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<title>Itinera Institute - Issues - Economy &amp; Innovation</title>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org</link>
<description>Itinera Institute - Issues - Economy &amp; Innovation</description>
<image>
<url>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/web/sources/img/logo_itinera.jpg</url>
<title>Itinera Institute - Issues - Economy &amp; Innovation</title>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org</link>
</image>
<copyright>Copyright 2012, Itinera Institute</copyright>
<language>en</language>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
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<title>Euro-policy in the balance: too little, but not (yet) too late</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos offers a broad reflection on the crisis management of the euro. Notwithstanding all the tribulations, the basic direction is right albeit incomplete. But the European politicians are playing a historic poker game with a different timing than the financial markets. It is therefore improbable that the Eurozone will come through the crisis intact.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/euro-policy-in-the-balance-too-little-but-not-yet-too-late/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/euro-policy-in-the-balance-too-little-but-not-yet-too-late/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Belgium divided between strike and anti-strike </title>
<description><![CDATA[ Jean Hindriks and Laurent Hanseeuw shed lights on the popular opposition against the general strike taking place this Monday 30 January. They explain the apparent paradox stating that powerful labor unions can be useful safeguard against inopportune strikes. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgium-divided-between-strike-and-anti-strike/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgium-divided-between-strike-and-anti-strike/</guid>
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<title>Presentation Marc De Vos: Happiness and politics</title>
<description><![CDATA[ ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/presentation-marc-de-vos-geluk-en-politiek/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/presentation-marc-de-vos-geluk-en-politiek/</guid>
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<title>Presentation Vandenbroucke Happiness and politics</title>
<description><![CDATA[ ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/presentation-vandenbroucke-happiness-and-politics/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/presentation-vandenbroucke-happiness-and-politics/</guid>
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<title>Why our public debt needs to be reduced</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos and Ivan Van de Cloot explain why the Belgian public debt is problematic. We will over many years, unfortunately, have to pay the debt bill of the past in order to build the future.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/why-our-public-debt-needs-to-be-reduced/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/why-our-public-debt-needs-to-be-reduced/</guid>
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<title>In Europe, we need to move!</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Laurent Hanseeuw recalls the issue of factor mobility, and labor mobility in particular, in the constitution of an optimal currency zone. When comparing to the US, European workers are reluctant to move, even in their own state. Languages are a natural barrier, but they are many others which policymakers should cope. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/in-europe-we-need-to-move/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/in-europe-we-need-to-move/</guid>
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<title>Happiness and politics: a plea for bright thinking</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Saying that the height of the GDP is our best standard for well-being, is just as twisted reasoned as saying that the Gross National Happiness is our best standard, argues Frank Vandenbroucke in a reaction to the discussion essay by Marc De Vos on happiness and politics.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/happinessandpoliticspleaforbrightthinking/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/happinessandpoliticspleaforbrightthinking/</guid>
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<title>VAT reduction for the catering industry: who benefits? </title>
<description><![CDATA[ Laurent Hanseeuw and Jean Hindriks analyze the effects of a VAT reduction for the catering industry, introduced in Belgium in 2010. First, they review the economic fundamentals pleading for such a favorable rate. Then they analyze the impact of this reduction based on the reasons which have been used to justify such a reduced rate. We can conclude that the impact has been fairly modest when it comes to job creation and that the sector remains heavily exposed to the black economy.   ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/vatreductioncateringindustry/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/vatreductioncateringindustry/</guid>
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<title>The euro crisis : everything you always wanted to know, but never dared to ask</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Etienne de Callata&#255; explains the economic fundamentals which lie at the basis of the euro crisis. He then details the consequences this crisis could have and possible solutions we could reach. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-euro-crisis-everything-you-always-wanted-to-know-but-never-dared-to-ask/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-euro-crisis-everything-you-always-wanted-to-know-but-never-dared-to-ask/</guid>
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<title>The future will be bright, if we want it to be</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos opens the new year with a dose of optimism. In the short run many lights are red. But if we undertake the right reforms then the weather at the end of the tunnel will be better than at its beginning.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-future-will-be-bright-if-we-want-it-to-be/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-future-will-be-bright-if-we-want-it-to-be/</guid>
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<title>Call for a broad pension strategy</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos responds to the demonstrations against pension reform. The debate is poisoned by a combination of denial, fundamentalism and utopic spinning. He argues for a general mobilization for a broad pension strategy, carried by visionary realism.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/call-for-a-broad-pension-strategy/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/call-for-a-broad-pension-strategy/</guid>
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<title>Do not obstruct, but construct</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos responds to the union march against the government. The protesters underestimate the situation and the government offers too little positive perspective through structural reforms. We are not reforming too much but too little.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 02 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/donotobstructbutconstruct/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/donotobstructbutconstruct/</guid>
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<title>Reclaiming Happiness from Politics</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Happiness is back, both in the sciences and in politics. While the economy is suffering from a systemic crisis, the time is ripe for an explicit happiness agenda that seeks to steer society consciously towards personal wellbeing. This essay &#8211; the first discussion paper in the series &#8220;Back to Basics&#8221; &#8211; embraces happiness as a relevant policy concern but refutes fundamentally the terms and the purpose of the current happiness revival. It ends with a call to save happiness from politics, and instead promote it through careful facilitation.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/reclaiming-happiness-from-politics/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/reclaiming-happiness-from-politics/</guid>
<enclosure url="http://www.itinerainstitute.org/upl/1/en/doc/dp_1_uk_final%20versionfor%20website_uk.pdf" length="455083" type="application/pdf" />
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<title>A study year&#8217;s value</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Laurent Hanseeuw and Brieuc Van Damme are skeptical of prolonging the studies to become a teacher in Flanders. It increases costs for students and reduces the supply of teachers. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/a-study-years-value/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/a-study-years-value/</guid>
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<title>Video: a modern and effective public sector: Jean Hindriks</title>
<description><![CDATA[ ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/videopublicsectorjeanhindriks/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/videopublicsectorjeanhindriks/</guid>
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<title>Video: From #NoGov to #GoodGov</title>
<description><![CDATA[ ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/videofromnogovtogoodgov/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/videofromnogovtogoodgov/</guid>
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<title>The Dexia Saga</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In a sane banking system there is a difference between saving and investing on the one hand, and speculation on the other. A sane banking system takes responsibility for the consequences of wrong choices instead of passing the bill on to the tax payers. The Dexia saga painfully shows that we have a long way ahead of us, says Ivan Van de Cloot. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-dexia-saga/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-dexia-saga/</guid>
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<title>Will we need to outsource care for the sick and elderly to foreigners? </title>
<description><![CDATA[ In the short term, foreign nurses can help coping with the shortages of our white economy. In the long term we will need structural solutions, says Brieuc Van Damme. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/will-we-need-to-outsource-care-for-the-sick-and-elderly-to-foreigners/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/will-we-need-to-outsource-care-for-the-sick-and-elderly-to-foreigners/</guid>
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<title>From #NoGov to #GoodGov</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The report &quot;From #NoGov to #GoodGov&quot; is a constructive contribution to the negotiations, from a strategic and long-term perspective. The emphasis lies on the major challenges facing the new government, with 45 concrete recommendations for a vigorous policy.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/fromnogovtogoodgov/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/fromnogovtogoodgov/</guid>
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<title>Higher education: end the tuition-fee fetishism </title>
<description><![CDATA[ Jean Hindriks and Laurent Hanseeuw counter the current fetishism that surrounds the university tuition-fees. They recall that universities are underfinanced and students with modest backgrounds are the first victims thereof. They plead for an open debate on the refinancing of higher education. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/higher-education-end-the-tuition-fee-fetishism/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/higher-education-end-the-tuition-fee-fetishism/</guid>
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<title>Presentation: From #NoGov to #GoodGov</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The report &quot;From #NoGov to #GoodGov&quot; is a constructive contribution to the negotiations, from a strategic and long-term perspective. The emphasis lies on the major challenges facing the new government, with 45 concrete recommendations for a vigorous policy.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/presentationfromnogovtogoodgov/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/presentationfromnogovtogoodgov/</guid>
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<title>The budgetary and fiscal challenges for the next government</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Ivan Van de Cloot and Etienne De Callata&#255; draw an overview of the budgetary challenges for the next government. The focus should be on savings and efficiency. New government resources are necessary but these should go together with structural reforms. In the short term, Itinera pleads for enshrining a budgetary rule in the constitution and the appointment of a commission of experts. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/budgetfiscalchallenegs/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/budgetfiscalchallenegs/</guid>
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<title>Selling Belgacom? Yes, but&#8230;</title>
<description><![CDATA[ It is likely that the next government plans to sell its shares in Belgacom, the main telecom operator in Belgium. Laurent Hanseeuw explains this makes sense on economic and governance aspects. However, one should avoid to proceed to such a disinvestment for budgetary purposes. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 23 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/selling-belgacom-yes-but/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/selling-belgacom-yes-but/</guid>
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<title>&#8220;BHV&#8221; casts its shadow</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos sees how &#8220;BHV&#8221; casts a long shadow, also on the budget for 2012. He fears for &#8220;Royco Minute Soup&#8221; while the budget should follow from strategic vision and structural reforms.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/bhv-casts-its-shadow/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/bhv-casts-its-shadow/</guid>
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<title>Presentation:The quest for growth</title>
<description><![CDATA[ ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/presentationthe-quest-for-growth/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/presentationthe-quest-for-growth/</guid>
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<title>The quest for growth</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The West is facing huge challenges. Decreasing budget deficits and controlling government debt have become universal priorities in no time. But maybe we can grow ourselves out of our problems? Without growth the necessary reforms will be more painful and take more time. In this analysis, Johan Albrecht discusses the importance of productivity and the determining ingredients of the growth recipe. Meanwhile, the author is skeptical about the diminishing industrial capacity of most advanced economies. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-quest-for-growth/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-quest-for-growth/</guid>
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<title>How to refinance our universities?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Since higher education has been decentralized in Belgium, public financing of universities in both communities has almost been frozen. Students&#8217; coaching has been continuously scrapped for the last forty years; which certainly does not help the graduation rate. Communities budgets have almost no room to increase means significantly. Therefore, tuition fees need to be increased. In order to avoid creating new hurdles for higher education&#8217;s accessibility, one should implement the so-called deferred tuition fees. Meanwhile, more scholarships should be given to young people from modest backgrounds. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-to-refinance-our-universities/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-to-refinance-our-universities/</guid>
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<title>Green arms&#8217; race: China floors the West</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos explains how China is gaining advantage in the development of a green economy. China uses the open world market where it can en abuses it where it musts. Western companies have the choice between demise and collaboration, making Chinese state capitalism more dominant or corrupting.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/green-armsrace-china-floors-the-west/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/green-armsrace-china-floors-the-west/</guid>
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<title>Why 9/15 is more important than 9/11</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos gives his vision on 9/11. The collapse of Lehman Brothers is for him of greater historical significance, but in ten years&#8217; time it can also be the reverse.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/why-915-is-more-important-than-911/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/why-915-is-more-important-than-911/</guid>
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<title>Libyan oil : will there be an occidental altruism ? </title>
<description><![CDATA[ The potential uprising of a democratic State in Libya highlights the question of the oil rent&#8217;s utilization. Laurent Hanseeuw explains the importance of a limited use of this rent in order to avoid economic and political issues that are created by such a money flow.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/libyan-oil--will-there-be-an-occidental-altruism/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/libyan-oil--will-there-be-an-occidental-altruism/</guid>
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<title>What after refusal of the eurobonds ? </title>
<description><![CDATA[ As Germany has blocked the introduction of Eurobonds, alternatives have to be considered. Mechanisms for an orderly exit of a member country, debt reduction schemes have to be considered to open up a new perspective for countries without building castles in the air. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/what-after-refusal-of-the-eurobonds/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/what-after-refusal-of-the-eurobonds/</guid>
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<title>Why a crisis tax on the super-rich is no solution</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos explains that we need first and foremost to reform taxation for better governance en more strong shoulders in the economy. Rather than through a symbolic crisis tax, the super-rich can serve the country much more through experience, ideas, and a broad culture of philanthropy.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/why-a-crisis-tax-on-the-superrich-is-no-solution/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/why-a-crisis-tax-on-the-superrich-is-no-solution/</guid>
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<title>Double Dip is only the beginning</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos sees six crises that trouble our times: financial, public debt, the growth model, the welfare state, the political system, and all of us who are used to having more for less. There is no need for despondency but we have to take our responsibility in unity and with vision.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/double-dip-is-only-the-beginning/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/double-dip-is-only-the-beginning/</guid>
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<title>Deliver us, Lord, from job plans!</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos nuances the figures for Belgian job creation and criticizes expensive job plans with plenty of waste and perverse effects. Individual counseling and activation is much more efficient. Eliminating wasteful job plans is a duty in times of budgetary scarcity.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/deliver-us-lord-from-job-plans/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/deliver-us-lord-from-job-plans/</guid>
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<title>Creating, instead of debating, economic value </title>
<description><![CDATA[ The creative forces in Greece were too much diverted to a competition for government resources rather than for wealth creating initiatives.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/creating-instead-of-debating-economic-value/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/creating-instead-of-debating-economic-value/</guid>
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<title>Eliminate the meal vouchers</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos sees only one solution for the fraud with meal vouchers: abolish the vouchers. All exemptions generate needless complexity. We can best replace them by overall tax reduction. That will also ensure economic progress.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/eliminate-the-meal-vouchers/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/eliminate-the-meal-vouchers/</guid>
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<title>We are living beyond our means</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos sees an age of debt everywhere. Our prosperity and welfare are partly rooted in illusion or exploitation, at the expense of the next generation. We will have to become poorer in the upcoming years, in order to become richer again.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/we-are-living-beyond-our-means/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/we-are-living-beyond-our-means/</guid>
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<title>The real lesson of the eurocrisis: less is more</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos sees a pattern behind the euro-crisis: European hubris in the face of national realities. The members of the European Union have made a habit out of committing the European Union to run while they are only willing to walk themselves. The key lesson of the Euro-crisis is therefore that less can indeed be more.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-real-lesson-of-the-eurocrisis-less-is-more/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-real-lesson-of-the-eurocrisis-less-is-more/</guid>
<enclosure url="http://www.itinerainstitute.org/upl/1/default/doc/mdv_56_uk.pdf" length="157403" type="application/pdf" />
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<title>The bill for the Euro-crisis will hit Belgium too</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos sees only three ways to pay the bill for the euro-crisis. The easiest path is stealth redistribution among the European tax payers. Belgium will have to bear its share of the burden.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jul 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-bill-for-the-euro-crisis-will-hit-belgium-too/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-bill-for-the-euro-crisis-will-hit-belgium-too/</guid>
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<title>The Greek-European tango </title>
<description><![CDATA[ Ivan van de Cloot thinks we will come to a rational analysis of the European debt crisis only if we admit responsibility should be shared between Greeks authorities, European politicians and private investors. The goal is not to consider, as it is often the case, everyone is guilty which makes de facto no one responsible but to share the unavoidable burden on the three stakeholders. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jul 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-greek-european-tango/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-greek-european-tango/</guid>
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<title>The negative side of diploma inflation</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos underscores the lowering standards of university education. He warns for a negative spiral of diplomatosis, with ever more students obtaining ever more degrees that are worth ever less.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-negative-side-of-diploma-inflation/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-negative-side-of-diploma-inflation/</guid>
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<title>Chinese money serves Chinese geopolitics</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos warns for a Chinese agenda behind loans and investments. China considers itself to be more than a country: a civilization-state. Chinese money is an instrument of a geopolitical strategy that is potentially threatening to the West.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/chinese-money-serves-chinese-geopolitics/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/chinese-money-serves-chinese-geopolitics/</guid>
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<title>Is the Parti Socialiste the objective ally of Flemish nationalism?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos sees the Belgian crisis as an issue of party politics: will the success of the Flemish nationalists be durable or not? The Walloon political parties are currently the objective allies of the NV-A. In the meantime, the 2012 local elections are around the corner.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/is-the-parti-socialiste-the-objective-ally-of-flemish-nationalism/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/is-the-parti-socialiste-the-objective-ally-of-flemish-nationalism/</guid>
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<title>State payment delays&#8230; Be careful with austerity</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Jean Hindriks and Laurent Hanseeuw show the worrying payments delay of the public sector in Belgium and the negative consequences it can have on the economy. Moreover, dramatic delays recorded in Southern European Countries highlight that austerity can push governments to further delay their payments. In a time when Belgium opts for budgetary restrictions, one should keep off following a trend with numerous pernicious effects&#8230; ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/state-payment-delays-be-careful-with-austerity/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/state-payment-delays-be-careful-with-austerity/</guid>
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<title>How Belgium resembles Greece</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos remarks that Belgium also has the Greek disease. We too have a culture where fraud is not only tolerated, but even openly defended. This is an existential problem when the whole of society faces a budgetary challenge of many billions.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 17 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-belgium-resembles-greece/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-belgium-resembles-greece/</guid>
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<title>The institutional crisis yields a symbolic parliament</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos sees how parliament, in the absence of a real government, improvises at the surface with symbolic issues. Without an overarching governmental vision, parliament becomes its own victim and leaves society with legislation that is ineffective and full of perverse effects.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 17 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-institutional-crisis-yields-a-symbolic-parliament/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-institutional-crisis-yields-a-symbolic-parliament/</guid>
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<title>It&#8217;s the economy, stupid!!</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos nuances the victorious claims of how social security saved us from the crisis. Belgium owes its relative better performance mostly to economic and demographic factors, some of which actually bode ill for our future growth potential.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/itstheeconomy-stupid/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/itstheeconomy-stupid/</guid>
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<title>Pension&#8217;s solutions in an ageing country</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Ivan Van de Cloot approves that finally the pension debate is again on the table. In 2011 we cannot longer believe in financing the ageing costs without breaking down the taboo of 65 as the end of the career. As long as responsibility is taken, everyone can make his career choices in full freedom. The notional pension system makes sure it is the contributions to the system which determine the rights and no longer the fetish of the age of a person.Ivan Van de Cloot approves that finally the pension debate is again on the table. In 2011 we cannot longer believe in financing the ageing costs without breaking down the taboo of 65 as the end of the career. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 27 May 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/pensions-solutions-in-an-ageing-country/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/pensions-solutions-in-an-ageing-country/</guid>
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<title>The budgetary challenge is a fundamental societal choice</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos argues that the budgetary crisis is a systemic crisis. Improving the system is therefore the only sustainable solution. That means giving priority to efficiency gains over austerity, and to tax reform over tax increases. If we want to draw the lessons from the crisis and start the future with a clean sheet, we have no choice: we need to reform structurally and strategically.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 25 May 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-budgetary-challenge-is-a-fundamental-societal-choice/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-budgetary-challenge-is-a-fundamental-societal-choice/</guid>
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<title>Who is to blame for NIMBY?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos defends the rule of law. Rules apply to everybody and every citizen has the right to have them enforced by independent judges. The authorities should respect their own rules. Politicians have to guard zoning and planning. &#8220;Not in my backyard&#8221; is caused by too little backyard.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 May 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/who-is-to-blame-for-nimby/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/who-is-to-blame-for-nimby/</guid>
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<title>Can a working couple still afford a new house? </title>
<description><![CDATA[ With a relatively low interest rate, a new house building project of 220 000&#8364; can be afforded by 20,6% of the households in our country as long as they manage to come up with 50 000&#8364; own funding. In the typical case of a working couple with two children, 68% can afford such a house but only 18% can finance it without any equity fund (50 000&#8364;). The reduction of building activities could be the consequence of rising costs for housing projects which make potential households fleeing this market. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 May 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/can-a-working-couple-still-afford-a-new-house/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/can-a-working-couple-still-afford-a-new-house/</guid>
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<title>Great potential for Philanthropy in Belgium </title>
<description><![CDATA[ Ivan Van de Cloot presented on the second Day of the Philanthropy the first Index of Philanthropy. This was a combined initiative of the Fondation Roi Baudouin and Itinera Institute and the analysis points to a great potential for philanthropy in our country. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 May 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/great-potential-for-philanthropy-in-belgium/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/great-potential-for-philanthropy-in-belgium/</guid>
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<title>No elegant exit from Euro-malaise</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos sketches the scenarios for the endgame in the euro-crisis. It will hurt and it will last a long time. In the meantime the political project of European unification is crumbling. Europa is bleeding on all fronts. It tries too much and therefore achieves too little. If it continues down this path, it risks drowning itself.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 09 May 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/no-elegant-exit-from-euro-malaise/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/no-elegant-exit-from-euro-malaise/</guid>
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<title>Black swan in the Middle-East</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Ivan Van de Cloot makes an economic analysis on the awakening in the Middle East and states these countries constitute the demographic antipode of Western Europe which is characterized by an ageing wealthy population which is afraid of changes as it has a lot to lose.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/black-swan-in-the-middle-east/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/black-swan-in-the-middle-east/</guid>
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<title>Belgian voluntarism is political illusionism</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos is astounded by the multi-year plan that Belgium has presented to the European Union. Voluntarism is really political illusionism that once more masks the seriousness and urgency of the situation for a tame public opinion.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgian-voluntarism-is-political-illusionism/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgian-voluntarism-is-political-illusionism/</guid>
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<title>Energy chaos in Belgium</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos regrets the energy chaos in Belgium. Governments fail to make real or sustainable choices and are addicted to the taxation Baxter of a mismanaged energy sector. Instead of policy we have conflicts of interests between politics and energy players.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/energy-chaos-in-belgium/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/energy-chaos-in-belgium/</guid>
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<title>Debt crisis as a vulcano with sporadic eruptions </title>
<description><![CDATA[ Ivan Van de Cloot hopes Belgium can square the circle of reducing debt while continuing to grow. Maybe our country can succeed doing this as our industry rides in the slipstream of the German success of exporting to Asian growth markets. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/debt-crisis-as-a-vulcano-with-sporadic-eruptions/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/debt-crisis-as-a-vulcano-with-sporadic-eruptions/</guid>
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<title>More equality is no panacea</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos offers some personal perspectives on the thesis that more equality automatically implies more societal wellbeing. Economic growth is critically needed and implies inequalities. Without growth there can be no social security that guarantees wellbeing into the future. Inequalities have downsides, but more equality is no free lunch.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/more-equality-is-no-panacea/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/more-equality-is-no-panacea/</guid>
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<title>Not banker bonuses, but bank profits are the problem.</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos gives an alternative reading of the hysteria surrounding banker bonuses. The real issue is not the bonuses, but the profits that come from explicit or implicit state support. Governments should tackle this underlying disease, rather than focusing on the symptom.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/not-banker-bonuses-but-bank-profits-are-the-problem/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/not-banker-bonuses-but-bank-profits-are-the-problem/</guid>
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<title>Will Belgium become the Italy of the North?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos sees Italy as a possible future version of Belgium that will become reality if we maintain the politics of denial and impasse. The budget is the first major appointment. Will we go for genuine restoration, or just for cosmetics?]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/will-belgium-become-the-italy-of-the-north/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/will-belgium-become-the-italy-of-the-north/</guid>
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<title>The Chinese economy on an unsustainable path </title>
<description><![CDATA[ Ivan Van de Cloot points out that China&#8217;s neomercantile policy is not sustainable. On the one hand this creates international tensions and on the other hand internal monetary policy risks losing traction. While America is spreading new money everywhere, until now Chinese central bankers succeeded in draining the surplus money but everybody realizes how delicate this exercise is. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-chinese-economy-on-an-unsustainable-path/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-chinese-economy-on-an-unsustainable-path/</guid>
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<title>The &#8220;Fries-revolution&#8221;: revolutionaries or reactionaries?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos is critical about the demands of the so-called &#8220;Fries-revolution&#8221;. Real revolution is about giving more, not about claiming more. One cannot fill a hole by digging other and deeper ones.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-fries-revolution-revolutionaries-or-reactionaries/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-fries-revolution-revolutionaries-or-reactionaries/</guid>
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<title>Skipping a year at school: beyond the myths. </title>
<description><![CDATA[ Our education system needs to focus on gaining skills, not on every pupil achieving a certain level of skills. Minimal standards do make sense, but we need to be aware that a certain group has already got the required level in the beginning of the school year. Not considering accelerating this group constraints education to occupational therapy. This report from Carl Van Keirsbilck and Ivan Van de Cloot argues that pupils and students should be allowed to skip a year more often in Flanders. It is fundamental to accurately detect these gifted children through recurring standardized tests above level. The authors also hope that the issue of children with an educational advance will not be forgotten in the secondary education reform plans. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Mar 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/skipping-a-year-at-school-beyond-the-myths/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/skipping-a-year-at-school-beyond-the-myths/</guid>
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<title>The european economy in existential crisis</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Ivan Van De Cloot points out that three fundamental institutions of economic prosperity are at stake: market regulation institutions that prevent abusive market power, social institutions that legitimize the market are becoming unsustainable, and finally market stabilizing institutions like exchange rate mechanisms, budget and monetary rules that are under pressure because of the euro crisis. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/de-europese-economie-in-existentile-crisis/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/de-europese-economie-in-existentile-crisis/</guid>
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<title>Why Belgium is heading for the wall</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos contests Belgium&#8217;s good news show. The economic context is temporarily favourable. But we are on the threshold of the great awakening from years of non-governance, in budget, pensions, labour market, and healthcare. The resigning government has the pedagogical duty to raise awareness among the general public.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/why-belgium-is-heading-for-the-wall/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/why-belgium-is-heading-for-the-wall/</guid>
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<title>The Japanese disaster is also an economic catastrophy</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Ivan Van de Cloot points out that origins of wealth are very complex and lie deeper than reconstructing physical, financial or even human capital. The silver lining for Japan is that the tsunami didn&#8217;t affect the deeper institutions although confidence and other forms of social capital are under pressure. The challenge for Japan is to make sure that there&#8217;s no permanent damage to its productive potential.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Mar 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-japanese-disaster-is-also-an-economic-catastrophy/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-japanese-disaster-is-also-an-economic-catastrophy/</guid>
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<title>Why gender quota are no solution</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos takes issue with gender quotas for company boards. Quality, not gender, must remain the touch stone. Quotas are cosmetic measures that do not address causes. Government must fight discrimination, not organize it. A society with equal opportunities is not one with equal results.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/why-gender-quota-are-no-solution/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/why-gender-quota-are-no-solution/</guid>
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<title>Why is there a gap between Flemish and French-speaking schools?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Hindriks and Verschelde review the possible reasons for the regional divergence in educational attainments. They suggest that the gap between Flemish and French-speaking pupils can be compared to the difference between girls and boys in learning attitudes and motivations. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/why-is-there-a-gap-between-flemish-and-french-speaking-schools/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/why-is-there-a-gap-between-flemish-and-french-speaking-schools/</guid>
