Jean Quatremer on the worst prophets of 2011

The worst prophet of 2011 was the French demographer Emmanuel Todd, writes Jean Quatremer in his blog Coulisses de Bruxelles, given that Todd predicted the collapse of the euro before the end of the year: "Who said: 'I would be very surprised if the euro in its current form survived the year 2011'? The ineffable Emmanuel Todd, on January 4, 2011. The demographer became France's 'doctor doom'. ... The problem with predictions, especially very presumptuous ones, is that you run the risk of being refuted by the facts. And that's the case today: the euro is still alive and kicking. ... Daring to put a date on the death of the common currency is pure and simple stupidity, especially when you consider that no currency has ever collapsed due to blows from the markets. A currency is an act of political determination."

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