Although in early 2016 very few economists and analysts would bet their farms on a likely Brexit scenario, its serious systemic consequences and insightful potential root causes were clearly detailed and explained in the following article which still remains highly relevant in the current global economic outlook. Figuring out these days (early March 2016) what […]
In 1932, British author Aldous Huxley published the novel ‘Brave New World’. On 23 June 2016, 51.9% (Figure 1) of the British people decided to write their own version of a ‘Brave New World’ with a vote to LEAVE the EU. For many people around the world, the result has come as a shock given […]
photo by: Sam Valadi Of the world’s two largest international financial centers, London is warming up to the renminbi, but Wall Street is running behind. Recently, the former mayor of New York City Mike Bloomberg congratulated President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping for a number of economic steps, but in particular “advancing a mechanism to […]
From the Multilateral Investment Fund Trends blog Once a niche concept at the intersection of business and development, “social entrepreneurship” is now mainstream. A social entrepreneur, according to Ashoka founder Bill Draper, who coined the term in 1980, is a person with system-changing solutions for the world’s most urgent social problems. A social enterprise is one […]
Scotland is set to vote next week on independence from the United Kingdom and a new poll gives the pro-independence supporters a small edge for the first time. What’s interesting, and perhaps tragic, about the growing preference for breaking free of Britain is the apparent dismissal of the economic consequences that may arise from independence. The macro […]
In 9 days, voters in Scotland will decide on whether their country should go it alone. The latest Sunday-Times YouGov poll shows a two-point lead for the “yes” camp. The outcome is now too close to call. The closeness of the polls has been matched by a shift in the tone of some economic commentary […]
What is the Scottish Referendum? Scotland has been a part of the UK for over 300 years. Last year, Scotland reached an agreement with the UK to hold a referendum on Scottish independence. The Scotland National Party has an outright majority in the Scottish parliament and a referendum has been a longstanding pledge. When will the […]
By Andy Tully: Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond continues to insist that the strong future of Scottish oil would provide major support for the country if it achieves independence from the United Kingdom — but not everyone agrees. Scotland will hold a referendum on Sept. 18 to vote on the question of whether it should […]
Immigration is an issue it would be easy to file away in the “too difficult” drawer. Is it one of those where good economics – most economists would say it brings net benefits for the country – can never be good politics? Or is it a bit more complicated than that? A few days ago […]
By Ruy Lama: House prices are rising rapidly in the UK at an annual rate of 10.5 percent. House price inflation is particularly high in London (20 percent per year), and it is gradually accelerating in the rest of the country. The recent increases in house prices have been getting a lot of attention, and understandably […]