<enclosure url="http://www.itinerainstitute.org/upl/1/default/doc/10_jh.pdf" length="222544" type="application/pdf" />
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<title>Flanders within Europe's top regions? </title>
<description><![CDATA[ &#8216;Vlaanderen in actie&#8217; is a platform put in place by the Flemish government in order to bring Flanders at the top of the European regions by 2020. The goal is to make Flanders a top region with respect to several indicators in different fields, from the economic climate to the environment and education. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/flanders-within-europe-top-regions/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/flanders-within-europe-top-regions/</guid>
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<title>A region must be empowered to enact what the rest of the world does</title>
<description><![CDATA[  In a federal state, it is not acceptable that a Region would be prevented from implementing a policy which is a general practice in peer countries. The rest of the World must inspire us in our policy choices. The principle of &#8216;benchmarking&#8217; should therefore be included in our institutional reforms next to the other key principles such as responsibility, solidarity and collaboration. One cannot impose to a region a federal policy which way too different from policies prevailing in Belgium&#8217;s peers. That tells us Etienne de Callata&#255;&#8217;s last paper.  ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/a-region-must-be-empowered-to-enact-what-the-rest-of-the-world-does/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/a-region-must-be-empowered-to-enact-what-the-rest-of-the-world-does/</guid>
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<title>Revolution in the making</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Ivan Van de Cloot makes an economic analysis on the awakening in the Middle East. The desire for political freedom becomes stronger as a population becomes more prosperous, but we witness that in our current age the mobilization of opposition that can make regimes tumble becomes easier.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/revolution-in-the-making/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/revolution-in-the-making/</guid>
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<title>We need to break through the crisis of the Belgian consensus model</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos diagnoses the ongoing difficulties with the new inter-sectorial bargaining agreement. Our consensus model is failing. Politicians and social partners stare at each other and freeze our democracy into one big Stockholm Syndrome. In the absence of political leadership, only a collective awakening to urgency and necessity can force a breakthrough.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/we-need-to-break-through-the-crisis-of-the-belgian-consensus-model/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/we-need-to-break-through-the-crisis-of-the-belgian-consensus-model/</guid>
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<title>European bank stress-tests: third time lucky?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Systemic bank crises are always difficult to resolve. In Europe, the difficulty is compounded by cross- order interdependencies. Policy paralysis throughout 2009 and 2010 has resulted in precariousness the banking system that puts a serious drag on the old continent&#8217;s recovery. An even more dramatic consequence is to force the euro zone to systematically choose bail-outs over restructurings, whenever one of its members faces macroeconomic difficulties. Systemic banking crises are almost never self-correcting: even with low central-bank rates, retained earnings cannot plug all holes after a major shock. Unless one decides to commit an ever larger amount of tax-payer&#8217;s money, policymakers need to tackle fundamental banking problems, not the least in Belgium.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/european-bank-stress-tests-third-time-lucky/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/european-bank-stress-tests-third-time-lucky/</guid>
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<title>Financing Belgium&#8217;s regions and communities: analysis of the &#8220;Vande Lanotte proposal&#8221;</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The reform proposal of the regions and communities&#8217; financing, put forward on January 3rd by the Royal conciliator Johan Vande Lanotte, is an important step towards the institutional evolution of Belgium. It could significantly inspire a political agreement that will eventually be found. An in-depth analysis of Vande Lanotte&#8217;s note is therefore crucial, although acknowledging the time pressure under which the Royal conciliator had to finalize his proposal.  In this respect, the reader should keep in mind that this analysis from Etienne de Callata&#255; mainly focuses on still-to-be-improved proposals, but does not enumerate the numerous merits of Vande Lanotte&#8217;s note. Five fundamental observations emerge from de Callata&#255;&#8217;s analysis. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-belgian-regions-and-communities-financing--analysis-of-the-vande-lanotte-proposal/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-belgian-regions-and-communities-financing--analysis-of-the-vande-lanotte-proposal/</guid>
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<title>The Belgian regions and communities financing opinion: analysis of the &#8220;Vande Lanotte proposal&#8221; </title>
<description><![CDATA[ The reform&#8217;s proposal of the regions and communities&#8217; financing, put forward on January 3rd by the Royal conciliator Johan Vande Lanotte, is an important step towards an institutional evolution of Belgium. It could significantly inspire a political agreement that will eventually be found. In this article, the authors mainly focus on still-to-be-improved proposals and highlight five fundamental observations.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-belgian-regions-and-communities-financinganalysis-of-thevande-lanotte-proposal/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-belgian-regions-and-communities-financinganalysis-of-thevande-lanotte-proposal/</guid>
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<title>The inter-sectorial agreement: a Belgian compromise too far</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos detects a typical Belgian compromise in the new inter-sectorial bargaining agreement. The glass is half-full and half-empty: the social partners have played their roles as curators but have failed in their responsibility of reformers. Especially the construction of a uniform protection for blue collar and white collar workers misses a historical opportunity for modernizing dismissal protection.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 21 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-inter-sectorial-agreement-a-belgian-compromise-too-far/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-inter-sectorial-agreement-a-belgian-compromise-too-far/</guid>
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<title>Why are the prices of the cheapest houses increasing the quickest? </title>
<description><![CDATA[ The prices of the cheapest houses have increased by 51% on average between 2005 and 2009. The prices of the most expensive houses only increased by 23%. Because of the rising construction costs thousands of potential investors turned to the secondary housing market. More people with relatively less means are thus competing for the same amount of existing and a priori affordable houses, authors Johan Albrecht and Rob Van Hoofstat say. This results in a more aggressive purchasing strategy from the households. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/why-are-the-prices-of-the-cheapest-houses-increasing-the-quickest/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/why-are-the-prices-of-the-cheapest-houses-increasing-the-quickest/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>A step-by-step plan to regionalize the unemployment insurance</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos reacts to the quarrel about the possible regionalization of unemployment insurance with a concrete step-by-step plan. The existing regional competences in labour market policy can be strengthened, resulting in a better labour market for all. The combination of autonomy and solidarity can be achieved through an appropriate financing mechanism.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/a-step-by-step-plan-to-regionalize-the-unemployment-insurance/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/a-step-by-step-plan-to-regionalize-the-unemployment-insurance/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Beautiful Belgian tradition</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Dave Sinardet recalls the benefits of prohibiting the accumulation of political mandates. In regards with the decree recently approved by the Walloon Parliament, he regrets the lack of action on the Flemish side and traces back the political context leading to this immobilism.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 14 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/beautiful-belgian-tradition/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/beautiful-belgian-tradition/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Conflict and stability</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In the US the shift of power to the Far East creates a lot of unease. Countries like Belgium should also reflect on the shifting power structures, says Ivan Van de Cloot.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 14 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/conflict-and-stability/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/conflict-and-stability/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Proposal: Finding the right budgetary path</title>
<description><![CDATA[ ]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/findingtheightbudgetarypath/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/findingtheightbudgetarypath/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Finding the right budgetary path</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Belgium not only has to cut its deficit but also needs budget surpluses to consolidate public debt. It&#8217;s important not to be blinded by cyclical improvements as they will be dwarfed by new costs due to ageing. An ad hoc austerity committee can start preparing by identifying savings which will be predominantly expenditure cuts given our high tax burden.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 12 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/finding-the-right-budgetary-path/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/finding-the-right-budgetary-path/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Finding the right budgetary path: presentation</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Belgium not only has to cut its deficit but also needs budget surpluses to consolidate public debt. It&#8217;s important not to be blinded by cyclical improvements as they will be dwarfed by new costs due to ageing. An ad hoc austerity committee can start preparing by identifying savings which will be predominantly expenditure cuts given our high tax burden.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 12 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/finding-the-right-budgetary-path-presentation/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/finding-the-right-budgetary-path-presentation/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Pessimism in the Old West</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Rising economies from the Far East are increasingly putting pressure on the Old West. However, there is no reason why progress in say China should go at the expense of our prosperity. Structural measures are the best remedy against pessimism. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 07 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/pessimism-in-the-old-west/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/pessimism-in-the-old-west/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Baby-boom Generation needs to take up its responsibility now</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos reflects on the new year. The year in which the first Baby-boomers reach the legal retirement age must be the year when this generation takes up its responsibility. The intergenerational solidarity upon which our welfare state is built is becoming a Ponzi scheme on the back of the young generation.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 03 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-baby-boom-generation-needs-to-take-up-its-responsibility-now/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-baby-boom-generation-needs-to-take-up-its-responsibility-now/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Looking for 24 000 new homes per year.Does supply follow the yearly increase in demand for housing? </title>
<description><![CDATA[ The Belgian housing prices have increased by one third since 2005. Structural factors can partly explain this price explosion. The difference between the yearly increase in the demand for houses and the yearly increase in the supply of new houses is central to this analysis. We conclude that there&#8217;s a shortage of 20 to 24 000 new houses per year for total housing supply to evolve at the same pace as total housing demand. This relative undersupply results in upward price pressure and is a consequence of a considerable increase in external migration since 2004 and the stabilisation or even shrinkage of the new estate activity during that same period. Moreover, the high real estate prices do not have a positive impact on the supply of extra houses through renovation or reconversion activities. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 15 Dec 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/lookingfor24000-new-homes-per-year-does-supply-follow-the-yearly-increase-in-demand-for-housing/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/lookingfor24000-new-homes-per-year-does-supply-follow-the-yearly-increase-in-demand-for-housing/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Another Copernican revolution</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Etienne de Callata&#255; scrutinizes the German reforms of the past couple of years that have improved the country&#8217;s socioeconomic performance. When comparing with Belgium he has serious doubts about the revolutionary nature of the measures discussed during the institutional negotiations. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 13 Dec 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/another-copernican-revolution/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/another-copernican-revolution/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Presentation: Turning necessity into opportunity: working longer, at last!</title>
<description><![CDATA[ ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 08 Dec 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/turningnecessityworking/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/turningnecessityworking/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Turning necessity into opportunity: working longer, at last!</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos sees how all political parties acknowledge the necessity of working longer while the reality on the labour market does not follow, notwithstanding the Generation Pact. The crisis has again put older workers in the firing line. A new Generation Pact is not necessary: we need to address the root causes of the marginalisation of older workers on the labour market. He proposes an action plan with measures for both the short term and the medium term. The Itinera Institute calls upon policy makers and social partners to urgently implement structural reforms that will yield an age-friendly labour market to the benefit of everybody, including the worker.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 08 Dec 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/xxxxxxxxxxxxxx/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/xxxxxxxxxxxxxx/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>How the crisis is exposing our national character</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos sees in national crisis policies an expression of the national character, in several countries. In Belgium one makes due. That mentality was our strength in times of foreign rule. But it is a major weakness in times of domestic political crisis.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 02 Dec 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-the-crisis-is-exposing-our-national-character/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-the-crisis-is-exposing-our-national-character/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The time of boom and bust</title>
<description><![CDATA[ We are living through turbulent times which shed a new light on the foundations of our system. During the period of Bretton Woods the economy knew more stability which could be inspiring for the way forward.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Nov 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-time-of-boom-and-bust/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-time-of-boom-and-bust/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The curtain falls on Ireland</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The Irish story once again shows that banks being too big to fail can be fatal for small open economies. They should rationally be more risk adverse towards risks of systemic banks.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 24 Nov 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-curtain-falls-on-ireland/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-curtain-falls-on-ireland/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Currency wars?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ A widespread currency war is in prospect. Because many countries are simultaneously seeking to improve their trade position, they are seeking a more competitive exchange rate. However, a weaker exchange rate of one country implies a stronger rate for some other country or countries. The questions are: Who is to accept this outcome and how will it be decided who that is to be? The aim of this Peterson Institute policy brief is to illuminate how such issues should be determined and to advance policy implications for how to rebalance global demand.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 17 Nov 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/currency-wars/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/currency-wars/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Do not expect too much of a very expected reform</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Belgium&#8217;s institutional organisation is a problem and the distribution of competences between the federal state and the regions needs to be clarified. Although Etienne de Callata&#255; pleads for a necessary reform he warns that this reform will not solve our country&#8217;s troubles overnight. Reforms in other domains are needed as well. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/do-not-expect-too-much-of-a-very-expected-reform/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/do-not-expect-too-much-of-a-very-expected-reform/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>How the social negociations can go beyond the wage norm</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos vents frustration at the recurrent black-and-white debate on wage moderation in Belgium. We need a broader social compact and a new consensus on competitiveness and a better labour market. That can break the tunnel vision on the bi-annual wage norm.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-the-social-negociations-can-go-beyond-the-wage-norm/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-the-social-negociations-can-go-beyond-the-wage-norm/</guid>
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<item>
<title>What comes after multiculturalism ?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos acknowledges the death of multiculturalism. He formulates three subsequent priorities: selective immigration with efficient enforcement, a broad strategy to combat exclusion, and the reassessment of nationality as the crowning of integration. The latter demands the rediscovery of identity.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/what-comes-after-multiculturalism-/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/what-comes-after-multiculturalism-/</guid>
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<title>Grey gold &#8211; How the babyboomers can make eldercare a success story </title>
<description><![CDATA[ The debate on ageing has been going on for quite a few years, but nothing has actually been done. The clock keeps ticking&#8230; With this book we want to stimulate the reform process, and offer a new reference frame for the debate. All too often the debate is focussed on the costs and burdens. Eldercare is more than retirement homes, homecare and care for the demented. In this book we offer concrete policy proposals on the financing of eldercare, on how the available money is best spent (we strongly believe the elderly are best placed to make such decisions, and not the care facilities), on how we can resolve the personnel shortage, and how we can prepare our houses and neighbourhoods for the 3rd age.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 09 Nov 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/xxxxxxxxxxxx/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/xxxxxxxxxxxx/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Grey gold &#8211; How the babyboomers can make eldercare a success story: Memento </title>
<description><![CDATA[ ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 08 Nov 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/grey-gold-how-the-babyboomers-can-make-eldercare-a-success-story/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/grey-gold-how-the-babyboomers-can-make-eldercare-a-success-story/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Grey gold:How the babyboomers can make eldercare a success story: Executive Summary </title>
<description><![CDATA[ ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 08 Nov 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/x/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/x/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The country should function better</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Dave Sinardet analyses the Belgian political negotiations. Reforming the country in the general interest is more than trying to find win-win deals between Flemish and Francophone parties. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 29 Oct 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-country-should-function-better/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-country-should-function-better/</guid>
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<title>How to measure of the added value of the public authorities</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Ivan Van de Cloot looks at the way the added value of the public authorities is measured. The traditional approach consists in measuring the government output via de costs in de national accounts. But this implies that we develop other measuring tools in order to control the government effectiveness.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 28 Oct 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-to-measure-of-the-added-value-of-the-public-authorities/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-to-measure-of-the-added-value-of-the-public-authorities/</guid>
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<title>No evident solution to the monetary chaos</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos reflects on the monetary chaos. The globalization crisis has reached a turning point. Will the West tolerate that China rewrites the rules in its own interests, or will it rise to defend a fair globalization for all?]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 22 Oct 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-wage-norm-crisis-institutional/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-wage-norm-crisis-institutional/</guid>
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<title>The impoverishment of Wallonie is not a threat but a reality</title>
<description><![CDATA[ According to Etienne de Callata&#255; we shouldn&#8217;t worry about Wallonia&#8217;s impoverishment as a consequence of institutional reform, but as a current reality.  We should therefore develop a long-term strategy that raises GDP per capita in a durable way.  To obtain a win-win situation the debate should focus on labour market an social security reform.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Oct 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-impoverishment-of-wallonie-is-not-a-threat-but-a-reality/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-impoverishment-of-wallonie-is-not-a-threat-but-a-reality/</guid>
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<item>
<title>Trade crisis? What trade crisis?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ This report of the National Bank of Belgium analyzes the evolution of international trade in 2008 and 2009 and tries to explain Belgium&#8217;s decreasing exports. If the growth rate of our trading partners&#8217; GDP had not decreased that much, if the exchanges of consumer durables and capital equipment had been less affected than the exchanges of other categories of goods and if the financial variables and the participation in chains of world value had not weakened, Belgian exports would have fared better. Demand factors thus explain most of our international market share drawback. But this cannot be used as an excuse to do nothing about it.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Oct 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/trade-crisis-what-trade-crisis/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/trade-crisis-what-trade-crisis/</guid>
</item>
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<title>A social Europe needs austerity</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos reflects on the unions&#8217; European demonstration against austerity. Lax budgetary policy prior to the crisis, the missed opportunity of the Lisbon strategy, and the haphazard preparation of ageing have made the toll of the crisis very heavy. Austerity is not an option: it is a duty. Its terms can and should be debated, but our social model cannot survive without reforms and sound budgets.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 01 Oct 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/a-social-europe-needs-austerity/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/a-social-europe-needs-austerity/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Avoiding a limited perspective in politics</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Ivan Van de Cloot insists on the importance of hearing all reasonable opinions in a societal debate.  A recent example is the reform of secondary education in Flanders. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/avoiding-a-limited-perspective-in-politics/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/avoiding-a-limited-perspective-in-politics/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The wage norm crisis is institutional</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos explains how unions and employers both have their share of the truth in the discussion for wage development over 2011-12. We need an institutional framework that allows for variation between sectors and companies. Failing that, no priority strategy can be chosen without a strong government.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-wage-norm-crisis-is-institutional/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-wage-norm-crisis-is-institutional/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Where is the Chinese danger for our export economy?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos warns for increasing nationalism and protectionism in China. The rise of Chinese state capitalism can become a Trojan horse for the West. An assertive Western trade policy, built upon a trans-Atlantic understanding, is essential.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/where-is-the-chinese-danger-for-our-export-economy/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/where-is-the-chinese-danger-for-our-export-economy/</guid>
<enclosure url="http://www.itinerainstitute.org/upl/1/default/doc/Nota%2059uk_MDV.pdf" length="133738" type="application/pdf" />
</item>
<item>
<title>Stronger capital rules, enforcing them now</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The new rules that the international financial community agreed upon through the Basel committee last weekend include higher capital buffers. According to Ivan Van de Cloot these will make sure that the financial sector pays a part of the costs whenever taken risks go bad.  Both profits and losses should be privatised. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 17 Sep 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/stronger-capital-rules-enforcing-them-now/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/stronger-capital-rules-enforcing-them-now/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Decline is the alternative for reform and austerity</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos criticizes the unions&#8217; demonstration against pension reform and austerity. Working longer is crucial to absorbing the enormous demographic shift, to keeping pensions affordable and decent and to balancing the solidarity between the generations. Obstinate resistance postpones the necessary until it becomes inevitable and very painful.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 15 Sep 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/decline-is-the-alternative-for-reform-and-austerity/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/decline-is-the-alternative-for-reform-and-austerity/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The crisis is our collective failure</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos explains how the budgetary crisis is our collective failure: neglect prior to the crisis and self-interest after the crisis. The morality of our crisis tale is that we have the duty to pass on the economy in better health to the next generation. Austerity to improve and by improving is the key ingredient of successful fiscal consolidation.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-crisis-is-our-collective-failure/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-crisis-is-our-collective-failure/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Solutions for Brussels</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Within the framework of the governmental negotiations on Brussels, Ivan Van de Cloot analyses the budgetary situation of our capital as well as its capacity to reimburse its debt. In the light of the relative uncertainty of the reorganisation of our country he advances lines of thinking and solutions about the difficulties and challenges that a capital as ours has to deal with. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/solutions-for-brussels/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/solutions-for-brussels/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Towards a mature system of financing ?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Belgium&#8217;s political complexity too often hampers effective and efficient policymaking. Given the precarious budgetary situation of the federal state we need to thoroughly reconsider our country&#8217;s financial mechanisms. In his analysis, Ivan Van de Cloot insists on the importance of expense responsibility and on the fact that there are several ways to achieve that goal. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/towards-a-mature-system-of-financing-/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/towards-a-mature-system-of-financing-/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Great Recession&#8217;s real labor market legacy</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos offers perspectives on the differing labour market performances among countries during the Great Recession. The main cause is economics, not labour market policies. But the crisis has further deepened the rift between insiders and outsiders on the labour market, while the temptation for more political management of the labour market is continuing.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/xx/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/xx/</guid>
<enclosure url="http://www.itinerainstitute.org/upl/1/default/doc/Nota%2053_recession_MDV.pdf" length="156323" type="application/pdf" />
</item>
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<title>What we do ourselves we do better (maybe): What state reform for a better labour market in Belgium?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos presents a pragmatic road map for the debate on devolution for a better labour market. He sees three scenarios &#8211; Mini, Medium, Maxi &#8211; with a total of sixteen topics for regionalization of labour market policy. He proposes to focus on three priority clusters: unemployment policy, transition policy, and target group policy. It is moreover essential to construct sustainable organization and financing, including policies to incentivize the regions. For this he sketches three options: Logic, Predictability, and Refinement.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/xxx/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/xxx/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Regionalize the use of unemployment benefits</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos makes three proposals to fortify the regional capacity for more job opportunities in Belgium: competence over control and sanctions, master of the suitable job description, and the use of unemployment benefits. In this way, one overcomes old dogmas while having the best of three worlds.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/regionalize-the-use-of-unemployment-benefits/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/regionalize-the-use-of-unemployment-benefits/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The rise of the health economy: challenges, opportunities and options for reform</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Demographic, scientific and technological evolutions are increasingly putting financial strain on Belgium&#8217;s healthcare system. Both public and private healthcare expenditures are on the rise. Without thorough, structural reforms we risk the unfortunate but inevitable decline of a system previously renowned for its quality and accessibility. The purpose of this article is to offer some food for thought on healthcare policy reform in Belgium. We will focus on new roles for all the actors of the healthcare system, new financial and non-financial incentives for the healthcare providers and organisations to accept and expand these new roles, and a broader (horizontal?) reorganisation of the system placing the patient and the pathology at its very core (also known as the continuum of care). In their conclusion, Marc De Vos and Brieuc Van Damme plead for a better reflection on healthcare funding.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/xxxx/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/xxxx/</guid>
<enclosure url="http://www.itinerainstitute.org/upl/1/default/doc/health_12_NL.pdf" length="457904" type="application/pdf" />
</item>
<item>
<title>More cushions to face a volatile food market</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Only two years after the food crisis of 2008, something is wrong again with our food production. According to Ivan Van de Cloot we have to look beyond our short-term self interest. Not only should we evaluate what a change of the European agricultural policy will do with farmers in the South, but we should also learn from recent experiences to develop a more sustainable agricultural production. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/more-cushions-to-face-a-volatile-food-market/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/more-cushions-to-face-a-volatile-food-market/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Football World Cup 2018: economic opportunity or own-goal?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Belgium &amp; the Netherlands are putting themselves forward to organize the 2018 World cup. According to Johan Albrecht and Ruben Laleman, the word cup could be a nice economic opportunity if a clever investment strategy is put in place.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/footballworldcup2018economicopportunityorowngoal/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/footballworldcup2018economicopportunityorowngoal/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Austerity measures and the need of political coordination (2)</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Even if we manage to save 22 billion Euros, that will not be enough to cushion the magnitude of our public debt and the increasing costs of ageing after 2015, says Ivan Van de Cloot. In order to face these two challenges, we will need more coordination of European policies. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Why the battle for democracy remains important</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos reflects on the international decline of democracy. He sees democracy discredited, both through impotence and unwillingness. But rich authoritarian regimes are dangerous. The West must continue to defend democracy and spread its ideals.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/why-the-battle-for-democracy-remains-important/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/why-the-battle-for-democracy-remains-important/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Transfers and regional growth</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Interregional redistribution in Europe, and more specifically in Belgium, curbs the economic growth of the less prosperous regions. Based on an econometric analysis, this Vives report suggests that a hypothetical reduction in interregional redistribution of 1/3 would lead to an annual increase in economic growth by 0,30 percentage points in Flanders and 0,42 percentage points in Wallonia, thus resulting in a convergence of both regions&#8217; economic performance.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/transfers-and-regional-growth/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/transfers-and-regional-growth/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Policy reform is ageing&#8217;s real challenge</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos vents his frustration at the occasion of the umpteenth annual report of Belgian Commission on Ageing. The preparation for Ageing has simply failed. The figures do not match. Only strong policy reform and a clear growth strategy can save us. We do not need commissions that calculate budgets, but rather commissions that advise on reform.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/policy-reform-is-ageing-real-challenge/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/policy-reform-is-ageing-real-challenge/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Stop wasting our human capital!</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos condemns the widespread waste of Belgium&#8217;s only natural resource: human talent. In migration and integration, in education, and on the labour market waste is ubiquitous. We need a broad policy strategy for human capital, without dogmas. The clock of demography is ticking ominously.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/stop-wasting-our-human-capital/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/stop-wasting-our-human-capital/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Austerity measures and the need of political coordination </title>
<description><![CDATA[ Even if we manage to save 22 billion Euros, that won&#8217;t be enough to cushion the magnitude of our public debt and the increasing costs of ageing after 2015, says Ivan Van de Cloot. In order to face these two challenges, we&#8217;ll need more coordination of European policies. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/austerity-measures-and-the-need-of-political-coordination/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/austerity-measures-and-the-need-of-political-coordination/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Coordinate industrial policy at European level</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Not available in this language]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/coordinate-industrial-policy-at-european-level/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/coordinate-industrial-policy-at-european-level/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Use public funds only to support activities with an already established base of private knowledge and R&amp;D </title>
<description><![CDATA[ Not available in this language]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/use-public-funds-only-to-support-activities-with-an-already-established-base-of-private-knowledge-and-rd/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/use-public-funds-only-to-support-activities-with-an-already-established-base-of-private-knowledge-and-rd/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Assess public investments based on clear objectives </title>
<description><![CDATA[ Not available in this language]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/assess-public-investments-based-on-clear-objectives/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/assess-public-investments-based-on-clear-objectives/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Invest public funds only in promising areas ; do not favour entire sectors </title>
<description><![CDATA[ Not available in this language]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/invest-public-funds-only-in-promising-areas--do-not-favour-entire-sectors/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/invest-public-funds-only-in-promising-areas--do-not-favour-entire-sectors/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Reserve public funds for new technologies only </title>
<description><![CDATA[ Not available in this language]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/reserve-public-funds-for-new-technologies-only/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/reserve-public-funds-for-new-technologies-only/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Europe 2020 and Belgium: the challenges</title>
<description><![CDATA[ What do we have to do in order to achieve a better and sustainable growth after the crisis? What are the main challenges in our social and economic policy? What choices does Belgium have to make after the federal elections of June 13th? 

