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Agora

In ancient Athens, the agora was the central location where citizens gathered to hear news, discuss and, later, trade. The agora was the heart of the city’s political, cultural and spiritual life and it gave birth to the Greek word for speaking in public: ἀγορεύω (agorevo). It is this spirit we hope to channel in this section of the website.

Here, the Agora is a public forum for discussing events that are unfolding in Greece and beyond. Contributors to Macropolis, as well as guest posters, share their views on political, economic and other matters, while also offering readers the opportunity to express their opinions. As always, those who fail to respect the sanctity of this forum will not be allowed to share in its benefits.

Posts by Nick Malkoutzis

Results 101 to 105 out of 122.

Photo by MacroPolis Come back Cleisthenes, all is forgiven

Cleisthenes has a lot to answer for. Yes, he laid the groundwork for Athenian democracy in 507 BC but he also did it after being recalled from exile. As much as he helped transform ancient Greece, he a left dangerous legacy for its modern version. Since Cleisthenes, too many Greek politicians believe that some time away from the limelight can absolve them of any sins and, like the man from classical Athens, make a heroic return.

Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis

4 Comment(s)

Categories: Politics (171), Greece (260)

Photo by Myrto Papadopoulos [www.myrtopapadopoulos.com] The Greek crisis we don’t see

The economic impact of the Greek crisis has been well publicised. A recession that began in 2008 has led to GDP contracting by a quarter, while unemployment has risen above 27 percent. Greece’s fiscal consolidation effort has also received much attention. A general government deficit of 15.6 percent in 2009 was transformed into a small surplus in 2013 – one of the sharpest adjustments the world has ever seen.

Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis

1 Comment(s)

Categories: Economy (169), Society (34), Greece (260)

Photo by MacroPolis The wrong prescription

As is customary by now the troika’s return to Athens has been accompanied by a flurry of speculation about how targets will be met. This time the focus is on the structural rather than fiscal side. This simply means replacing the back and forth between Greece and its lenders over excruciating details of how money will be saved with a similar tug of war over the minutiae of reforms.

Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis

2 Comment(s)

Categories: Economy (169), Society (34), Greece (260)

Photo by Myrto Papadopoulos [www.myrtopapadopoulos.com] Greece in danger of repeating familiar mistakes with Golden Dawn

Barring any last minute upsets, Golden Dawn will officially become Greece’s third-largest party when local and European Parliament elections are held in May. At least that is what opinion polls have been indicating for some time. It would represent another milestone in the shocking rise of the Neo-Nazi party, which has proved a challenge Greece’s political system has been unable to tackle.

Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis

3 Comment(s)

Categories: Politics (171), Greece (260)

Photo by Harry van Versendaal Off the isles of Greece

This week marked the anniversary of the birth of Lord Byron, a foreigner who loved Greece but was also embraced by Greeks. One of his most famous poems, The Isles of Greece, invokes the wondrous spirit of Greeks’ ancient ancestors. Great victories, such as in the Battle of Salamis, are exalted in this memorable example of his work.

Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis

2 Comment(s)

Categories: Europe (119), Greece (260)

Results 101 to 105 out of 122.