When most people think of space, they picture an inaccessible vastness that stretches further than they can fully comprehend. They think of Neil Armstrong, the International Space Station and NASA; or Soyuz and Yuri Gagarin. What could unite our perception of space though, is that it is primarily the domain of nation states, not individuals or companies. That may be about to change. In the … Continue reading Space Tourism: Ready for Lift-off?

For the people of China and neighbouring regions, the end of January each year typically has a special place in their hearts, for Lunar New Year beckons. Yet this year, which has already been tainted by many a tragedy (such as Iran’s shooting down of a Ukrainian passenger plane), the dawn of February sees Asia captivated in a much scarier circumstance. Coronavirus, deriving from a … Continue reading Consequences of the Coronavirus

Central banks in developed economies face a strange monetary reality. Since the Global Financial Crisis, much of what economists thought they understood about inflation and economic growth no longer applies. The apparent link between low unemployment and inflation seems to have disappeared and the prolonged low interest rates of the past 12 years have been futile in promoting inflation. This unprecedented situation has resulted in … Continue reading Negative Nominal Interest Rates

There is a growing movement to get rid of cash on the grounds that it is outdated and increasingly dangerous. But is a truly cashless society even possible? Continue reading “Just The Bill Please”: Is the Future a Cashless One?