Where the Misery Index Makes Us Most Miserable

Looking at our happiness through an economic lens, our metric can be a Misery Index composed of inflation and unemployment.

How a Fake Country Fooled the Big Banks

As an emerging markets investor in 19th century South America, it was tough to find out what was really happening. At best, up-to-date news had a three month journey. Even with good winds, the round trip between London and South…

Where Gasoline Is Most and Least Affordable

When we look at where the world’s gasoline prices are high and low, we could be surprised with their affordability.

Why Venezuelans Might Launder (In a Washing Machine) Their Dollars

The U.S. dollar is a handy backup when a country’s currency loses its value. After Zimbabwe’s hyperinflation hit its peak (or its nadir) in 2009, they used U.S. dollars but didn’t have enough. So, when the cash got too gray…

What Misery Indexes Say About Baseball and the World

Whether ranking baseball team fans or a country’s unemployment and inflation rates, misery indexes can tell us about people’s happiness.

The Messages That Satellite Images Send

By showing illuminated areas of the world, nighttime satellite images can tell economic stories that relate to growth and contraction.

The First and Last Places to Celebrate the New Year

Because time zones are a human creation, the beginning of the New Year varies around the world.

What We Can Learn from Venezuelan Inflation

Shortages, long lines, and panic buying are several ways that hyperinflation is creating chaos for local and foreign firms and consumers in Venezuela.

The Expensive Side of (Venezuela’s) Cheap Gas

Subsidies and taxes determine the price of gasoline. Whether gasoline is cheap or expensive, its price affects people’s incentives and national tradeoffs.

Venezuela’s Biggest Economic Problem

The perverse incentives created by Venezuelan price controls result in shortages, underutilized resources, wasted time, soaring inflation and hoarding.