BlackSummit Financial Group, Inc. proudly introduces The Monthly Barometer.

The Barometer is written by Thierry Malleret, a professional with whom we collaborate with. Thierry brings a uniquely insightful perspective to global economics and geo-politics.  We have found his writings to be mind-stimulating, full of wisdom, perception, and characterized by intellectual honesty.

Thierry is a former top executive for the World Economic Forum (WEF) that organizes the Davos Conference. He has also served as Chief Economist and Strategist for Alfa Bank managing a team of experts for capital markets in Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan.  Thierry has also served  with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), was a resident fellow with the Institute of East-West Security Studies, and was assigned to the Office of the Prime Minister of France between 1988-’90. Thierry has a doctoral degree in economics from Oxford University.

We will be sharing his publication with you for the next few months free of charge.  If you wish to continue receiving The Monthly Barometer after that, we ask that you subscribe directly at the following link:

www.monthlybarometer.com

We hope that you enjoy his publication over the next few months.

5 insightful op-eds or articles to help make sense of today’s world

Dani Rodrik, “Death by Finance”
(Project Syndicate, February 10, 2014)
The Princeton professor explains why the emerging market blues are back. He provides four reasons that, in his opinion, concur to make problems in emerging markets “deep-seated”. There is also, he argues, a more profound problem: the excessive financialization of the world that has created a disconnect between finance and the real economy.
http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/

Martin Wolf, “Enslave the robots and free the poor”
(Financial Times, February 11, 2014 – metered paywall)
This is Martin’s second op-ed on how technology is reshaping our lives and redefining our relationship with employment. He points out that that the rise of information technology coincides with increasing income inequality. He proposes 5 ideas to deal with the looming reality of large adjustment shock as workers are being laid off and market wages of unskilled people falling far below a socially acceptable minimum.
http://www.ft.com/intl/

Jean-Pierre Lehmann, “Asia’s Democratic Drama”
(Project Syndicate, February 11, 2014)
A short, punchy piece that disputes the notion that democracy is a Western invention ill suited to Asia’s needs. Jean-Pierre states that: “the notion of democratic exclusivity is both wrong and historically short-sighted”. He argues that democracy is not a Western product and that Asia has enough historical experience “to suggest that even its six remaining dictatorships could, in time, embrace a fairer system of government – and the peace and prosperity that come with it”.
http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/

Maria Popova, “The psychology of trust in work and love”
(Brainpickings, February 2014)
This is a review (that contains many excerpts) of David DeSteno’s latest book: “The Truth about Trust – How it Determines Success in Life, Love, Learning and More” – a serious book (written by an academic) at the confluence of many disciplines. It sheds some light on how to detect the trustworthiness of others, but also provides interesting insights on how trust influences our lives.
http://www.brainpickings.org/

Christine Gross-Loh, “The First Lesson of Marriage 101: There Are No Soul Mates”
(The Atlantic, February 12, 2014)
Perfect reading on Valentine Day – There is a university course in the US to teach students about what makes a healthy relationship! A few tips: (1) Self-understanding is the first step to having a good relationship (“it’s not about finding the right person, it’s about being the right person”!), (2) You can’t avoid marital conflict, but you can learn how to handle it better, (3) A good marriage takes skill, and (4) Partners need to share a similar worldview.
http://www.theatlantic.com/education/