The European Commission aims to inspire with the &#8220;Europe 2020&#8221; strategy. 

During a conference day organised by the Itinera Institute and the European Commission, prominent speakers from the political, economic and academic world debated on the main themes of this European strategy and its application in Belgium.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/europe-2020-and-belgium-the-challenges/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/europe-2020-and-belgium-the-challenges/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>There is no alternative for austerity and reform</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos explains why the international economic context further complicates the Belgian scene. Slower growth and the risk of a double dip require level-headed policy. The state can do no more. Austerity and reform are inevitable. A stable and strong government is necessary.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/there-is-no-alternative-for-austerity-and-reform/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/there-is-no-alternative-for-austerity-and-reform/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Democracy needs economic growth</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Ivan Van de Cloot warns for the consequences of stagnating economic growth. In parts of the world where the economy is stationary, more resources are invested in the exploitation of others. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/democratie-needs-economic-growth/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/democratie-needs-economic-growth/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Hit parade of the election promises: how to finance? </title>
<description><![CDATA[ In these election times the political parties seem to have forgotten the harsh economic reality. The programmes propose a series of expenses but say very little about how they should be financed. Jean Hindriks and Isabelle Martin wonder how parties will be able to keep their word given the budgetary and demographic challenges our economies face. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/hit-parade-of-the-election-promiseshowtofinance/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/hit-parade-of-the-election-promiseshowtofinance/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Austerity through reform in public governance and in healthcare</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos supports the austerity goals but stresses that austerity needs to be tied to clever and structural reform. Linear cost reduction is the easy way that will not necessarily yield effective public governance and efficient healthcare. Structural reform can turn the crisis into a great opportunity.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/austerity-through-reform-in-public-governance-and-in-healthcare/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/austerity-through-reform-in-public-governance-and-in-healthcare/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Fostering sustainability in Europe</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Europe has been substantially hit by the crisis and is now confronted to huge budgetary deficits and public debts. Growth has to come back while austerity measures are needed to restore some stability in the public finances. This IMF report studies the signs of recovery in Europe compared to the rest of the world and makes its recommendations in terms of macroeconomic, financial and prudential policies, to manage and stabilise capital inflows.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 27 May 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/fostering-sustainability-in-europe/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/fostering-sustainability-in-europe/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The figures of realism on budget and ageing</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos explains how Belgium faces a daunting budgetary challenge, with major austerity in the short-run and the need for budget surpluses in the medium term. At the same time, structural reforms in social security are inevitable and economic potential must improve, while state reform will crown it all. The following government will be on of blood, sweat, toil, and tears.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 21 May 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-figures-of-realism-on-budget-and-ageing/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-figures-of-realism-on-budget-and-ageing/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>A stable euro requires more economic potential</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos argues that the real euro-crisis is not today&#8217;s fiscal profligacy, but tomorrow&#8217;s economic potential. The cardinal issue for the euro is whether its member states will be able to avoid a welfare state trap: will they be able to reform before such reform becomes mutilation that furthers decline, instead of reversing it. Political scapegoating needs to stop. Structural reforms to boost growth and competitiveness are essential.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 May 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/a-stable-euro-requires-more-economic-potential/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/a-stable-euro-requires-more-economic-potential/</guid>
<enclosure url="http://www.itinerainstitute.org/upl/1/en/doc/mdv_OpinionTemp_uk37.pdf" length="132019" type="application/pdf" />
</item>
<item>
<title>A European response to the speculation twister</title>
<description><![CDATA[ If your house burns down because of imprudence, don&#8217;t worry, firemen will come. It is the insurance company you may have trouble with. By analogy, the EU can help the Greek and other economies, but cannot bail them out. We can blame the financial market&#8217;s speculative irrationality, but that doesn&#8217;t mean that a certain number of countries will not have to push for fundamental reforms in order to be creditworthy. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 May 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/a-european-response-to-the-speculation-twister/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/a-european-response-to-the-speculation-twister/</guid>
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<item>
<title>The economic and social role of Internet intermediaries</title>
<description><![CDATA[ As the Internet has grown to permeate all aspects of the economy and society, so too has the role of Internet intermediaries that give access to, host, transmit and index content originated by third parties or provide Internet-based services to third parties. They enable a host of activities through both wired and increasingly, mobile technologies. By doing so, they have brought unprecedented user and consumer empowerment through greater information, facilitating product and price comparisons and creating downward pressure on prices. This, and more, is discussed and analysed in this OECD report.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 06 May 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-economic-and-social-role-of-internet-intermediaries/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-economic-and-social-role-of-internet-intermediaries/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Belgium&#8217;s elections are too important to boycott.</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos reacts against the grassroots movement to boycott Belgium&#8217;s early elections in June. He shares must of its frustration but underscores the historical importance of the elections. We not only have a date with the political class on June 13, but also with the next generation.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 04 May 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgiums-elections-are-too-important-to-boycott/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgiums-elections-are-too-important-to-boycott/</guid>
</item>
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<title>The cost of Belgium's political structure</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In a well managed company there is a clear strategy and the company&#8217;s structure is fashioned in order to reach that target. A political structure is more complex because there&#8217;s a lot of disagreement on the strategy to follow. It remains nevertheless crucial to manage the administration as efficiently as possible, which is absolutely not the case in Belgium today.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 04 May 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-cost-of-the-politic-structure/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-cost-of-the-politic-structure/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Video: Green cars: the salvation of the car industry?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ It&#8217;s all over the news, and politicians talk about it non-stop: Green cars are the ultimate answer to the decaying car industry. Everyone agrees that we need a solid industrial policy, but should the government invest massively in green cars? For Johan Albrecht, environmental economist and senior fellow at the Itinera Institute, the answer is a straightforward no.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 04 May 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/green-cars/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/green-cars/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Executive Summary: Will the green car save the Flemish car assembly industry?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ &#8216;The green car can save Opel Antwerp.&#8217; Is this popular statement really making sense? Can policies to support the development of green cars guarantee employment benefits in the short run or is this simply utopian thinking?]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/executive-summary-will-the-green-car-save-the-flemish-car-assembly-industry/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/executive-summary-will-the-green-car-save-the-flemish-car-assembly-industry/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Presentation: Victor Heylen, a car industry analyst, reacts.</title>
<description><![CDATA[ &#8216;The green car can save Opel Antwerp.&#8217; Is this popular statement really making sense? Can policies to support the development of green cars guarantee employment benefits in the short run or is this simply utopian thinking?]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/presentationvictor-heylen-a-car-industry-analyst-reacts/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/presentationvictor-heylen-a-car-industry-analyst-reacts/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Presentation: Will the green car save the Flemish car assembly industry?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ &#8216;The green car can save Opel Antwerp.&#8217; Is this popular statement really making sense? Can policies to support the development of green cars guarantee employment benefits in the short run or is this simply utopian thinking?]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/presentation-will-the-green-car-save-the-flemish-car-assembly-industry/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/presentation-will-the-green-car-save-the-flemish-car-assembly-industry/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Towards a new vehicle industry in Flanders: reaction of Wilson De Pril, Agoria</title>
<description><![CDATA[ ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/towards-a-new-vehicle-industry-in-flanders/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/towards-a-new-vehicle-industry-in-flanders/</guid>
<enclosure url="http://www.itinerainstitute.org/upl/1/default/doc/2010_Forum1%20veh%20ind.pdf" length="142810" type="application/pdf" />
</item>
<item>
<title>Will the green car save the Flemish car assembly industry?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ &#8216;The green car can save Opel Antwerp.&#8217; Is this popular statement really making sense? Can policies to support the development of green cars guarantee employment benefits in the short run or is this simply utopian thinking?]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/will-the-green-car-save-the-flemish-car-assembly-industry/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/will-the-green-car-save-the-flemish-car-assembly-industry/</guid>
</item>
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<title>China can also be Belgium&#8217;s locomotive</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos identifies three big trends in our post-crisis world. Slow growth, high unemployment and public debt are the West&#8217;s destiny. But the developing countries are a bright spot for us. China &amp; co are not only competitors, but increasingly also our potential customers.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/china-can-also-be-belgiums-locomotive/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/china-can-also-be-belgiums-locomotive/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>What is the matter with Belgium?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos sketches Belgium&#8217;s regime crisis. He explains how the surreal and symbolic division over &#8220;BHV&#8221; has fundamental value, but that it is also only the precursor of internal divisions over very real policy reform issues.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/what-is-the-matter-with-belgium/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/what-is-the-matter-with-belgium/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Can we afford a political crisis?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Ivan Van de Cloot analyses the impact of a political crisis on the financial markets. It&#8217;s a good thing financial crises require extra risk premiums from countries with a credibility problem. This can discipline them to push for structural reforms so as to improve their long term solvability. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 23 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/can-we-afford-a-political-crisis/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/can-we-afford-a-political-crisis/</guid>
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<title>Belgian exports are losing ground </title>
<description><![CDATA[ During the past decade Belgium has been losing export market shares when it comes to industrial products. But this report from the Plan bureau wants to underscore a structural weakness in the first place: the geographic orientation of Belgium&#8217;s export is very unfavourable which leads to market share losses. The favourable product specialisation can only partly offset this. And, we are losing competitiveness as well, the authors know.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgian-exports-are-losing-ground/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgian-exports-are-losing-ground/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Calimero and the car</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Etienne de Callata&#255; analyses the evoked reasons for Opel Antwerp&#8217;s closing. We should be careful with unique explanations given the multifaceted and diverse economic reality and be even more cautious for a Calimero complex. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/calimero-and-the-car/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/calimero-and-the-car/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Interview with the new Senior Fellows</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The Itinera Institute attracted 3 new Senior Fellows, all specialists in their field. What made them take this step?Lieven Annemans, Dave Sinardet and Etienne de Callata&#255; explain.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/interview-with-the-new-senior-fellows/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/interview-with-the-new-senior-fellows/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The European Union needs more economic union</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos sees how the Eurocrisis is undermining the European Union. Europe still serves first and foremost its Member States, and not vice-versa. This is bad news for Europe, for the smaller Member States, and for Belgium in particular. The Eurocrisis is an opportunity for more economic union.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-european-union-needs-more-economic-union/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-european-union-needs-more-economic-union/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Internet Economy</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The Internet has become a part of many people&#8217;s daily activities, like shopping. According to this report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, e-commerce is estimated to generate $400 billion annually. No doubt that the economic and societal benefits provided by the commercial Internet are numerous. This report sheds a light on these e-advantages. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-internet-economy/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-internet-economy/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Competition and regulation in Belgium, 1997-2004</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Competition in product markets is weaker in Belgium than on average in the EU and the competition intensity seems to be higher in manufacturing than in services. These are the mains conclusions reported in this Federal Planning Bureau paper. With two indicators of market competition, the authors try to evaluate the changes in market competition in our country &#8211;and in the EU- between 1997 and 2004. They also study to which extend regulation has had an impact on the degree and variation of competition.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/competition-and-regulation-in-belgium/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/competition-and-regulation-in-belgium/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Bridge or tunnel: don&#8217;t forget the taxpayer</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Often, public investments are not based upon economic arguments but turn out to be a real horse trading. Economists, on the other hand, always plead in favour of weighing social benefits against societal costs (including potential pernicious effects on health and environment). Public authorities oblige everybody to financially support their projects. It is only normal they should manage that money well.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/bridge-or-tunnel-taxpayer/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/bridge-or-tunnel-taxpayer/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Bank taxes are no substitute for financial reform.</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos warns for a &#8220;tobacco scenario&#8221; for the financial sector, with taxes as an alternative for financial reregulation. Taxing bank profits merely addresses a symptom, while leaving the underlying problem unaddressed.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/bank-taxes-are-no-substitute-for-financial-reform/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/bank-taxes-are-no-substitute-for-financial-reform/</guid>
<enclosure url="http://www.itinerainstitute.org/upl/1/en/doc/NOTA%2025%202010%20MDV.pdf" length="116655" type="application/pdf" />
</item>
<item>
<title>Video with Ivan Van de Cloot: Interview De Tijd - tensions in the eurozone</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Ivan Van de Cloot underlines that we cannot reduce the Greek crisis to a confidence problem in one member state only. Let's hope the Euro zone as a whole will be able to draw appropriate lessons.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/video-with-ivan-van-de-cloot-interview-de-tijd---tensions-in-the-eurozone/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/video-with-ivan-van-de-cloot-interview-de-tijd---tensions-in-the-eurozone/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Budget and labor reform are crucial for the pension debate</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos finds the current political proposals on pension reform too informal, too vague and not sufficiently penetrated with the gravity of the budgetary crisis.  The pension problem is foremost a budgetary problem, and working longer is not sufficient without a labour market reform.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/budget-and-labor-reform-are-crucial-for-the-pension-debate/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/budget-and-labor-reform-are-crucial-for-the-pension-debate/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Crisis for the economic and financial models</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The recent financial and economic crisis has highlighted the omissions of the models used by the central banks and the commercial financial institutions. This IRES (UCL) article sheds some light on the weaknesses of these models and suggests some lines of thought, based on the recent literature, for a more accurate representation of the financial and macro-monetary world.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/crisis-for-the-economic-and-financial-models/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/crisis-for-the-economic-and-financial-models/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Ideas for improving innovation policy</title>
<description><![CDATA[ How can we enact the policies we need to compete in today&#8217;s globalised economy? Undoubtedly, creativity and innovation will play a key role. Europe 2020, Europe&#8217;s new strategy to provide the building blocks for growth that will be sustainable in the future, builds on what has been achieved and the lessons learned from the Lisbon strategy, its predecessor. But more lessons can be learned, and not the least from our Atlantic allies. This ITIF article advances 8 innovative ideas to spur innovation, and therefore growth and protection.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/ideas-for-improving-innovation-policy/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/ideas-for-improving-innovation-policy/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Economic growth is the most important policy priority</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos comments the pitiful socio-economic situation in Belgium. In the next years, each government will have three inevitable priorities: budgetary recovery through saving and taxation, economic recovery with more growth and jobs, and a fundamental social security reform, both in the organization and in the financing. Economic recovery is the most important, but it also requires a mentality shift from politicians and administrations. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/economic-growth-is-the-most-important-policy-priority/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/economic-growth-is-the-most-important-policy-priority/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The 10 commandments for a succesful Industrial Policy in Belgium</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Since we only think about it in times of crisis,Belgium fails in terms of industrial policy.
We urgently need to determine the conditions for government support.
The Itinera Institute established the 10 commandments for a succesful industrial policy.
