Some things are not the Greeks' fault!

The Greeks/Greece have in the last 2.5 years been blamed by many analysts, commentators, media etc for the Eurocrisis. The main premise for the blame is their perennial government deficits and resulting national debt. One can debate that, but that's not the point of this post.

The point is:

So many allegedly "successful" country (national) economic models are actually based on gimmicks, "piggybacking" on other countries, myths/stereotypes, etc!

For example:

Some countries over-rely on exports (trade surplus). While some exporting is of course a very good thing, there are limits. A country cannot and should not rely too much on the consumers of other countries (that a perennial trade surplus indicates). All in moderation.

Some countries rely on tax competition (too low tax rates, off-shore tax heavens, etc). Nothing to be proud of. On the contrary.

'Some countries' economic model takes advantage of nuclear energy, putting into risk their neighbours and the whole planet!

The same, but to a different extent and nature, applies to CO2 emitting industry. Past and present mega polluters (see global warming).

Towards more national and local or continental and global?

The argumentation that subsidiarity drives focus at national or local level is faulty!

On the contrary, the most appropriate level of decision making is becoming more continental and more global (Earth-al).

The opposite is a fallacy.

Global warming is but one of the issues that require global scope and drive this dynamic towards continental and global level "subsidiarity".  Financial regulation is another.

As per things such as the EU, Mercosur or UNASUR, ASEAN and other dynamics towards continental scope in statehood, they are more useful now than ever before. In spite of the populism/narratives re national and local dynamics. They are part of the problems humankind faces, not the solutions. From city states to national states to continental and hopefully an Earth-state.

In indeed the appeal of local and national is emotional, but reality paints a different picture. Time for gutsy political and philosophical leadership to pave the way.