WHY ECONOMICS GET ON MY NERVES...KHAIRI JANBEK.

By Khairi Janbek.

The last time I came up aginst economics academically, was in 1986 when I was doing my forst postgraduate in London. Most of you probably were not even born. Afterwards, I came up against it many times professionally, therefore as a non-informed non-economist, I wish to refer to Adam Smith's perceived wisdom that" It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker,that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest", in the bombardement of us by the high and mighty, that the market beautifully harnesses the energy of selfish individuals thinking only of themselves and their loved ones, to produce social harmony, and anything else would fail, because it would deny then this human instinct, and assume naively that, everyone is altruistic. Therefore, we are told to conclude that, we have to assume the worst about people [thinking of their interests only] so that we can have a viable economic system. But hang on a minute; isn't it very likely, that if we assume the worst about people, we shall get the worst out of them??.

As for education, the term which everyone seems to fancy these days and has infected many countries, they started beleiving that, the expansion of education leads to productivity increase. No, and not in anyway. The relationship between education and productivity is teneous at best and complicated at worst. Far greater attention should be given to the creation of productive institutions and to the support organisations of such institutions. All what education does, is enable the young to develop their full potential and live a more fulfilling and independent lives. It does not increase productivity. Ultimately we really need to understand that, though seemingly economic, the subject of the ideology of the economic system, in actual fact, is all about moral values and political decisions, and not something economists with their tool kits are particularly equipped to rule on.

A more worrying point which really annoys me, is this constant blabbering about the digital divide between the rich and poor nations. Suddenly, wealthy institutions, companies, individuals started donating money to developing countries to buy computers and internet facilities, without even blinking for a second, whether those countries need internet most??. I would say, money given to such less fashionable things, as drilling wells equipment, expanding electricity grids and more affordable washing machines as examples of any other essential utilities, would improve peoples'lives, more than handing every child a laptop, or settign up internet centres in rural villages.

last but not least, I wish to draw on the initial argument by saying, morality is not an optical illusion. When people act in a non-selfish way, be that by not cheating customers, working hard without being supervised, or resisting bribes when they are even low salaried, it is because they know, that's the right thing to do.

MY THEORY; READ IT IF YOU LIKE..

By: Kahiri Janbek.

Any benefit, if at all to save a political system, must offer those whom feel that they have now too small a stake in the present order, to make its preservation a matter of urgency to themselves. Therefore, no state which is vague in principles and corrupt in practice, can hope to retain the allegiance, of those whom do not share in the benefits of its corruption.

Ecomomic problems and political radicalism often go hand in hand. When economic distress reaches a certain point, the individual citizen no longer uses his/her political power to serve the public good, but only to help himself/herself. The ideal of political liberty pales before the ideal of economic equality. Once the sentiment has eaten its way into the hearts of the majority of the nation, any political system is doomed to failure. It is useles then, to tell embittered people, that their political and economic leaders are not responsible for their misfortunes, and it is equally useless to point out to them that a revolt with its attendant disorders would not improve their situation, but would hopelessly compromise it. The world is not ruled by reason but by passion, and when a man is driven to despair, he is ready to smash everything in the vague hope that abetter world may arise out of the old. I fear that, the number of people whom feel confident that they can get on by their own abilities, is steadily declining.

I am talking about people whom have had conceptions of life, and conceptions of their personal roles in life, with which their present situation, stands in violent contrast. Often they are people whom have been pushed aside, or refused entry into life in general, under present day conditions.

They are people waiting for a message, a word, that will release them from the pinch of want, and will compensate for the unbearable limitations of their present mode of existence. The want to get hold of an ideal that would guide them forth from the swamps where they find themselves. They want to hear an assurance that they are entitled to a place in this new world. The side which can lift the people from their depression of spirit, even for a very short time, can win them, and the cause that it gives them will represent of the substance of liberation.

Things of Normandy....

By Khairi Janbek.

- For decades, and since the times we used to live in Amman and come over here for holidays, I always wanted to visit on route to Normandy, the Chateau du Robert le Diable near Moulineaux; from the age of the Norman Dukes. I also wanted to visit the Champ de battaile; the 10th century battle field which established Normandy's independence. I never managed to do it, not even this time. I guess it will remain one of those things like, wanting to show dear ones some places and you never come around to do it, or wanting to take a loved one to a place which means something for you, but it never happens.

