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The best way to boost Europe's economy? 'Give everyone €175 each month'

What would you spend the money on?

A GROUP OF top economists have proposed a fairly simple way of prodding the stagnating European economy back into healthy growth: Give everyone money.

Simple.

The European Central Bank is currently using quantitative easing. This involves creating cash out of thin air and pumping it into each country’s economy to boost spending.

However, the letter in the Financial Times argues that this might not work.

A group of economists, including Constantin Gurdgiev from Trinity College Dublin, have proposed two other options.

One, is to use the new money created to ‘finance government spending, such as investing in much needed infrastructure projects’.

Two (you’re going to like this one more) is:

Each eurozone citizen could be given €175 per month, for 19 months, which they could use to pay down existing debts or spend as they please.

aggrandized

The economists believed this has a better chance of lighting the fire under the Eurozone economies better than QE, considered an ‘unreliable tool’.

The Australian government tried a similar move in 2009. Citizens were given $900, at a total cost of $42 billion.

What would you spend the money on? A holiday? A new fridge? Save it up, withdraw it in fivers, and roll around in it? Let us know in the comments below.

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    Mute Stephen Doyle
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:02 PM

    Another tool for the narcissist generation

    171
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    Mute Aidan Kelly
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:08 PM

    Just because you can’t afford one?

    17
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    Mute L-Plate
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:10 PM

    I’d say you’re they type to wear sunglasses inside Aidan

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    Mute Aidan Kelly
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:15 PM

    Sunglasses indoors, par for the course.

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    Mute Celticspirit321
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:18 PM

    Aidan = D4 Muppet

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    Mute Love Guinness
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:31 PM

    The app is free, I reckon Stephen could splash out on a free app and as he just posted comments to another smart phone app I am also thinking there is a chance he owns a smart phone.

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    Mute Al Ca
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:52 PM

    Indeed Love Guinness……but then, Stephens smart phone is most likely smarter than Stephen.

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    Mute Stephen Doyle
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:59 PM

    Cost more Al Cal

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    Mute Genius
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    Mar 28th 2015, 8:00 PM

    scope me later ya.

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    Mute adrian quinn
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    Mar 29th 2015, 8:17 AM

    You loo like a desperate tool Kelly

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    Mute emperor_vid
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:08 PM

    Apple are to release there version soon called endoscope…. Although it will likely be a pain in the ads to use

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    Mute Aidan Kelly
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:16 PM

    They should release endascope too so everyone can see through the eyes of a winner!

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    Mute Liam Long
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:33 PM

    Eyes of a donkey :-D

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    Mute Al Ca
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:55 PM

    “They should release endascope too so everyone can see through the eyes of a winner!”

    So…..that’s not a tan you’re sporting.

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    Mute Tordelback
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    Mar 28th 2015, 8:20 PM

    You are by far the most irritating shinnerbot on TheJournal Aidan, congrats.

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    Mute Well Oil beef hooked
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    Mar 28th 2015, 8:32 PM

    They do have one its call an Endoscopy, that when they’ll look in your ass Aidan and to see where your intellect has gone

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    Mute Bigus Diccus
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:05 PM

    You can see the difference at contrastthemeerkat.com

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    Mute L-Plate
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:03 PM

    Skype?

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    Mute emeraldninja
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:08 PM

    Tell them to watch The Hunt for Red October.. that should give ‘em a good intro for periscope.

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    Mute Mark Waldron
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    Mar 28th 2015, 7:25 PM

    Crazy Ivan? Or maybe that’s Crimson Tide.

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    Mute Roomba Roomba
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    Mar 28th 2015, 6:48 PM

    Source: David Guetta

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    Mute Oliver McLoughlin
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    Mar 28th 2015, 8:10 PM

    Ah it’s just the obvious progression for the huge proportion of the online populace that think because they can, they should.
    Most have nothing interesting to say anyway, this is like porn for them.

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    Mute Elias Khoury
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    Mar 29th 2015, 12:05 AM

    Funny enough, I didn’t hear anybody talking about it.

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    Mute John Fairclough
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    Mar 29th 2015, 12:39 AM

    Up Periscope !

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    Mute MATHS ACADEMY
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    Mar 28th 2015, 9:17 PM

    It’s a perfectly designed instantly accessible broadcasting device with massive potential. We’ll be using it with our students. If you’re already with twitter it’s seamless. Is miles ahead if competitors like meerkat etc. Try it! http://www.connemaramathsacademy.com

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    Mute MATHS ACADEMY
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    Mar 28th 2015, 9:18 PM

    Should have said ‘app’ instead of device.

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    Mute Oliver McLoughlin
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    Mar 28th 2015, 9:30 PM

    To what end will this prove useful though?

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    Mute Chief
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    Mar 28th 2015, 10:06 PM

    Have a read of this article, will answer that question http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/26/8296537/explosion-east-village-periscope-live

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