]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/industrieel-beleid/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/industrieel-beleid/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>State capitalism is the real enemy of fair free-trade</title>
<description><![CDATA[ A new study from the World Trade Organization reports no significant intensification of trade or investment restriction since September 2009. This is good news for anyone who values global prosperity, and that includes Belgium. But Marc De Vos warns us of a more fundamental threat: the rise of state capitalism right after the crisis. The trend to State-led economic development goes against the principles of free trade, the same principles that gave us more global welfare.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/state-capitalism-is-the-real-enemy-of-fair-free-trade/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/state-capitalism-is-the-real-enemy-of-fair-free-trade/</guid>
<enclosure url="http://www.itinerainstitute.org/upl/1/default/doc/NOTA%2020%20MDV.pdf" length="113907" type="application/pdf" />
</item>
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<title>Philanthropy, also in times of crisis </title>
<description><![CDATA[ Philanthropy could be considered as an economic activity that creates welfare: a donation of 500 Euros, for example, means that the act of giving is worth more to the donator than the given amount of 500. The receiver&#8217;s welfare will increase too, and therefore we could speak of a philanthropy multiplicator effect. Encouraging philanthropy by fiscal means can thus be seen as creating value added.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/philanthropy-also-in-times-of-crisis/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/philanthropy-also-in-times-of-crisis/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Exiting from crisis intervention policies</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Now that the crisis is progressively disappearing, what to do with the crisis-related intervention measures? Even if we want to restore and guaranty economic recovery, maintaining such measures on the long run is not recommended at all. It would in fact distort private initiative, financial and fiscal policies and risks stirring up inflation. In this IMF paper, the authors make recommendations on exiting from those measures. It exposes the main principles and guidelines to follow when defining new fiscal, monetary and financial policies.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/exiting-from-crisis-intervention-policies/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/exiting-from-crisis-intervention-policies/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Walloon innovation system </title>
<description><![CDATA[ Like other Belgian and European regions, Wallonia knows that innovation remains an important trigger of economic growth. This Federal Plan Bureau publication makes an evaluation of the Walloon innovation system of 2007. The involvement of high schools and universities into research and the ability of the private sector to mobilize resources for research receive good marks. However, investments in innovation is relatively low for services compared to those in the industry. Public effort in R&amp;D and the use of permanent training on the labour market have to be reinforced too. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-walloon-innovation-system/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-walloon-innovation-system/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Crisis in the eurozone and how to deal with it</title>
<description><![CDATA[ With some fearing speculative attacks on the Euro, the Greek crisis has put a lot of pressure on the monetary union. In this CEPS paper, Paul Degrauwe explains how the current financial crisis in the eurozone developed, distinguishing in turn the three main actors that have played a major role: Greece, the financial markets (including the rating agencies) and the eurozone authorities themselves. While acknowledging that a grand plan for more intense political union in the eurozone does not seem possible, professor Degrauwe further outlines smaller, but focused steps that could be taken towards such a future union.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/crisis-in-the-eurozone-and-how-to-deal-with-it/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/crisis-in-the-eurozone-and-how-to-deal-with-it/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Social security as a tool, not as a goal</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos reflects about the necessity of a welfare state reform. We can create a breathing space by realizing that social protection can do without social security.  Social protection has an economic future. Acting for this future also means acting for the future of social security. Social security can improve if we consider it as a tool and not as a goal on itself.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/social-security-as-a-tool-not-as-a-goal/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/social-security-as-a-tool-not-as-a-goal/</guid>
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<title>Eurozone credibility put to the test</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The one who simply reduces the current crisis of confidence in the member states solvency to a Greek problem, understood very few things. There are risks associated to the large expansion of the eurozone which are too often dictated by political motives, let&#8217;s hope that the European leaders will notice this now.  As Europe gives a signal not just to watch but to undertake appropriate action, is it important that one indicates the exact bounderies of how far and under which conditions support can be given.  It is also an evidence that at present and in the future a lot of lessons will need to be drawn with regards to the eurozone.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/eurozone-credibility-put-to-the-test/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/eurozone-credibility-put-to-the-test/</guid>
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<title>Consuming more or consuming less</title>
<description><![CDATA[ During the twentieth century, the global population increased by 6 billions (four times more) and the industrial production increased by a factor 40. Our energy consumption went up by a factor 16 and CO&#178; emissions by a factor 10. In this context, it is crucial to wonder if our current consumption pattern will endanger the living standards of future generations to come. The conclusion seems to be that it is not so much our consumption level that will endanger our well-being in the long run, but rather the composition of what we consume (e.g. polluting goods versus less polluting goods)]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/consuming-or-consuming-less/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/consuming-or-consuming-less/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>When will Belgium let unwillingness and incapacity behind her?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos makes some New Year reflections about the state of Belgium. In his view, we had a lost decade with unwillingness and incapacity. First, change will come step by step. The federal elections pulse will then really be necessary to put an end to incapacity.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/when-will-belgium-let-unwillingness-and-incapacity-behind-her/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/when-will-belgium-let-unwillingness-and-incapacity-behind-her/</guid>
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<title>How to restore financial stability?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ It will take some time before economic activity and public finances return to their pre-crisis levels. At the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, many government representatives, businessmen, civil society leaders and academics debated how to rethink, redesign and rebuild the global economy. Some uncertainty remains about the reform of the financial system. At the end of the day, financial stability has to be restored but not by regulation only. This publication from the Center for European Reform studies the initial macroeconomic causes of the crisis and gives some guidelines to avoid them in the future and to make the financial system more stable.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-to-restore-financial-stability/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-to-restore-financial-stability/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Opel Antwerp marks the unbearable comeback of the economic nationalism</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos points out how Opel Antwerp&#8217;s destiny is both an economic and politic story. Politics has a big influence on multinationals&#8217; restructuring, but Belgium had to give up in front of big countries like the US and Germany. Europe needs to put an end to the politization phenomenon and to economic nationalism as soon as possible.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/opel-antwerp-marks-the-unbearable-comeback-of-the-economic-nationalism/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/opel-antwerp-marks-the-unbearable-comeback-of-the-economic-nationalism/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Great Paradox of future capitalism</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos warns about the long run consequences of the anti-crisis policy on the economy and the economic growth. The real economy, more than the financial economy, risks to be drawn again in the afterpain of the Great Recession. The crisis is more important than the crisis self.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-great-paradox-of-future-capitalism/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-great-paradox-of-future-capitalism/</guid>
<enclosure url="http://www.itinerainstitute.org/upl/1/default/doc/NOTA%205%20MDV.pdf" length="111166" type="application/pdf" />
</item>
<item>
<title>Another job scheme is not the best way to tackle unemployment</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos considers the new job scheme as a step in the good direction, but warns us about its perverse effects. The related budget should have been better spent via individual career guidance.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/another-job-scheme-is-not-the-best-way-to-tackle-unemployment/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/another-job-scheme-is-not-the-best-way-to-tackle-unemployment/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Promoting competition in Belgium</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Prices for many goods and services in Belgium are higher than in other countries, reflecting generally weak competitive pressures. The government has recently introduced several reforms to strengthen the competition policy framework. Nevertheless, to reap the full benefits of competitive markets, past reforms should be complemented with a number of further measures. This OECD report advances some of the steps to secure the necessary basis for bringing productivity growth in line with best performance.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/promoting-competition-in-belgium/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/promoting-competition-in-belgium/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>All hands on deck for a responsible budgetary policy</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The Itinera Institute already urged in September 2009 that the government had to adopt more ambitious budgetary objectives. The exhortation from the High Council of Finance to do so is a real opportunity for everyone who cares about the fight for the guaranty of the essence of our social model.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/all-hands-on-deck-for-a-responsible-budgetary-policy/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/all-hands-on-deck-for-a-responsible-budgetary-policy/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Innovating Indicators of the EU</title>
<description><![CDATA[ With reflection on the EU 2020 in full swing, the Lisbon Council weighs into the debate with an analysis about the political economy of innovation indicators, as well as concrete recommendations on targets for the EU&#8217;s new economic blueprint. This report is an original reflection on how to measure and evaluate societal progress and make the policy process more inclusive and meaningful to a broader number of people.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/innovating-indicators-of-the-eu/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/innovating-indicators-of-the-eu/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The free market needs strong rules</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The financial crisis reminds us once again at the wisdom that the free market, just like a football game needs rules to be able to function in an efficient and competitive way. We come out of a period where the sophism which means that new financial instruments can reduce the risk, was at its best. The lessons of this financial catastrofe will only be learnt, if we go back to the old insight that in order to reduce the risk, the financial sector best has to keep itself to certain limits. This will only happen if we impose these limits from outside just like Adam Smith suggested more than two hundred years ago. We do not expect that the players of a football game define themselves the rules on a football field, do we?]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-free-market-needs-strong-rules/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-free-market-needs-strong-rules/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Green protectionism in the EU</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In this paper, ECIPE investigates the EU&#8217;s biofuels policy. The researcher finds that biofuels policy has become an industrial policy using various measures to shelter domestic producers from foreign competition. Protectionism increases the cost of moving away from fossil fuels &#8211; but the EU is about to usher its policy farther in that direction with its Renewable Energy Directive. If it is implemented in the way that has been proposed, the EU is likely to run afoul of its obligations in the World Trade Organisation, and offset some of its efforts to reduce its CO2 emissions&#8230; .]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/green-protectionism-in-the-eu/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/green-protectionism-in-the-eu/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>How to avoid Europe paying the price</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The model for which the economic historian Nial Ferguson invented the term Chimerica still holds: China is financing America&#8217;s exuberant way of living.   If the necessary adjustments are made through an important dollar depreciation, Europe will pay the price. Policy makers should therefore realize old doctrines will not be able to help them any longer. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-to-avoid-europe-paying-the-price/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-to-avoid-europe-paying-the-price/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The single employment status for both blue collar and white collar workers needs to be better and more modern</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The discussion about a single employment status between both blue collar and white collar workers can not be limited to a discussion about the redundancy period. We need a better dismissal regulation that promotes employability. That is the only way to manage ageing. Here is a project for a more modern dismissal regulation in line with foreign experience. When are we going to also adopt in Belgium a vision in favour of a better labour market?]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-single-employment-status-for-both-blue-collar-and-white-collar-workers-needs-to-be-better-and-more-modern/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-single-employment-status-for-both-blue-collar-and-white-collar-workers-needs-to-be-better-and-more-modern/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Activity sectors in Wallonia 20 years later</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In 20 years time, Wallonia has progressively evolved from an industrial to a service society. She has developed big assets in logistics, food industry and building. Energy and sustainable development are considered as flourishing sectors in the region. In this report, the Forem gives us an overview of the historical evolution and future challenges in activity sectors in Wallonia.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/activity-sectors-in-wallonie-years-later/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/activity-sectors-in-wallonie-years-later/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Progress in the light of the Lisbon objectives in education and training</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In our knowledge-based economies, we are constantly trying to stimulate human capital through policy programs at national and European levels. In this report, the European Commission evaluates educational performance across European countries with respect to the Lisbon objectives. And apparently, Europe is getting there. Lifelong learning and student mobility are becoming a reality for more and more people. But progress still needs to be made in Belgium. The performance gap between pupils is among the largest in the EU and the average performance in mathematics is declining.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/progress-towards-the-lisbon-objectives-in-education-and-training/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/progress-towards-the-lisbon-objectives-in-education-and-training/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Improving Resolution Options for Systemically Relevant Financial Institutions</title>
<description><![CDATA[ There are critical holes in the existing regulatory framework for handling large complex financial institutions that become impaired. This uncertainty makes it difficult for regulators to know the best way to restructure a financial institution. This Squam Lake Working Group paper endorses legislation that would give authorities the necessary powers to effect an orderly resolution of large complex financial institutions. As part of this authority, every such institution should be required to create its own rapid resolution plans, which would be subject to periodic regulatory scrutiny. These &#8220;living wills&#8221; would help authorities address the difficulties that might arise in a resolution.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/improving-resolution-options-for-systemically-relevant-financial-institutions/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/improving-resolution-options-for-systemically-relevant-financial-institutions/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Let ideas flow  to counter conformist thinking</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In the wake of the financial crisis, many mainstream economic taboos are being questioned. The efficient market hypothesis is one of the ideas that has to cope with the most pressure. How could the theory that financial markets are efficient be so dominantly accepted among economists? Experimentation tells us that people only dare to question the majority&#8217;s opinion or the status quo when diverging views are being defended in the public debate. If not, there is a high risk of painful truths remaining untold. In other words: for a democracy to be effective, ideas need to flow. Concretely, breaking with the efficient market hypothesis means central banks will have to get their hands dirty in order to burst remaining bubbles. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/let-ideas-flow--to-counter-conformist-thinking/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/let-ideas-flow--to-counter-conformist-thinking/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>R&amp;D investments and economic cycles</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Are we going to reach the R&amp;D objective of the Lisbon Strategy by 2010? How does the crisis influence R&amp;D investments? That is the subject of this note from the French Center of strategic analysis. The authors also examine the procyclicality of R&amp;D investments in times of recession in OECD countries. With an R&amp;D intensity of roughly 1.5%, Belgium belongs to the group of countries whose firms&#8217; R&amp;D procyclicality with respect to business cycles should be limited.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/rd-investments-and-economic-cycles/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/rd-investments-and-economic-cycles/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The index of sustainable economic welfare for Belgium</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Since the signature of the Istanbul Declaration (June 2007), international and supranational organizations are steadily encouraging initiatives to measure societal progress, going beyond conventional economic indicators such as GDP per capita. In this report from the Hogeschool Gent, the author presents one of the alternative measures of economic welfare: the index of sustainable economic welfare (ISEW). When studying the ISEW evolution for Belgium, he discovers contrasting trends between the ISEW and the levels of per capita GDP. He also finds that increases in production and consumption have not always led to increases in economic welfare, especially after the year 1980.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-index-of-sustainable-economic-welfare-for-belgium/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-index-of-sustainable-economic-welfare-for-belgium/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>How to break network monopolies in the energy sector? </title>
<description><![CDATA[ The agreement on the three oldest atomic power stations between the nuclear electricity sector and the government risks shutting down the electricity market for a long time. If we want to give competition a chance in this key sector we need a completely new strategy. For that to happen, our government has to be convinced that balanced competition is crucial of our energy policy though. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-to-break-network-monopolies-in-the-energy-sector/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-to-break-network-monopolies-in-the-energy-sector/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The impact of the financial and economic crisis on Belgium</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The impact of the worldwide financial and economic crisis on the economy, labour market, public finances and households is important; and Belgium makes no exception to that. Ever since, policymakers all over the world focus on how to restore confidence in the financial markets and institutions, budgetary stability, and economic growth. Moreover, the crisis intensifies structural challenges (such as ageing or sustainable public finances) that the Belgian and the other European economies have been facing for several years now. This policy synthesis from the Socio-Economic Council for Flanders summarizes the impact of the big crisis on our country.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-impact-of-the-financial-and-economic-crisis-on-belgium/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-impact-of-the-financial-and-economic-crisis-on-belgium/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The state of the union is unsufficient!</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The Van Rompuy government did the absolute minimum where the budget is concerned.This is not enough. The government. misses long term vision and political courage to achieve structural reform. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-state-of-the-union-is-unsufficient/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-state-of-the-union-is-unsufficient/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Lessons of the Financial Crisis for the Design of National Pension Systems</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Pension funds all over the world had a hard time the past 12 months. In the Netherlands, some people even feared the compulsory and complementary occupational pension benefits would not (entirely) be paid out. Based on the recent financial crisis and historical record, this CESifo working paper draws important lessons and makes substantial recommendations about the design of national pension systems.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/lessons-of-the-financial-crisis-for-the-design-of-national-pension-systems/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/lessons-of-the-financial-crisis-for-the-design-of-national-pension-systems/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The &#8216;Oosterweelverbinding&#8217; and the missing alternative</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The planned Oosterweelverbinding has, as every massive infrastructure project, caused a lot of commotion. This KULeuven working paper doesn&#8217;t plead in favour of one of the two choices that completely dominate the debate today. In stead, the authors say the focus on both options narrows the debate down. Have all alternatives to improve Antwerp&#8217;s mobility been scrutinized? Is there any way to improve the existing infrastructure? If so, is a bridge or a tunnel still necessary? In other words, do the existing projects make sense or are there better alternatives? A study that could really shake up the debate a week before the plebiscite.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-oosterweelverbinding-and-the-missing-alternative/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-oosterweelverbinding-and-the-missing-alternative/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Driving a digital recovery in times of crisis</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In the past, one typical response to recessions would have be to increase investments in physical infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and sewer systems. However, in the new global economy, information technology (IT) is the major driver of not just economic growth, but also of improved quality of life. In this report, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) reviews the benefits and opportunities of including IT investments in a fiscal stimulus package. A way for Belgium to maintain the necessary 1,5% annual productivity growth used in the forecasts of our (optimistic?) Commission on Ageing?]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/driving-a-digital-recovery-in-times-of-crisis/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/driving-a-digital-recovery-in-times-of-crisis/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Doing Business in 2010</title>
<description><![CDATA[ For 2009-20010, Belgium is 18th in the Global Competitiveness ranking issued by the World Economic Forum: a progression of one place compared to last year! Although such information is useful for companies that have to select a place to invest, it is not enough. This annual &#8220;Doing Business&#8221; report from the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation that ranks economies based on 10 indicators of business regulation (which measures the ease of doing business) should therefore be seen as complementary. In this ranking Belgium is 22nd and lost two places compared to last year. In general, labour regulation, high tax rates and government bureaucracy appear to be the most problematic. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/doing-business-in-2010/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/doing-business-in-2010/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Economic outlook for the Euro area in 2009 and 2010</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Although technically speaking the Euro area is pulling out of recession, the overall economic picture is everything but bright. According to this report from the European Forecasting Network, GDP growth will be negative in the Euro area in 2009 (-0,5%) and is only expected to recover slightly in 2010 to 0,8%. For our economies to grow at more ambitious rates, two conditions are crucial, the researchers say: first, government intervention into financial markets has to be effective for some time. Second, the fall in house prices has to subside visibly.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/economic-outlook-for-the-euro-area-in-2009-and-2010/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/economic-outlook-for-the-euro-area-in-2009-and-2010/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Budetary priorities: 2009: let's get real!</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In order to give the next generation a fair chance, it's time to get real.The Itinera Institute sends a clear message:let's do it right!]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/budetary-priorities/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/budetary-priorities/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The long run needs to be reconciled with the short run</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In the long run, we are all dead. This witticism from Keynes is known by almost everybody. Schumpeter, only interested in the long run, seems to be the antipode of Keynes. The question is to realize that the long run is more than a succession of short runs by surpassing it with a strategic vision.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-long-run-needs-to-be-reconciled-with-the-short-run/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-long-run-needs-to-be-reconciled-with-the-short-run/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Budgetary recovery in bad times</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Even before the crisis, we knew that the next generations would have to pay for the financing of our pensions and health care. But on top of this big challenge, we are facing a deep crisis today. Many call for a so-called &#8220;deficit-spending&#8221;. Because it seems unacceptable to charge the next generation for this also, we propose a number of alternative tracks.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/budgetary-recovery-in-bad-times/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/budgetary-recovery-in-bad-times/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>A crisis tax for banks?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Banks have to contribute to the budgetary deficit that was partly due to the financial crisis. If we find a correct way to make the banks pay for the risk they impose on society, then our financial system could benefit from it.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/a-crisis-tax-for-banks/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/a-crisis-tax-for-banks/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Assessment and innovation in education</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Innovation is a key driver of economic and social progress in and needs undoubtedly to be sustained by education. Indeed, education enables people to develop their creativity, knowledge, skills and talents that are so much needed for innovation. This OECD report discusses three ways to improve educational practices and assessment processes to cultivate these key competences. Let&#8217;s go ahead towards innovative learning and teaching strategies to stimulate innovation!]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/assessment-and-innovation-in-education/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/assessment-and-innovation-in-education/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Reforming the pensions and insurance industries in light of the crisis</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The financial crisis has generated large losses in the pension and insurance industries. Being in less distress than the banking sector, they can be improved nonetheless. This paper of the IMF explains the different characteristics of those sectors and their vulnerabilities to different shocks. The authors determine their risk sharing properties and the transmission channels to the rest of the financial sector and the real economy. From these points they derive relevant policy implications that take into account the differences between the sectors, and that strengthen supervision of the sectors and the channels of contagion.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/reforming-the-pensions-and-insurance-industries-in-light-of-the-crisis/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/reforming-the-pensions-and-insurance-industries-in-light-of-the-crisis/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Is obesity becoming a threat for the American economic hegemony?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The obesity epidemic is spreading out. The United-States has already spent 1.6% of their GDP to the healthcare bill related to the consequences of obesity. If this evolution becomes more intense, obesity could influence American geopolitical relationships in the long run.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/is-obesity-becoming-a-threat-for-the-american-economic-hegemony/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/is-obesity-becoming-a-threat-for-the-american-economic-hegemony/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The financial crisis requires more international politics</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos shares the collective rage with respect to the outrageous bonuses in investment banks. But he points out the political responsibility. In times of crisis, political choices reinforced the position of big investment banks. Not only is the casino still open, on top of that, the same players are still at the gaming tables with more opportunities to play than before and more chances to win. Without any international consensus over new rules of the game, we may slide off to &#8220;business as usual&#8221;.  ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-financial-crisis-requires-more-international-politics/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-financial-crisis-requires-more-international-politics/</guid>
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<title>To promote financial stability wisely</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In the United States, they have to decide who will become the new governor of the Federal Reserve.  Instead of focusing on the mental state of an individual and his attitude towards inflation, it would be better to build in structural mechanisms.  So for example is stated in the contract of the central banker of New-Zealand, that he can be dismissed from the moment the control on inflation is lost. The issue of inflation-linked bonds by the public authorities could also be an efficient instrument. These are state bonds with interest payments depending on the inflation rate evolution.  This demonstrates that public authorities are not going to choose the &#171; nuclear &#187; option to diminish their debt position by creating inflation.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/to-promote-financial-stability-wisely/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/to-promote-financial-stability-wisely/</guid>
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<title>The government&#8217;s role in the financial crisis</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The financial crisis has necessitated intervention from the governments and questions the stability of the financial sector. This OECD report concentrates on reforms in the financial sector and the principles for the exit strategy of the emergency measures of the government. Guidelines for reforms are proposed which aim at bringing a balance between risk and the search for return in banking. The reasons why the exit strategy must be coordinated with the reforms in the financial sector are also explained. Interesting guidelines therefore for steering the Belgian policy.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-governments-role-in-the-financial-crisis/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-governments-role-in-the-financial-crisis/</guid>
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<item>
<title>Young people on stage</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In order to take advantage from the crisis, Jean Hindriks suggests a Sweden knowledge lift. Active workers could go back to study, while receiving benefits, to let their job to younger workers, the first victims of the crisis. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/young-people-on-stage/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/young-people-on-stage/</guid>
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<title>Global imbalances and the financial crisis</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Among the origins of the financial crisis, the global imbalances &#8211; cheap money from countries like India and China being channelled to the US &#8211; are often mentioned. These surpluses in savings could not but lead to investment excesses. Because most of the investment destinations were quickly supersaturated (think about the commodity bubbles), subprimes became an ideal solution. If the banking system had been sufficiently robust, that is without excessive leverages, the global imbalances might have led to a recession, but not to a systemic crisis. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/global-imbalances-and-the-financial-crisis/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/global-imbalances-and-the-financial-crisis/</guid>
</item>
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<title>How open is the Belgian economy?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Belgium occupies a mediocre 21st spot in an international ranking of the most open economies. There seem to be many obstacles left for firms willing to invest in Belgium, especially for foreign firms, the latest World Economic Forum report says. The most open economies are often Nordic countries. The reason we perform rather poorly to European standards is due to a less accessible market &#8211; blame the not very favourable investment climate and the archaic functioning of our customs.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-open-is-the-belgian-economy/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-open-is-the-belgian-economy/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Budgetary perspectives of Wallonia: 2009-2019</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In full negotiations for Wallonia&#8217;s political program to come, the CERPE (FUNDP) publishes a new report on Wallonia&#8217;s budgetary perspectives for 2009-2019. It revises the 2009 initial budget set by the Plan Bureau, by using the revised inflation and growth expectations. Thanks to these new figures we&#8217;re able to evaluate the weight of regional revenues and expenditures in the total regional budget. Given the gloomy economical circumstances, to which extend will politicians be able to realize their electoral promises?]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/budgetary-perspectives-of-wallonia/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/budgetary-perspectives-of-wallonia/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Does Flanders need additional stimulus measures?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ On-the-job training is seen as an important driving force for a knowledge-based economy with a dynamic labor market. Should the government stimulate investments in on-the-job training? And is there need for new stimulus measures in Flanders? This report of the &#8216;Steunpunt Werk en Sociale Economie&#8217; explains the motives for government intervention and the different implementation possibilities. The author provides pros and cons for new stimulus measures in Flanders and draws conclusions which can direct the debate on government policy.  ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/does-flanders-need-additional-stimulus-measures/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/does-flanders-need-additional-stimulus-measures/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The European patent system and why it doesn&#8217;t work</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Research has shown the importance of intellectual property rights and institutions to trigger innovation, and thus growth. The way patent requests are being processed on a national and international level is a part of that institutional framework, and is today facing two major challenges: 1) the work of the European Patent Office is currently being undermined by the high degree of patent fragmentation in Europe; and 2) backlogs at patent offices worldwide create more uncertainty on the markets. In this Bruegel report, recommendations are advanced to solve the European internal fragmentation challenge and the global backlog challenge. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-european-patent-system-and-why-it-doesnt-work/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-european-patent-system-and-why-it-doesnt-work/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Deficit spending can not push away political reforms</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos sends out a warning about the Flemish budgetary laxity. Flanders can not exorcise the crisis with regional deficits. The new government has to prioritize competitiveness, innovation, education, entrepreneurship and exports.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/deficit-spending-can-not-push-away-political-reforms/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/deficit-spending-can-not-push-away-political-reforms/</guid>
</item>
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<title>What policies for the Flemish car industry?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Because the car industry is a very cyclical business it was hit very hard by the financial and economic crisis. Everywhere in the world politicians did everything in their power to protect &#8216;their&#8217; brands and &#8216;their&#8217; factories. Through extra credit lines, car scrapping schemes, government guaranties etc. it is indeed possible to temporarily save jobs in the short term in the car industry (which only represents 2% of total employment in Belgium). Jo Van Biesebroeck (KULeuven) wonders whether there aren&#8217;t better ways to spend taxpayers&#8217; money. The author is puzzled by the motives to throw money in the auto industry and suggests measures for a better long run industrial policy.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/what-policies-for-the-flemish-car-industry/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/what-policies-for-the-flemish-car-industry/</guid>
</item>
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<title>How healthy are Belgian companies?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Every year, Graydon takes pulse of our companies&#8217; health. To do so, the researchers use a number of &#8216;economic blinkers&#8217;, or parameters that indicate problematic situations within a company. They found that on the national level and despite the crisis, the relative amount of (very) sick companies declined during 2008 and the first 3 months of 2009. In other words, the companies that were already very sick are to blame for the spectacular amount of bankruptcies that we witnessed the last couple of months.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-healthy-are-belgian-companies/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-healthy-are-belgian-companies/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Discriminatory banking supervision</title>
<description><![CDATA[ We&#8217;re expected to believe that regulation will not fail next time. Yet, there&#8217;s no shame in questioning your own beliefs and being sufficiently sceptical. Financial reforms as seen by official bodies today have to be implemented in the short term. If not, those that advocate going back to a separation of deposit and investment banks will eventually be proven to be right. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/discriminatory-banking-supervision/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/discriminatory-banking-supervision/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Transition policy is the marching order for labour market policy in times of crisis</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos sends out a warning that the crisis policy on the labour market is focussing too much on keeping existing jobs. The attention should be focussed on the weaker groups on the labour market. Transition policy is the way forward, and can seize the existing opportunities, despite the crisis. We have to make a collective effort for actual activity in order to avoid a lost generation.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/transition-policy-is-the-marching-order-for-labour-market-policy-in-times-of-crisis/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/transition-policy-is-the-marching-order-for-labour-market-policy-in-times-of-crisis/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Towards a better federal financing</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Some say that more autonomy given to the regions could positively impact the quality and efficiency of public services. This could lead to an improved responsibility that would prevent the regions from overspending. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/towards-a-better-federal-financing/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/towards-a-better-federal-financing/</guid>
</item>
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<title>The Day After: what are the regional policy priorities for 2009-2014</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The regional elections of 2009 should be a turning point. Due to the economic crisis, the budgetary crisis and the institutional crisis, Belgian&#8217;s regions are faced with new responsibilities.
