Developing Economies

February 19, 2015

Part 1: What To Do When More People Are Old

As population shifts, developed nations will have redistribution decisions as the proportion of the non-working aged and the young need more labor income.

February 12, 2015

Three Big Questions About the GDP

GDP problems include that it's not calculated the same way in different countries, its data can be tough to gather, and its components omit important items.

December 15, 2014

Italy and the EU: An Internet Story

Looking at internet connectivity as a part of the EU's information infrastructure, we can see how Italy is behind and reflects member nation contrasts.

November 30, 2014

Three Graphs That Tell the Whole Oil Story

Following the law of supply, U.S. shale oil firms will lower output because OPEC is letting price plummet but airlines on demand side like lower prices.

November 27, 2014

A Bigger (Thanksgiving) Pie or Equal Slices?

Increasing income inequality by moving from communal farming to individual plots, Plymouth Colony Governor William Bradford changed income redistribution.

November 4, 2014

The Benefits of Perpetual Federal Debt

Very long term federal debt that has no date for redemption like UK First World War bonds and U.S. Revolutionary War debt depend on good public credit.

October 30, 2014

Is Ebola Threatening the Price of Chocolate?

While Ebola fear caused raw cocoa futures prices to rise in September, its long term rise has been because of more demand from developing nations.

October 29, 2014

How Chinese Economic Growth Relates to Restaurants and Pilots

China might not fuel world economic growth if instead of a 7 percent real GDP growth rate forecast, we use a regression to the mean of 3.9 percent.

October 27, 2014

The Reason Norway Said No to the Olympics

Because host countries for the Olympics and World Cup spend too much on new stadiums, their subsequent return on investment (ROI) is usually inadequate.

October 26, 2014

An Economist’s Definition of Misery

While a misery index shows a nation's inflation and unemployment rates, the eurozone's high unemployment might create disproportionate unhappiness.

October 16, 2014

The Best Places For Growing Old

With populations growing older in the developed world, their wellbeing might affect the GDP growth rate because of the expense of their care.

October 14, 2014

The Unexpected Consequences of More Efficient Lighting

Like 19th century English coal, more efficient and cheap LED lights can mean people and businesses use it more because of the lower opportunity cost.