A conversation discussion between a minister and advisor.
Read MoreCrises!
Economy
A Fiscal Fantasyland?
The May 4 issue of the London “Economist” headlined that ‘Governments are living in a fiscal fantasyland’. It focussed on the four biggest economies – the US, China, EU and Japan – although many smaller ones would also illustrate its proposition, that each was losing control of its fiscal position with rising government debt.
Read MoreBudgeting the Merry Month of May
Much of the Northern Hemisphere thinks we are in the merry month of May. Here it is budget month with much speculation in the lead up to the May 18 announcements and much superficial commentary after, all largely forgotten by June.
Read MoreWatering Down Three Waters?
How far has the government’s Three Waters policy retreated?
Read MoreMaking the New Zealand Economy More Resilient to Shocks
The Fashion for Generic Management is Not Working.
The public service is suffering from the downgrading of the role of professionals, experts and those at the workface with the public.
Read MoreWhy Are We Making So Little Progress Towards Reducing Child Poverty?
There was great disappointment following the just released poverty figures for the year ended to June 2022. Whatever your take, we are not facing up to the real child poverty problems.
Read MoreHigh Performance Instability in the Financial Sector
Evaluating the recent crashes of Silicon Valley Bank in the US and Credit Suisse in Switzerland plus two other banks (perhaps more by the time you read this) needs to begin with a review of the inevitable instability in the financial sector.
Read MoreRadical Uncertainty
Two senior economists challenge some of the foundations of current economics.
Read MoreGabrielle’s Trumpet Challenges Fiscal Stability
Cyclonic Storms Raise Economic Questions.
Read MoreCensus 2023
Why I Take the Population Census Seriously
Read MoreMinsky and the Housing Market
Speculative bubbles have occurred in the New Zealand housing market
Read MoreSo What is Special About Housing?
This column is adapted from a paper I gave to Southland U3A on Friday, February 17. Later I shall post a column which will analyse housing bubbles.
Read MoreWhat is Happening on the Inflationary Front?
Keynes warned us that practical men and women are but slaves of defunct economists. The comment is particularly relevant as we try to understand the prospects for inflation.
Read MoreChristmas Briefing Papers
What Was the Prime Minister Reading in the Runup to Election Year?
Read MoreBullshit Work
People complain about their jobs being meaningless. Does it matter?
Read MoreThe Economy in 2023?
The figure is from the Treasury forecasts. It shows the May (Budget) and December (Half Year) tracks of GDP.
The two most comprehensive forecasts of the New Zealand economy are by the Reserve Bank and the Treasury. They are especially important because they inform monetary and fiscal policy. What do they say?
Read MoreWhere Does Modern Monetary Theory Fit Into Macroeconomics?
Is it a new way of thinking about the economy or an old way, that was problematic in the past, dressed up to appear novel?
Read MoreShould We Nationalise the Electricity Industry?
More competition is often proposed as a means of moderating monopolies and oligopolies. It may be better to reduce competition for the electricity industry meeting our climate change needs.
Read MoreThe Coming Recession?
Is leaving inflation fighting to the Reserve Bank all we can do?
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