Lessons to be learned from the Samsung versus Apple lawsuit
Güven Sak, PhD
28 August 2012
It is for a purpose that the justice system of the US is considered functional while that of South Korea is considered functional-to-be. Last week, the jury of an American court reached the verdict that South Korean Samsung was overly inspired by the products of American Apple Company. The jury, after comparing the patents and a group of products of both Apple and Samsung, ruled that Samsung shall pay around $1 billion in damages to Apple. Actually, it is not yet certain how Samsung will be affected by this trial exactly. Also, Samsung can appeal against the court’s ruling. But we still can make some observations on the innovation process on the basis of the lawsuit. I believe that a dysfunctional justice system is like a vampire, while a functional justice system is an indicator of invest
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South Africa beats Turkey in Palestine
Güven Sak, PhD
25 August 2012
Turkey is talking, South Africa acting for Palestine. That is an ongoing discussion between South Africa and Israel. I see two types of countries in the world: those who do things and those who just enjoy talking about things. When it comes to resistance against the Israeli occupation in Palestine, South Africa belongs to the first group, while Turkey is still in the second. As of now, I see South Africa acting on the ground while Turkey only does the talking. Let me explain.Last week, the South African government labeled Israeli exports originating from the factories in Israeli settlements in Palestine as products of the “occupied Palestinian territories.” This was designed as a disclosure rule to allow consumers to take their own ethical positions on the Israeli occupation. Isra
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Turkey is not at the center of the world
Güven Sak, PhD
24 August 2012
As the center of the world is changing, has Turkey made any effort to secure itself a seat in this new geographical center? The trend of self-pity has returned in Turkey. Just as it did in the 1970s and the 1990s. Do you remember what happened when we shut our eyes to the world and focused exclusively on our own problems in the 1990s? What happened was that China woke up and we were never able to understand how the world had changed. Thus, we failed to take action and became rooted to the spot. We have been left alone in the middle of nowhere.
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What Bodrum needs is a new constitution
Güven Sak, PhD
21 August 2012
Turkey needs a new constitution, immediately. The survival of Bodrum and the prosperity of its residents depend on this. No, I don’t intend to proclaim the “Independent Republic of Muğla City.” That is way beyond Bodrum’s needs. Let me tell you what I am talking about.
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Why Iraq matters
Güven Sak, PhD
18 August 2012
Why rattle relations with Iraq now, you may ask? It is oil, Kurdish oil. The growing tension between Baghdad and Ankara is not good. History shows that political instability and tension are bad for business. This is especially true in our region, where there are no neighboring market economies. In this neighborhood, you need to be on good terms with countries’ capitals in order to access their markets.
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How many medals did Turkey miss?
Güven Sak, PhD
17 August 2012
Among the top twenty economies of the world, Turkey ranked 17th in medal count. So, here is result of the games: Kim Jong-Un won against Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. North Korea finished the London 2012 Olympic Games with six medals, four gold, and two bronze. Turkey settled with five: two gold, two silver, and one bronze. So, the final score is North Korea: 6, Turkey: 5. Turkey was the 32nd in overall ranking while North Korea made it into the top twenty. Among the top twenty economies of the world, Turkey ranked 17th in medal count. Out of the 652 medals won by the top twenty economies, Turkey won only 5, corresponding to 8 in 1000. In terms of the total GDP of the top twenty, Turkey’s share was around 1.5 percent. Thus, Turkey’s performance in the Olympics was weaker compared to the size of it
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“Who the hell are you to tell us that we’re not going to deal with the Iranians?”
Güven Sak, PhD
14 August 2012
Americans have the authority via American courts to impose penalties on any agency that carries out global transactions. I have to admit that I wouldn’t dare using this title if it wasn’t for the brilliant title of an Ertuğrul Özkök commentary. I am talking about the one titled “Who the Hell Are You to Tell Me Where I Can Have a Beer!”, which he wrote after prime minister Erdoğan’s ridiculous question, “Is it acceptable to have beer at university?” Recently, it was reported that the CFO of the British bank Standard Chartered also used a similar language. In response to rumors that an American financial prosecutor was to open an investigation against the Bank for its dealings with Iran in violation of the US embargo against the country, CFO Richard Meddings was claimed to say, "Who the hell
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The fate of two cities: Aleppo and Gaziantep
Güven Sak, PhD
11 August 2012
It is all about having an inclusive regime of wealth creation. If the allocation is really market based, then there is no problem. Recently I have been thinking of the fate of two cities: Aleppo and Gaziantep. One is in Syria for now, and the other is in Turkey. With the rumors about intense street fighting, I can only feel sorry for the industrious citizens of Aleppo. Aleppo and Gaziantep are in fact twin cities. Just visit the bazaar of both, and you will see the similarity. Aleppo and Antep are in fact twins that were kept apart. In Ottoman times, the empire had three main economic centers: Istanbul, Cairo and Aleppo. And when Aleppo was the regional center, its periphery satellites were Antep, Antakya and Urfa. Now is the time to start thinking about the fates the twins. Do
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Authoritative countries can win medals, too
Güven Sak, PhD
10 August 2012
Investing in human capital, on the other hand, means caring for people and for whatever they think and believe. Good things happen in Turkey, too. The greater municipality of Ankara has surprised me for the first time. It is changing the sidewalks of the city. I know, they do this often, but this time they are changing the sidewalks to enable sight-disabled pedestrians to walk easily with their sticks. A pilot scheme has been implemented on Bülten Street in the district of Çankaya, though only a 30-meter part for now. They have laid yellow tactile guide blocks that sight-disabled pedestrians can follow. I have seen tactile platforms also at Esenboğa and Istanbul Atatürk airports. I want to consider this the first step in respecting humans, in particular pedestrians. We are currently going
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North Korea: 5 Turkey: 0
Güven Sak, PhD
07 August 2012
Turkey is the only country among the top-twenty economies that has not won a medal at the 2012 Olympic Games. Around 10,000 athletes from 205 countries are competing in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Turkey is among the top-twenty economies of the world. A short time ago, we were the seventeenth. Now, we rank eighteenth as Indonesia has moved up one place. And Turkey is the only country among the top twenty that has not won a medal at the Olympic Games. When I checked the list yesterday afternoon, there were 56 countries that had won one or more medals. So, when it comes to sports, Turkey is not among the top 56 of the world.
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