Publications

- June 1, 2016: Vol. 10, Number 06

To read this full article you need to be subscribed to Institutional Real Estate Europe

Just common sense

by Joe Valente

I have never been to Greenland and, to be perfectly honest, it’s not the sort of place that has ever made it to the top of my bucket list. Yet that may be about to change. You see, back in 1985, the country did something incredibly plucky. Its population of just 56,000 people, dependent almost entirely on fish, chose to up sticks and leave the stability, affluence and security of guaranteed fishery subsidies of what was then the European Economic Community. They voted for the uncertainty, angst and anxiety of the outside world — they survived.

The story of Greenland may, or may not, resonate in 2016 but, if it doesn’t, let’s bring it closer to home. Between 2001 and 2003, the United Kingdom got into a bit of a mess, which meant that it was in no position to join the new euro — a single currency that was to lay the foundation for a new era of prosperity and financial stability across Europe. The decision to remain outside was not universally welcomed. Indeed, it was

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, Click Here.

Forgot your username or password?