Lebanon, which should be setting an economic and business example for the rest of the region, is instead on the road to economic ruin. There may be numerous agendas for economic initiatives and growth; but actual progress, nil! Nada! Zilch!
An example is the complete absence of Lebanon among the list of 133 countries included in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report. So bad is the situation that Lebanon does not even have the needed data to figure in the report. Syria is on there, as are Burundi and Zimbabwe! But Lebanon is not there. How can that be explained?
This would not be so sad if it did not contrast so starkly with the way we Lebanese view ourselves as the most progressive and open country in the region. We think that we are the most innovative when in fact, we are if not the worst in this regard, well below where we should be.
The economic agenda should be separated from the other political issues plaguing the country. It serves no one for us to be so poorly placed to compete in this rapidly globalizing world. More importantly, we have such a wealth of assets, both human and institutional, which allow us to be in the forefront in the region in innovation, economic growth, financial sophistication, and other important indicators. Yet, we are not and that is largely due to a backward political process that ensures the worst of us becomes the norm.
When will we just say enough!
This works everywhere! “Don’t make waves,” and “Don’t rock the boat,” yet, no one has ever seen a boat going anywhere that was not making waves and rocking from side to side, making the placid water choppy. For new start-ups and jobs we need to continue welcoming the wave-making pebble-droppers or secure the peace of the pond. Governing elite tell us the interests of the pond, the community, are more important than are the interests of the individual, the pebble-dropping wave makers. Pebble-droppers made America what it is today, giving form and shape to our American Evolution. Pebble droppers made us prosperous and only they can keep us prosperous. Without pebble droppers, America will have no prosperity, no growth, no entrepreneurs, no small business and no new jobs. Government managers cannot control pebble droppers, only prevent their disturbing behavior. See Save Pebble Droppers & Prosperity on Amazon.com and claysamerica.com