tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-225206702024-03-07T06:22:33.930+01:00kaFE depokBerlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-5638024324652721232010-03-09T11:02:00.002+01:002010-03-09T11:56:20.935+01:00Why Business entered Politics<span class="fullpost"><br /><br />These days, we bluntly saw political show of Century case on TV. Serial interviews held live so those who were not in the DPR building could follow on what happened with the case. Politicians asked related stakeholders involved in the case in the sense that the show should be watched by adult only. The shows brought politics into your home directly.<br /><br />Apart from the case, we should see who is behind member of parliament who investigate the case. It was political parties controlled by businessmen or family businessowner who also control financial resources. It is also not surprising that political party needed large amount of financial resources to run and win the election.<br /><br /><a href="http://kafedepok.blogspot.com/2009/06/politician-and-business.html">Last posting </a>was interesting. It was recommended for businessmen running in politics should divest their wealth in order to avoid conflict of interest. This sound plausible but difficult in practice. How could you let somebody manage your money but you don't know how much the return is?<br /><br />It is a political system in our country, we must accept that system and it is not necessary bad. Political parties need resources where they could not find it anywhere. So, businessmen walk in political parties are very welcome.<br /><br /></span><span class="fullpost">Being in business is a human right and t</span>his should not be reduced when someboby is a political appointee. <span class="fullpost">The issue is to avoid conflict of interest, public accountability should be improved. People should be educated for public budget awareness be with media or public education. It might hold every session in DPR live on TV like what DPR did with century.<br /><br />People also could see whom should be voted in the next election<br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>pelantjong majahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642048725998958925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-19661210200264137502009-06-10T16:22:00.000+02:002009-06-15T16:28:54.213+02:00Politician and business<span class="fullpost">Politician's business is one of the hot issue in this election (nope, I havent get around to write about neo-liberalism...maybe not enough market incentive)<br /><br />Does politics and business mix well together? They could, but the possible downside is also quite severe.<br /><br />To forbid businessman to go into politics is as mistaken as to allow politician take advantage of state apparatus for their own private benefit. Some middle path is required.<br /><br />I took cue to practice in some developed country and proposed a blind trust where a politician's money is invest without him knowing where it is put to avoid conflict of interest.<br /><br />More on this <a href="http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/06/08/a-better-deal-those-public-office.html">link</a><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-89354624691406468482009-06-04T01:29:00.003+02:002009-06-04T01:36:14.531+02:00Neoliberalism and law formulation<span class="fullpost">Megawati recently made these written <a href="http://www.inilah.com/berita/politik/2009/06/03/112412/megawati-prita-korban-neolib/">statement</a>:<br /><br /></span><blockquote>"Kejadian yang dialami oleh Prita merupakan bukti kasat mata, dampak dari neoliberalisme, di mana kekuatan pasar bebas dengan lembaga-lembaga multinasionalnya dapat dengan mudah menggunakan hukum seperti UU 11/2008 tentang Informasi Transaksi Elektronik (ITE)"<br /></blockquote><br />Despite much sloganism inside and citicism to it, would Indonesia would be better off if all the legal product is evaluated publicly whether it will benefit corporation more than commom citizen. Even more so if it is done by an independent body with competent people on it.<br /><br />Let the debate continue.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-30193704049306411352009-05-28T04:08:00.002+02:002009-05-28T04:12:17.981+02:00The war of slogans<span class="fullpost">The election fever is reaching new height with labelling effort to box the opponents.<br /><br />I'd like to know more concrete policy and the number of each presidential candidate instead of empty slogans and the race to steal narrative.<br /><br />Indonesian deserve a real and substantive debate on economic policy in order to make an informed choice.<br /><br />Anyone know the website of economic platform of each candidates?<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-67501295131572433942009-05-09T01:57:00.003+02:002009-05-09T05:25:17.763+02:00Financial crisis & behavioral economics<span class="fullpost">TNR pubilish an article (click <a href="http://www.tnr.com/booksarts/story.html?id=3b588db3-b3cd-4b4a-867a-ff9a70b93940">here</a>) by Akerlof (Berkeley-Nobel Prize Winner) and Shiller (Yale). The title is provocative "Our New Theory of Macroeconomics' and very powerful excerpts below:<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote>"The role of irrational behavior in the macroeconomy is not trivial and obvious to see. It requires the development of a new theory, which we only just have begun to provide in our book. In this book we strove to put together an array of evidence, some of it from psychology, some of it from economic research, that gave an overall picture that we think is in stark contrast to the usual paradigm.