Is leaving inflation fighting to the Reserve Bank all we can do?
Read MoreThe Coming Recession?
The Crypto Casino
Financial activity is too often gambling. Cryptocurrencies are the latest example
Read MoreAre We in a Stagflation?
Recently, I have often been asked whether we (New Zealand or the World) are experiencing a stagflation. There is no meaningful ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. You have to define the term before deciding what is going on.
Read MoreThe End of Neoliberalism?
Gary Gerstle’s The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order: America and the World in the Free Market Era is a frustrating book. It is an impressive sweeping history of American politics and economic policy from the New Deal in the 1930s to today, predicting that we are coming to the end of the ‘neoliberal’ era. However, Gerstle never defines what he means by ‘neoliberal’ other than with examples through the narrative, so it is difficult to be able to identify what is coming to an end and when.
Read MoreIs is the beginning of the end of the toxic Trump TV show?
The 2022 mid-terms may be remembered as the moment when Americans finally breathed out, exhaling the Trump years. So what’s going on?
Read MoreWhy are Bond Markets So Terrifying?
The rule by British politicians Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng was bound to be short. It was a Rogernomics strategy. The minority Bolsheviks seized power to implement a wonky neoliberal economic regime. But there was no agreement in a larger (which also meant more with ability) and more fractious Tory caucus than was evident in NZ Labour’s in the 1980s. The minuscule Tory party aside, there was no enthusiasm for the approach among the public. So no surprises that they did not last long; the surprise was that they were felled so early, not by politics but by financial markets.
Read MoreHow Are We Covered for Earthquakes?
Given that it is increasingly difficult to get affordable earthquake insurance, we may have to radically revise the system.
Read MoreWhat State is the Economy In?
‘There is little doubt we face a fully-fledged economic crisis, beyond the current cost of living crisis.’ (Matthew Hooton, New Zealand Herald , 30 September 2022)
Read MoreThe Belt and Road Initiative
Where does New Zealand fit into China’s plans to link better to the world?
Read MoreDoes Market Liberalisation Work?
The evidence from the past is that the neoliberal crash-through approach proposed by the new Truss-Kwarteng British government does not lift economic performance.
Read MoreThree Waters: Yet Again a Centralist Solution is Being Imposed Upon Local Communities
The proposal to organise fresh water, storm water and waste water into four entities reflects the contempt that New Zealand’s central government has for local communities.
Read MoreShould We Be Relying On Storing Waste Carbon in Trees?
The carbon, energy and dollar cycles do not integrate well.
Read MoreGorbachev’s Legacy
The aim of a decent liberal Russia is still there; its achievement is likely to be a long way off.
Read MoreQueen Elizabeth's death a true end of an era, but her legacy of service can live on
Upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II we can reflect on a life devoted to principles that are no longe popular, but which we need to learn to value again
Read MoreIs Social Investment Analysis a Good Idea?
We should try to to evaluate our social policies systematically. But big data has limitations.
Read MorePaying the Cost of Brexit.
Why is the British Economy in Greater Trouble Than Most Others?
Read MoreHow Financial Institutions Fail
What to do when they do.
Read MoreThe Rise of the Market Economy
Economic history alerts us to long term trends, so that we are not trapped into thinking today’s circumstances will be forever.
Read MoreHow Should We Run the Public Health System?
Two-and-a-half years on, the Government’s merged mega-polytechnic, the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology – Te Pūkenga, is facing a deficit which is double the planned one. Will Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora (HNZ) be facing similar troubles in December 2024?
Read MoreBullying's long shadow is cast across Sam Uffindell and the National Party
Sam Uffindell’s confession to being a bully is admirable, but it creates some major political problems for National and will raise questions for victims of bullying, including me
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