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RE: The Chinese Position
By smitty3268 on 11/6/2007 6:00:39 PM , Rating: 2
European economic growth is microscopic, compared to nations like China, Russia, Qatar, Dubai


The price Europe pays for oil, coal, natural gas, and electricity generated by nuclear and hydroelectric are on par with the rest of the world.

Well yes, it's a global market. Everyone except the producers tend to pay a similar price before taxes. I thought you meant the after-tax price of energy, or does Europe only tax gas and not the other forms?

Furthermore, Europe's standard of living is high today because of centuries of investment in infrastructure, education, and other areas. Comparing a nation like France to one that, 100 years ago had almost no dams, universities, factories, and almost no roads at all is a bit misleading. That historical investment-- made long ago-- is still paying dividends.

I think that was probably my point, that history and the general state of a countries social, political, and economic systems mean far more than the price of energy. But if you take that out, (and that is an awful, awful lot to take out), then all other things being even I might agree with you. It's just that all other things aren't ever even, so that kind of comparison isn't very useful IMHO.

RE: The Chinese Position
By Keeir on 11/6/2007 6:39:26 PM , Rating: 2
Not to agree or disagree but


Alot of the current state of things has to do with the long term cost of energy in the country. IE, One of the main reason why cities are generally located on water ways and civilization generally followed sea coasts is that the cost of transportation is significantly lower along rivers/seas that on land.

I might say something more along the lines of

The average cost of energy production is the most significant factor in level of material consumption and trade in a society.

The marginal cost of additional energy production is the most significant factor in rate of growth in material consumption of a society.

"Standard of Living" is something that relies on more than how many hours you work or how many Wiis are connected to your TV.

Oh and I oppose punative taxes on energy production. Who ever discovered the "next" energy technology and brings it to market stands to make billions if not trillions of dollars. Thats already a powerful economic incentive.

RE: The Chinese Position