<br /><br />It is a picture that stresses factors that are totally absent from conventional macroeconomic theorizing: that the economy is affected by variations in the level of trust, by storytelling and human interest, by perceptions of corruption or unfairness, by anger and optimism, by social epidemics causing changes in gut instincts and feelings. Those factors, we firmly believe, are ultimate causes of the boom we saw a few years ago, and the bust we are seeing now".<br /></blockquote></div><span class="fullpost">respond to Posner's (Chicago) review (click <a href="http://www.tnr.com/booksarts/story.html?id=52b85827-c5fe-43ee-9625-1149aa14c070">here</a>) of their book "<a href="http://www.blogger.com/The%20role%20of%20irrational%20behavior%20in%20the%20macroeconomy%20is%20not%20trivial%20and%20obvious%20to%20see.%20It%20requires%20the%20development%20of%20a%20new%20theory,%20which%20we%20only%20just%20have%20begun%20to%20provide%20in%20our%20book.%20In%20this%20book%20we%20strove%20to%20put%20together%20an%20array%20of%20evidence,%20some%20of%20it%20from%20psychology,%20some%20of%20it%20from%20economic%20research,%20that%20gave%20an%20overall%20picture%20that%20we%20think%20is%20in%20stark%20contrast%20to%20the%20usual%20paradigm.%20It%20is%20a%20picture%20that%20stresses%20factors%20that%20are%20totally%20absent%20from%20conventional%20macroeconomic%20theorizing:%20that%20the%20economy%20is%20affected%20by%20variations%20in%20the%20level%20of%20trust,%20by%20storytelling%20and%20human%20interest,%20by%20perceptions%20of%20corruption%20or%20unfairness,%20by%20anger%20and%20optimism,%20by%20social%20epidemics%20causing%20changes%20in%20gut%20instincts%20and%20feelings.%20Those%20factors,%20we%20firmly%20believe,%20are%20ultimate%20causes%20of%20the%20boom%20we%20saw%20a%20few%20years%20ago,%20and%20the%20bust%20we%20are%20seeing%20now.">Animal Spirit</a>.<br /><br />Seem like a worthy book to read. And a call to arms for behavioral macroeconomist.<br /><br />Update: more book reviews on origin of financial crisis (click <a href="http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=a_stalled_counter_revolution">here</a>)<br /></span><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-72476993127277137972009-04-18T02:32:00.000+02:002009-04-21T02:39:19.627+02:00Election conduct and election system<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="fullpost">So many interesting things happened during this election, sometime hard to choose which one to focus on.</span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">Should it be the meteoric rise of Democrat Party? or the plot within plot of coalition? or the disenfrachised voter by KPU incompetence?</span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">But they all have been covered rather extensively. and so little coverage has been given to systemic analysis of election system. District system has many advantages that is sorely needed in a large and plural country like Indonesia. Thus I argued (click <a href="http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/04/15/a-districtbased-system-more-efficient-accountable.html">here</a>)</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-17953314127968427842009-04-03T08:41:00.002+02:002009-04-03T08:43:13.407+02:00Econoland<span class="fullpost"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="fullpost">The Economist has a graphic, and hilarious, description on the global state of economy.</span> Among the thrilling experiences Econoland will offer are:</div><div style="text-align: justify;" id="content"><div class="clear top-border"><div class="col-left"> <p><em>The currency high-roller:</em> Float like a butterfly with the euro and drop like a stone with the pound! <em>Chamber of horrors:</em> Tremble at the wailing of distressed debt! <em>Fiscal fantasyland</em>: Watch the economy shrivel before your very eyes as you struggle to stop growth falling! <em>Bankrupt Britain</em>: Pit your wits against the government as you try to sink sterling and bring the country to its knees! <em>The Severe Contest</em>: Try your strength against a bear market!</p></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span class="fullpost">Click <a href="http://www.economist.com/world/britain/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13395767&source=features_box_main">here</a> to see it.</span><br /></div><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-72928630413236787082009-04-02T08:28:00.002+02:002009-04-06T17:34:10.820+02:00Economist and Election<span class="fullpost"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="fullpost">The economist magazine have an interesting article about Indonesian election (click <a href="http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13403041&source=hptextfeature">here</a>)</span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">and </span>Nurkholisoh, an old time friend, publish a splendid article on the Economics of Election (click <a href="http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/03/31/the-economics-voting.html">here</a>)<br /><br />I am also still optimist on Indonesian democracy eventhough acknowledge there likely to be many, avoidable, glitches in this election... May the journey continue smoothly.