GassonLecture

ALL POLITICS ARE LOCAL,MOST ECONOMIC CRISES ARE LOCAL:LESSONS FROM THE LOWER LATITUDES: 

ALL POLITICS ARE LOCAL, MOST ECONOMIC CRISES ARE LOCAL: LESSONS FROM THE LOWER LATITUDES Paul McNelis, S.J. Gasson Lecture March 19, 2002

Keynes, Policy Makers and Academic Scribblers: 

Keynes, Policy Makers and Academic Scribblers "The ideas of economists and political philosophers, both when they are right and when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly understood. Indeed, the world is ruled by little else. Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influences, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist. Madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back... Sooner or later, it is ideas, not vested interests, which are dangerous for good or evil." — John Maynard Keynes

Escaping Old Ideas: 

Escaping Old Ideas "The real difficulty in changing any enterprise lies not in developing new ideas, but in escaping from the old ones." — John Maynard Keynes

Argentina and Indonesia: Similarities: 

Strong charismatic leaders after World War II Attempt to be “non-aligned”, find a “third way” between communism and capitalism Highly centralized countries, with long years of military rule Technocratic economic policy: “Chicago Boys” in Argentina, “Berkeley Mafia” in Indonesia Argentina typifies the “old style” crisis, Indonesia the “new style” crisis Argentina and Indonesia: Similarities

Political Triangles:Non-Cooperative Games &Nash Vulnerability: 

Political Triangles: Non-Cooperative Games & Nash Vulnerability Military Muslim Chinese INDONESIA Military (till ‘90) Corporate Elite (after ’90) Agriculture Oligarchy Peronist Unions ARGENTINA Nash

Crises and the Global System: 

Crises and the Global System Origin of both types of crises is local, rooted in the political history of each country Integrated world financial system can certainly magnify the effects of a crisis Each country is caught in a political triangle, with government debt expansion representing a non-cooperative outcome Continuing “Nash” vulnerability: how to escape it?

Old and New Style Crises: 

Old and New Style Crises Old style crisis is about fiscal and current account balances, and “sustainability” of the exchange rate. If the deficits are too high, sooner or later the exchange rate will “crack” Old Style crisis is there for everyone to see; crisis “event” often anti-climatic, a “slow motion” process New style is about balance sheets: government incurring liabilities of the private sector which it cannot hope to cover, or cover at high costs. “Fast action” process

New Style Crisis: Vulnerability: 

New Style Crisis: Vulnerability If something goes wrong, suddenly a lot goes wrong. Very shaky and non-transparent banking system “Until you step in, you do not know how deep the puddle is”. Japanese banks have lent money to almost every losing proposition of the last 15 years. Little desire to ask hard questions with their Asian clients, especially in South East Asia

Argentina: 

Argentina

Juan Manuel de Rosas: 

Birth: 1793 Death: 1877 Argentine Dictator. Burial: Southampton Cemetery (Also known as 'Old Cemetery' Hill Lane, Southampton, England Juan Manuel de Rosas

HIPOLITO YRIGOYEN: 

HIPOLITO YRIGOYEN Founder of the UCR (Radical Party) Implemented democratic and labor reforms Identified a sense of “argentinidad” "No he venido a castigar ni a perseguir, sino a reparar". Rights for labor unions Overthrown by military in 1930

Eva Duarte Peron: 

Eva Duarte Peron Born 1919 in interior of Buenos Aires Province By 15, moved to capital city, became a radio and movie actress Met Juan Domingo Peron, Labor Minister, at a rally for earth quake victims in 1944 Led the “labor fusion” for Peron, head of Fundacion Eva Peron, de facto labor minster Died in 1952

Juan Domingo Peron-Part I: 

Juan Domingo Peron-Part I Born in 1895 Educated in military schools Participated in coup against Yrigoyen, became labor minister in “neutral” military government during WWII, married Eva Duarte, Oct. 22, 1945 Elected president in 1944 and 1948. We are “neither Yankees nor Marxists”, but “Justicialistas”: the “third way” Ousted in coup after Eva’s death, excommunicated from Catholic Church

Peron’s Journey, Part II: 

Peron’s Journey, Part II Met Maria Estella Martinez, “Isabelita”, an Argentine nightclub dancer, in Panama Fled to Spain and Franco, after time in Dominican Republic with Trujillo. Eva’s body sent to Rome Excommunicated lifted, Peron marries “Isabelita” with blessing of John XXIII Eva’s body found by Peron and taken to his house in Madrid Lopez-Rega, Argentine magician, becomes Isabelita’s advisor and body guard in Madrid.

back in Argentina…: 

back in Argentina… Military government continues, with only a short-lived democracy in late 1950’s Peronists divide between “left” and “right”, each group visits Peron in Madrid regularly Perons made several attempts to return Finally Perons return in 1973. Peron elected President, Isabelita vice president, 1974 Peron dies in 1975, Isabelita becomes president Lopez-Rega becomes advisor, arms “right-wing” Peronists with uzi machine guns Lopez-Rega

