Behavioural economics challenges our assumptions about the relevance of rational economic man.
Read MoreHow Rationally do Economic Actors Behave?
Roe V Wade ruling shows why abortion is the answer to so many questions about US politics
Today’s US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade is a lesson to non-American’s that abortion remains the deepest, most divisive, most defining issue in US politics. And its impact will be felt far beyond the realm of reproductive rights
Read MoreSHOCK! HORROR! The New Zealand Economy is in Recession!!!!! Or are we?
The takeaways from the just released data are:
1. Any estimate of GDP is subject to error.
2. The 0.2 percent decrease in the March 2022 quarter is not precise and will be revised, with the mild likelihood that it will eventually be higher.
3. New Zealand has no ‘official' definition of a recession.
4. The New Zealand economy seems to be stagnating. Whether we are in a recession (or going into one) or it is something more structural we cannot yet tell.
Read MoreWhat is the Medium-Term Future for the New Zealand Economy?
The outlook does not look that promising.
Read MoreNew look, but can Labour find a new focus?
Jacinda Ardern has turned necessity into an opportunity, as she starts to reset the look of Labour’s leadership for a new chapter. Her biggest weaknesses are dealt with as she looks for more from new faces
Read MoreWill We Be Thinking Big Again Soon?
Perhaps we are reaching the stage of the 1870s, the 1930s and the 1970s of growing unease about the state of the New Zealand economy. It is not stagnating, but it is not obviously going anywhere either. Will we have another ‘Think Big’ and if so, what will be the balance between the private and public involvement?
Read MoreAre Shareholders Or Managers in Charge of A Firm?
‘Dark Towers’, a book on Deutsche Bank, throws light on a long running economic dispute.
Read MoreWhere is the Economy Going?
Budget 2022: What does Treasury think is happening to the economy whose evolution underpins the budget policies?
Read MoreImproving Taxing Income
The informed discussion on the next steps in tax policy is about improving the income tax base, not about taxing wealth directly.
Read MoreNew Rules for Government Budget Management
While the new fiscal rules may not be contentious, what they mean for macroeconomic management is not explained.
Read MoreDo We Have a Population Policy?
Population growth has some effect on economic growth, but it is complicated especially where infrastructure is involved. We need to think more about it.
Read MoreWhat is Really Causing the Sharp Price Rises
Reductions in effective productivity, largely as a result of events overseas, require reductions in real incomes. Ignore that and you cannot defeat inflation.
Read MoreThe Economic Costs of Warfare
We do not go to war for free; we need to factor its economic costs and its consequences into public discussions.
Read More50 days of war in Ukraine: What have we learnt?
Gas, geo-politics, the Crimean War, citizen solidarity, red line and the importance of coastlines… after 50 days of war in Ukraine let’s run through just some of the things we’ve learnt since Vladimir Putin went to war
Read MoreThe Ambiguity of Labels
Simon Bridges’ memoir, ‘National Identity: Confessions of an Outsider’, illustrates that humans are more complicated than the categories we put them into.
Read MoreWhy Do We Ignore Economics in Public Policy and History?
History books and policy changes such as for Three Waters and the media merger warn us ignoring economics is dangerous.
Read MoreHow to Live, and Fail, in a Multipolar World
Putin may have done irreparable damage to Russia’s place in the world.
Read MoreWhat About Inflation?
Claims that our current inflation is due to government spending are nonsensical. There is a mantra which goes: if the economy is expanding, cut back public spending; if the economy is contracting, cut back public spending; if the economy is inflating, cut back public spending; if the economy is deflating, cut back public spending. Recognise a pattern?
Read MoreHow Economically Honest Are We?
One side says we should cut taxes but does not mention the implications for public spending; the other says we should increase public spending, but does not mention the implication for taxes.
Read MoreWarfare in an Integrated World.
What do economic events since the Russian invasion of Ukraine tell us about globalisation?
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