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">update:</span><br />Another excellent article (click <a href="http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13413966">here</a>) on the Economist on Indonesia election<br /></div><span class="fullpost"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-67302670553659206082009-03-29T18:36:00.001+02:002009-03-30T18:41:42.000+02:00Show off to buy less<span class="fullpost"><br />Earth hour is a very interesting experiment. It turn the bandwagon effect upside down.<br /><br />The standard bandwagon effect is to display consumption so peer pressure lead more people to consume similar item. It worked especially well on luxury and branded items.<br /><br />But enviromental concern could also be treated as luxurious consumption item and peer pressure could be used in many ways. Slimming down and going to the gym is one example where it work to reduce consumption of high-fat substance.<br /><br />The number is quite encouraging. Just in Chicago area it save 100 megawats of electricity (click <a href="http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/energy/comed-reports-reduction-electricity-usage-earth-hour/">here</a>). Anyone has corresponding number for Indonesia?<br /><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-59717728826111019812009-03-29T16:24:00.003+02:002009-03-29T16:41:44.483+02:00Prabowonomics?<span class="fullpost"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="fullpost">Have been reading some opinion article on Prabowonomics.</span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">Among them are Teguh Dartanto in <a href="http://www.korantempo.com/korantempo/cetak/2009/03/24/Opini/krn.20090324.160404.id.html">Koran Temp</a>o, Bersihar Lubis in <a href="http://www.medanbisnisonline.com/2009/03/25/prabowonomics/">Medan Bisnis,</a> Heri in <a href="http://h3li.wordpress.com/2008/12/07/prabowonomics-menurut-pandangan-saya/">his blog</a> dan Vivanews <a href="http://sorot.vivanews.com/news/read/42540-mimpi_besar_prabowonomics">feature</a>.</span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">Does it really deserve a school of thought by itself?</span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">The strands of policy seems to have emphasis on role of the state and primary sector, with a healthy dose of scepticism to globalisation.</span> Dartanto put forward a thoughful critics of some of its target.<br /><br />Name-nomics is a good cacthphrase in the time of frenzy campaign. So I am looking forward to read more of SBY-nomics and Megawati-nomics as well as JK-nomics.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost">It would be interesting to have more debate on economic platform of each party though and less musical campaign.</span><br /><br />Even though also quite likely that Indonesian campaign promises are, in Ron Ziegler's immortal argot, "inoperative" on the day after the election.<br /></div><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-37751984526002044832009-03-28T23:33:00.001+01:002009-03-30T18:42:31.145+02:00Mother Nature's Wrath or Government Negligence?<p> </p>Almost one hundred people dies and more than one hundred still missing in <a href="http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/03/28/situ-gintung-calamity-long-foretold.html">Situ Gintung tragedy.</a><br /><br />It is a shock indeed. Especially since I live nearby.<br /><br />Is it mother nature striking back due to lack of water absorbance or negligence by government? I think its a little bit of both.<br /><br />Checking the bottom of dam is not a high priority in budget allocation. But maybe it should.<br /><br />The incentive is heavy on building new infrastruture but much less on maintenance.<br /><br />Deepest condolescent for many lost of life and livelihood<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-21003047317957743662009-03-24T10:08:00.003+01:002009-03-24T10:15:01.730+01:00Debating the toxic<span class="fullpost"><br />Fianally comes the long awaited Obama-Geithner plan (click <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123776536222709061.html">here</a>) to clean America's bank from toxic asset.<br /><br />But Krugman attack the plan as causing despair. head investor won and tail investor loose. (click <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/23/opinion/23krugman.html?em">here</a>)<br /><br />If government is subsidizing private investor and protecting them from risk, why bother. Just do it directly and nationalize the bank. Those director should be held responsible for their action.<br /><br />No more USD 165 million bonus after destroying the financial system.<br /><br /></span><span class="fullpost">Bradford de Long provided Q& A version of the plan <a href="http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2009/03/the-geithner-plan-faq.html#trackback">here</a>. But its positive tone is criticize by Krugman (click <a href="http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/brad-delongs-defense-of-geithner/">here</a>).<br /><br />Let the debate continue.<br /></span><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-12487989015069196762009-03-20T10:16:00.003+01:002009-03-24T10:20:39.174+01:00Stimulus and election<span class="fullpost"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="fullpost">Never let a crisis goes to waste. Thus said Obama's chief of staff.</span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">As election looming, this is a chance to propose something grand and visionary in stimulus without worry (too much) about inflation and international credit rating.