Dirty War, Technocrats: 

Dirty War, Technocrats Coup against Isabelita Peron by military, “dirty war” begins in 1976 Martinez-de-Hoz becomes finance minister, implements New Orthodoxy with “Chicago Boys” Exchange-rate based stabilization policy:tablita Fast liberalization of current account: shock treatment. Slow fiscal adjustment, high prices, a major Crash in 1982, Malvinas war ends military rule . Martinez-de-Hoz

Heterodox Shocks, and Convertibility Plan: 

Heterodox Shocks, and Convertibility Plan With new democratic government of UCR Alphonsin, “heterodox” stabilization plan Switch to new currency, exchange rate & wage/price freeze, intended to make inflation more responsive to cuts in demand Early success led to lax fiscal stabilization Plans crash, Menem assumes office early, Cavallo implements “convertibility plan” Menem Alphonsin Cavallo

Collapse of Plan: 

Collapse of Plan Recession after the dollar appreciates in world markets after 1995 Radical de la Rua elected President, continues with convertibility, recalls Cavallo as Finance minister Recessions becomes more severe, de la Rua resigns, Peronist opponent Duhalde becomes president Menem waits in the wings to run again

Argentina: Real GDP Per Capita: 

Argentina: Real GDP Per Capita

Argentine Annual Inflation: 

Argentine Annual Inflation Convertibility Fall of Military Heterodox Plan Return of Peron

Argentine Fiscal Deficit (% GDP): 

Argentine Fiscal Deficit (% GDP)

Indonesia: 

Indonesia

Dutch Colonialism: 

Dutch Colonialism Differences with English and “Mediterranean” Colonialism: Dutch just wanted to make money! In 1938 one school of tertiary education for every 62,000 Indonesians, in Philippines, ratio was 1 to 1500; Divide and conquer approach: segregation of ethnic Chinese, pribumi, and bules Only a small fraction of population literate after 300 years of rule: 10% literacy rate.

Independence: Aug. 17, 1945: 

Independence: Aug. 17, 1945 Ambiguity of President Roosevelt: proud of Dutch ancestry, admirer of Queen General Marshall encouraged a peace process when Independence declared Republic forces in Yogyakarta, Dutch in Batavia, now Jakarta Dutch overplay: attack on Republic, but their weapons bought with Marshall plan money. US embargo till 1949 against Holland Dutch kept New Guinea

Indonesian Leaders, 1945-2002: 

Indonesian Leaders, 1945-2002 Sukarno Widjojo Leader of Berkeley Mafia Megawati

Pancasila: : 

Pancasila: One God Almighty (not Allah) Human Dignity Unity of the Republic Democracy Equal justice for all -- neither Islamic Law nor separate Islamic courts for Muslim offenders Sukarno and Hatta

Political Dynamics in Indonesia under Bapak Bangsa Sukarno: 

Political Dynamics in Indonesia under Bapak Bangsa Sukarno Three “players” : nationalists (PNI), Islamic parties (NU) and communists (PKI) Military PNI, but Air Force had PKI sympathy Tensions toward separatism by oil and resource risk outer islands ( Shiite Aceh in Sumatra traditionally wanted independence and nationhood)

Sukarno US Visit in 1956: 

Sukarno US Visit in 1956 Televised speech to US Congress, great rhetoric, charmed nation and US press Kept waiting by Ike at White House because Sukaro had PKK members in his delegation Upset at American hospitality in final interview: not “Acehenese”, not “provided a woman and accepted as a relative”. After US visit, declared a state of “guided democracy” in Indonesia

Political Undercurrents:Bandung Conference of 1956: 

Political Undercurrents: Bandung Conference of 1956 NAM: Non-Aligned Movement Nehru Nasser Tito (Egypt first country to recognize Indonesia, Nationalized Suez in 1956)

Dulles Brothers and Sukarno: 

Dulles Brothers and Sukarno To be neutral was “immoral” to Dulles brothers and US administration Indonesia recognized “Red” China, took aid from USSR, said no to SEATO CIA Plan to “Balkanize” Indonesia thwarted by Filippina “bar girls” network American bomber pilot, Alan Pope, released in ’61, after capture in 1957, to new President Kennedy, with a request for a good will visit by Marilyn Monroe John Foster Dulles Allan Dulles

Dutch New Guinea Crisis: 

Dutch New Guinea Crisis Visited JFK in 1962, warmly received Near war over Dutch New Guinea Bobby Kennedy visited Sukarno to resolve situation, and send Peace Corps to Indonesia Sec. State Rusk supported Dutch, Bundy at NSC supported Indonesia on New Guinea Ellsworth Bunker mediated transfer of Dutch New Guinea in Middleberry, Virgina

New Crises: Viet Nam and Malaysia: 

