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Anastasia Balezdrova 

Right from the beginning of the financial crisis in Greece, there have been voices calling for the country to exit the European Union and the Euro, arguing that it would be much easier to deal with the economic problems. Of course, the majority of economists and public opinion in the country are totally against this proposal and even considered supporters therof crazy and not quite aware of the consequences of such an action.

One of them is the Professor at the Economic University of Athens George Bitros, who presented his position in his speech at the Institute of Diplomacy and International Relations entitled "In Defence of Globalization."

"I am trying to refer to all arguments that will enable us to resist all those who are trying to instill insulation in the minds of the Greeks in all ways through the media. Their idea is that Greece should withdraw its participation in international and European organizations, retire into its shell, where it could cope with the problems better."

The professor made reference to a previous work of his, which compares ancient Athens and ancient Sparta. "Accumulation of wealth in Athens became possible only by trade and by opening the economy of the polis. Therein lies, I think, the difference between Athens and Sparta."

George Bitros began his presentation by proving the thesis that international trade brings benefits to all participating countries. He presented an example, "which 95% of economists in the world have proved through research and analysis. And it is that each country can equally benefit from its participation in world trade. Countries are not the same. Australia, for example, has plenty of land, and England has people and technology. Therefore, Australia will produce food, and England - weapons and machines. In this example, if the two countries decide to isolate themselves from the rest of the world, the first one will only produce foods and the second –weapons, because these are their technologies. Any first-year student in Economics understands this. If these two countries understand that they can participate in international trade, their prosperity will grow. This is so simple that I cannot figure out how there are people who do not understand it. So, I think that now, when it is time to deal with the crisis, and after 60 years in a closed economy, we have to begin looking outward. I.e., to produce sellable products."

According to the professor, if under the conditions of taking part in international trade maximum competitiveness is achieved, the money a citizen of Greece will receive per one hour of work will be enough to buy the same number of products that the citizen of any other country in the world will buy.

"This means that under these conditions, it is not necessary for the people to move from one country to another because they could remain in their country and be able to work to buy the same goods that Americans, Englishmen and others buy. The logical question is: Why are there migration flows? The answer is that they exist because the parties in an attempt to preserve not citizens but their political systems, have imposed all these restrictions like taxes among others on international trade. As a result, international markets cannot operate competitively. This is the source of globalization. It is one way to overcome all obstacles that governments put against international trade in order to protect their petty interests, although it is in their interest to allow markets to operate competitively."

Professor Bitros explained seven of the forces that he said were released due to globalization and cannot be stopped.

"It is a process that cannot be stopped, whether Greeks like it or not. The more we retire into our shell, the poorer we will become. By the way, the countries that feel the consequences of globalization most strongly are the rich countries. They are the countries that export even highly trained staff to countries like China and India. And they, in turn, are the only ones that could benefit from globalization. Therefore, I think it is wrong to adopt policies like refusing or imposing high taxes on imports from Africa and other poor countries in the European Union. "

"The countries are seeking to improve their participation because they know that development brings development. The relations between Europe, USA and Japan are the example for this. They carry out 50% of world trade between each other."

Foreign investments. "The law on the protection of foreign capital in Greece adopted in 1953 has brought the inflow of about 2,000 foreign companies up until 1963. A significant part of the development of Greece from that time until 1974 was based precisely on such imports of capital and technical knowledge. This stopped in 1974 and these firms have begun to withdraw," he said.

His third argument was the finding that international trade grows faster than countries. "In addition, foreign investments go to developed countries because their institutions are stable and reliable."

Globalization also contributes to bringing the tastes of consumers around the world to the same products, information and technology. The professor stressed the need for changes that would lead to attracting investment, not to earn some money as it is now but to change the way people think. "We must teach people to stop thinking that there is a "good father" on Syntagma Square, who is printing money, giving it out to everyone else. We must teach them how to look at themselves as creators who are responsible for their life and prosperity."

In this way, there will be development of real business rather than business a la Greece, fed by the government. According to the professor, in practice, it was not allowed for independent companies to develop in the country. "On the contrary, they were forced to settle and become part of the system."

Of course, manufactured goods must comply with global quality standards, which will make them more competitive and preferred on the markets. "I think there is nothing I could add about the Internet and new technologies. We all know their strength and contribution to the exchange of information and to direct communication in any part of the world."

Finally, George Bitros said, "globalization may have high and low tides, but surely, it will continue to permeate throughout the world. The best thing we can do is accept it, adapt to the needs and make the above forces suitable for the Greek conditions, to begin to produce goods for exports and to solve our economic problems."

He also referred to criticism of globalization. "Reproaches that it increases poverty and inequality are based on only one study conducted by the World Bank for a period of only three years. I think this period is too short for making such global conclusions. The argument that it reduces national sovereignty is also ungrounded. If we are talking about the economy-yes, but state boundaries can exist as long as the citizens of democratic countries want them. Globalization has nothing to do with democracy. Democracy needs free economy. The opposite is not necessary and the typical example is China.

To the argument that globalization promotes consumption I will simply answer that mortality among men was reduced through consumption. Today, the average age in the western world has increased from 48 to 74 years thanks to medications, etc. Yes, there are some problems with consumption but we cannot forget its positive features and point out only the negative ones.

Another reproach is that globalization reduces natural resources. I do not think this is so. In the 1970s, the price of one ton of copper was higher than it is today. This is because communication companies are already not using it. They are using the new technology of optical fibres. In terms of globalization, endangered resources open opportunities for inventors to create new products that will decrease  prices."

The professor admitted that the argument that globalization threatens the environment is grounded, but it should not be generalized. "Yes, there are cases where companies do not operate as they should. But here, I would mention something else. For example, air pollution in London is lower than in Bangkok. Developed countries have the technology and resources to fight pollution.

The next argument is that globalization threatens diversity and the cultural heritage of nations. I think it depends on how we ourselves believe in our own culture. In practice, globalization means export of cultural goods and services through tourism.

I find nothing in all these arguments to justify this fear that has been instilled in Greeks against globalization, Europe, etc. The problems we are talking about today are  of our own creation. In 1998, I had even published an article to warn against accepting the Euro, before implementing all the necessary structural changes. Today's crisis is the result of everything that has not been done over the years. What we should do is stop shooting at our feet every day and do what is necessary. Otherwise, nothing good awaits us."