</span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">Must admit quite dispapponted with both the detail of stimulus (click <a href="http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/03/22/don039t-waste-stimulus.html">here</a>) and the way election candidates present themselves (click <a href="http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/03/11/election-candidates-who-are-these-people.html">here</a>).</span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">Looking for silver lining and rainbow after the rain.</span><br /></div><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-43637450942080593792009-02-22T06:51:00.003+01:002009-02-25T06:56:28.662+01:00The Economics of Money Politics<span class="fullpost"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="fullpost">Money is the root of all evil. But money also make the world goes round.</span><span class="fullpost"> So I guess the trick is not to let evil bloom but keep it to stirs the world.</span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">That is the same tricky balancing act to be done in campaign financing. The political party needs money but country as a whole loose when the party need more money than the money need the party.</span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">A regulation is especially needed in Indonesia where income inequality is very wide. f allowed, some rich people could capture government policy and use it to their advantage with little regard for the rest of population.</span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">My to cents worth (not sure can buy how many politician) in this article at Jakarta Post (click <a href="http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/02/19/democracy-or-moneytocracy.html">here</a>). </span><br /></div><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-54746309490630888442009-02-15T06:46:00.002+01:002009-02-25T06:51:11.575+01:00Of Dinosaur and Mammal<span class="fullpost"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="fullpost">An economy deserve a second and third chance. Usually done by discarding old business and business model replace with new ones.</span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">That is where entrepreneurship comes in. </span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">An ossfied economy where the big dinosour continue to rule is not in interest of anyone, except maybe those dinosaur. That is why Indonesia need to use this crisis to ease entry barrier and improve climate for entrepeneurs.</span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">After all, mammal was only come late in earth history. And now we are the most successful start up on this planet. </span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">More on my Jakarta Post article (click <a href="http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/02/10/where-have-all-businessmen-gone.html">here</a>). </span><br /></div><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-73712771267091000182009-02-01T17:56:00.006+01:002009-02-01T19:14:08.821+01:00The long smoke of MUI 'fatwa'<span class="fullpost"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="fullpost">I penned an op-ed in Jakarta Post (click <a href="http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/01/30/mui-%E2%80%98fatwa%E2%80%99-has-not-smoked-out-myths.html">here</a>) on MUI fatwa.<br /><br />The go-to model to analysed addictive behavior is the one developed (click <a href="http://ideas.repec.org/a/ucp/jpolec/v96y1988i4p675-700.html">here</a>; JSTOR subcribtion required) by Gary S Becker, a Nobel Prize winner and briallant economist. A more recent model by O'Donogue and Rabin is worth a look (click <a href="http://www.law.yale.edu/documents/pdf/rabin.pdf">here</a>)<br /><br />Interesting how religion could play part (or could they?) in policy debate.</span> Even more so since there is no punishment (or excommunication) for disobeying the fatwa in the way MUI structured in Indonesia. It is more of moral suasion than a directive. Would be interesting to analyzed the impact on cigarette sales figure<br /><br /><span class="fullpost">The responds to more article on the comment section of Jakarta Post website are quite lengthy and passionate. Still thinking whether to respond and in what tone. Any suggestions?</span><br /></div><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-70705326506766811152009-01-25T17:38:00.002+01:002009-01-25T17:44:30.884+01:00What caused the crisis<span class="fullpost"><br />It will take years and many arguments to settle the questions<br /><br />But Alan Blinder from Princeton and former vice chairman to the Fed provided a preview in NYT of decisions that lead us closer to current circumstances<br /><br />Wild Derivatives<br />Sky-High Leverage<br />A Subprime Surge<br />Fiddling On Foreclosures<br />Etting Lehman Go<br />Tarp’s Detour<br /></span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">(for complete article click <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/business/economy/25view.html?ref=business">here</a>):</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-71488397296292796352009-01-22T08:53:00.003+01:002009-01-22T08:59:59.619+01:00Econ matter in Obama Inauguration Speech<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="fullpost">State of US economy:</span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">"</span>Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet. "<br /><br />Remaining potential:<br /><br />"Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions"<br /><br />What to be done:<br /><br />"The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act — not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do."