New Crises: Viet Nam and Malaysia Sukarno came out against LBJ on Viet Nam Opposed formation of Malaysian Federation by British, wanted small independent states; quits United Nations Looked to a wider “republic” including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines Maxwell Taylor visited Sukarno to cool off a war over Malaysia

Internal Crises, Growing PKI Strength: 

Internal Crises, Growing PKI Strength Formed NECO --alliance with China, N. Viet Nam, N. Korea Purge of US-trained academics at universities (Berkeley Ph.D’s.), AFS students at universities “Land Reform” led to confiscation of land from village Islamic schools, called pesantren Formation of a 5th Armed Force, Air Force ranger batallion, sympathetic to PKI Nationalization of more foreign firms

Falling into Chaos: 1965: 

Falling into Chaos: 1965 By now, Indonesia is ranked the lowest in per capita income of all Asia Inflation reaches 650% Suharno goes to Japan, returns with 18 year old Geisha as his latest wife, Dewi. Many old friends are accused of being CIA. Sukarno withdraws Indonesia from the UN

Sept 30, 1965: 

Sept 30, 1965 Assassination of 5 generals, escape of Suharto and Nasution, whose wife and daughter killed Suharto rallies loyal troops, PKK 5th Force surrenders, General Dani of PKK still in prison After burial of Nasution’s daughter, “purge” of PKK begins by student groups armed by Suharto. Estimates still vary of numbers killed during Year of Living Dangerously, 1965-66

New Order: BeginningBapak Pembangunan Suharto: 

New Order: Beginning Bapak Pembangunan Suharto Sukarno under house arrest at Presidential Palace in Bogor, gradual “Javanese” transfer to power, Sukarno dies in 1970 Suharto is de facto President in 1966. Berkeley Mafia installed in ministries Debt forgiveness cheerfully accepted by US, since Soviet Union was largest creditor! Pro foreign investment: Freeport comes to Irian Jaya (formerly Dutch New Guinea)

New Order: Growth and KKN: 

New Order: Growth and KKN Success in terms of inflation and growth: 5-10 solution KKN and Ibu Tin: the other 10% solution Massive capital inflows Deregulation of banking, no separation of bank and firm ownership Diversification away from oil to manufacturing exports: NIKE footwear Ethnic Chinese-Military bargain: “triangle” of Muslims-Chinese corporatists-Military

New Order Foreign Policy: 

New Order Foreign Policy Ford/Kissinger approve annexation of East Timor at end of Viet Nam war Continues with NAM, but starts APEC and ASEAN, economic cooperation instead of military alliance, accepts World Bank aid Criticism of Carter administration over human rights, low tolerance of dissent. Anger at Reagan over Law of the Sea reversal, works out “special understanding”

Kris Mon of 1997 and End of New Order: 

Kris Mon of 1997 and End of New Order Monetary crisis exposes “rot” of the domestic banking system Protests by students against Suharto lead to his resignation in 1998 Habibe becomes president, calls for plebiscite in East Timor, massive slaughter Habibe defeated by Gus Dur, Dur soon impeached and Megawati becomes President Tommy Suharto jailed for corruption

Javanese Wayang:Hukum Karma: 

Javanese Wayang: Hukum Karma Student groups, which protested and purged PKI, led to Suharto’s own undoing Suharto kept under house arrest at end by Sukarno’s daughter, Javanese Hukum Karma Recovery is fragile, but under IMF “guidance”, bank deposits are guaranteed 100% but there is still little supervision Zombie banks are a ticking time bomb Decentralization issue for fiscal reform

ICMI: Growing Islamic Pressure: 

ICMI: Growing Islamic Pressure Indonesian Center for Muslim Intellectuals Muhammadyah movement “Technology and the Koran” Amien Reis, Speaker of Parliament ISLAMIC LAW imposed in Aceh, creation of religious police, Departure from the Pancacilla. Major religious warfare in Ambon

Indonesia Per-Capita GDP: 

Indonesia Per-Capita GDP

Indonesian Illiteracy Rates: 

Indonesian Illiteracy Rates

Indonesian Fiscal Deficit% GDP: 

Indonesian Fiscal Deficit % GDP

Monetary Policy and Exchange Rates: Pre and Post Kris Mon: 

Monetary Policy and Exchange Rates: Pre and Post Kris Mon

Exchange Rates Pre Kris Mon: 

Exchange Rates Pre Kris Mon

Interest Rate Adjustment: 

Interest Rate Adjustment

Annual Inflation: 

Annual Inflation

How to Escape Nash Vulnerability?: 

How to Escape Nash Vulnerability? Asian way is evolutionary, with consensus, except when things get bad! Western way is legalistic, institutional Traditional IMF/World Bank “Agreements” with unenforceable conditions will not work in this culture Nor will external “criticism” lead to cooperative outcomes Early warning signals from external creditors on “vulnerability” may help, if done diplomatically