In Finland, the person delivering mail will also mow your lawn because lower letter volume from digitization has created postal service financial problems.…
One Reason to Worry About A Guaranteed Minimum Income
While the characteristics of guaranteed minimum income program proposals vary, the common denominator is unpredictable incentives.…
Debating the Size of the Social Safety Net
If Finland replaces benefits with a monthly check, the tradeoffs for its safety net programs will be domestic and international.…
The Smell Test That Some EU Cheese Makers Failed
Just like tariffs and other trade barriers, the Russian embargo of EU cheese helped Russian cheese makers as increases in supply and demand raised prices.…
When Your Ability to Pay Determines Your Punishment
In Finland, for some traffic violations, the rich have higher fines than those with less because of day fines that are similar to progressive taxation.…
One Reason To Drink Coffee in China
How can you show your friends (in China) that you have ascended to your country’s middle class? Starbucks. First, some background… A 2010 BusinessWeek article on the world’s most caf…
Oligopoly: Selling Ice Cream in Finland
The first Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Store was in a renovated garage near the University of Vermont. According to Ben and Jerry, ice cream and Vermont winters complement each other because you …
Homework? It's About the Economy…
Why would France want to ban homework? President Hollande has said that less homework means more equality. At home, income makes a difference. Higher income families have children with higher test sco…
Caffeine Highs and Lows
Among the biggest coffee drinkers in the world, euro-zone consumers are cutting back. As one Milan café owner explained, “Since the beginning of the year most of our regulars cut their coffees f…
Exit Plans
A British charitable trust has offered a hefty reward for the best eurozone break-up plan. Their goal? Improve and influence policy though a 250,000 pound ($393,430) incentive prize. As I read through…