europe in per capita income - second only to Hamburg, London and Luxembourg. These are missed opportunities. Today, the independence question aside, the unfair fiscal treatment remains an enormous problem for Catalonia. As such it needs to be addressed in an open and informed way. Unfortunately, this is not happening. On the one hand, many people seem to have lost their sense of reality after so many years of permanent centralism. On the other hand, many politicians and commentators fear openly talking about an issue that has become 'politically incorrect' in Spain. They do not want to be compared with the Italian right-wing xenophobic Lega Nord, which has used such type of arguments in a highly demagogical manner. |
In any case, one thing is clear: the fiscal imbalance is a key argument supporting secession. A fully independent Catalonia would not have to pay taxes to Madrid that are invested elsewhere. Instead, it could invest them to the benefit of Catalonia. |
What solidarity? |
The central argument supporting the past and present fiscal imbalance is a so-called inter-regional solidarity. There are also other less convincing arguments such as the populist claim that Catalonia has a historical debt to the rest of Spain, or the economically mistaken opinion that such a fiscal imbalance is necessary as a means to finance Catalonia's large trade surplus with the rest of Spain. Let us focus on solidarity. The current inter-regional solidarity system has major structural flaws that have to be recognized. First and foremost, no solidarity system can compromise the economic health of the 'donor,' as the current one is doing. Second, the current system was designed when disparities between Spanish regions were much higher. Now, after 20 years in the European Union, this has changed significantly. Indeed, in comparing Spain to other E.U. countries we see that the regional differences in Spain are not as abysmal as claimed. Countries such as Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Italy have more substantial inter-regional disparities. Third, supporters of the status quo ignore that Catalonia, though rich, has one of the highest rates of intra-regional income disparity in Spain, both territorially and socially. These disparities are not tackled effectively under the current system. |
In this respect, it is important to highlight that if Catalonia were an independent state within the European Union, roughly half of its territory would be designated as a preferential area for E.U. structural funds. Catalonia is currently considered as a single unitary entity by the European Union and thus, given its overall level of income, is not eligible for these funds. It is in this predicament that significant parts of Catalonia that require public investment do not receive public aid neither from Madrid nor from Brussels. |
Sala-i-Martín has referred to an interesting example that illustrates well the character of the present Spanish solidarity system. In 2000, the GDP per person in Catalonia was 21.9 percent higher than the Spanish average. In comparison, the GDP per person of the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León was 7.6 percent lower than the Spanish average. On the basis of this income differential, one could argue that there is a need for some kind of inter-regional transfer. The surprise comes when we assess the extent of these transfers: Catalonia's Income per capita (after redistributions) was 4.3 percent higher than Spain's average, while Castilla y León's was 9 percent higher. In other words, despite producing over 30 percent more, the redistribution system results in Catalans ending up with a lower income per capita than Castilian-Leonese people. This supports the argument that the Spanish inter-regional transfer system is neither fair nor economically beneficial, but creates a welfare dependency that harms entrepreneurship and growth in the poorer regions. |
Combat the dangers of hot weather (even in Ventura) |
“This should keep us cool until the margarita’s arrive.” |
With summer here and the temperatures rising(even in Ventura), it is important to understand the health risks that excessive heat can bring and know the signs of heat-related illnesses. Older adults and people with chronic medical conditions are particularly susceptible to hyperthermia and other heat-related illnesses. The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, offers advice to help combat the dangers of hot weather. |
Heat stress, heat fatigue, heat syncope (sudden dizziness after exercising in the heat), heat cramps and heat exhaustion are all forms of hyperthermia. Hyperthermia is caused by a failure of the body’s heat-regulating mechanisms. The risk of hyperthermia can increase with the combination of higher temperatures, underlying general health, and individual lifestyle. |
Lifestyle factors that can increase risk include not drinking enough fluids, living in housing without air conditioning, lack of mobility and access to transportation, overdressing, visiting overcrowded places and not understanding how to respond to hot weather conditions. On hot and humid days, especially when an air pollution alert is in effect, older adults, particularly those with chronic medical conditions, should stay indoors in cooler places. If possible, people without air conditioners or fans should go to places that do have air conditioning, such as senior centers, shopping malls, movie theaters and libraries. Cooling centers, which may be set up by local public health agencies, religious groups and social service organizations in many communities, are another option. |
There are many factors that can increase risk for hyperthermia, including: |
Alcohol use |
Reduced sweating caused by medications such as diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers and certain heart and blood pressure drugs |
High blood pressure or other health conditions that require changes in diet. People on salt-restricted diets may be at increased risk; however, salt pills should not be used without first consulting a doctor. |
Age-related changes to the skin such as poor blood circulation and inefficient sweat production |
Being substantially overweight or underweight |
Heat stroke is a life-threatening form of hyperthermia. It occurs when the body is overwhelmed by heat and unable to control its temperature. Signs and symptoms of heat stroke include a significant increase in body temperature (generally above 104 degrees Fahrenheit), changes in mental status (like confusion or combativeness), strong rapid pulse, lack of sweating, dry flushed skin, feeling faint, staggering or coma. Emergency medical attention is critical for a person with heat stroke symptoms, especially an older adult. |