- For the last few years, gazing out of our flat's balcony on the 4th floor, at the opposite building, I have developed a distant relationship with an old man and his wife; the relationship was so distant that we never actually exchanged greetings. me and the old man were usually up by 9 am. While I have my coffee at the balcony, I used to see him sitting on his deck chair reading a paper. What fascinated me is that, even when he wanted to do the most mundane and simple thing in his house, he used to wear a blue overhaul even if the task required a few minutes. he kept being shouted at usually by his; I suppose middle aged daughter because supposedly he never wanted to move out of his deck chair on the balcony...reminds me of my realtionship to my couche.... Well, this year I didn't see him.

- It is said that mother nature hates vaccum, but then again the French seem to hate it also. I am fairly convinced now that my country fold have a different realtionship to space than me. Always as a rule even when the whole beach is empty, you end up with people coming right up your nose to settle with their stuff. I guess they assume if you are sitting in a particular spot it must be a prime location, when in effect you could be just sitting there as a random choice.

- Each time I passed a camping site, I wonder how it would be to live ina holiday caravan. I mean in our crammed Yildiz palace, 2 rooms Normandy place, and we are 3 people, sometimes it feels like a crowd. How does a holiday look like, with kids, and doing everything in the caravan without getting suicidal???.

- Well, the real fish market is actually in Dive and not in Trouville. I always wondered why other half got up at 7 am to go to Dive..I did it this time, I found that it is mainly the catch of the day on sale, with reasonable prices to match. In Trouville you have fish coming from all over France really, and very little fished in the area. One is not a great seafood fan, but I like occasionally a haddock or a cod.

- Actually most people on the beach over here do not swim. They just soak the UV rays having a nap on the beach. I guess, for pareants its easier to have the toddlers right up in front of them rather than having to chase them up in the water..

- The woman whom sold me the shoes on the market, told me that the month of September is the high suicide season in Normandy. I asked why, but she said she didn't know. She said that September is particularly a depressing season for the residents of Normandy. As I left, I thought she is an itinerant trader, and wished her luck somewhere else, but she said that she lives in the area, so I tild here to be careful then, and she just gave me a strange smile...

- Of course no trip to Normandy is complete without paying homage to the towns of the D-Day landings for the liberation of France. Courselies [ Sword beach; British troops], Arromaches [ Juno beach; Canadian troops], Porte en-Bessin [Gold beach; British troops], pointe du Hoc [ Omaha beach; U.S troops], and Crisbeck [Utah beach; U.S troops].

- The Gun Emplacements of Mont Canisy in benerville; part of Hitler's defense of the Atlantic from Cherebourg to Le Havre, is a fete of military engineering genius. 15 meters underground, 250 meters of tunnels, 25 chambers for multiple use, and 6 stairwells to go down.

- You never count of the French sense of service; well, it doesn't exist. In Normandy it is much worse. What can be generally defined as rudeness, in Normandy is a matter of fact. The locals keep complaining about the tourists and the foreigners, despite the fact that if it wasn't for all those starngers, people of the region would be living on collected cockles from the beach, and when lucky, have a fish or two.

- All around you on the beach, water-skiing, surfing, para-skiing, ski jets, and God knows what else other machinery of entertainment. I kept wondering what did actually happen to the just swimming, or building things in the sand??. Simple pleasures associated with the beach normally. I suppose traders are capitalising on the fact that people have lost increasingly their attention span, and cannot bare the fact that there can be solitude.

- Being in Normandy gives you the sense of being frozen in time. Perhaps it is the endless stretch of beaches in low tide and the sunset on the horizon. Perhaps also, the limited contact with people consolidates this feeling. I don't know for me it is just like turning around in the middle of a crowded place without actually bumping into people.

- I find that the sea has its particular calling. If you gaze long enough over the horizon; at one point you'll get the urge to just go into it. I guess for anyone with suicidal tendencies, this long gazing can be dangerous.

JOB SURVIVAL GUIDE.

kHAIRI jANBEK:

LIKE MANY PEOPLE BEFORE ME, AND MANY AFTER ME, WE TEND TO GO INTO WORK WORLD THINKING OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE, IDEALISM OF REWARDS, AND TRYING TO PROVE OURSELVES. IF THOSE ASPIRATIONS WORK AND HAVE ALREADY WORKED FOR YOU, THEN MY WORDS ARE NO USE TO YOU. HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE AT THE POINT OF DISILLUSION AND YOU FEEL STUCK, THEN READ MY WORDS VERY CAREFULLY, FOR THEY ARE BUT A FEW.