<br /><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Role of government and market:</p><p style="text-align: justify;">"Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control — and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart — not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good." </p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-16105258968270606782009-01-15T06:42:00.004+01:002009-01-15T08:16:16.457+01:00Europen Economist on Financial Crisis<span class="fullpost"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="fullpost">Just find out a link to download a complete book for free by strong list of European economists o financial crisis. The authors including Guido Tabellini, William Buiter and Paul de Grauwe. </span><em></em><br /><em></em><br /><em></em><span class="fullpost"> Highly recommended to anyone interested in non Anglo Saxon point of view. Click <a href="http://www.voxeu.org/index.php?q=node/1352">here</a> to read in full</span><br /><br />P.S.<br />The <a href="http://www.voxeu.org/">VoxEU website</a> is an excellent portal of column and papers of many top European economist. Ignore at your own perils.<br /></div><em><br /><br /><br /></em><span class="fullpost"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-51198751762005747562009-01-11T14:31:00.001+01:002009-01-11T14:34:57.338+01:00Economist on IndonesiaEconomist put out an article on Indonesia. they are quite optimistic<br /><br /><blockquote>Most banks are healthy, thanks to radical reform after the Asian crisis of a decade ago. And in 2008 the country achieved rice self-sufficiency for the first time in 24 years. Manufacturing is starting to feel the heat but only 25,000 workers have been laid off since November. And, according to research by the Asia Foundation, an American NGO, the huge informal sector has yet to feel much of an impact of the crisis.</blockquote><br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Click <a href="http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12896757">here</a> to read complete article<br /><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-29391451640021870432009-01-05T13:01:00.009+01:002009-01-07T18:36:03.624+01:00Getting NPWP is quite a taxing effort<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6XjnSEUxKFptSkoS5uy0vlOF9OaXq_V2m9pL6oKm8pPa-ONp0OdZQnd2F0eykD_jOSRmGbBvsiwEWgjPZE4NH4XuzjoOzYinndyr9VRUcMStEJEhZaxOwN_cu_Wz3c00FdfC/s1600-h/waiting+for+NPWP+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 167px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6XjnSEUxKFptSkoS5uy0vlOF9OaXq_V2m9pL6oKm8pPa-ONp0OdZQnd2F0eykD_jOSRmGbBvsiwEWgjPZE4NH4XuzjoOzYinndyr9VRUcMStEJEhZaxOwN_cu_Wz3c00FdfC/s200/waiting+for+NPWP+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287809741691530850" border="0" /></a>I was calculating the benefit against cost of having NPWP. Being a student with unsteady job(s) make worry about the hassle of filling a tax return especially if I am abroad.<br /><br />But Pak Darmin, the director general of tax, is a shrewd economist and he knows how to tilt the incentive. Just like busway make life harder for non-busway user. Now the non-NPWP have to pay higher percentage from salary and property sales as well as, a deal clincher, got to pay 2.5 million if ever going abroad.<br /><br />Thus I went at final days of sunset policy, turn out to be extended to end of february, to the my area-designated tax office. It was pack with people, one official there told me they got 600+ applicant in one day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiner3ogKpL3Q85Z3afjevzSA37KWhZIieYhjyIc6t9-LR8TIRH3FxbshtQwZ9x8xfg_oLBhT6zf7zRSUK2RN5j62oU6BBJau3WJ7l5XjbJImDf4HAVD4rkYCINmtMNkRf_HCjI/s1600-h/waiting+for+NPWP.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiner3ogKpL3Q85Z3afjevzSA37KWhZIieYhjyIc6t9-LR8TIRH3FxbshtQwZ9x8xfg_oLBhT6zf7zRSUK2RN5j62oU6BBJau3WJ7l5XjbJImDf4HAVD4rkYCINmtMNkRf_HCjI/s200/waiting+for+NPWP.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287779815859448786" border="0" /></a><br />But the system could be improved for sure. They dont have numbers but one must wait to be called to get the NPWP card after submitting the form. So people stand shoulder to shoulder close to the announcer to be able to hear him. It get really hot and exhausting. If they better planned then we could have a seat while waiting for our number to be flashed on the announcement.<br /><br />Yup, it was quite a taxing endeavour. While the IT system of tax has been improved, the human side still need more work.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /></span><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-63198532593546147032008-12-26T12:25:00.009+01:002008-12-26T17:22:16.192+01:00Could You Purchased Knowledge?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Today I finally put aside the unfinished task to chase discounted books at Gramedia Grand Indonesia. The 35 percent discount is just too much too ignored for a bookworm like me. I arrived a bit after 10 am and finish the shopping before Friday prayers so I managed to beat the crowd.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCqVxK0BQMWzr7DgBSQMOKDOwrn7rYUZ2bi861cLDOsthZhFszF6HUNY-e8PZIYFv88cNj3tNRyns7Vupb5Pdgm7zS4koDU5gCXHRLekqiwS_GuzVjKaeiywjT8vPFe0xhLec/s1600-h/Books+from+gramed+GI.