Now that the votes are counted, the multitude of electoral promises can make way for the reality of negotiations. The Itinera Institute determined 7 regional policy priorities and formulated concrete proposals.
]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-day-after-what-are-the-regional-policy-priorities-for-2009-2014/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-day-after-what-are-the-regional-policy-priorities-for-2009-2014/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The day after: what are the regional policy priorities for 2009-2014? </title>
<description><![CDATA[ ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-day-after/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-day-after/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Waiting for the inflation storm? </title>
<description><![CDATA[ The Federal Reserve has shown itself determined to overcome the crisis. Meanwhile, some fear too much fire extinguishing water has been used which will inevitably lead to an inflation burst. This does not necessarily need to happen, although price stability cannot be expected either. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/waiting-for-the-inflation-storm/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/waiting-for-the-inflation-storm/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Presentation: the day after: what are the regional policy priorities 2009-2014?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The regional elections of 2009 should be a turning point. Due to the economic crisis, the budgetary crisis and the institutional crisis, Belgian&#8217;s regions are faced with new responsibilities.
Now that the votes are counted, the multitude of electoral promises can make way for the reality of negotiations. The Itinera Institute determined 7 regional policy priorities and formulated concrete proposals.

]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/ppt/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/ppt/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Executive summary :the day after: what are the regional policy priorities for 2009-2014?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The regional elections of 2009 should be a turning point. Due to the economic crisis, the budgetary crisis and the institutional crisis, Belgian&#8217;s regions are faced with new responsibilities.
Now that the votes are counted, the multitude of electoral promises can make way for the reality of negotiations. The Itinera Institute determined 7 regional policy priorities and formulated concrete proposals.
]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/executive-summary-the-day-after-what-are-the-regional-policy-priorities-for-2009-2014/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/executive-summary-the-day-after-what-are-the-regional-policy-priorities-for-2009-2014/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>GM and Opel undermine the real economy fundamentals</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos points out heavy perverse effects from GM&#8217;s nationalization and Opel&#8217;s government support: politization of the auto industry, unfair competition and a slide towards more economic nationalism. The rescued companies&#8217; future is still very uncertain. The rare tax revenues are not well used. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/gm-and-opel-undermine-the-real-economy-fundamentals/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/gm-and-opel-undermine-the-real-economy-fundamentals/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The real stake of the elections is the Belgian democracy impotence</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos expresses his frustration about the elections battle. He observes the elections as being in a virtual reality, with a Roman-style decadence of self-deception and delusion. For the real challenge we lack realism, workable solutions and audacity for true political solutions. Can the elections bring some consolation?]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 29 May 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-real-stake-of-the-elections-is-the-belgian-democracy-impotence/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-real-stake-of-the-elections-is-the-belgian-democracy-impotence/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Socio-economic figures about Belgium</title>
<description><![CDATA[ This publication from the FPS Economy should be considered as Belgium&#8217;s latest socio-economic profile. Even if all the consequences of the crisis are not yet reflected in these figures, the report gives us an interesting overview of the most important aspects of our economy before 2009. The Belgians will not be surprised to note that we enjoyed more free time now than we did last year, young people still have difficulties in finding a job, Belgium has a high productivity level with respect to the majority of its European neighbors, demographic density keeps going up, etc.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/socio-economic-figures-about-belgium/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/socio-economic-figures-about-belgium/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Efficiency of public spending in support of R&amp;D activities</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Do European countries have to reinforce or retarget their innovation policy to meet the national goals of the Lisbon agenda? To answer this question, we first need to know how efficient our public R&amp;D policies are. In this publication from the European Commission, the authors use a methodological framework to assess the efficiency of the main public R&amp;D instruments (direct subsidies, tax incentives, R&amp;D performed in the public sector) implemented to support R&amp;D activities in the private sector. At the same time, they compare the efficiency scores among OECD countries over the last decades. Belgium ranks very average, which should inspire us through benchmarks and best practices to improve our R&amp;D public spending policies.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/efficiency-of-public-spending-in-support-of-rd-activities/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/efficiency-of-public-spending-in-support-of-rd-activities/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Intellectual Property Index for the Information Technology Sector</title>
<description><![CDATA[ One of the most fundamental problems in public discussion of European intellectual property (IP) policies is the shortage of information about the specific composition of an IP environment, relevant to Europe&#8217;s high tech industries (in general), and the information technology (IT) sector in particular. In order to narrow this gap, in 2006 the Stockholm Network developed an innovative statistical index aimed at measuring the strength of intellectual property rights (IPRs) in the IT sector in different countries. And what appears? The EU is seriously lagging behind compared to its immediate competitors like the U.S. and Japan. Not a good argument when attracting private investors in R&amp;D, that&#8217;s for sure. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-intellectual-property-index-for-the-information-technology-sector/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-intellectual-property-index-for-the-information-technology-sector/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>European Quality of Life Survey</title>
<description><![CDATA[ This survey from Eurofound gives European citizens the opportunity to express themselves on different socio-economic topics such as income and living standards, work-life balance, quality of society, healthcare and housing. This allows us to evaluate the quality of life throughout Europe better and to think about relevant policy measures in meeting people&#8217;s needs. We can also find inspiration here from what is going better abroad, particularly in the Nordic countries.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/european-quality-of-life-survey/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/european-quality-of-life-survey/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The necessity of reforming the banking system</title>
<description><![CDATA[ At this moment comparable conclusions to those of our extraordinary parliamentary commission are being drawn all around the world. It would really be counterproductive to lead a strategy of divide and rule. Beyond party lines and political horizons, we cannot but reach the conclusion that banks are special entities with the potential to create a lot of risk for the overall economic stability. If banks have to be rescued in difficult times, they also have to respect certain limits; nobody, whatever the political conviction, can deny this.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-necessity-to-reform-the-banking-system/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-necessity-to-reform-the-banking-system/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Reforming the International Financial System</title>
<description><![CDATA[ It is important to try to make the financial system less susceptible to crises in the future. In this article from the Peterson Institute a three-point program is advanced: a reversal of the past policy of encouraging bank mergers and its replacement by a vigorous antitrust policy directed at the banking sector; a determination to make monetary policy anticyclical; and reform of the regulatory system. It goes without saying all the key international actors will have to go for this or a similar plan if future financial and economic catastrophes are to be limited in consequences, duration and occurrence. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/reforming-the-international-financial-system/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/reforming-the-international-financial-system/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Young innovative companies: EU vs US</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Are we going to be as innovative as the US? With the Lisbon Strategy, we know that Europe wants to stimulate R&amp;D and innovation in all its member states. However, young innovative companies in Europe are still facing barriers to innovation. In this publication, Bruegel investigates the situation and the context in which young innovative companies are evolving. It also makes some recommendations aimed at guiding our public authorities to support innovation in our countries. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/young-innovative-companies-eu-vs-us/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/young-innovative-companies-eu-vs-us/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>How atypical is the current crisis: looking back to 1929</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The great crash of 1929 is very similar to the problems of today. Speculation was financed with capital from Europe and other regions; a global crash became unavoidable. The stockmarket culture was so dominant that even funds for poor people were considered around 1929.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/1929-galbraith-and-raskob/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/1929-galbraith-and-raskob/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The role of real estate redistribution in the crisis</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The benefits from increasing property prices are unequally spread. Several important American policymakers opted for a utopian real estate redistribution by imposing high sub-prime quota on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. They corrupted market forces and are partly responsible for the financial crisis.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/real-estate-redistribution-and-the-financial-crisis/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/real-estate-redistribution-and-the-financial-crisis/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The future is unpredictable, and economists are no oracles</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Households, companies and banks took quite a beating by the wealth loss everybody suffers from. The balance sheet pay off will require time.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/uncertainty-and-future/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/uncertainty-and-future/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Migration and the global crisis</title>
<description><![CDATA[ According to the International Organization for Migration there are mainly two good reasons not to reduce migration in destination countries during this global crisis. First, human mobility, as underscored in IOM&#8217;s 2008 World Migration Report, makes economies more dynamic and more efficient. The second reason is that the influxes of returning migrants may result in economic and social instability in poorer countries, which could increase irregular migration and trafficking in human beings. Now more than ever we need a well-considered migration policy. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/migration-and-the-global-crisis/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/migration-and-the-global-crisis/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Rebuilding the financial system to stimulate the economy</title>
<description><![CDATA[ During the G20 summit in London on the 2nd of April 2009, some determining decisions could have been made to reverse the vicious cycle &#8216;financial distrust &#8211; economic paralysis&#8217; and to change the rules that led to today&#8217;s catastrophe. We should go back in other words to the normal situation where the financial system is an imperfect but useful tool for the economy, and not the other way around. To do so, the French think-tank Institut Montaigne in this paper advances 4 concrete, powerful but necessary lines of thought.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/rebuilding-the-financial-system-to-stimulate-the-economy/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/rebuilding-the-financial-system-to-stimulate-the-economy/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Transport at crossroads</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Freight transport, the number of passengers travelling by road and air, car ownership and greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector have all followed a growing trend between 1995 and 2006 in all member states of the European Environment Agency. Globalization and the growing worldwide mobility of people are inevitably impacting on our environment. Transport demand management is a real challenge. In this report, EEA gives ideas towards a methodology that could cost-effectively deliver an environmentally sustainable transport system within a reasonable time horizon.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/transport-at-crossroads/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/transport-at-crossroads/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The G20 and the Great Crisis</title>
<description><![CDATA[ For those who intuitively think that a macro-economic policy can annihilate the excesses of previous years: you&#8217;re probably right to a certain extend. But we&#8217;ll have to face, whether we like it or not, a period of higher unemployment and lower economic performance. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-g20-and-the-great-crisis/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-g20-and-the-great-crisis/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>What the Dutch can teach us</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos underscores that the Netherlands, notwithstanding a much better starting position than Belgium, have understood the necessity of a drastic crisis plan. He calls for a sound dose of Dutch common sense in Belgium. Profound reforms are required to restore a viable combination of wealth creation and social security.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/what-the-dutch-can-teach-us/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/what-the-dutch-can-teach-us/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Consumption as civil duty?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Despite the frequent calls for more consumption, we should not forget that savings and investments are the real sources of welfare. The economic crisis shows that overconsumption is not sustainable at all and needs to be corrected.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/consumption-as-civil-duty/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/consumption-as-civil-duty/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Ageing after the Great Crisis: presentation</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos describes the impact of ageing. He explains how the current crisis sounds the death-knell for the crippled Belgian preparation for ageing. But Belgium remains capable of bearing ageing, if only we succeed in a growth strategy.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/ageing-after-the-great-crisis/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/ageing-after-the-great-crisis/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Belgium and the crisis from the IMF&#8217;s point of view</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The depth of the recession evaluated by many institutions like the IMF will be dramatic, everybody agrees. But it is useless to wallow in self-pity; better is to understand what happens and to react as soon as possible. After some comments on the impact of the crisis in Belgium and on the actions taken by the government, the IMF also gives recommendations aimed at tackling the crisis in this report. Even if it is in favor of long run fiscal sustainability, the IMF considers that the composition of our fiscal stimulus package can be improved.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgium-and-the-crisis-from-the-imfs-point-of-view/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgium-and-the-crisis-from-the-imfs-point-of-view/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Stabilization effects of social spending</title>
<description><![CDATA[ What is the ability of social spending to smooth output shocks and to provide economic stabilization? The results of this OECD working paper show that overall social spending is able to smooth about 16% of a shock to GDP. More specifically, social spending devoted to ageing and unemployment appears to have the most important effects. Moreover &#8211; and this is good news for Belgium given today&#8217;s negative output shock &#8211; the stabilization effects of social spending are significantly larger in those countries where the size of social spending is high.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/stabilization-effects-of-social-spending/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/stabilization-effects-of-social-spending/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Video Column: double dividend</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Jean Hindriks explains how we can profit twice from budgetary measures.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/video-colum-double-dividend/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/video-colum-double-dividend/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>A different type of competition for public services</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Since the crisis, the European Commission&#8217;s competition policy has been swimming upstream. In this context the question of the postal service sector&#8217;s approaching liberalisation lies upon its ability to maintain its universal service vocation, given the profitability pressure of a competitive market. The question is pertinent and invites us to think about different forms of competition that would be in favour of, and not against, universal community service.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/a-different-type-of-competition-for-public-services/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/a-different-type-of-competition-for-public-services/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Video Column : Temporary unemployment for employees</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Should the the system of temporary unemployment be extended to employees? Marc De Vos lists the pros and cons, and argues for a temporary - temporary unemployment.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/video-column-temporary-unemployment-for-employees/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/video-column-temporary-unemployment-for-employees/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Understanding bubbles to avoid them</title>
<description><![CDATA[ What is so unique about today&#8217;s financial crisis is that so many people saw it coming. And these whistle blowers were not marginal thinkers. Could they have used their insights to their personal advantage?  This somehow cynical question needs an extensive answer. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/understanding-bubbles-to-avoid-them/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/understanding-bubbles-to-avoid-them/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>An obstinate vision for a safer banking system</title>
<description><![CDATA[ We have recently received an avalanche of reports which all give recommendations to prevent the repetition of this financial crisis. In this paper, we add a number of remarks which according to us deserve to be included in the debate. The focus is notably on possible reforms in the Belgian context.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/an-obstinate-vision-for-a-safer-banking-system/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/an-obstinate-vision-for-a-safer-banking-system/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Flexibility on the Belgian labor market</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In a period of crisis, the issue of work flexibility is often put on the table. But has Belgium been able to develop a labor market that is flexible enough? In this DULBEA report, the authors study the different types of work arrangements in Belgium since 1990. According to their data, work flexibility could still be improved which would soften transition out of the crisis and stimulate workers in having longer careers. Two birds, one stone. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/flexibility-on-the-belgian-labor-market/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/flexibility-on-the-belgian-labor-market/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>System of innovation in Wallonia</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Is the Wallonia&#8217;s innovation system performant enough? Is it good enough compared to the systems set up in other European regions? In this publication, the Federal Plan Bureau investigates these questions and concludes that despite some good results, Wallonia can not but reform. Much progress still needs to be made, in R&amp;D and innovation in particular. Until now, they did not yield enough new activities capable of redeploying the Region into the sectors of the future.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/system-of-innovation-in-wallonia/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/system-of-innovation-in-wallonia/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Video Column : Monetary Policy</title>
<description><![CDATA[ To the general public, it must seem that the only role of the central bank is fluctuating the interest rate according to the economic circumstances. If this was true, the American Central Bank would have become superfluous: the interest rate has been equal to zero for quite a while now. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/video-column--monetair/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/video-column--monetair/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Video Column Protectionism</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In times of recession, the concept of international collaboration often makes way for the concept of protectionisme. This can prove to be dangerous for small open economies, such as Belgium.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/video-column-protectionism/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/video-column-protectionism/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Great Crisis will weigh heavily on the future</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos doubts whether stimulus plans will be able to reverse the economic decline in the short run. But in the long run, the Great Crisis risks heaving an important and mostly negative impact on growth potential.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-great-crisis-will-weigh-heavily-on-the-future/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-great-crisis-will-weigh-heavily-on-the-future/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Flanders compared</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The Flemish live in a prosperous region. The perception of Flanders as a European top region needs to be nuanced though &#8211; it has been resting on its laurels. Flanders performances for classic economic indicators are good but its prize list for other indicators (labour market, innovation &#8230;) is less pretty. That is why this report from the Flemish government identifies several indicators that are of crucial importance for the health of an innovation oriented economy. From thereon several benchmark regions that scored better than Flanders were selected. These are supposed to stimulate Flanders&#8217; ambitions for the future.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/flanders-compared/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/flanders-compared/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Video Column : Narrow Bank</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Advocates of the narrow banking system state that their should be a clear differentiation between financial houses and depostit banks.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/video-column-narrow-bank/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/video-column-narrow-bank/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Video Column Bad Bank</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Now that is has become clear that a worldwide recapitalization round is inevitable, the idea of Bad Bank is gaining popularity.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/video-column-bad-bank/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/video-column-bad-bank/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Banking Crisis : causes, consequences and remedies</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The financial crisis reaped havoc worldwide, and Belgium was not spared.
Paul De Grauwe (KULeuven and CESifo) offers the brand new government Van Rompuy I tangible solutions on how to limit the effects of the crisis in time and proportion and to avoid future crises 
]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/lessons-from-the-banking-cirisis/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/lessons-from-the-banking-cirisis/</guid>
<enclosure url="http://www.itinerainstitute.org/upl/1/default/doc/MEMOpdg.pdf" length="462349" type="application/pdf" />
</item>
<item>
<title>Presentation: Lessons from the banking crisis</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The financial crisis reaped havoc worldwide, and Belgium was not spared.
Paul De Grauwe (KULeuven and CESifo) offers the brand new government Van Rompuy I tangible solutions on how to limit the effects of the crisis in time and proportion and to avoid future crises 
]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/presentation/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/presentation/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Necessity of an audacious monetary policy</title>
<description><![CDATA[ It is important for us to learn from the failure of the Japanese experience in the 90s. A first lesson is certainly that the bank system has to be seriously cleared up. The Japanese financial institutions are associated with the notion of zombie banks. They survived because of the public authorities&#8217; back-up, although they were not able to offer credit to households and companies any longer. A second lesson is that monetary policy must really be audacious.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/necessity-of-an-audacious-monetary-policy/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/necessity-of-an-audacious-monetary-policy/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>355% or the crisis in one figure</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The American problem of an excessive debt is so far leading to a growing public debt. The American debt needs to be lowered and therefore a high inflation rate is rather likely.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/355-of-the-crisis-in-one-figure/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/355-of-the-crisis-in-one-figure/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Temporary unemployment is not the solution</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos underscores the perverse effects of temporary unemployment and proposes to reform it into an insurance system that internalizes the costs and pays more attention to activation. A transparent single employment status for both blue collar and white collar workers is the road to a clean combination of flexibility and security.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/temporary-unemployment-is-not-the-solution/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/temporary-unemployment-is-not-the-solution/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The impact of offshoring on employment in Belgium</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Too often, offshoring is accused of being responsible for destroying jobs. According to this report from the Bureau du Plan, we should reconsider our judgment. Indeed, it appears that offshoring in the industry had a very low impact on overall employment between 1995 and 2003.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-impact-of-offshoring-on-employment-in-belgium/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-impact-of-offshoring-on-employment-in-belgium/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The bidding war of neo-protectionism and isolationism has to stop</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos notes how measures of economic nationalism and isolationism pass under the cover of economic &#8220;stimulus&#8221;. The smallest countries are their biggest victims. Europe has to intervene to ensure a fair free trade.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-bidding-war-of-neo-protectionism-and-isolationism-has-to-stop/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-bidding-war-of-neo-protectionism-and-isolationism-has-to-stop/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>&#8216;Buy American, first test for Obama&#8217;</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The steel lobby convinced the United States House of Representatives to add a &#8220;Buy American&#8221; clause to the rescue plan. The big test to the new US president is a fact: will Obama use his veto against the protectionist clause?]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/buy-american-first-test-for-obama/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/buy-american-first-test-for-obama/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Obama demonstrates Belgium's woes.  </title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos finds president Obama inspiring, because his vision puts the finger on fundamental flaws in the Belgian makeup.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/obama-demonstrates-belgiums-woes/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/obama-demonstrates-belgiums-woes/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Are Americans leading in innovation because they want to control risks, not eliminate risks?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Americans are no Europeans from Europe anymore since a long time. According to the philosopher Peter Sloterdijk, the United-States are the only modern country that is not on the way of being a social care and security state. Then, religion in the US keeps an unusual meaning and Americans are also maybe less risk averse. Are Americans leading in innovation because they want to control risks, not eliminate risks?]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/are-americans-leading-in-innovation-because-they-want-to-control-risks-not-eliminate-risks/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/are-americans-leading-in-innovation-because-they-want-to-control-risks-not-eliminate-risks/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Bad bank</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Being clear now that we need to make a second round of recapitalization around the world, the concept of bad bank reappears. This is an institution where junk credits from big Belgian banks can be put. Before carefully implementing it, we need, however, to seriously consider the different modalities.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/bad-bank/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/bad-bank/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>12 suggestions for the new President </title>
<description><![CDATA[ Who still believes what happens in the United States doesn&#8217;t affect us? The way the United States is going to respond to challenges as global warming, the necessary energy transition, financial and economic stabilisation, innovation policy etc. will largely influence our own policy responses and affect our situation at home. In this RAND Review, 12 suggestions are made for doing things better in the United States during the new Presidential mandate in policy area&#8217;s as diverse as education, healthcare, geopolitics and the economy. A must-read for everybody that is concerned with the future of America, and our own&#8230;.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/12-suggestions-for-the-new-president/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/12-suggestions-for-the-new-president/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Economic revival thanks to a slimmer government?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Economic confidence can be best restored when tax reductions are financed by structural reductions in government expenditures and not by higher budget deficits.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/economic-revival-thanks-to-a-slimmer-government/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/economic-revival-thanks-to-a-slimmer-government/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Happiness and depression</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In 2009, a considerable number of Belgians will be unemployed. This will not only affect their income, but also their mood. During an economic crisis, divorces and suicides tend to increase slightly and this is no different for discrimination and crime. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/happiness-and-depression/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/happiness-and-depression/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Synopsis Newyear memo</title>
<description><![CDATA[ ]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/synopsis-ny-memo/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/synopsis-ny-memo/</guid>
<enclosure url="http://www.itinerainstitute.org/upl/1/default/doc/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20synopsis%20NY%20memo.pdf" length="117277" type="application/pdf" />
</item>
<item>
<title>New Years memo : Presentation</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The Itinera Institute presents it's NEW YEAR's MEMO 2009, our vision of the policy priorities for the Van Rompuy I Government.We stress the importance of the current legislation, and formulate a list of recommendations for bold, proactive policy choises.
