RIP Thomas Schelling
We are sad to learn of the passing of Nobel prize-winner Thomas Schelling. His work on deterrence using applied game theory was hugely important during and after the Cold-War era.
Eighty Years on from the General Theory - Keynes Returns
Larry Elliott is on good form in this opinion piece in the Observer. Faced with the upheaval of 2016, what would a cryogenically frozen Keynes do eighty years on from the publication of the General...
Under-investment by British business
I have just been teaching growth and productivity, and this article ties in with that: innovation is a major contributor to productivity.
Starter activity on analysis skills - "This is because"
The graphic below shows information on the amount of people being hired, laid-off and quitting in US manufacturing over the past 15 years. Significantly, it highlights when the economy was in...
The Rise of the Renminbi
The IMF's Finance and Development magazine (December 2016) carries an interesting book review on the rise of the Yuan / renminbi as an international currency and the complexity of China's currency...
Canada introduces their first carbon price
The Canadian government has announced the introduction of their first national carbon price as part of their strategy to increase investment in renewables and meet their global climate change targets.
Capita to replace workers with robots
This is an interesting pieceThis is an interesting piece that highlights the extent to which there's substitution between capital and labour, with outsourcing giant Capita looking to replace...
Mega Merger: 21st Century Fox and Sky agree a deal
A mega-merger in the media, with 21st Century Fox making a bid for Sky - although I'm not sure whether it is horizontal integration or a conglomerate merger, given the extent of the interests of...
A Great Way to Revise for Synoptic Paper 3
Here's the first in a new series of revision materials designed to help Year 13 A Level Economics students to develop the skills and confidence needed for the new A Level synoptic Paper 3.
World commodity prices in 2016
Over the last year there have been significant increases in the prices of globally traded commodities.
Brexit so far - in 5 charts
An excellent video piece from Chris Giles at the FT. Using five key charts, he explains what has happened to the UK economy since the referendum vote to leave the EU. One thing we are sure is going...
You Tube's Highest Earners
Tutor2u's You Tube subscriber base is growing quickly but we still have some catching up to do judging from the figures showing the highest-earning YouTubers. Top of the pile is the Let's Play...
Fitbit acquires Pebble IP as Pebble Closes Down
An interesting merger in the hi-tech wearables sector with Fitbit and Peeble engaging in a sort of merger.
Ban on online junk food ads for kids
Information is an important part of what makes markets work, or in this case generate market failure.
China's FX reserves drop $70bn in one month!
The scale of intervention by the Chinese central bank to support their weakening currency is revealed in news that China’s foreign exchange reserves fell nearly $70bn in November 2016.
PISA rankings for 2015 are published
There has been a huge amount of interest and comment in the newly-released PISA education rankings from the OECD. The PISA ranking draws on an assessment made every three years of the skills and...
Is Italy doomed to stagnation?
So, farewell then, Matteo Renzi! The resignation of the Italian Prime Minister after his heavy defeat in the referendum on constitutional reform has created turmoil. Fears have been resurrected...
What a strong US dollar means for the world economy
This short interview with the editor of the Economist is good contextual background for students looking at the wider effects of currency movements. Will an appreciating US dollar (prompted for...
Management changes at Lego
Lego's chief executive Jorgen Vig Knudstorp is leaving the business and is being replaced by their first English CEO, Bali Padda. Will the new boss be bricking it or will everything click into...
Carney on popular disillusionment with capitalism
It's brave of Mark Carney to raise this issue in the Roscoe Lecture at Liverpool John Moores University - inequality remains a major concern. Of course, he will be seen as one of the high priests...