Stiglitz & Arrow on Global Warming

The Economists' Voice has two articles by Joseph Stiglitz and Kennet Arrow on global warming. Kenneth Arrow explains why something must be done to limit global warming even if the Stern Report inadequately discounted future costs. Joseph Stiglitz presents his plan for getting the United States and the Developing World to address global warming, and argues that by failing to address this problem, the United States is implicitly subsidizing energy usage and engaging in unfair trade practices. The articles could be found here:
1. Arrow, Kenneth J. (2007) "Global Climate Change: A Challenge to Policy," The Economists' Voice: Vol. 4 : Iss. 3, Article 2. Available at: http://www.bepress.com/ev/vol4/iss3/art2

2. Stiglitz, Joseph (2006) "A New Agenda for Global Warming," The Economists' Voice: Vol. 3 : Iss. 7, Article 3. Available at: http://www.bepress.com/ev/vol3/iss7/art3

Do Iranians Believe in Maximizing Utility?

One of the fundamental assumptions in microeconomics is that any individual is maximizing his or her utility. This means that individuals seek “satisfaction” in their behavior by choosing between their available options. All options are not available due to limited resources, means or income. This constrain is usually referred to as “budget line”. There is no doubt in my mind, and any other microeconomist for that matter, that any individual indeed acts accordingly.

My question however is of a different nature. Given the cultural values in Iran do Iranians consider maximizing satisfaction a legitimate goal? By this I mean do we, Iranians, believe in each other’s right to have a fulfilled life, to act according to our desires and to maximize our satisfaction?

Growing up in Iran during a time of war your correspondent witnessed a culture of “self-sacrifice.” mother for her children, father for his family and an individual for the welfare of country and its defense should forsake their desires. Thus assuming or accepting that an individual should, could or would do something for “pleasure” and “satisfaction” was not advocated. Today I wonder if that has resulted in an illusion where any analysis based on maximizing utility could be rejected. I just wonder if my compatriots believe or accept this fundamental assumption.

Qeysar Aminpour Passed Away

He came by the migrating birds and he left for his star catching another flight of falling leaves. Qeysar Aminpour Iranian poet passed away last night in Tehran at age 48.

Born in 1959 in the city of Dezful in south west of Iran, he studied Persian literature under supervision of Dr. Shafi’i Kadkani at University of Tehran and received his doctoral degree in 1997, defending his thesis on “Tradition and Modernity in Iran’s Contemporary Poetry”.

Most known as a young adults’ poet in 1988 he became chief editor of Soroush e Nojavaanaan; Teenagers’ Soroush, a monthly young adult magazine dedicated to poetry, literature and art. For many high school students Soroush e Nojavaanaan was more than just a magazine. It was the place to read the history of Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s Little Prince, the adventures of Le Petit Nicholas, and the stories of Keschner. It was a place to read about the latest movies and animation productions, although they would not have been shown in Iran. Your correspondent had read an interview with Macaulay Culkin in Soroush e Nojavaanaan a few years before watching "Home Alone."

Soroush e Nojavaanaan left its mark on Iran's literal and intellectual history. Many of those who became the journalists of reformist era started to write as amateur teenagers in this magazine. Dr. Aminpour resigned from Soroush e Nojavaanaan in 2003. He was made a member of Persian Literature and Culture Academy in the same year.

Dr. Aminpour was widely published. Among the collection of his poetry one can mention: In the Avenue of Sunshine, The Noon of 10th day, the Morning Breath and Sudden Mirrors II. He taught in Tehran University and Azzahra University. His students will miss him greatly.
Today many paid tribute to him: children for whom he was someone who never became an adult, poets and intellectuals, the former President Khatami and members of current cabinet such as Mr. Saffar Harandi minister for Ershad.

Is Mottaki Resigning?

Rumors have it that Mottaki, Iran's foriegn affair minister is likely to resign. Who will be his successor? Mr. Hashemi Samareh or Dr. Velayati?

Le Figaru: Increasing danger of war through Incomprehension between United States and Iran

Le Figaru article is very insightful and offers a good summary:

Commentary by Renaud Girard
Link
It must be acknowledged that in connection with the Iranian nuclear question a single line is now taking shape, and it is that of confrontation. It is as though two crazy trains were rushing headlong towards each other on the same track, without anyone being able to halt them or divert them onto a different track. The engineer on the US train is called Dick Cheney (the conservative vice president who orchestrated the disastrous attack on Iraq in 2003,) and the engineer on the Iranian train is called Mahmud Ahmadinezhad (the highly nationalistic and religious president of the Islamic Republic.) In English, this is what is known as a collision course. ... Read More: Link

Returning Home Early?

President Ahmadinejad left Armenia one day ahead of his schedule and returned home. The photo shows him speaking to Dr. Velyati, a close advisor of Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenie and a former foreign affairs minister. Photo is from Fars News Agency. For more photos see: http://www.farsnews.net/plarg.php?nn=M271609.jpg

Links about Dr. Larijani

International Herald Tribune: Western diplomats adjust to Iran's nuclear stance
BBC: Iranian MPs add to nuclear splits
The Guardian: Iran Nuclear Talks to Be Held in Rome
Newsday: Editorial: Stop tough talk on Iran nuclear program

The cartoon is from Etemad Melli a reformist daily in Tehran, its citation says: " Another chair is available, Mr. Elham..." Mr. Elham is a close advisor to the President and government spokeperson who has been taking over more responsiblities as time goes by. The cartoon highlights that.