Category
In the News
Economics News Quiz - 23 February 2018
Here's this week's Economics news quiz. Good luck!
£10K for everyone aged under 55 - Economics of a Universal Basic Income
One of the big ideas of the time is the notion of a Universal Basic Income (UBI). In this case, the Royal Society for the Arts (RSA) is proposing that the government should offer each under 55 year...
From Made in China to a Hub for Robotics - Changing Cities
Proof of the dynamic nature of the Chinese economic growth miracle. Dongguan used to be a labour-intensive manufacturing base synonymous with the label Made in China. Now it is fast becoming the...
Economic's Weekly News Quiz - 16 February 2018
Here's this week's economics news quiz. Good luck!
Contestable Markets: Lidl and Aldi continue their rapid growth
Examiners love good examples of contestable markets where emerging rivals disrupt the market power of established firms. Aldi and Lidl are continuing to grow rapidly. Lidl has recently opened its...
Environmental cost of Kenya's cut flower export industry
Kenya has developed a comparative advantage in growing and processing cut flowers. Kenya is the largest supplier of cut flowers to the European Union & flower farming accounts for about 40% of...
Contestable Markets: Norwegian Airlines takes on the Transatlantic Carriers
This is a quite superb article for students wanting a great example of an increasingly contestable market - namely transatlantic travel. Can the fast-growing Norwegian Airlines achieve commercial...
St Valentine's price discrimination
This is a brilliant story, though it may do Sainsbury's reputation no favours. Two cards, looking pretty much identical, one 'For my husband' and one 'For my wife'. All very cute - but why would...
Economic's Weekly News Quiz - 9 February 2018
Here's this week's economics news quiz. Good luck!
The Invisible Hand of Donald Trump
A Half Term Hat Tip to Pete Shelley for spotting this enrichment piece from BBC Radio on the economic policies of Donald Trump.
Pork Barrel Politics and the Principal Agent Problem
“Pork barrel” has been a theme in American politics for almost as long as the United States has existed. Many members of Congress work hard to secure public works projects, agricultural subsidies...
Brexit: Customs Union or Customs Arrangement?
This FT clip looks at the post-Brexit options facing the UK, arguing that advisers are looking at whether it might be possible to enter a customs union with the EU.
Congestion in UK cities - 'Ranking Activity'
Traffic data firm Inrix has released a report attempting to detail the impact of road congestion in the UK. Their 2017 Congestion scorecard is available here. According to their statistics, the...
Balkan nations lined up for EU membership
Whilst the seems mired in a Brexit-inspired political morass, a number of Balkan countries are taking important steps towards accession to the European Union. EU enlargement is back on the agenda...
Poverty and Pollution: Growing up in the world's most polluted cities
This is a vivid and powerful four minute read on the negative externalities from copper mining in Zambia and the story of one man growing up in what rapidly became one of the most polluted places...
The Estate Agent market becomes more contestable despite recent criticism of Purple Bricks
If, like me, you have been enjoying the recent adverts by online estate agency Purplebricks (apologies to anyone who only streams content these days, TV advertising must seem very yesterday) you...
Economics Weekly News Quiz - 2 February 2018
Here's this week's economics news quiz. Good luck!
Impact of further automation on jobs is uneven throughout the UK - 'Higher or Lower' activity
A report released by think tank 'Centre for Cities' has suggested that the impact of job losses from continued automation in the UK economy will not be felt equally around the country. The report...
How does Bitcoin mining work?
BBC Newsnight investigates the data mining that goes on in unearthing crypto-currencies. I'm still trying to get my head around all of this!
Rogoff On The Next Financial Crisis And The Future Of Bitcoin
Rogoff is interviewed here on fragility in the financial system and the risks posed by higher interest rates in the USA and Europe. And then there is China ....