What Can We Learn from Plato for the 2021 Economic Forecast [Akira Mori]

Shin Kō Akira's Profile

Economist. Affiliated with a think tank (United States). Specializes in exchange rate policy, monetary policy, macroeconomic policy, and financial regulation. Engages with market participants, financial authorities, and policy makers to analyze exchange rate trends from multiple perspectives.

※ This article is a reproduction and re-editing of an article from FX Strategy.com, March 2021 issue. Please note that the market information written in the main text differs from the current market conditions.

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A year passes in the blink of an eye, and it is already 2021. Unpleasant as it is, the older you get, the faster time seems to pass.

Ancient Greek philosopher Plato (427 BCE – 347 BCE) is well known to readers as a student of Socrates. After Socrates was unjustly charged and executed, Plato, disillusioned with politics, pursued the path of philosophy. There is a saying by Plato: “It is understandable that children fear darkness, but it is a tragedy for adults to fear the light.”

Regarding the coronavirus pandemic, there are still pessimistic views (in the United States, 299,000 people have died: Image ①), but let us take Plato’s words as guidance to look toward the ‘post-coronavirus era’ and prepare to move forward. However, it is natural to stay home quietly until a state of emergency is lifted.