BY NOW YOU MUST HAVE REALISED THAT, THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF PEOPLE IN THE JOB PLACE. THOSE WHOM ACTUALLY DO THE WORK, AND THOSE WHOM TAKE THE CREDIT AND ARE CONSEQUENTLY REWARDED. STRANGE AS IT MAY SEEM, I REALLY ADVISE YOU TO BE IN THE FIRST CATEGORY FOR ONE SIMPLE BUT IMPORTANT REASON, AND THAT IS; COMPETITION IS FAR LESS THAN IN THE OTHER CATEGORY MAKING LIFE MORE BEARABLE.

NOW HAVING SAID THAT, YOUR NEXT STEP SHOULD ALWAYS BE, TO EXPRESS ENTHUSIASM FOR WORK VERBALLY, BUT ALWAYS MOVE ASIDE WHENEVER YOU CAN, AND NEVER VOLUNTEER, ALLOWING SOMEONE ELSE TO DO THE WORK, WHILE YOU REAMAIN ALWAYS UNOBTRUSIVE.

NOW ONCE YOU MANAGE THAT, REMEMBER ALWAYS TO SAY THAT THE WORK OF YOUR COLLEAGUES IS 100% WELL DONE, BECAUSE AS USUAL, THE REWARDS FOR WELL DONE WORK, IS MORE WORK.

HOW SECURITY ORGANS WISH TO SEE THE NEWS ON jORDAN TELEVISION..)))))

BY : KHAIRI JANBEK.

Jordanian official has left on the first leg of his trip abroad. Upon arrival to a secret location in the viccinity of Washington, he was met by Eagle 1(president Obama..not to be mentioned), Pigeon 1 ( Mrs. Obama not to mementioned) and little birds 1 and 2 (Obama girls ; not to be mentioned). Also at the airport there were many equivelant ranks to our "Pashas", as well as excellencies.

On the way to Falcon Crest (White House not to be mentioned), many civilians were lining up the streets which were carefully covered and under control; cheering and waving Jordanians Flags. When the meeting started between the "two principles", Jordanian official praised the administration of Eagle 1 in its efforts of privitisation, eradication of corruption, and respect for human rights, and offered Jordanian guidance in this respect. In turn, Eagle 1, declared the stability of the USA is from the stability of Jordan, and in a nice gesture, threw at the feet of Jordanian official all the land and property deeds [Gawasheen]; as a signal of total support to the Jordaniab economy, and instructed someone in a grey suit attending the meeting, and whom seems to know alot about economics, to tie a pipe beteween the Jordan and America treasuries. Jordanian official thanked him gracefully.

On the second leg of the trip abroad; Jordanian official arrived at location two in Europe, where he was recieved by He-man (president Sarkozy; must not be mentioned), and She-woman (Mrs. Sarkozy; mustn't be mentioned) and were all on their knees with the an entourage of the equivelant of our " Pashas" and Excellencies, awaiting to be blessed by a handshake from Jordanian official.

On the various routes, which were continuelly changed as dictated by us; the valiant lot, many French people of all roots and origins and religions, lined up the avenues shouting (In soul and blood we sacrifice for you Jordanian official) in french of course, all the way to the location where there are many expensive shops.

Upon the start of the official talks, Jordanian official expressed satisfaction with the way He-man is running his country, and praised him for learnign from the Jordanian experience, and promised him that the UNESCO; where the fate of Jerusalem is discussed, will be always supported with a Jordanian delegate from the Ministry of Education, selected as a third rate employee and in accordance with the best traditions of the country; without knowledge of any language, and expertise in women and variety of drinks, as well offered a present of earning the well earned money of thousands of dollars, which the Jordanian tax payer is very happy to pay a genius like that. He-man thanked Jordanian official for the continued appointment of such great quality cultural representative, and promised to continue working with Jordan on the basis of true love and affection.