]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/new-year-memo--presentation/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/new-year-memo--presentation/</guid>
<enclosure url="http://www.itinerainstitute.org/upl/1/en/doc/Microsoft%20PowerPoint%20-%20handouts%20-%20NY%20Memo%202009.pdf" length="1666338" type="application/pdf" />
</item>
<item>
<title>New Years Memo 2009</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The Itinera Institute presents it's NEW YEARS MEMO 2009, our vision of the policy priorities for the Van Rompuy I Government. We stress the importance of the current legislation, and formulate a list of recommendations for bold, proactive policy choises.
]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/new-years-memo-2009/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/new-years-memo-2009/</guid>
<enclosure url="http://www.itinerainstitute.org/upl/1/en/doc/Nieuwjaarsmemo%20FR.pdf" length="1997542" type="application/pdf" />
</item>
<item>
<title>Video: New Years Memo</title>
<description><![CDATA[ ]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/video-new-years-memo/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/video-new-years-memo/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Coinciding elections constitute the opportunity of the governmental crisis</title>
<description><![CDATA[ For Marc De Vos, the crisis of the government Leterme is the crisis of the politician Leterme, but it also symptomatic for the malaise in the Belgian political culture. He argues in favour of coinciding federal and regional elections after an interim federal government. This would force political parties to coordinate their federal and regional agendas.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/coinciding-elections-constitute-the-opportunity-of-the-governmental-crisis/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/coinciding-elections-constitute-the-opportunity-of-the-governmental-crisis/</guid>
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<item>
<title>No economic recovery plan without recovery plan for ageing !</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos stresses the need for efficiency and budget limits in the race for economic recovery plans. The government should not announce a recovery plan without clear prior budgetary goals. Every recovery plan for the economy should be tied to a subsequent recovery plan to compensate for the delay in budgetary preparation for ageing.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/no-economic-recovery-plan-without-recovery-plan-for-ageing/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/no-economic-recovery-plan-without-recovery-plan-for-ageing/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Socio-economic performances of Belgium and the Netherlands</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In the report from the Centre for Social Policy the socio-economic outcomes of Belgium and the Netherlands are compared. How have relations over the past 15 years evolved in terms of welfare, labour market and poverty between both neighbouring countries? According to the report, Belgium has lost ground compared to the Netherlands and can therefore use the Dutch reform story well.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/socio-economic-performances-of-belgium-and-the-netherlands/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/socio-economic-performances-of-belgium-and-the-netherlands/</guid>
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<item>
<title>Why social partners and government fail with the centralized wage bargaining</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos points out that the new central bargaining agreement does not achieve its purpose of guaranteeing competitiveness. The government moreover encourages more than it corrects. The system of negotiated wage moderation fails.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/why-social-partners-and-government-fail-with-the-centralized-wage-bargaining/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/why-social-partners-and-government-fail-with-the-centralized-wage-bargaining/</guid>
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<title>A well-considered labour market policy</title>
<description><![CDATA[ During the 70&#8217;s, we thought we could reduce unemployment by sending older workers on early retirement. Today, some people still believe that the retiring baby boomers will release jobs easily accessible to the youngsters for whom everything will have become much easier. Apparently, people are reluctant to see that when people leave the labour market, the cake gets smaller so that these jobs will not necessarily be transferred to others.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/a-well-considered-labour-market-policy/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/a-well-considered-labour-market-policy/</guid>
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<title>From bubble to correction</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The gravity of the forthcoming economic crisis is starting to get through. A month ago one was accused of doom-mongering if one considered an economic recession possible. Today, one is considered na&#239;ve if one doesn&#8217;t. The truth however is that there has never been more uncertainty about the future.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/from-bubble-to-correction/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/from-bubble-to-correction/</guid>
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<item>
<title>Building a sustainable economy. Investing in the future</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Great challenges bring great opportunities. How can we benefit from these opportunities and how can private companies create more sustainable activities? In this publication, the Flemish Ministry of Economy, Science and Innovation collected inspiring visions of entrepreneurs, technology watchers, pioneers and policymakers.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/building-a-sustainable-economy-investing-in-the-future/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/building-a-sustainable-economy-investing-in-the-future/</guid>
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<title>An appropriate answer to the banking crisis in Belgium</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The financial crisis we&#8217;re going through urges us to fundamentally rethink our financial system. We often pretend to be entirely dependent of foreign solutions for our problems. In this nota, it is shown we can actually control for a few things ourselves. It is as important to pay attention to short term problems, like protecting our economy from the financial meltdown, as to make sure such a catastrophe will never happen again.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/an-appropriate-answer-to-the-banking-crisis-in-belgium/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/an-appropriate-answer-to-the-banking-crisis-in-belgium/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Belgium&#8217;s recovery plan must focus on policy reform</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos explains that the European recovery plan does not turn back the clock of economic history. He underscores that Belgium has little room for a Keynesian stimulus. The priority for Belgian policy is policy reform that saves money or at least does not cost money.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgiums-recovery-plan-must-focus-on-policy-reform/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgiums-recovery-plan-must-focus-on-policy-reform/</guid>
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<title>Determinants of innovation in Belgium</title>
<description><![CDATA[ What are the determinants of innovation, and thus of economic growth, in a small open economy like Belgium? The objective of this working paper of the Federal Plan Bureau is to analyze on the sector level what the impact of three of the most cited factors in the literature - efforts in R&amp;D, the qualification of the workforce and propagation of ICT &#8211; is on innovation. And let us tell you already that some of the results might surprise you&#8230; .]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/determinants-of-innovation-in-belgium/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/determinants-of-innovation-in-belgium/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Financial crisis impact on the real economy</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The financial crisis made clear we need a financial reform. But on top of that, shouldn&#8217;t we also be seriously concerned with macroeconomic and structural policies to allow us to bear the consequences of the crisis? In this report, the Plan Bureau investigates the impact of the financial crisis on our real economy (private consumption, companies&#8217; investments, exports,&#8230;) and focuses on the policies we have to pursue or introduce.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/financial-crisis-impact-on-the-real-economy/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/financial-crisis-impact-on-the-real-economy/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Bank control by the public authorities</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Eventhough it&#8217;s important to be preoccupied by stability, it&#8217;s absolutely not desirable that the public authorities are permanently present within our financial institutions.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/bank-control-by-the-public-authorities/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/bank-control-by-the-public-authorities/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Budgetary extravagance kills Keynes</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Because we did not save our margins when the economy was doing well, the average employee will have to pay an extra &#8364;3700. This also implicates we will not have the budgetary means of effectively stimulating the economy. Had we saved the decreasing interest charges in stead of spending them, this effort would have been minimal.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/budgetary-extravagance-kills-keynes/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/budgetary-extravagance-kills-keynes/</guid>
</item>
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<title>The Fortis Saga </title>
<description><![CDATA[ Thanks to deposits banks are able to finance their activities at a fixed interest rate. Their profit is therefore potentially unlimited which gives them huge incentives to take risks. This is why there have always been and there will always be banking crisis, notwithstanding well intended regulation like Bazel II and the regulation that is about to replace it.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-fortis-saga/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-fortis-saga/</guid>
</item>
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<title>The necessity of a bailout should not become a habit</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos warns that the bailout in the financial sector was necessary to avoid a systemic crisis. This is not the case for the car industry. If we turn the necessity to a bailout into a habit we will sow the seeds of our own economic demise.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-necessity-of-a-bailout-should-not-become-a-habit/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-necessity-of-a-bailout-should-not-become-a-habit/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Obama's impossible task</title>
<description><![CDATA[ From the beginning, it was clear Obama's electoral promises were unrealistic. And the financial crisis is the perfect excuse to proceed to the matters at hand and leave the promises for what they were. Of course, the matter at hand is to clean the mess and limit the damages from the financial cataclysm.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/obamas-impossible-task/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/obamas-impossible-task/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Brussels&#8217; economic paradox</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Economically, our capital seems to suffer from schizophrenia. On the one hand it accommodates the headquarters of Belgium&#8217;s most important businesses and the European institutions, but on the other hand Brussels is also known for its economic and social problems. This report gives an overview on Brussels&#8217; key poverty indicators such as unemployment and housing, and notices that there are important differences between the municipalities of the Brussels region. Can this be related with the extra complicated fragmentation of competences in our capital city? ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/brussels-economic-paradox/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/brussels-economic-paradox/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Welcome, mister President</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The election of Barack Obama has turned out to be an historical inevitability. Marc De Vos indicates that the greatest strength of candidate Obama is also the greatest risk of president Obama. At the international level we need an American president, not only of dialogue but also of audacity and action.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/welcome-mister-president/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/welcome-mister-president/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Sarkozy: an inspiration for reforming the Belgian healthcare system ?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Could Nicolas Sarkozy&#8217;s bill &#8220;H&#244;pital, patients, sant&#233;, territoire&#8221; serve as a source of inspiration for future reforms of the Belgian healthcare system? Fran&#231;ois Daue en Brieuc Van Damme critically scrutinized the text to extract its priorities and most interesting proposals for Belgium.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/sarkozy-an-inspiration-for-reforming-the-belgian-healthcare-system/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/sarkozy-an-inspiration-for-reforming-the-belgian-healthcare-system/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>R&amp;D: Europe progresses, but the efforts need to be pursued</title>
<description><![CDATA[ According to the 2008 EU Industrial R&amp;D Investment Scoreboard of the European Commission, with 8,8 %, companies of the EU show for the first time a stronger growth of the R&amp;D investments than their Americans counterparts (8,6 %). The research intensity, that is the ratio between R&amp;D and net sales, stays nevertheless very superior in the United States, where it establishes, on average at 4,5 % against 2,7 % in Europe. Besides, the R&amp;D of the private sector in Europe represents only 1 % of the gross domestic product, what would indicate that an increasing part of the investments in R&amp;D of the European firms is made outside the Union. We get closer to the Lisbon objectives, but the efforts need to be pursued to hope reaching them.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/r-d-europe-progresses-but-the-efforts-need-to-be-pursued/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/r-d-europe-progresses-but-the-efforts-need-to-be-pursued/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>In search of attention</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Publishing is vital for scientists. With the growing number of scientists, the amount of publications and scientific journals is increasing tremendously. This does not mean attention is allocated efficiently though: those who receive a lot of attention will only receive more, whether that recognition is justified or not.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/in-search-of-attention/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/in-search-of-attention/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Belgium is economically free but less than one year ago</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Belgium&#8217;s economy is 71.5 percent free according to the Economic Freedom Index 2008, which makes it the world&#8217;s 20th and Europe&#8217;s 10th freest economy. This is a 0.9 percentage point decrease from last year, primarily reflecting increased government spending. Contrary to common thoughts, it is emphasized that creating a Business in Belgium is easy and fast, but it is also recalled that income as well as company taxes are amongst the World&#8217;s highest. This can be a serious handicap in an ever-more globalizing world.
]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgium-is-economically-free-but-less-than-one-year-ago/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgium-is-economically-free-but-less-than-one-year-ago/</guid>
</item>
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<title>What is to know about corporations&#8217; learning curve</title>
<description><![CDATA[ More competition enhances productivity: it stimulates corporations to work more efficiently and gives them incentives to learn from other domestic companies. According to the Dutch Central Plan Bureau, the know-how present within domestic companies is more important than the know-how abroad. This is why companies have to invest in R&amp;D, to be capable of imitating. This is also why foreign companies have to be given a real opportunity to settle in Belgium. In these turbulent economic times, protectionism is thus not an option. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/what-is-to-know-about-corporations-learning-curve/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/what-is-to-know-about-corporations-learning-curve/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Marx, Darwin or Marx..?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ With the financial crisis, capitalism is under attack and in need of solutions. Johan Albrecht wonders whether Marx or Darwin could help.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/marx-darwin-or-marx/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/marx-darwin-or-marx/</guid>
</item>
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<title>How Is the Economic Turmoil Affecting Older Workers</title>
<description><![CDATA[ This paper from the Urban Institute examines the impact of the ongoing economic turmoil on retirement savings, home values, and retirement decisions. The slumping stock market, falling housing prices, and weakening economy have serious repercussions for older Americans who are approaching retirement or already retired. More and more older adults are working to bolster their retirement incomes, but the rising unemployment rate limits their prospects. In Belgium, the turmoil may also incite older workers to work later.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-is-the-economic-turmoil-affecting-older-workers/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-is-the-economic-turmoil-affecting-older-workers/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Working against moonlighting</title>
<description><![CDATA[ This report from, the result of a collaboration between Li&#232;ge University and Leuven University, tries to sketch a picture of the size and evolution of moonlighting in Belgium. According to the authors, clear political will and the unambiguous support of the trade unions and the employers&#8217; federations are needed to fight moonlighting. We would have a better understanding of this hidden reality and we&#8217;d observe a more efficient control &#8211; with all the positive budgetary consequences that this implies.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/working-against-moonlighting/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/working-against-moonlighting/</guid>
</item>
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<title>The State of the Union is lamentable</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos parodies the annual Belgian &#8220;State of the Union&#8221; and declares it to be lamentable. The federal budget is shocking.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-state-of-the-union-is-lamentable/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-state-of-the-union-is-lamentable/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Confidence makes the economy running</title>
<description><![CDATA[ For markets to be efficient you need trust &#8211; morality can take care of that. We found this range of thought already with Adam Smith.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/confidence-makes-the-economy-running/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/confidence-makes-the-economy-running/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Main street after the meltdown</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The financial crisis in bringing havoc but the real economy can sustain as long as competitiveness remains pivotal for policymakers.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/main-street-after-the-meltdown/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/main-street-after-the-meltdown/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Confidence and the credit market</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The banking channel, which allows with a limited initial quantity of money to carry the economy at a higher level through the lever of credit, requires, almost by definition that, in period of distrust, - as recently on the inter-bank market - it is the central bank which supplies liquid assets.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/confidence-and-the-credit-market/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/confidence-and-the-credit-market/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Off-shoring and immigration of skilled workers fosters competitiveness</title>
<description><![CDATA[ According to this Bruegel policybrief, Europe&#8217;s corporations are changing the way they do business, in a context of increasing competition and scarcity of top-talent. They are slicing up the value chain and introducing flatter chains of command in order to cut costs and woo the highly skilled workers. Contrary to popular belief, both off-shoring to the near-abroad and immigration of skilled workers can foster European competitiveness and help keep jobs in Europe. This is also highly relevant for a small open economy like Belgium.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/off-shoring-and-immigration-of-skilled-workers-fosters-competitiveness/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/off-shoring-and-immigration-of-skilled-workers-fosters-competitiveness/</guid>
</item>
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<title>The labour market can benefit from a greener economy</title>
<description><![CDATA[ According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the green growth is promising for the labour market: 2 to 3,5 millions jobs could for example be created in Europe and in the United States if big energy efficiency construction sites were launched in the construction sector. This is what comes out of this report which estimates, at the horizon 2030, the job creation potential from a shift towards a less polluting economy. ILO agrees however that the evolution towards a green economy may encounter financing and manpower problems in several developed countries.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-labour-market-can-benefit-from-a-greener-economy/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-labour-market-can-benefit-from-a-greener-economy/</guid>
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<title>Welcome to the health economy!</title>
<description><![CDATA[ We are spending an increasing amount of our budget on health care. Private as well as public health expenses are growing spectacularly: 5% on average every year over the past 25 years! What&#8217;s to blame? In fact, the main suspects are our own preferences: the richer we get the more we are willing to spend on healthcare. This NBER paper found an income elasticity for health services of 1.6, meaning that income expenditures on health care in the U.S. are likely to reach 29 percent of the GDP by 2040! This confirms earlier findings of the Belgian Plan Bureau. Welcome to the health economy!]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/welcome-to-the-health-economy/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/welcome-to-the-health-economy/</guid>
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<title>The financial capitalism subject to scathing criticism</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Banks will have to go back to a human level, what has not been the case for a long time with the modern American banking model. It is also going to affect the wages in the banking sector. Another lesson that we have to draw is that the complete faith in very sophisticated models contains enormous risks. It also brings to light the reasons for which the &quot;nice&quot; Belgian banks are affected by the crisis.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-financial-capitalism-subject-to-scathing-criticism/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-financial-capitalism-subject-to-scathing-criticism/</guid>
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<item>
<title>Towards a new financial capitalism</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos explains that the credit crisis is not only a case of market failure, but also of regulatory failure. Crisis management is necessary, but a new and better regulatory framework needs to be developed quickly. Government must play its role as regulator, stabilizer, currency holder, and lender of last resort. But government cannot replace the market itself.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/towards-a-new-financial-capitalism/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/towards-a-new-financial-capitalism/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Break the Belgian Paradox</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos explains that small countries are typically homogeneous and flexible, while Belgium is heterogeneous and rigid precisely because it is small. This Belgian paradox needs to be broken to avoid the current institutional crisis from degenerating into years of political instability. An institutional catharsis is needed to secure the social and economic future.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/break-the-belgian-paradox/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/break-the-belgian-paradox/</guid>
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<title>Credit for knowledge</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The last couple of years we have lived with the illusion that wealth is only a matter of numbers by selling homes to an ever higher price. Yet, we knew wealth is not generated by making one bigger bet after the other, but by technological progress.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/credit-for-knowledge/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/credit-for-knowledge/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>High food prices: temporary bubble or structural disaster?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ A year ago food prices stopped decreasing. At first, the speculators and high energy prices were blamed. Later, the Chinese, whose meat consumption is increasing every day, and the bio fuels were held responsible. But has it occurred to you that all of these factors are on the demand side? This is why the Dutch Plan bureau concludes that production will have to grow faster if we do not want to start living in a world of scarcity. This temporary bubble cannot become structural; there are just too many lives at stake.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/high-food-prices-temporary-bubble-or-structural-disaster/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/high-food-prices-temporary-bubble-or-structural-disaster/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>How do outsourcing and taxation affect employment and welfare?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ This Iza paper analyses how international outsourcing and labour taxation affect wage formation, employment and welfare. It shows that higher productivity and lower outsourcing costs increase wage dispersion between skilled and unskilled workers. Increasing wage tax progression increases the labour demand for unskilled workers, but decreases their welfare. On the contrary, it increases the welfare of skilled workers and the profit of firms. These results suggest that there may be a trade-off between employment and welfare for the unskilled workers. Reducing personal income tax rates for low-income workers, on the other hand, could positively affect both.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-do-outsourcing-and-taxation-affect-employment-and-welfare/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-do-outsourcing-and-taxation-affect-employment-and-welfare/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Trouble in paradise</title>
<description><![CDATA[ From the start of the Euro zone, the great danger of instability that threatens a single currency area was pointed out, if no explicit transfers were possible when an asymmetric shock occurs, that hits one country more than the rest of the members. The crisis in which the European project has been involved for years (like the rejection of the European Constitution) makes the further development of its economic structure politically impossible. But like a boomerang, this could turn itself against us in the coming years.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/trouble-in-paradise/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/trouble-in-paradise/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Europe vs. America</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Many of the recent economic problems have their origin in the United States: this does not mean, however, that unemployment and inflation will hit harder there. Most likely, it will be the other way around.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/europe-vs-america/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/europe-vs-america/</guid>
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<title>The U.S., land of economic liberalism, and sportive dirigisme</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The Olympic Games are a true triumph for China: an incredible organisation and a sportive success measured by the number of medals wan. Economic research shows that authoritarian regimes are more capable to succeed in top-class sports. America&#8217;s dirigisme in sports, on the other hand, is less well-known.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-us-and-of-economic-liberalism-land-sportive-dirigisme/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-us-and-of-economic-liberalism-land-sportive-dirigisme/</guid>
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<title>There comes the recession?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ According to Ivan van de Cloot, it&#8217;s important to distinguish the virtual losses of the stock exchange and housing market from the real economic activity. The financial crisis can slow the US and thus also the Belgian economy down, but will not necessarily lead to a recession. The pessimistic reporting of the press for the past few months, on the contrary, will certainly have its price.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/there-comes-the-recession/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/there-comes-the-recession/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The olympic choice</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos analyses the failure of the Doha-round and warns for the creeping malaise in economic globalisation. Will the world community continue on the path of an international legal order and common wealth creation?
]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-olympic-choice/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-olympic-choice/</guid>
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<title>The price of non-globalisation</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Globalisation has been accused of stealing jobs and depressing wages in the developed part of the world. According to this ECIPE paper, these fears are however based on erroneous facts and wild exaggerations. The authors analyse what some goods would have costed if globalization had been freezed at its level in 1970 and 1980 and claim that the remarkable period of disinflation between 1980 and today has fed into higher real income.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-price-of-non-globalisation/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-price-of-non-globalisation/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Oil through the roof</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Many hope a barrel of petrol will go back to a 100 dollar before the end of the year. Their argument is, of course, that the price of 135 dollars per barrel does not reflect the market price triggered by supply and demand but has been caused by financial speculation. In the United States the presidential candidates are trying to surpass one another by cursing the speculators. It is, however, not that simple to estimate the role of speculation on the current oil price. Ivan van de Cloot argues that its role should not be overestimated.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/oil-through-the-roof/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/oil-through-the-roof/</guid>
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<title>The silver lining</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos hopes that the ongoing political troubles in Belgium will lead to a workable state and efficient government. He points out that the Flemish consensus for more devolution hides great differences on policy views. Policy reform, not devolution per se, is the only silver lining of the current institutional crisis.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-silver-lining/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-silver-lining/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Oil prices: risk and opportunities</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Based on US data, this paper explores the roles of oil demand and supply shocks in industrial production. It shows that if oil shocks of both types lead to a higher price and have in this regard negative effects, demand shocks also have the positive effect of increasing the demand for goods and services by emerging economies. It suggests that the emergence of new players in the global economy may increase the cost of resources, but it also offers trade opportunities. It is the ability &#8211; or lack thereof &#8211; to innovate and produce goods that are not easily substitutable that determines whether the new challengers represent a risk or an opportunity for industrialised countries like Belgium.