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCqVxK0BQMWzr7DgBSQMOKDOwrn7rYUZ2bi861cLDOsthZhFszF6HUNY-e8PZIYFv88cNj3tNRyns7Vupb5Pdgm7zS4koDU5gCXHRLekqiwS_GuzVjKaeiywjT8vPFe0xhLec/s320/Books+from+gramed+GI.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284059830275193442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />One things that struck me is how books is a elastic goods. There are certainly more than 35 % increase in people coming (and the amount of purchase they make). More like 5 fold increase, and my friends told me yesterday and tonight is even more packed.<br /><br /></span><span class="fullpost" style="font-size:85%;">Elastic goods should get more revenue if they reduce price by getting larger sales volume. So why the bookstore doesnt hold sales more often?</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span class="fullpost" style="font-size:85%;">Or maybe because this feel like a onetime only so people are more willing to splurge on it? </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Why there is a massive coordination failure when what is needed is to put a list of books we want to buy with friends, pooled our money and take turn reading the book? Where have all the library gone?<br /><br />Even more systemic, why govenrment not following the steps of India and China by forcing major book published to print the book locally or <a href="http://english.cri.cn/3178/2006/08/31/48@133082.htm">buy the copyright </a>(yes, some also just ignore it). Thus. reducing the price significantly.<br /><br /></span><span class="fullpost" style="font-size:85%;">Some people (like me) still believe that buying books will make them more knowledgable. Bad news, only reading will. So asked me what I learn after I finish the pile of books above, if ever. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-5664587730319455982008-12-24T05:21:00.002+01:002008-12-24T05:29:41.627+01:00Death, tax and alcohol<span class="fullpost"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="fullpost">They say that the only certain things is death and tax.</span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">I found an article in Freakonomics blog (click <a href="http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/19/indonesias-drinking-problem/">here</a>) that after crack down on illegal trading and closing of an incompetent license holder there is only one legal importer of alcohol in Indonesia </span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">So what happened when a supply is lower than demand? the price increase. In this case, when year end as the excuse of excessice drinking is nearing, four fold. </span><span class="fullpost">(complete article <a href="http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/world/14144-indonesias-spirited-bid-to-drain-corruption">here</a>).</span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">Another article in CNN report a study between death and alcohol tax (click <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/11/13/alcohol.tax.deaths/">here</a>). Now we know the price to pay to reduce (alcohol-reated) death.</span><br /></div><span class="fullpost"><br />Isn't economics a great (if a bit gloomy) science?<br /><br />We can't explain why the story is not reported in Indonesia newspaper though. Please comment and send the link if you find any<br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-66498080621818055792008-12-21T05:35:00.004+01:002008-12-21T05:40:47.856+01:00Creative monetary policy<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="fullpost">Found a 2004 paper with Bernanke (yup, the Fed chairman) as one of co-author. </span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">It listed alternative policy when the rate cut is neither feasible nor having impact (click <a href="http://www.federalreserve.gov/Pubs/FEDS/2004/200448/200448pap.pdf">here</a> to read in full).</span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">America is so lucky to the someone so prepared for the crisis at in charge of the monetary policy. BI still have a lot of ammunition to cut rate but its good to be prepared.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22520670.post-11133713069859503282008-12-20T05:42:00.003+01:002008-12-21T06:00:41.560+01:00All you need is marketing<span class="fullpost"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="fullpost">The maker of shoes thrown to Bush is surprise to see the demand for Ducati model 271, </span>soon be renamed “The Bush Shoe”<span class="fullpost">, sky-rocketed after the incident.<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/world/middleeast/21shoe.html?ref=middleeast">here</a> for the full article </span>in Bloomberg.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost">The shoe-cide managed to send a sock-and-awe and in-your-face moment in marketing.</span><br /><br /><br /><span class="fullpost">P.S.</span><br /><span class="fullpost">If you need some weekend diversion, click <a href="http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2008/12/bush-shoe-toss.html">here </a></span>or <a href="http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/georgewbush/a/bush-shoe-jokes.htm">here</a><br /></div><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright by kaFE depok</div>Berlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277891530068241376noreply@blogger.com1