*Artificially High Savings*

Jon Taplin asks: will the politicians listen to the people?

I just came across this intriguing post about the implications of an increase in American savings at the individual level.

This issue requires serious immediate consideration when new economic models and projects are measured for sustainability and value in The Imagination Age.

On November 24, 2008, I attended this event:

State of the World: Asia
insights on key priorities driving consumer behavior and policy decisions in Asia

November 24th - 8:30 a.m.-10:30a.m.

Ritz Carlton 50 Central Park South, Salon One

The leadership discussion will center on the findings of the Gallup World Poll Asia:
a 3 year analysis of the priorities and challenges facing consumers and citizens
across Asia from Gallup’s unique network of frontline pollsters.

The briefing and discussion was led by Dr. Rajesh Srinivasan, Gallup Senior Scientist Asia and Markus Jaeger, Deutsche Bank, Global Risk Management Team.

Dr. Srinivasan used a phrase that day when presenting the findings to describe rural Chinese thrift: artificially high savings.

Artificially high savings? Can savings can be "artificially high?" And if so, what are the implications, benefits and pitfalls of such a condition?