An introductory economics course student is likely to meet the above graph. It shows that if the minimum wage (in purple) is above the point where the labour supply curve (in red) and labour demand curve (in blue) cross there will be less employment. That is what students are taught. But research shows the world does not work that way.
Read MoreAs the Government moves to make vaccination compulsory in more and more situations, it should learn from the problems associated with the already existing mask mandate.
Read MoreIf we want to minimise the impact of the Covid virus we are going to have to think about social class.
Read MorePicnics have come to symbolise many things about life in Auckland right now - they are a blessing and a curse, a political masterstroke and a retreat. Now they need to be the start of something more
Read MoreSometimes high theory loses the human point of the exercise.
Read MoreThe elimination of Covid strategy is not so much defeated but changing circumstances means that policy has to evolve.
Read MoreThe new AUKUS pact leaves New Zealand on the outside with its traditional allies. But that means there’s a chance to build new alliances in Africa, based on shared values such as nuclear-free policies and the Commonwealth
Read MoreA Rogernome Defends the Policies.
Read MoreThe Government plans to expand ACC to cover some birth injuries. That’s good. But it’s doing it in a daft way.
Read MoreLooking back to this point in the last political cycle, you see Labour tearing itself apart and fighting for the future of the party. National is facing the same crisis, but no-one seems to want to lead
Read MoreNot all neoliberals are the same, as a comparison ranging from Don Giovanni to Geneva School ordoliberals shows.
Read MoreA short review of the policy issues that Labour is facing and the ministers undertaking them.
Read MoreThe way we’ve implemented our Covid-19 strategy has come at a high price for a lot of New Zealanders… so are we doing enough now to say thanks and show kindness to Kiwis trapped offshore? And what more could we do?
Read MoreMichael Cullen set out his political philosophy in his autobiography. So has Chris Finlayson. His is having significant impact on Māori development.
Read MoreWhy don’t we just change our laws to make it easier to send people like the Auckland terrorist back to where they came from? Well, it may not actually be that easy.
Read MorePerhaps one of the reasons for vaccination hesitancy is that we are too casual about what constitutes science.
Read MorePresident Joe Biden has declared the war in Afghanistan over, but the 20-year legacy of bitter fruit will remain on our tongues for many years yet. The price for America’s “little revenge” has been paid by us all and we will keep paying it
Read MorePolice action to enforce lockdown rules is necessary. Police enforcement of uncertain rules can be overzealous. Both of these things can be true at once.
Read MoreThe research evidence is that humans, even experts, are poor forecasters.
Read MoreSittings in the House of Representatives have been suspended for a week. Whether our government’s actions can still be properly scrutinised largely depends on whether backbench Labour MPs can set aside their party loyalty.
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