Category: International

Development, International

The Covid-19 Crisis: Emerging Markets Hang in the Balance

“All countries need to work together to protect people and limit the economic damage. This is a moment for solidarity.” Kristalina Georgieva Managing Director and Chairwoman of the IMF The COVID-19 crisis has already left some of the world’s most advanced economies in dire straits. News outlets have been quick to cover the stringent lockdowns and plummeting markets of the developed world. However, media coverage … Continue reading The Covid-19 Crisis: Emerging Markets Hang in the Balance

Unknown's avatarJoseph MenellLeave a comment
Development, International

Rent-seeking and Inequality

26 billionaires own as much as the world’s poorest 3.8 billion people – perhaps unsurprising given how little the poor in developing countries own. Inequality is widely accepted as not only inevitable but desirable to an extent, to incentivise innovation and productivity, but in OECD countries it is at the highest level for the past half century. Those at the top of the income and … Continue reading Rent-seeking and Inequality

Unknown's avatarAlex ManLeave a comment
Natwest building
Finance and Markets, International, Long Read

Running for Cover: Insurance and Covid-19

The Olympics, Wimbledon, The British Open. Just a few in a long list of global sporting events that have been postponed indefinitely or cancelled due to the global outbreak of Covid-19. The impact on athletes, coaches, staff and even spectators has been significant. Furthermore, this pandemic has led to devastating losses for the various financial stakeholders of these events, such as sponsors and organisers. However, … Continue reading Running for Cover: Insurance and Covid-19

Unknown's avatarKavish HajarnavisLeave a comment
Empty classroom with chairs stacked on tables
International

Lost Potential: School closures’ devastating effects

All over the world, schools have closed down as part of strict lockdown measures designed to slow the spread of Covid-19. According to UNESCO, over 90% of the world’s pupils have been affected by these closures. Yet for such drastic action, the supporting evidence is at best dubious. Studies have shown that school closures will do little to halt the spread, with UCL calling it … Continue reading Lost Potential: School closures’ devastating effects

Unknown's avatarMilo DennisonLeave a comment
International

Rent Control: Housing populism meets economic reality

With rent prices increasing far faster than wages, the problem of affordable housing in many Western countries is at its highest level in years. Combined with a failure of low priced social housing to keep up with rising demand, it is not surprising that affordable living has become one of the most important voter issues to urban dwellers. One “solution” to this growing problem that … Continue reading Rent Control: Housing populism meets economic reality

Unknown's avatarLeiden BrueschkeLeave a comment
International

Protectionism: The impact on a country’s development

Protectionist policies are typically exercised by countries in order to protect domestic industries from foreign competition. Protectionism is usually expressed in the form of tariffs on foreign imports, subsidies, regulatory blocks and import quotas, alongside other restrictions placed on foreign trans-national corporations. Governments often implement protectionist measures in order to protect domestic industries and firms. This is especially true when there are levels of high … Continue reading Protectionism: The impact on a country’s development

Unknown's avatarRohan BattulaLeave a comment
Supreme shop front
International

Explaining the Phenomenon Behind ‘Hypebeasts’

Supreme, Off-White, Palace, Nike – all part of a collection of “hypebeast” brands that have taken the world of modern fashion by storm through challenging the accepted value proposition of more conventional clothing brands. Supreme ‘bogos’, otherwise known as ‘box logos’ hoodies are an icon of streetwear which have online resell prices of over $500 even for the most basic models. So why are people … Continue reading Explaining the Phenomenon Behind ‘Hypebeasts’

Unknown's avatarRob WebbLeave a comment
Stock broker watching screens
Behavioural, Finance and Markets, International

Psychological Trading

The human mind is not built for financial business. Our archicortex (the oldest region of the brain’s cerebral cortex) can’t distinguish between life-threatening and non life-threatening situations. This has effects throughout the financial sector, especially trading. Unfortunately, the perfect rationality of the “homo economicus” is a lie: humans have always been known to be affected by emotions and biases. Richard Thaler, a Nobel laureate in … Continue reading Psychological Trading

Unknown's avatarNoah DornLeave a comment
International

The Economic Implications of Global Free Movement

The border has become the focal point of the 21st Century debate on globalisation. To some, it is an arbitrary boundary hampering efficiency; to others, the mainstay of security and prosperity.  What happens when these barriers fall? The economy lies at the heart of the migration conundrum and it is largely economic factors that motivate movement. Higher wages, better working conditions, greater availability of jobs, … Continue reading The Economic Implications of Global Free Movement

Unknown's avatarMaxwell DeLorenzoLeave a comment
Basic income key on keyboard
International

UBI: A leap into the dark?

Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a government initiative consisting of an unconditional periodic payment to every adult citizen. UBI has been described as one of the most ambitious social projects in history that could reap countless benefits if implemented correctly. On a microeconomic scale it would lift every citizen above the poverty line, whilst on a macro scale it would act as a catalyst to … Continue reading UBI: A leap into the dark?

Unknown's avatarVimal KamathLeave a comment