While at lunch, in an undisclosed lcoation but where the expensive shops are (French share3 el wakalaat), Jordanian official made a call to a European woman who is a leader of a major country in the EU, and apologised that this time he will not be able to grace her with a visit to her country. European woman leader, thanked Jordanian official and asked for a delegation from the Jordanian anti-corruption to come and guide the affairs of her country where they produce BMWs and Mercedes in bulk, and promised to uphold Jordan's position for a solution to the palestinian problem based on two states. After a successful trip, covered with garlands and flowers, Jordanian official returned home (last minute notice for those coming to the airport).

On the local scene, Jordanian offcial took a surprise trip to the area where it was; the frontlines with Israel. The inhabitant civilians in the zone, complained that government corruption has deprived them from the good quality chlorine which they use in their own private swimming pools, and demanded and inquest. Of course, the minister acknowledged to Jordanian official, that every single inhabitant in that area, has the right to swim in his own clean swimming pool, and sunbathe at his/her own liesure. Good quality chlorine is promised to be sent to those lovely swimming pools.

Also, on another trip to some undisclosed locations in the country, Jordanians have been caught red-handed being in poverty. Still the accompanying delegation assured Jordanian offcial that; if these people are hungry and poor, then it is their own fault, as they must be working for some foreign agenda to make Jordan look bad in front of foreigners.

Finally, in an undisclosed location, Jordanian offical opened a touristic site somewhere in the country. The ribbon which was supposed to be cut, was crimson red and the pride of Jordanian textile industry, while the pair of scissors were assmebled in Jordan under Chinese license, as part of a partnership agreement which all its clauses, were absolutely fabourable to Jordan. The news ends, with the song " Bikkttub issmek ya bladi..."

WHY DER3A ERRUPTED...

BY Khairi Janbek.

Well my FB tribe, since kids are always supposed to be kids; but not in the Arab world probably, some local kids in Der3a, wrote some anti-state slogans on the walls. The almighty guradians and protectors of the Syrian people; the Mukhabart arrested those kids and in the old trusted tradition of their trade, put those kids to torture and threw them in prison cells.

Naturally, the fathers of the kids went to the Mukhabarat, and asked for the release of their kids. They even offered to repalace themselves for their kids. But of course the valiant guardians of the Syrian people, told them to forget about the existence of their kids, and to go back to their wives and produce other kids. But if they don't want to, they can bring their wives to the Mukhabarat, which will in turn provide the valinat service of giving their wives kids.

Arab leaders always want to bring in wolves to protect the sheep. Bashar Assad is no exception. But they always forget what I have warned about a while ago that " Sheep are carnivors; though they are herbivor everywhere".

THE PARTY PERSON. DEMOCRACY& SECURITOCRACY.

BY : KHAIRI JANBEK.

By training the voter in moderation, in philosophical acceptance of the limitations of government, and yet giving him/her a real feeling that their consent is needed and valuable, the political party in the state, performs a most educational function. Because the coercive power of the political party; in the democraric state is small, the party leaders have to learn the difficult art of persuasion instead of falling of falling back on the too easy remedy of coercion.

However, the good party person, can only exist ina society in which the habit and duty of saying " NO" have been encouraged by all kinds of institutions, not merely by political ones.

The good party person, fulfills another important function. He/she ensures that, the politcian will watch with anxious care, those movements of opinion that can so easily turn into tidal waves of disapproval for hithrto invincible political leaders. it is not that the member of parliament is likely to revolt against party leaders, in as much as, he/she can tell their party leaders that a course of action; if persisted in, will alienate the independent voter, and may even drive of a few of the faithful. The politician thus talking to his'her chiefs, has an interest in frankness that is rare in autocratic (where the leader runs the state) or in securitocratic (where the security runs the state), where it is so much safer to tell the "boss' only what he wants to hear; since the only person whom you need to please, and whose anger is important; is the dictator.

Even the most popular and powerful democratic leader has a real motive to listening to the well-grounded fears of his lieutanents, as they stand all or fall together if the people turn against them. So, healthy democratic society, never gets into that condition common to dictatorships, in which until the very last moment of catastrophe, there is a conspiracy of optimistic silence, of which dictator and people alike are victims.

Spies snooping on a frightened people to report to illusion-fed chiefs, are a poor substitute for the brutal political truths told by second rank politcians, both afraid of their sovereign master. There is a constant dosing of unpalitable truth, that keeps the body politic healthy.