U.S. Works Harder and More Efficiently, U.N. Says
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:40 pm
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:40 pm
The Associated Press and the United Nations said something nice about the U.S. for once. AP reports that the International Labor Organization released a report that states that the United States produces more wealth per worker than any other country and that U.S. citizens work more hours than other “rich” nations.
Second in wealth per worker? Ireland. So much for that Protestant work ethic…
America’s increased productivity “has to do with the ICT (information and communication technologies) revolution, with the way the U.S. organizes companies, with the high level of competition in the country, with the extension of trade and investment abroad,” said Jose Manuel Salazar, the ILO’s head of employment.
Translation: make it harder for companies to do business, reduce competition through government subsidy and other legislation, and restrict overseas investment and trade, and you’ll wreck a good thing. Sounds like standard left-liberal policy.

September 4th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
There has been a huge change in Ireland over the last generation or so. It’s economic productivity over the last ten years or so has been nothing less than stunning.
I haven’t heard many descriptions of what prompted the shift. I’d be curious to know.