Print Friendly |
marathon laundryThe Marathon Laundry 1.0. Note the big touchscreen, mainly used to get it online.Matt Weinberger/Business Insider |
Glenn Reid spent six years working for Steve Jobs — first, a year at Jobs' startup NeXT, and then from 1998 to 2003 at Apple, where he developed the first versions of iPhoto and iMovie. |
Now with his new startup, Marathon Laundry, Reid says he's "sprinkling Silicon Valley magic dust" onto a problem close to home with a very Apple-like approach: Dirty clothes. |
No, seriously. With its forthcoming Marathon Internet-connected combination washer/dryer, Reid boasts that Marathon Laundry could do for the act of washing clothes what Tesla did for the electric car. |
Better yet, it's not going to command a Tesla price when it ships later this year, carrying a cost of $1,199 – competitive with most decent traditional laundry appliances. |
First off, the mere concept of a combination washer/dryer is extremely appealing to me especially as a new homeowner. As Reid notes, it's been done before, mainly in Europe, but they're not terribly efficient. In fact, he says, they kind of "suck." That's where his Apple background kicks in. |
"At Apple one of our buzzwords was 'make it not suck,'"Reid says. |
That's where the second part comes in. Because it connects to the Internet, the Marathon 1.0 can reap tremendous amounts of data from each individual user. |
It means that just as Tesla collects data from the cars it sells to improve its "Autopilot" self-driving mode, Marathon's laundry systems will learn more and more over time how to wash your clothes, without your needing to fiddle with the often too-complicated controls of a washing machine. |
Indeed, Reid says that there's really no reason for a washing machine to have as many controls as it does, since "there's really only two things they do: water temperature and time." |
glenn reid marathon laundryGlenn Reid, CEO and Founder of Marathon LaundryMarathon Laundry |
Reid says that he can imagine the late Steve Jobs looking at a washing machine, going over the interface with a fine-tooth comb, ultimately finding it too confusing. |
"[Jobs] would say 'isn't there some perfect temperature?," Reid says. |
With the Marathon washer/dryer, the goal is to collect enough data to figure out that one perfect temperature that works for 90% of laundry loads, the same way that the Apple design aesthetic is just perfect for the vast majority of users. |
From there, you can start thinking about all kinds of science-fictional stuff. For instance, a Marathon spokesperson says that it's not out of the question that one day, the machine could identify the stains on your clothes and automatically apply the best treatment. |
Just don't call it artificial intelligence. |
"It's artificial intelligence, but nobody likes artificial stuff anymore," Reid says. |
Mod Name Author |
Advanced Genetics ObsiLP |
Allows you to get the special abilities of a mob and to combine them with yourself. So it is possible to explode! |
Universal Forge Required |
AllSnow Mod Sopwith |
Changes the properties of the non-snowy biomes in Minecraft, lowering their ambient temperatures and essentially cooling them down so that snow and ice will not melt when generated. It then switches on the biomes' toggles for snowfall. The result is all biomes have snow in them, and when precipitation falls it is always snow (except in ocean biomes). |
Universal Forge Required |
All-U-Want Inventory Editor mister_person |
Allows you to not only give yourself any item in the game, but almost every possible kind of item. |
Clientside Forge Compatible ModLoader |
Amberoguia b1u3m0nk3, chilibomb |
Adds a farmable crop which drops a food item also usable for tools, armor, or blocks. Also adds small mobs. |
Universal Forge Required |
Animal Bikes Noppes |
A multiplayer mod which allows you to ride animals. |
Universal Forge Compatible |
Antique Atlas Hunternif |
Adds an Antique Atlas, an antique-looking map which saves all visited locations for easy browsing. Maps are generated around the player, based on chunk-average biome. |
Open Source Universal Forge Required |
Arcane Scrolls Duke605 |
Adds scrolls that give you different abilities, such as teleporting or potion effects. |
Universal Forge Required KingCore |
Armor Stand Risugami |
This block will give you a place to show off your armor. Just place the block and right click on the platform. You can choose from a selection of skins to hold your armor, as well as have it stare at you, constantly. You may also change the texture of platform by putting block in the last slot. |
SSP Forge Compatible |
ArmorStatusHUD bspkrs |
Displays your currently equipped armor and held item along with the durability remaining without having to open your inventory! |
Open Source Clientside Forge Compatible ModLoader bspkrsCore |
Artifice Shukaro |
Adds worldgen (like flowers, marble, and basalt), new blocks (like scaffolding), and new items (such as storage boxes). |
Open Source Universal Forge Required |
Autofish troyboy50 |
Automatically reels and recasts when you catch a fish or treasure. Just cast once and let the mod do the rest. |
Clientside Forge Compatible LiteLoader |
BackCraft JL97 |
Allows you to reverse crafting recipes to their original materials. |
SSP Not Forge Compatible |
Backpacks (Eydamos) Eydamos |
Adds dyable backpacks to the game for storing extra items. Backpack size is configurable. |
Open Source Universal Forge Required |
Barrier TXX59 |
Adds an invisible, unbreakable barrier block into Minecraft. Can be used for specific-entry areas in servers. |
Open Source Universal Forge Required |
BatsDropLeather MorpheusZero |
When you kill a bat it has a chance of dropping 0 - 3 pieces of leather during the daytime. If you kill a bat during the night it's yield may improve since bats are nocturnal creatures. Sometimes they may even drop other kinds of seeds! You can also feed them seeds to breed them. I felt like bats were kind of useless at this point as they don't drop anything or give you XP so I added this in. |
Universal Forge Required MorphCore |
Better Biomes SMEZ1234 |
Adds a new world type, more biomes, and configuration options for vanilla biomes. The Better Biomes world type contains all the new biomes - they do not generate in the standard Overworld. Each one can be turned off in the config. |
Universal Forge Required |
BetterCraft Kitteh6660 |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.