The Pine Tree Paradox by Michael W. Parker
New Zealand had the fifth highest GDP per capita in the OECD in 1960; today we are 27th. The standard explanation for what went wrong involves some nonsense about commodity prices, Rob Muldoon and distance to markets. In The Pine Tree Paradox Michael Parker argues that our economic decline stems simply from our continuing reliance on agriculture. Today, developed countries get richer by capitalising on good ideas, not by growing things. Pine trees grow faster in New Zealand than anywhere else in the world. Yet, pine trees have not made us rich. However, because of the bounty of our land, we continue to believe that agriculture - goats, kiwifruit, venison, wine - will save us. The problem is not with our trees. The problem is that we live in the 21st century. The Pine Tree Paradox sets out a vision for New Zealand driven by innovation, not agriculture. While being innovative is orthodox economic thinking in New Zealand today, our approach is not nearly bold enough. A clear-eyed review of our national strengths reveals that we are well-placed to transform our economy into a global centre of innovation. What is required is a world-class university: Stanford on the Waitemata. Parker contrasts our economic experience with that of Northern California and asks: why not us? Building this future will be slow and costly. But - as the last 50 years have proved - not as costly as doing nothing--Book jacket.
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Binding: Paperback
Published by: PublishMe: , 2010
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ISBN: 9780473164058 | 0473164051
206 pages.
Book Condition: Very Good
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