Well, there you have it. This is what a gold standard creates (unemployment, salary)

[knowledgeiskey]

Record unemployment!!!!!!!!!

This is what happens when you're not an autonomous currency issuer. Those who want a gold standard don't even understand why Greece is in economic turmoil.

ATHENS, Greece -- Unemployment in Greece rose to a new record high of 27.6 percent in May, leaving almost two thirds of young people without a job, the Hellenic Statistics Authority said Thursday.
The jobless rate rose from 27 percent in April and 23.8 percent in May last year. Young people were by far the worst affected, with unemployment among job-seekers aged 15 to 24 standing at 64.9 percent.
Greece has been depending on funds from international rescue loans since May 2010, after years of profligate spending and fiscal mismanagement left it with a massive budget deficit.
In return, successive governments have imposed stringent austerity measures, including tax hikes and salary and pension cuts that have caused the economy to contract. The country is currently in the sixth year of a deep recession.

Greek Unemployment Hits Record High

[Neuling]

I am not sure I understand what you mean. If you mean to say that the Euro is a problem for Greece, yes, it is. But the currency is by far not Greece's only problem, far from it.

[le roi]

greece isn't literally being bound to a gold standard, but i see what you're saying.

Originally Posted by Neuling

I am not sure I understand what you mean. If you mean to say that the Euro is a problem for Greece, yes, it is. But the currency is by far not Greece's only problem, far from it.

Obviously currency isn't Greece's only problem, but it is the reason Greece is having to make difficult decisions right now.

[theunbrainwashed]

The point the OP is trying to make is that when you're not in control of your own currency, it makes it harder to manage your economy. A gold standard basically are a pair of handcuffs

[Neuling]

Greece's main problems are corruption, lack of competitive modern industries, existing debt and thus interest, excessive military spending, the Greek language, etc.

[hnsq]

Originally Posted by theunbrainwashed

The point the OP is trying to make is that when you're not in control of your own currency, it makes it harder to manage your economy. A gold standard basically are a pair of handcuffs

Tying a currency to a fixed asset is not the same thing as tying it to the good faith of a collection of countries as a whole. Over 30% of greece's economy is underground at the moment, and they have less success in tax collection than any other country in europe. Monetary policy isn't greece's main problem.

[knowledgeiskey]

Originally Posted by Neuling

Greece's main problems are corruption, lack of competitive industries, existing debt and thus interest, excessive military spending, the Greek language, etc.

All of this could be alleviated with a sovereign currency.

[knowledgeiskey]

Originally Posted by hnsq

Tying a currency to a fixed asset is not the same thing as tying it to the good faith of a collection of countries as a whole. Over 30% of greece's economy is underground at the moment, and they have less success in tax collection than any other country in europe. Monetary policy isn't greece's main problem.

Something for you to read

Why Conservatives Like The Gold Standard - Business Insider

[Neuling]

Originally Posted by knowledgeiskey

All of this could be alleviated with a sovereign currency.

I agree that a sovereign currency gives the government more power and freedom to decide on things.
But even with a sovereign currency Greece's problems would remain. Not least because politicians won't come up with great politics all of a sudden just because there is a sovereign currency.

For instance the Greeks have a huge morals problem, lots of people are cheating and lying to keep or get stuff they are not entitled to.

To a lesser extent that is also a problem here in Portugal. While I am very much in favor of leaving the Euro behind, I doubt that would really give us better politics.

[kidkaos2]

Originally Posted by theunbrainwashed

The point the OP is trying to make is that when you're not in control of your own currency, it makes it harder to manage your economy. A gold standard basically are a pair of handcuffs

Yes, you're handcuffed.

Handcuffed from manipulating money to allow you to overspend without consequences. You can still manage your economy when you're on a gold standard. You just have to work within your means instead of beyond your means.

But this is typical liberal thinking to see working within your means as handcuffs.