We have it around the wrong way. The issue is not what the arts contribute to market output. It is what market output contributes to the arts – and a lot more besides.
Read MoreThe GDP Fetish
Economy
Are We Sure That We Have a Well-Functioning System of Government?
Why doesn’t our government reflect New Zealanders; why doesn’t Parliament make them?
Read MoreAccountability and Archives New Zealand
Was another IT debacle inevitable given the management arrangements?
Read MoreWhat Do Economists Do?
Steven Levitt, famous for his Freakanomics, shows that being an economist is not just mouthing supply and demand.
Read MoreThe Economic Runup to the Election.
The Treasury released its budget economic forecasts. What do they say about the economy over the next four months?
Read MoreCrises!
A conversation discussion between a minister and advisor.
Read MoreA 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?
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