]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/oil-prices-risk-and-opportunities/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/oil-prices-risk-and-opportunities/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Will Soaring Transport Costs Reverse Globalisation?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ This paper of CIBC World Markets Inc. discusses the impact of higher energy prices on transport cost and on globalization. It emphasizes that nowadays, the cost of moving goods, not the cost of tariffs, is the largest barrier to global trade. As an example, In 2000, when oil prices were $20 per barrel, transport costs were the equivalent of a 3% tariff rate. Currently, transport costs are equivalent to an average tariff rate of more than 9%. With the perspectives of a barrel at 200 dollars, this suggests not only a potential major slowdown in the growth of world trade, but also a fundamental realignment in trade patterns in the future.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/will-soaring-transport-costs-reverse-globalisation/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/will-soaring-transport-costs-reverse-globalisation/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Languages and Economy</title>
<description><![CDATA[ As 59% and 53% of Flemish people master French and English, only 19% and 17% of the Walloon speak Dutch and English. The economic impact of this is not to be underestimated.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/languages-and-economy/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/languages-and-economy/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>It&#8217;s the economy, stupid!</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos sees insufficient economic growth as the root cause of the problems of purchasing power and low pensions. He notices a new Belgian paradox of insufficient means for our needs and too much expenditure for our capacity. Real policy reform is indispensable to stop further relative decline.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/its-the-economy-stupid/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/its-the-economy-stupid/</guid>
</item>
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<title>The Price of Political Crisis: Economic Adjustment and Political Transformation in Belgium and the Netherlands</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Political crisis is no longer 'news' in Belgium or the Netherlands.  Less well understood is the toll that this controversy is taking on patterns of economic policymaking. Belgium and the Netherlands used to rely on consensus to stabilize welfare state institutions and to underwrite national competitiveness.  This is no longer possible in times of political crisis. As a result, both countries are less flexible and more vulnerable than ever since the end of the second world war.  Worse, they may never recover the ability to foster economic consensus.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-price-of-political-crisis-economic-adjustment-and-political-transformation-in-belgium-and-the-netherlands/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-price-of-political-crisis-economic-adjustment-and-political-transformation-in-belgium-and-the-netherlands/</guid>
<enclosure url="http://www.itinerainstitute.org/upl/1/default/doc/Nota%2024_political%20crisis%20Erik%20Jones%20FVH01_ENG.pdf" length="476469" type="application/pdf" />
</item>
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<title>Belgium is badly ranked to attract investments</title>
<description><![CDATA[ This study of Price Waterhouse Coopers seeks to compare the ease of paying taxes in 178 countries around the world. The Maldives is the country which makes paying tax the easiest and Panama is the one which makes it the most difficult. With a ranking of 154, Belgium remains towards the bottom of the league and is behind almost all European countries, with the exception of France and Italy. As testified by the notional interest deduction system or the drop in personal income tax, Belgian fiscal policy has clearly improved over recent years. But we have to continue to adapt our system if we want to be competitive in attracting investments.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgium-is-badly-ranked-to-attract-investments/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgium-is-badly-ranked-to-attract-investments/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The creative economy</title>
<description><![CDATA[ A new development paradigm is emerging that links the economy and culture, embracing economic, cultural, technological and social aspects of development at both the macro and micro levels. Central to the new paradigm, called the creative economy, is the fact that creativity, knowledge and access to information are increasingly recognized as powerful engines driving economic growth and promoting development in a globalizing world. This UN report looks deeper into the concept of creative economy, its dimensions, measurement and (policy) implications. A must-learn concept for every economy that highly depends on innovation and seeks to be sustainable &#8211; like ours in fact.
]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-creative-economy/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-creative-economy/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Greening the economy</title>
<description><![CDATA[ This review of the Insead Innovation Centre seeks to identify how the European Union can shape a transition towards a more sustainable and competitive economy. It stresses the role governments have to play in promoting eco-innovation, by supporting research and development, as well as their responsibility in facilitating investments in clean energy, by creating legal and institutional incentives that make it easier for entrepreneurs to set up a company in the EU.   
]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/greening-the-economy/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/greening-the-economy/</guid>
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<title>How to reconciliate inflation and purchasing power ?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Na&#239;m Cordemans looks into the explanations of the gap between official and perceived inflation. He underlines that perceived inflation cannot be used as a reference for monetary policy or wage indexation. In the context of rising food prices, he discusses different ways to support the purchasing power of households. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/howtoreconciliateinflationandpurchasingpower/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/howtoreconciliateinflationandpurchasingpower/</guid>
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<title>Get richer, get happier !</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Two Wharton economists conclude that richer countries are happier than poorer ones and that as countries get richer, their inhabitants become happier. This finding directly challenges the conventional wisdom that there is no link between the level of economic development and the average level of happiness. Apparently, economic growth is a relatively good indicator of well-being and should be encouraged. Next to income-based indicators, alternative measures to better assess quality of life should however be further developed.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/getrichergethappier/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/getrichergethappier/</guid>
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<title>More technology for less unemployment</title>
<description><![CDATA[ This European University Institute working paper challenges the conventional wisdom and states that technology deficit is more responsible for high unemployment than are labor institutions. The authors argue that the pace of technology adoption plays a fundamental role for how an economy&#8217;s labor market reacts to an acceleration in capital-embodied growth. This is good news for Belgium. It may suggest that in the fight against unemployment, creating conditions that prevent the emergence of a technology deficit should receive at least as much attention as labour market reform.
]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 23 May 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/more-technology-for-less-unemployment/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/more-technology-for-less-unemployment/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Education policy and economic performance</title>
<description><![CDATA[ As many studies have shown, investment in education can both promote efficiency and reduce inequality. This is particularly relevant for Belgium: the regions that are underinvesting in education are also those that are underperforming and more unequal.
]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 16 May 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/education-policy-and-economic-performance/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/education-policy-and-economic-performance/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Pension indexation VS the cost of ageing: An inevitable trade-off ?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Since large numbers of households prepare to retire, rapidly-aging economies will experience a surge in savings, which will depress world real interest rates in the next three decades. According to this IMF Working Paper, this will result in higher capital-labour ratios - since declining interest rate reduces the cost of capital &#8211; and, in fine, in increased wages &#8211; since workforce will be relatively scarcer and labour will be more capital intensive. Higher wages, in turn, will be passed on to pension benefits, exacerbating aging-related fiscal pressure. The conclusion of the author is that pension reforms, particularly those that change the indexation of pensions from wages to prices, are highly desirable since they provide substantial macro-insurance against long-run declines in world interest rates. Since higher wages will imply higher contributions, this would definitely help coping with ageing, while maintaining the retiree standard of living.
]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 May 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/pension-indexation-vs-the-cost-of-ageing-an-inevitable-trade-off/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/pension-indexation-vs-the-cost-of-ageing-an-inevitable-trade-off/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Flanders&#8217; economy compared</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The Flemish live in a prosperous region. The perception of Flanders as a European top region needs to be nuanced though &#8211; it has been resting on its laurels. Flanders performances for classic economic indicators are good but its prize list for other indicators (labour market, innovation &#8230;) is less pretty. That is why this report from the Flemish government identifies several indicators that are of crucial importance for the health of an innovation oriented economy. From thereon several benchmark regions that scored better than Flanders were selected. These are supposed to stimulate Flanders&#8217; ambitions for the future.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/flanders-economy-compared/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/flanders-economy-compared/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Work Collective Agreements: To decentralise rather than to regionalise?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ This study of the Dulbea brings to light that it is essentially the possibility to fix salaries at the company level and the subdivision of joint commissions (JC) in sub-JC or in regional joint sections which allow at present the adaptation of salaries to the regional difference in productivity. According to the authors, larger use of those two mechanisms could represent an appealing alternative to the regionalisation of wage negotiations: they would, on one hand, allow the avoidance of increasing administrative complexity in the joint commissions where a more important wage differentiation is not necessary. On the other hand, they would not only allow for taking into account productivity differences between regions, but also between provinces, labour pools and companies.  
]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/work-collective-agreements-to-decentralise-rather-than-to-regionalise/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/work-collective-agreements-to-decentralise-rather-than-to-regionalise/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Belgian social model is not  a model anymore</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos gives critical reflections on the unions and mutual funds call to maintain the so called &#8220;Belgian social model&#8221;. He points out that this model has been under existential pressure for over thirty years and that it can only survive through reform.
]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 02 May 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-belgian-social-model-is-not-anymore-a-model/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-belgian-social-model-is-not-anymore-a-model/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Does cultural diversity affect productivity?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The immigration debate has long ago stopped of being a social or a cultural one only. The general economic impact of interactions among a rising and increasingly diversified number of people is now widely recognised &#8211; just think about ageing. But is a culturally diversified society more or less efficient than a culturally homogenous one? The potential benefits &#8211; a wider variety of goods, services and skills &#8211; could be outweighed by potential costs such as racism and prejudices. Using EU 15 data, it is shown that cultural diversity stimulates productivity.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/does-cultural-diversity-affect-productivity/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/does-cultural-diversity-affect-productivity/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Inter-regional economic performance differences in Belgium: what is to blame?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ General economic performance highly depends on economic growth. For the past three decades, the latter was sensibly higher in Flanders than in Brussels or Wallonia. The employment growth rate was also higher in the northern part of the linguistic frontier. According to the Planbureau, the causes for the economic growth differences are to be found in differences in employment growth rate rather than in productivity growth differences as often assumed.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/inter-regional-economic-performance-differences-in-belgium-what-is-to-blame/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/inter-regional-economic-performance-differences-in-belgium-what-is-to-blame/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Food, oil and the kingdom of scarcity</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The food crisis, energy crisis as well as the credit crisis follow from the lower investments in risk minimization instruments. And therefore we are back in the age of scarcity.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/food-oil-and-the-kingdom-of-scarcity/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/food-oil-and-the-kingdom-of-scarcity/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Europe&#8217;s R&amp;D: Missing the wrong targets? </title>
<description><![CDATA[ It is not a surprise that Europe is not delivering on its Lisbon agenda commitment to increase its R&amp;D-to-GDP ratio to three percent by 2010. More surprisingly, this Bruegel policybrief underlines that the European Commission&#8217;s benchmarking of member states against the headline three percent figure is questionable, because such comparisons rarely take into account the industrial specialisation. Moreover, it claims that setting targets for private R&amp;D is ineffective and calls for a support of research activities up to a threshold of one percent of GDP by the aggregate government sector. This Policybrief advocates a more integrated European market for technology (notably an EU patent) and increased funding for academic research, which significantly induces further research in the business sector. 
]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/europesrdmissingthewrongtargets/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/europesrdmissingthewrongtargets/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Inflation decreased during 2007, but has strongly accelerated since the beginning of the year</title>
<description><![CDATA[ This chapter of the Annual Report of the National Bank of Belgium reveals that inflation rate decreased from 2,3% to 1,8% between 2006 and 2007, which ranks Belgium amongst the countries with the lowest inflation rate in the Monetary Union for 2007. It underlines however that these good results are only due to temporary factors and notes that if inflation went down between January and August, it strongly accelerated during the last months of the year 2007, pushed up by the combined effects of an increase in the price of energy products and an acceleration in the price of foodstuffs. This tendency has continued during the first months of the year 2008, with an inflation rate which reached 3,64% on an annual basis for the month of February, ranking Belgium first in terms of inflation rate for this period&#8230;]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/inflation-decreased-during-2007-but-has-strongly-accelerated-since-the-beginning-of-the-year/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/inflation-decreased-during-2007-but-has-strongly-accelerated-since-the-beginning-of-the-year/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>International outsourcing does not reduce employment</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In the public debate, international outsourcing is mainly associated with employment losses. However, this paper on Germany shows that international outsourcing has, if anything, a positive effect on employment. Contrary to popular belief, there is barely any overall impact in the manufacturing sector, while job stability in the services sector is profiting from the productivity gains of outsourcing. This strengthens the conviction that outsourcing can induce employment growth by increasing the competitiveness and the productivity of firms.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/international-outsourcing-does-not-reduce-employment/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/international-outsourcing-does-not-reduce-employment/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Capital Flows and Demographics &#8211; An Asian Perspective</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Demographic disparities can be mutually beneficial. Regions in the world are at different stages of the demographic transition: Some, as Europe, are ahead and already experience slowing or negative labor growth. Others, as India or Africa, are at early stage of the demographic transition, and witness strong labor growth. This paper of the IMF investigates the impact of demographics on international capital flows, focusing on Asia. The author ensures that open capital accounts will speed up the relocation of production from fast aging to slower aging economies and benefits everybody&#8217;s welfare. For that, he underlines that capital markets should be supervised and that countries should reform their unsustainable pay-as-you-go pension system. Definitely, pension reform has his bunch of opportunities.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/capital-flows-and-demographics-an-asian-perspective/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/capital-flows-and-demographics-an-asian-perspective/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Does immigration affect the Phillips curve? Some evidence from Spain</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Immigration can help to moderate wages

What is the impact of immigration on inflation? Spain experienced a drop in unemployment by 15 percentage points over the period 1995-2006, with roughly constant inflation. This paper estimates that the fall in unemployment since 1995 would have led to an annual increase in inflation of 2.5 percentage points if it had not been largely offset by immigration, a finding that suggests that immigration can help to suppress inflation as unemployment falls and labour market shortages appear.  The Spanish example suggests that also the Belgian economy, with rising inflation and a labour market with increasing shortages, could benefit from more immigration.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/does-immigration-affect-the-phillips-curve-some-evidence-fom-spain/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/does-immigration-affect-the-phillips-curve-some-evidence-fom-spain/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>From words to action</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos welcomes the Solidarity Pact which the regional and federal employer organisations have collectively proposed. He supports the basic goal of more growth and more jobs for better solidarity. But missing are the concrete steps that employers and their organisations themselves are able and willing to take to realize this goal.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/from-words-to-action/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/from-words-to-action/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>How open economies absorb large immigration flows</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Several decades of research have shown that the effects of immigration flows on wages are surprisingly small. This IZA paper explores alternative channels by which open economies absorb immigration flows. Unprecedented massive immigration into Spanish regions in the period 2001-2006 led to a large expansion of employment in high immigration regions. The main absorption channel has been within-industry changes in the skill composition of sectoral employment (the typical industry in a high-immigration region has increased the share of low educated workers in its workforce, relative to the same industry in a low-immigration region). The authors conclude that, overall, Spanish regions have absorbed immigration flows in the same way as US local economies. With its small and open economy also Belgium could benefit from more immigration.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-open-economies-absorb-large-immigration-flows/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-open-economies-absorb-large-immigration-flows/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>How to respond to short and middle-term economic weakness?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Slowing economic growth inspires policy makers to look for formulas to turn the tide. This CBO study examines the potential of fiscal policy in the US context and recommends selection based upon three main criteria: cost-effectiveness, timeliness, and certainty of effects. Undoubtedly, this American lesson can also be instructive for other countries.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-to-respond-to-short-term-economic-weakness/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-to-respond-to-short-term-economic-weakness/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Coming of age: Report on the euro area</title>
<description><![CDATA[ At the end of 2007, inflation in the euro area had jumped to above three percent, while economic growth was slowing and unsteadiness in financial markets persisting. This comprehensive study of Bruegel assesses whether Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) is equipped to sail trough less calm and, perhaps even stormy waters. It emphasizes that by many standards, the euro is a major success, but notes that since is has been launched, the performances of the euro area have not been spectacular. The report underlines that willingness to adapt the EMU policy framework in the light of the experience gained is crucial to the long-term success of the euro and identifies different drivers of reform.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/coming-of-age-report-on-the-euro-area/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/coming-of-age-report-on-the-euro-area/</guid>
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<item>
<title>Financing Europe&#8217;s Fast Movers</title>
<description><![CDATA[ European &#8220;champions&#8221; are generally much older than American ones and new companies generally find it harder to emerge in Europe than in the US. This is what reveals this Bruegel policybrief which emphasizes the role of the finance system in fostering innovation and growth. It also stresses the importance of corporate finance for the unlocking of the growth potential in Europe and advocates that the ability to foster corporate growth should be given higher priority in EU financial policy. 
]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/financingeuropesfastmovers/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/financingeuropesfastmovers/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>How to respond to short-term economic weakness?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Slowing economic growth inspires policy makers to look for formulas to turn the tide. This CBO study examines the potential of fiscal policy in the US context and recommends selection based upon three main criteria: cost-effectiveness, timeliness, and certainty of effects. Undoubtedly, this American lesson can also be instructive for other countries.
]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/howtorespondtoshorttermeconomicweakness/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/howtorespondtoshorttermeconomicweakness/</guid>
</item>
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<title>The UK is no longer mid-Atlantic</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In 1997 the UK had a tax burden some 7.6% lower than that of the eurozone, the strongest pension system in Europe, and a far less complex and distortionary tax and benefits system than it has today. There is still a popular misconception that the country still enjoys these advantages, that Britain is still the mid-Atlantic economy with tax and spending burdens part-way between the US and Continental Europe. This is however no longer the case: the UK is instead tending towards being a fully fledged member of the continental European club, with a share of government outlays in its GDP that by now exceeds the German figure. This paper examines areas where Germany&#8217;s arrangements appear superior to Britain&#8217;s. It suggests that Belgium should rather look for inspiration in Germany than in the UK. 
