Where Danger Lurks
IMF Chief Economist Olivier Blanchard explains that before the 2008 crisis, the mainstream world view among US macroeconomists was that economic fluctuations were regular and essentially self-correcting. He argues that macroeconomic policy should keep the economy away from ‘dark corners’.
Kojève’s Idea of the End of History
Might the Russian philosopher Alexandre Kojève, the most famous interpreter of the German philosopher, Hegel be able to clarify the origin of the present supremacy of economic processes over all other fields of human activity.
A gloomy, rudderless France
It seems a hopeless task, as we see President François Hollande slide lower and lower in this slippery slope of unpopularity, now around 13% in opinion polls. But he is not alone. The entire élite class shares in this negative image amongst the population.
Review: Zakhar Prilepin’s ‘Sankya’
A cult novel by one of Russia’s most provocative and original writers has just come out in English translation. Both Medvedev and Putin have read the novel – a fact, which Prilepin attributes simply to the need to ‘know one’s enemy’
Is the ECB doing QE?
The ECB announced that it would begin buying securities backed by bank lending to households and firms. The markets and the media generally greeted this announcement with enthusiasm, but Charles Wyplosz, Professor of International Economics, identifies reasons for caution.
Tackling Food and Fuel Subsidies
Subsidies for food and energy are economically inefficient, but can often be politically popular. Jeffrey Frankel, Harpel Professor at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government discusses the efforts by new leaders in Egypt, Indonesia, and India to cut unaffordable subsidies.
China and Latin America – Shock and Ore
China has become Latin America’s third biggest source of foreign investment as a mining boom unleashes a new wave of infrastructure funding explains David Hill in China Dialogue.
Investing for Europe’s Future
Polish Finance Minister Mateusz Szczurek is calling for an EU-wide public investment programme of 5.5% of GDP to overcome Europe’s ‘secular stagnation’. He calculates that €700bn of capital expenditure could close the output gap while increasing long-term productivity growth.
Brazil: Marina Silva’s chance
A charismatic environmentalist is now leading Brazil’s presidential race. Can she win and create the new politics she promises? There are worries about her messianic character, her links to evangelicals and her lack of formal political support in Brazil’s congress.
Palestine and the ICC
After a long process, various options are still open for Palestine with respect to joining the ICC explains Victor Kattan, a policy advisor to Al-Shabaka, The Palestinian Policy Network, writing for the European Council on Foreign Relations.