“Good Economics for Hard Times” by Duflo and Banerjee
Good Economics for Hard Times is the second general readership publication of the husband and wife, Nobel-prize winning pair of Duflo and Banerjee. Their first book, Poor Economics, published in 2011 (and already reviewed on Etonomics), catapulted them into global fame and their second instalment continues in the same rigorous, empirical style as the first. They aim to transfer their methods of studying poor countries … Continue reading “Good Economics for Hard Times” by Duflo and Banerjee
The Hyper-Digitalisation of Covid-19
“A reminder that the virus does not discriminate, we are all at risk.” These were the words UK Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove presented to the public when Prime Minister Boris Johnson tested positive for coronavirus. Covid-19 may not discriminate but it certainly impacts individuals, companies, and countries differently, for better or worse. Despite the unrelenting news about suffering and hardships as countries struggle to … Continue reading The Hyper-Digitalisation of Covid-19
China’s Stranglehold on Rare Earth Elements
China’s quick recovery from Covid-19 has sparked concerns about the country’s increasing geopolitical power. The crisis has exacerbated anti-Chinese rhetoric which has encouraged Western firms to lessen their reliance on Chinese goods and services. However, somewhat worryingly, this isn’t possible in one increasingly important market: the market for rare earth elements (REEs), which plays a crucial role in the production of most electronic goods- everything … Continue reading China’s Stranglehold on Rare Earth Elements
“23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism” by Ha-Joon Chang
Why free-market capitalism doesn’t work, according to Ha-Joon Chang How liberal or restrictive governments should be on economic and trade policy has been debated extensively. Theoretically, free-market ideology most efficiently allocates resources. With an invisible hand guiding the market forces of supply and demand, while also stating that firms ought to have unlimited freedom, they know how to produce goods and services most efficiently, which … Continue reading “23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism” by Ha-Joon Chang
An interview with Peter Diamond: Economics Nobel Prize Winner
I had the privilege of interviewing Peter Diamond, a professor at MIT and winner of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 2010. He is especially known for his analysis of US Social Security policy, serving as an advisor to the Advisory Council on Social Security in the late 1980s and 1990s. Nominated by Barack Obama in 2010 to serve on the Federal Reserve … Continue reading An interview with Peter Diamond: Economics Nobel Prize Winner
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
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
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’
Nigeria: The key to African economic prosperity?
Nigeria sent shockwaves through the continent of Africa when it withheld approval for AFCFTA in March 2018. Nigeria’s decision surprised many as the country was one of the initial drivers of the single African market idea. The African Confidential Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) could be a massive economic step forward for the continent as it attempts to create a large single market for goods and … Continue reading Nigeria: The key to African economic prosperity?
An interview with Aart Kraay: Acting Head of the World Bank
I was lucky enough to be able to have a brief conversation with Aart Kraay, the acting Head Economist at the World Bank. He is Director of Research in the Developmental Research Group, and an expert on international capital movements, growth and inequality, governance, and the Chinese economy. Our discussion was largely centered around a paper, published by the World Bank in January 2020, that … Continue reading An interview with Aart Kraay: Acting Head of the World Bank
