Re:Puerto Rico files for biggest ever U.S. local government ...
by xamolxix on Thursday May 04, 2017 @01:55AM
(#14262752)
> See eg Greece who were pressured to accept a deal worse than default to benefit foreign EU banks
how are they being pressured?
Re:Puerto Rico files for biggest ever U.S. local government ...
by jacobush on Thursday May 04, 2017 @07:16AM
(#14263991)
If they don't agree, they will get booted from the Euro currency cooperation. Then they can't issue bonds in Euro. Would have to use their own currency - and that currency would not be in high demand. What would you use it for? Buy olives? Nah, export companies would rather be paid in Euros, dollars or just about anything else...
Re:Puerto Rico files for biggest ever U.S. local government ...
by candiodari on Friday May 05, 2017 @10:58PM
(#14278439)
Just answering from an economic perspective:
> What would you use it for? Buy olives?
No, of course not. What government sells olives ? You'd use it to pay Greek taxes. Those you'll pay anytime you want to buy anything from Greece.
So it doesn't matter if export companies get paid in Euros, Dollars, or anything else. They'd still owe taxes in (presumably) Drachma and that would create a market for Drachmas.
Re:Puerto Rico files for biggest ever U.S. local government ...
by jacobush on Friday May 12, 2017 @07:38AM
(#14323062)
Yes, but don't you think as much taxable activity as possible would be moved out of Greek jurisdiction? Especially as Greece would probably have to raise taxes quite a bit to finance the government... if they no longer have access to a euro bond market to do so.
Countries pay back loans because they like to keep a good reputation for future loans, but this does not work in a situation where there is nothing to lose since you can't service loans anyway.
(Of course banks can enlist other states to do strong-arming: See eg Greece who were pressured to accept a deal worse than default to benefit foreign EU banks)