]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-uk-is-no-longer-mid-atlantic/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-uk-is-no-longer-mid-atlantic/</guid>
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<title>The International Monetary Fund rings the alarm bell for Belgium</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In its yearly report on Belgium the International Monetary Fund (IMF) urges policymakers to take serious budgetary and socio-economic measures. With a slowing economy and lack of budgetary margin Belgium needs restrictions on government expenditures as well as structural reforms. The IMF recommends making sure that health care costs do not grow more rapidly than the economy, continuing wage moderation efforts in spite of a rising cost of life, eliminating certain subsidies, reforming unemployment insurance with time limitations on unemployment benefits and making collective wage bargaining more flexible.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-international-monetary-fund-rings-the-alarm-bell-for-belgium/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-international-monetary-fund-rings-the-alarm-bell-for-belgium/</guid>
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<item>
<title>The International Monetary Fund sounds a wake-up call for Belgium</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos gives perspectives on the recent report from the International Monetary Fund on Belgium. He concludes that the institutional crisis is blocking structural socioeconomic reforms that are both urgent and necessary.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-international-monetary-fund-sounds-wake-up-call-for-belgium/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-international-monetary-fund-sounds-wake-up-call-for-belgium/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Belgian economy in 2008: growth in slow motion and inflation</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Is the Belgian economy declining? According to the Belgian Federal Planning Bureau the Belgian growth will only reach 1.9% in 2008 against 2.7% in 2007. Inflation will also rise by more than 1%. Even if the Planning Bureau finds that the number of unemployed will decline, there are still severe problems on the Belgian labor market. Regional differences of unemployment rate are rising. Reforms are necessary if Belgium wants to improve this situation.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/2008-growth-in-slow-motion-and-inflation/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/2008-growth-in-slow-motion-and-inflation/</guid>
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<title>Belgium is the world&#8217;s globalisation champion</title>
<description><![CDATA[ According to researchers of the KOF Swiss Economic Institute, Belgium is the world&#8217;s most globalised country. The KOF Index of Globalisation measures the economic, social and political dimensions of globalisation. Whereas Belgium does not rank first on any of these sub-indices, the country ranks among the top ten on all three, which results in the top position of the overall globalisation index.. The most recent index also shows that globalisation is still on the rise, driven by increased economic and political globalisation, while social globalisation stagnates.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgium-is-the-worlds-globalisation-champion/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgium-is-the-worlds-globalisation-champion/</guid>
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<title>Belgium did not take advantage of the real estate boom</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Over the last years, real estate prices strongly rose in many European countries and in the United States. The effect of this boom on the employment in the construction sector is not the same in all the countries. According to this IZA working paper, Belgium did not take advantage of this boom while other countries such as Spain, Sweden or the United States raised their employment rate.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgium-did-not-take-advantage-of-the-real-estate-boom/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgium-did-not-take-advantage-of-the-real-estate-boom/</guid>
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<title>The Belgian productivity in slow-motion</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The launch of the Lisbon strategy in 2000 was strongly motivated by the observation of a declining trend in European labour productivity growth over the preceding decade. This Federal Planning Bureau paper compares the labour productivity growth of three small open European countries: Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands. This comparison shows that, while Austria and Belgium recorded a decrease in their productivity growth between 1995 and 2004, the Netherlands followed the American pattern and has recorded an increase in their growth rate since 1995. Belgium could learn from the Netherlands where productivity growth is driven by key factors such as ICT, R&amp;D and innovation.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Dec 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-belgian-productivity-in-slow-motion/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-belgian-productivity-in-slow-motion/</guid>
</item>
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<title>How to make Belgium and Europe more carbon competitive?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ When considering the export mix, Belgium and Europe are more vulnerable to carbon pricing schemes than other countries and regions. More than their main competitors, Europe and Belgium specialises in industries with relatively high carbon emissions (such as minerals and chemicals) rather than in high-tech industries and services. This Policy Brief of Bruegel gives three recommendations for policy development in the area of cutting carbon emissions: ensure that policies allow emissions to be cut at the lowest cost, reduce competitive distortions by pushing for widespread use of carbon pricing schemes and avoid trade-skewing sectoral &#8220;carve-outs&#8221; from such schemes at national level.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-to-make-belgium-and-europe-more-carbon-competitive/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-to-make-belgium-and-europe-more-carbon-competitive/</guid>
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<title>International students: assets or liabilities?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Do international students benefit or harm an economy? This paper of the Higher Education Policy Institute examines the (purely economic) impact of the presence of both EU and non-EU international students in the UK. Detailed calculations underpin the conclusion that each FTE EU student in the UK annually brings net cash benefits of about &#163;10,000 to the UK economy, whereas a FTE non-EU student annually brings net cash benefits of about &#163;17,900. Even if all EU students would default on the repayment of their subsidised loans the overall economic impact is substantial. This suggests that also Belgium, with its heavily subsidised higher education system, could benefit from attracting more international students.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/international-students-assets-or-liabilities/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/international-students-assets-or-liabilities/</guid>
</item>
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<title>More and better use of ICT for a more prosperous Europe</title>
<description><![CDATA[ For most of the post-war period, productivity was growing faster in Europe than in the United States. Yet, after 1995, the trends reversed. Robert Atkinson from the Information Technology &amp; Innovation Foundation (ITIF) observes that the ICT revolution was responsible for the lion&#8217;s share of U.S. productivity growth and discusses why a productivity turnaround is critical for the future of Europe. Policy recommendations include the use of tax incentives and tariff reductions to spur ICT investment as well as the active encouragement of universal digital literacy and digital technology adoption. In terms of benefits from ICT investments Belgium belongs to the top students of the EU. Nevertheless there is still significant scope for productivity improvements in our country, as also confirmed by a study of the Federal Planning Bureau that can be found elsewhere on our website.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/more-and-better-use-of-ict-for-a-more-prosperous-europe/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/more-and-better-use-of-ict-for-a-more-prosperous-europe/</guid>
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<item>
<title>Innovation and adaptation: how companies and countries stay wealthy</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The challenge for Belgium and other wealthy countries is to stay wealthy in a rapidly evolving global economy. Companies and countries face an ever more volatile market place. As the &#8220;sweet spots&#8221; for corporate success are constantly changing, successful entrepreneurs have a social capacity for flexibility and adaptation. To policymakers, successful adjustment has often been posed as a choice between social protection and market flexibility. This study of the Berkeley Roundtable on the International Economy (BRIE) recasts this all too common framing and emphasises instead that a strong social protection system could be leveraged to a unique advantage in the emerging digital era.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/innovation-and-adaptation-how-companies-and-countries-stay-wealthy/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/innovation-and-adaptation-how-companies-and-countries-stay-wealthy/</guid>
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<title>Ten recommendations for a truly innovative Europe</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Innovation is crucial to achieving the Lisbon Agenda goals and while it cannot be &#8216;invented&#8217; in Brussels, a strategic policy framework which allows it to thrive can only be created at the European level. This Policy Brief of the European Policy Centre sets out a ten-point plan for making Europe truly innovative. Member States supported by the EU need to ensure that the right conditions for innovation are in place. This is the key to unlocking the EU&#8217;s potential for sustainable high growth, competitive world-class companies, high-performing public services and an international reputation for innovation.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/ten-recommendations-for-a-truly-innovative-europe/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/ten-recommendations-for-a-truly-innovative-europe/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The happy few &#8211; internationalised European firms</title>
<description><![CDATA[ This Bruegel study reveals that only a handful of top exporters account for the bulk of aggregate exports and foreign direct investment (FDI). This finding is consistent across the countries researched. In Belgium, the top 1% exporters account for almost half of total Belgian exports while the top 10% exporters account for 84% of total Belgian exports. The authors show that trade missions do not necessarily improve trade and that policies to increase the number of firms competing internationally (by lowering barriers to export and fostering performance in terms of employment and productivity) are more important. Policy recommendations include promotion of intra-industry competition and broadening of the export base. Policymakers should forget about the incumbent superstars and rather nurture the superstars of the future.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-happy-few-internationalised-european-firms/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-happy-few-internationalised-european-firms/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Ageing does not rime with innovation</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The effects of ageing on our economy go beyond a &#8220;simple&#8221; retirement financing problem. Innovation is also an issue. This CESifo working paper demonstrates that there is a positive link between the working age population and the number of startups. Less innovation and creativity, this is certainly not good news for the future economics growth in an ageing Belgium.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/ageing-does-not-rime-with-innovation/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/ageing-does-not-rime-with-innovation/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Also Denmark grapples with the efficiency of activation</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Experiment Denmark proves that active labour market policy works. The achievement of low and stable unemployment in the country is often attributed to the so-called &#8220;flexicurity&#8221; model. But effectiveness does not equal efficiency: activation demands scarce resources. Policymakers pleading for more activation should not only look at results but also at the resources required for results. So far, the focus in Belgium is insufficiently on the (in)efficiency of certain types of activation.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/also-denmark-grapples-with-the-efficiency-of-activation/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/also-denmark-grapples-with-the-efficiency-of-activation/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>More diversification for migration policies</title>
<description><![CDATA[ With a labour market more and more global and more and more qualified, the French migration policy does not promote enough the work migration and favors to much the &#8216;family&#8217; migration. This is the result of this OECD study which recommends to France to diversify its migration policy introducing a dose of selected, temporary and qualified migration. Belgium should pay attention as it shares common migration characteristics with France, such as a dominance of lowly qualified migration and workforce shortage in key sectors.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/more-diversification-for-migration-policies/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/more-diversification-for-migration-policies/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The need for a targeted labour migration policy in a welfare state</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Just like Belgium, the Netherlands are attractive for low-skill migrants but less attractive for highly-qualified migrants. This study of the Dutch Centraal Planbureau (CPB) explains this observation by pointing to the welfare state with a relatively high degree of income distribution. Extensive welfare steeds need to put an extra effort to be attractive (financially or otherwise) for highly-qualified migrants. Possible efforts include more fiscal advantages during the first years of stay or simplified procedures for this group of migrants. It furthermore seems wise to only carefully admit low-skill migrants on a temporary basis.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-need-for-a-targeted-labour-migration-policy-in-a-welfare-state/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-need-for-a-targeted-labour-migration-policy-in-a-welfare-state/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Globalisation: panacea or pandemic?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Globalisation is a real phenomenon that both enraptures and divides public opinion. At the occasion of an international forum, Marc De Vos offers general perspectives on the components, the consequences, the challenges and the future of globalisation. Globalisation is neither panacea nor pandemic but at the bottom line a force for better health.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Oct 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/globalisation-panacea-or-pandemic/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/globalisation-panacea-or-pandemic/</guid>
<enclosure url="http://www.itinerainstitute.org/upl/1/default/doc/Globalisation%2020-10-07.pdf" length="10538696" type="application/pdf" />
</item>
<item>
<title>The digital gap does not exist</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Approximately 90% of the Flemish between 18 and 45 years old dispose of a computer and access to the internet. Whereas the digital gap in terms of ICT possession was only recently filled, a new form of digital inequality suddenly emerges. Research shows that not everybody uses ICT-technology in the same way. As if someone expected the opposite, it turns out that the highly-qualified use the internet in a different way than the low-skilled. Is the class struggle going digital or is the observed usage gap primarily an expression of an obsessive striving towards absolute consumption equality?
]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Oct 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-digital-gap-does-not-exist/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-digital-gap-does-not-exist/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Belgium is missing the Lisbon train.</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The Federal Planning bureau is ringing the emergency bell. If Belgium does not undertake additional efforts, we will miss all the Lisbon strategy objectives from 2010. Improvement of public finances, diminution of the fiscal and social contribution pressure on labor, increases in the activity rate and shrinkage of greenhouse gas emissions require new reforms. These reforms are also necessary to improve the functioning of the labor market. The Planning Bureau notices that the diminution of the social contribution improves employment but only partially compensates for the fiscal loss of the government.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgium-is-missing-the-lisbon-train/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/belgium-is-missing-the-lisbon-train/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Belgium needs budget surpluses to finance ageing.</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Also the European growth champion faces the challenge of an aging population. This IMF publication recommends a small fiscal surplus to prepare for long-term spending challenges. Otherwise, Ireland risks an escalating public debt after 2035. The cost of aging will be slightly lower in Belgium but our country still has a high public debt. This publication suggests that Belgium has no other option that building up a fiscal surplus.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-challenge-of-population-aging-in-ireland/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-challenge-of-population-aging-in-ireland/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Final Call for Belgium?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos gives a critical and constructive appraisal of the ongoing Belgian political crisis for international readers. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 10 Oct 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/final-call-for-belgium/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/final-call-for-belgium/</guid>
<enclosure url="http://www.itinerainstitute.org/upl/1/en/doc/Nota%2019%20-%202007%20final%20call%20for%20belgium.pdf" length="294342" type="application/pdf" />
</item>
<item>
<title>The EU and its internal market have a far-reaching social dimension.</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The European Union is often criticized for its focus on free market efficiency. A &#8216;more social&#8217; project should complement the &#8216;neo-liberal agenda&#8217; of the EU. Jacques Pelkmans shows that there is nothing &#8216;a-social&#8217; about the internal market or the EU at large. He concludes that the social dimension of the EU is actually going quite far and even accepting considerable fragmentation of the internal market.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Sep 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-social-is-european-integration/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/how-social-is-european-integration/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The economic value of entrepreneurship is not to be underestimated.</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The interest in entrepreneurship in Belgium substantially increased during the past two decades. It is often claimed that entrepreneurs create important economic value in comparison to non-entrepreneurs. This paper examines to what extent recent empirical evidence can collectively and systematically substantiate this claim. Based on 57 studies the authors conclude that entrepreneurship has indeed a very important - but specific - role in the economy. They further discuss the impact of entrepreneurship on employment creation, innovation, productivity and growth vis-&#224;-vis for example large and old firms.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/what-is-the-economic-value-of-entrepreneurship/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/what-is-the-economic-value-of-entrepreneurship/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>The strong Euro and Europe&#8217;s competitiveness</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The European Commission published very detailed information on Europe&#8217;s price and cost competitiveness (including Q2 2007) to assess the impact of the strong Euro.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 14 Sep 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-strong-euro-and-europes-competitiveness/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/the-strong-euro-and-europes-competitiveness/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Wanted: globalisation fear vaccine</title>
<description><![CDATA[ We live in a platinum age of global economic growth. The European Union takes also profit of globalisation. A recent opinion survey shows that the European public opinion does not trust globalisation. There is therefore need for change directed protection that does not stifle the dynamics of change itself. Globalisation is a success formula but it is nothing without democratic and political support.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 22 Aug 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/wanted-globalisation-fear-vaccine/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/wanted-globalisation-fear-vaccine/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Estonia: a new European growth miracle?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ ]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/estonia-a-new-european-growth-miracle/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/estonia-a-new-european-growth-miracle/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Can Belgium be inspired by the French reforms?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In May 2007, the French elected a new president: Nicolas Sarkozy. In June 2007, his political party, the UMP, won the legislative elections. During  these two political campaings, Nicolas Sarkozy and his Prime Minister promoted a broad reform programme linked to many social and economical issues (pensions, labour market, migration, taxation,...). Could Belgium find some inspiration in the French reforms?
]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/can-belgium-be-inspired-by-the-french-reforms/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/can-belgium-be-inspired-by-the-french-reforms/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Belgium lags behind in patent policy.</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The new Eurostat publication 'Biotechnology in Europe; patents and R&amp;D investments' shows that Denmark is leading the patent race in this high-tech sector. Between 1998 an 2003, Belgium produced fewer patents. Table 5 refers to the time it took to implement the EU Biotechnological Inventions Directive of July 1998; two years in Denmark and seven years in Belgium.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/biotech-in-europe-denmark-is-leading/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/biotech-in-europe-denmark-is-leading/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Dark clouds above Finland?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The recent IMF Country report on Finland shows that the most competitive European economy faces several urgent challenges. Special concerns relate to the deterioration of public finances, the limited anticipation on the consequences of ageing, the sluggish productivity in protected sectors, the persistence of excessive fiscal pressure and the lack of more flexible labour market institutions.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/dark-clouds-above-finland/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/dark-clouds-above-finland/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Ageing but healthy</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Ageing hangs as the Sword of Damocles over the current governmental negotiations. Marc De Vos explains that the impact of ageing is also caused by the ageing of the working-age population, which is not beneficial to future innovation and productivity. On the other hand, the ageing workforce is ever healthier and better trained. We need to grasp that opportunity to capitalize on the benefits of ageing.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/ageing-but-healthy/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/ageing-but-healthy/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>And the Winners of Globalisation are... the German SMEs</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In 2007, the share of Germany in world exports increased to 10%. The &#8216;sick man of Europe&#8217; still leads before China. German multinational companies flourish and 2300 German SMEs developed market leadership in global niches. SMEs with mainly family ownership account for 40% of German exports or 4% of global exports. Is Familienkapitalismus the best answer to globalization?]]></description>
<pubDate>Sat, 07 Jul 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/en-de-winnaar-van-de-globalisering-is-de-duitse-kmo/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/en-de-winnaar-van-de-globalisering-is-de-duitse-kmo/</guid>
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<item>
<title>Community Innovation Statistics</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Innovative enterprises in Europe do hardly benefit from public R&amp;D-expenditures. A recent report by Eurostat concludes that innovative enterprises most and for all consult the private market for information on innovation. Public investments in R&amp;D &#8211; at universities and public research organizations &#8211; do provide only 5% of information flows to innovative enterprises.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jul 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/community-innovation-statistics/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/community-innovation-statistics/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Welfare isn't Working. The New Deal for Young People</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Can Blair&#8217;s Third Way inspire Belgium how not to fight youth unemployment? The British think tank Reform assesses the achievements of the Labour party in the fight against youth unemployment since 1997 and deals another blow to the record of employment programmes. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jun 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/welfare-isn-t-working-the-new-deal-for-young-people/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/welfare-isn-t-working-the-new-deal-for-young-people/</guid>
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<title>Earnings Prospects for People with Migration Background in Germany</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Are new nationals only half-nationals on the labour market? How the colour of your skin can determine earnings prospects on the labour market, irrespective of your nationality. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/earnings-prospects-people-with-migration-background-germany/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/earnings-prospects-people-with-migration-background-germany/</guid>
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<title>Making the Most of Globalization</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Has Globalization locked the world in a destructive tax-rate race to the bottom? Is free trade a zero-sum game where every winner necessarily creates a loser? Is offshoring threatening jobs in Western Europe and beyond? In &#8220;Making the Most of Globalization&#8221; the OECD answers each of these questions with a resounding &#8220;no&#8221; based on empirical evidence.  ]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/making-most-globalization/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/making-most-globalization/</guid>
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<title>Performance, incitation et gestion publique en France</title>
<description><![CDATA[ France has recently adopted a major reform of its public administration through the LOLF (Lois Organiques sur les Lois de Finances). This reform aims to improve efficiency of public expenditures and activities. The report of the Conseil d&#8217;Analyse Economique bridges the gap between performance evaluation methods and incentive methods.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/performance-incitation-et-gestion-publique-en-france/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/performance-incitation-et-gestion-publique-en-france/</guid>
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<item>
<title>Economic Survey of France 2007</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In the recent OECD Economic Survey of France, the authors focus strongly on poverty, social exclusion and duality in the labour market. The impact of the education system on equity and growth is critically assessed. Several observations in this report are very relevant for Belgium.]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 01 Jun 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/economic-survey-of-france-2007/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/economic-survey-of-france-2007/</guid>
</item>
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<title>From Globalisation to Inspiration for Belgium: How the Changing World Leads to New Opportunities and Challenges</title>
<description><![CDATA[ At the celebration of &#8220;One Year Itinera Institute&#8221;, Jim O&#8217;Neill paints both a realistic and optimistic future for Belgium under the continuing economic globalisation.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 18 Apr 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/from-globalisation-to-inspiration-for-belgium/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/from-globalisation-to-inspiration-for-belgium/</guid>
<enclosure url="http://www.itinerainstitute.org/upl/1/default/doc/slides_jim_oneill.pdf" length="199378" type="application/pdf" />
</item>
<item>
<title>Growth and Productivity in Belgium</title>
<description><![CDATA[ How do we grow? The Federal Planning Bureau gives an overview of the main features of the economic growth in Belgium between 1970 and 2004. The importance of productivity is underscored. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 Mar 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/growth-productivity-belgium/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/growth-productivity-belgium/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Miracle on Kildarestreet: What Ireland&#8217;s Economic Revival Means for Arizona</title>
<description><![CDATA[ How did Ireland become the &#8216;Celtic Tiger&#8217;? If we want to apply to Irish recipe to other countries, we should not use the wrong ingredients. The Goldwater Institute identifies the key features of the Irish growth. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 Mar 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/miracle-kildarestreet-what-irelands-economic-revival-means-arizona/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/miracle-kildarestreet-what-irelands-economic-revival-means-arizona/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Prosperity in Neo-Industrial Times: How Irrelevant Are Delocalisations?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Luc Rochtus and Johan Albrecht nuance the relevance of delocalisations for future wealth creation in neo-industrial times.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Feb 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/prosperity-in-neo-industrial-times/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/prosperity-in-neo-industrial-times/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Global Warming and Social Heating</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Jean Hindriks perceives a new class struggle between the highly qualified, for whom globalisation offers new opportunities, and the more vulnerable and less qualified.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 Feb 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/global-warming-and-social-heating/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/global-warming-and-social-heating/</guid>
</item>
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<title>From Regional Labour Market To Regional Labour Market Policy</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Marc De Vos reflects on the nature and causes of regional labour market disparities in Belgium in a conference speech.]]></description>
<pubDate>Sat, 03 Feb 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/from-regional-labour-market-to-regional-labour-market-policy/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/from-regional-labour-market-to-regional-labour-market-policy/</guid>
</item>
<item>
<title>Annual economic report 2007 of Germany</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The German economy is growing again and further reform programs for 2007-2008 are announced by the government. The focus is on a better government, an enforcement of competitiveness, progress towards the knowledge society and securing bases for prosperity in the long term.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 01 Jan 2007 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/annual-economic-report-2007-of-germany/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/annual-economic-report-2007-of-germany/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Which Response to Delocalisation?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Fiscal advantages or vouchers for vocational training are insufficient to relieve the sentiment of insecurity that de-motivates workers. Jean Hindriks argues for an insurance against delocalisation in order to improve risk allocation between state, corporations and workers.]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 20 Dec 2006 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/which-response-to-delocalisation/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/which-response-to-delocalisation/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Is Denmark the European Employment Champion?</title>
<description><![CDATA[ With an official unemployment rate of 4.2%, Denmark apparently performs better than European growth champion Ireland. The low Danish unemployment figure is an essential part of the hyped 'Scandinavian Model'. Johan Albrecht explains that the real unemployment or inactivity in Denmark increases to 15% when one includes the number of participants in labour market programmes as well as people in early retirement schemes.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 07 Dec 2006 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/is-denmark-the-european-employment-champion/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/is-denmark-the-european-employment-champion/</guid>
</item>
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<title>Hope Springs Eternal After Volkswagen &#8211; Forest</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Belgium is shell-shocked by the dramatic downsizing of Volkswagen-Forest. Marc De Vos explains that the calamity at Forest is primarily the consequence of legislative, structural and human failures. The gradual decline of Belgian&#8217;s industrial base is not inevitable. Belgium must and can transform itself into a powerhouse of research, innovation and technology that also supports industrial production.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 23 Nov 2006 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/hope-springs-eternal-after-volkswagen-forest/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/hope-springs-eternal-after-volkswagen-forest/</guid>
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<title>Skills for the Future - Competentieagenda 2015. De technologische industrie in Vlaanderen</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Successful innovation and economic growth require a workforce with the right skills. A survey of Agoria, the sector federation for the technological industry in Belgium, investigates the quantitative and qualitative challenges for the sector towards 2015. The federation advocates reform of both the educational system and the labour market. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 Nov 2006 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/skills-future-competentieagenda-technologische-industrie-vlaanderen/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/skills-future-competentieagenda-technologische-industrie-vlaanderen/</guid>
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<title>A Primer on Innovation and Growth</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Don&#8217;t let the current cyclical upswing in the EU fool you. European economic growth structurally lags behind that of the US. How can we diminish the growth gap between the United States and the European Union? Philippe Aghion from Bruegel recommends stimulating innovation in Europe. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Oct 2006 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/primer-innovation-growth/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/primer-innovation-growth/</guid>
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<title>Innovation at Work: The European Human Capital Index</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Despite the crucial importance of innovation for the future of Europe, we are still making painfully little efforts. The Lisbon council and Deutschland Denken! show the urgent need for reform. Belgium is ranked a disappointing 9th out of 13 countries in its performance on human capital, primarily because of underemployment. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Oct 2006 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/innovation-work-european-human-capital-index/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/innovation-work-european-human-capital-index/</guid>
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<title>Investeren in Belgi&#235;: De dingen zijn niet altijd wat ze lijken</title>
<description><![CDATA[ How can Belgium reap the benefits from foreign direct investment? How attractive are Belgium and Europe for investors? According to Ernst &amp; Young, in 2005 Belgium climbed from the 9th to the 4th place in the European top 20 countries in which to invest. But behind the statistics lie structural weaknesses. ]]></description>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Oct 2006 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/investeren-belgie-dingen-zijn-niet-altijd-wat-ze-lijken/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/investeren-belgie-dingen-zijn-niet-altijd-wat-ze-lijken/</guid>
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<title>India: 10 times 10 %</title>
<description><![CDATA[ India experiences fast economic growth but the country is also a democracy struggling with appalling poverty, inequality and poor living conditions in megacities. Globalisation offers chances to accelerate economic development in India. Johan Albrecht explains that Western companies can equally benefit.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 04 Sep 2006 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/india-10-times-10/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/india-10-times-10/</guid>
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<title>De overheidsfinanciering van innovatie: Vergelijkende studie van Finland, Zweden en Belgi&#235;</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Should Belgium import Scandinavian innovation policy? The Federal Planning Bureau compares the public financing of innovation in Belgium with that in Finland and Sweden.  ]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 01 Sep 2006 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/overheidsfinanciering-innovatie-vergelijkende-studie-finland-zweden-belgie/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/overheidsfinanciering-innovatie-vergelijkende-studie-finland-zweden-belgie/</guid>
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<title>Supreme Belgium</title>
<description><![CDATA[ Belgian public opinion has recently been bombarded with victory declarations on the Belgian economy and employment. Marc De Vos explains that the current growth figures appear to be more cyclical than structural. They offer little guarantee for the future and therefore cannot be an alibi to postpone necessary structural reforms.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 03 Aug 2006 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/supreme-belgium/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/supreme-belgium/</guid>
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<title>French Hallucination</title>
<description><![CDATA[ In the run up to the 2007 presidential elections, the French socialist party has presented its &amp;ldquo;projet socialiste pour la France&amp;rdquo;. Entitled &amp;ldquo;r&amp;eacute;ussir ensemble le changement&amp;rdquo; (achieving change together), the project proposes inter alia a socio-economic programme aimed at full employment, real equality in a re-founded French republic. Marc De Vos observes that these honourable objectives are not translated into realistic analyses. An important part of the proposed reforms is rather of a reactionary or utopian nature.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 Jun 2006 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/french-hallucination/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/french-hallucination/</guid>
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<title>Policy Reform and the Price of Gradualism</title>
<description><![CDATA[ The challenges of ageing, migration and globalisation are often perceived as internal and external threats that eventually will transform our socio-economic system. From a dynamic perspective however, every change offers opportunities. Johan Albrecht explains that as societies and economies can adapt to new circumstances and conditions, policymakers need to decide on how to guide and steer the necessary adaptation processes. Without reforms, the unavoidable adaptation is only postponed and will eventually turn out to be much more expensive. In response to the current reform challenge, Belgian pragmatism has so far favoured gradualism. Several analyses from independent organisations not only highlight the risks from the soft and gradual approach; they show that ambitious reforms bring net-gains for all societal groups.]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 13 Mar 2006 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
<link>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/policy-reform-and-the-price-of-gradualism/</link>
<guid>http://www.itinerainstitute.org/en/library/_paper/policy-reform-and-the-price-of-gradualism/</guid>
<enclosure url="http://www.itinerainstitute.org/upl/1/default/doc/nota1.pdf" length="33192" type="application/pdf" />
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