Emerging Markets: Is the Risk Worth the Reward?

When considering a country’s economy there are two types: emerging and developing. An emerging economy is characterised by transition in the economy of a nation from a pre-industrial, underdeveloped economic environment into an industrially competitive one which exhibits some, but not all, of the characteristics of a well-developed economy. The term ‘emerging market’ was first used by Antonie Van Agtmael of the International Finance corporation … Continue reading Emerging Markets: Is the Risk Worth the Reward?

Nash’s Equilibrium and Dating

The Dating Game and Nash Equilibrium: Why Most Don’t Find the Perfect Match  Love, Logic, and the Inevitable Bad Match:  Dating, as simple as it sounds, should be for people to meet, like each other, and form a perfect match. Reality, however, is rather messy—it is governed by strategic decision making and inefficiencies similar to those found in ‘game theory’.  Dating at Eton is one-sided and … Continue reading Nash’s Equilibrium and Dating

Cuba’s Currency Crisis

How a dual system distorted the economy  For decades, Cuban people lived with two different currencies in their pockets: the CUP (Cuban National Peso) and the CUC (Convertible Peso). However, it was not always this way. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the CUC was introduced in order to stabilise the economy—but at what cost? Whilst the implementation of the CUC helped stabilise the … Continue reading Cuba’s Currency Crisis

When Growth Fails

“Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell” – Edward Abbey, The Second Rape of the West, 1975. In the above quote, Abbey refers to the shrinking wilderness of his beloved Arizona, industrialised by resource extraction and urban expansion. However, such a statement goes far beyond wilderness: when economic expansion is the common goal, it damages the very foundations that … Continue reading When Growth Fails

The Economics of Chinese New Year

“The Economic Impact of Chinese New Year: Growth, Disruptions, and Opportunities”  The Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, just took place. It is not only a time of cultural celebration but a period of great economic activity in China. The impact on its economy is huge, affecting tourism, retail, manufacturing and also transportation.  The Spring Festival is one of the most celebrated annual … Continue reading The Economics of Chinese New Year

The Paradox of Progress

The Paradox of Progress – Why Technological Advances Aren’t Boosting Wages  Introduction  Technological advances have always been the main driver of economic growth and prosperity; major historical events such as the Industrial Revolution (1760-1830), and –more recently – the rise of the internet have brought around higher productivity, and with that, higher wages. However, although events past the 1980’s (such as the rise of artificial … Continue reading The Paradox of Progress

Mapping India’s Economy

Mapping India’s Economy: Where It Is and Where It’s Going  “India’s economy is likely to stand firm in an uncertain world”, according to Goldman Sachs. Recently, the nation’s economic climb has been amid the centre of global discussions. Their $3.7 trillion GDP has now surpassed the UK, ranking fifth largest in the world. The quote deduces that in a world of corrupt governments and economic … Continue reading Mapping India’s Economy

The Economics of Higher Education

Higher education refers to learning at universities or similar institutions, typically leading to a degree. It has long been a key driver of economic growth, offering individuals higher wages and better job security due to their higher perceived worth. However, with tuition fees rising and student debt reaching record levels, concerns are growing about whether a degree is still worth the cost.  In the United … Continue reading The Economics of Higher Education

AI Phishing

As the World Locked Down, AI Went Phishing  The latest data from the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG), a global organisation dedicated to cybercrime prevention, shows that the number of newly discovered phishing sites jumped tenfold between 2020 and 2023, before dipping somewhat by mid-2024.  Even so, the total remains much higher than before the spike.  Phishing, in simple terms, is when online thieves pretend to … Continue reading AI Phishing

Cooperative Economics

People over Profits – the rise of Co-operative Economics in the UK  Co-operative economics is a system of business rapidly emerging in the UK, guided by principles of shared ownership, democratic governance, and the equal distribution of profits. Unlike traditional shareholder-driven enterprises, co-operatives – otherwise known as mutuals – prioritise the welfare of their members and the communities they serve. The two main categories of … Continue reading Cooperative Economics