Ralph
Thanks for the comments. It is yet another example of the broad level of skills
within the LUG. In this case economics.
Interestingly having read your comments in detail I don't think I see any huge
disagreement in our views. For instance whether or not Germany has an advantage
with the Euro, the fact that it appears to turn out well engineered products
that people buy is difficult to dispute. Also difficult to dispute is how
they've managed it and the UK hasn't to the same degree. My eye is on the likes
of the CBI and Institute of Directors. They have argued for more or the same
for some kind and politicians of all parties seemed to have fallen over
backwards for them by essentially keeping to views of the late Sir Keith Joseph
- such as if only the Trade Unions were weaker and inflation was under control
then this would lead to a strong UK economy. Yet take a close look at the
Balance of Payments (invisible and visible) and what do we see over a long
period of time - not what Sir Keith, Margaret and friends said would happen.
Thus there is in my view clearly some kind of cultural difference at work.
Perhaps this can be summed up as national team effort where managers and
workers in Germany and France (even with strikes) work more to the common good.
In contrast I would suggest some aspect of this is missing in the UK. Maybe the
same differences that mean Germany and France for that matter have been greater
adopters of FOSS.
Cheers
Mark
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