Comments on: The fraught politics facing Lagarde

By: GlibFighter

GlibFighter — Thu, 26 May 2011 16:37:36 +0000

Felix should read Simon Johnson on why Lagarde is not such a fine choice:

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/0 5/26/the-problem-with-christine-lagarde/

By: artimos

artimos — Wed, 25 May 2011 19:26:29 +0000

The French establishment this time maybe got it right do that they are almost sure the the candidate will not commit another sexual assault in the next period at the head of the IMF.

By: Elektrobahn

Elektrobahn — Wed, 25 May 2011 18:58:38 +0000

‘The Fraught Politics Facing LaGarde’

Huh?

Fraught means accompanied by or involving, as in fraught with peril. Perhaps the politics facing Ms LaGarde are fraught with peril – in fact, they probably are – but to say the politics are fraught really doesn’t make any sense.

She is hot, though.

By: BasilSeal

BasilSeal — Wed, 25 May 2011 01:24:17 +0000

If the experience of the US is at all relevant, I’d say the fact that she “has no academic training in economics or finance,” but rather was a highly accomplished attorney, are all virtues rather than demerits.

Three of the most astute, capable, and upstanding financial regulators in the US (Brooksley Born (former CFTC Director), Sheila Bair, and Elizabeth Warren) similarly lack “academic training in economics or finance.” (Further similarities: all three are attorneys. All three are women). All three are incredibly competent and indeed have been more arguably more insightful and prescient than male academically trained technocrats like Larry Summers.

So yeah, two X chromosomes, a law degree, and a dearth of formal training in economics and finance? I’d say that’s a winning combination.

By: klhoughton

klhoughton — Tue, 24 May 2011 20:47:28 +0000

So you’re endorsing Megan McArdle to run the World Bank?

By: jfruh

jfruh — Tue, 24 May 2011 20:30:45 +0000

If there isn’t trust between Luxemburgish Jean-Claudes, what hope is there for the European experiment?

By: Britonomist

Britonomist — Tue, 24 May 2011 20:21:29 +0000

When people who have no training in economics or finance, it literally always results in them parroting the research and suggestions of the economists and financial experts that works for them, as has been experienced much in the UK.