Russia’s war on Ukraine has cast a shadow over this week’s meetings of world leaders at the G-20 summit in Bali and the United Nations climate change conference in Egypt. The war has dramatically disrupted energy markets the world over, leaving many countries vulnerable to price spikes amid supply shortages. Europe, worried about keeping the […]
There is no economy without environment
Herman Daly had a flair for stating the obvious. When an economy creates more costs than benefits, he called it “uneconomic growth.” But you won’t find that conclusion in economics textbooks. Even suggesting that economic growth could cost more than it’s worth can be seen as economic heresy. The renegade economist, known as the father […]
What’s at stake this Election Day – 7 essential reads
As Election Day closes in, uncertainty and concern about potential chaos – from violence at polling sites to candidates refusing to accept defeat – continue to rise. Problems that have historically plagued the U.S. electoral and political system – like voter intimidation – are cropping up ahead of the midterms. But so, too, are less […]
COP27 must work out how to cut carbon and still develop African economies
Averting a climate disaster without compromising economic growth and development is a key issue for African countries. Energy production and use is the single biggest contributor to global warming, accounting for roughly two-thirds of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, electricity use and access are strongly correlated with economic development. Many African countries are lagging behind […]
Fed faces twin threats of recession and financial crisis as its inflation fight raises risks of both
There is wide agreement among economists and market observers that the Federal Reserve’s aggressive interest rate hikes will cause economic growth to grind to a halt, leading to a recession. Less talked about is the risk of a financial crisis as the U.S. central bank simultaneously tries to shrink its massive balance sheet. As expected, […]
expert insights into how things got so bad – and what the fixes are
Ghana is grappling with runaway inflation as prices of basic commodities have spiralled. Government finances are also at their weakest in years. Ghana’s local currency, the cedi, is now the world’s worst performer against the US dollar – a signal of the depth of the country’s economic crisis. Over the past few months, various scholars […]
UK prime minister forced from office amid economic turmoil, chaos in parliament and a party in disarray
The U.K. government is in tatters after Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned on Oct. 20, 2022 – the second leader to be forced out in mere months. It follows an economic mess largely of her own making that resulted in U-turns, a high-profile firing, curious absences and plummeting support. The resignation means that Truss will […]
A provincial sales tax is the solution to Alberta’s fiscal roller-coaster
With a new Alberta premier taking office in October and a general election required by the end of May 2023, fiscal policy may become a wedge issue between Alberta’s United Conservative Party and the NDP. A key issue for analysts who study Alberta’s finances is the erratic behaviour of the province’s revenue stream, which is […]
five essential reads on why there isn’t an inspiring story to tell
As Nigeria marks its 62nd independence anniversary, many will be checking to see if there is indeed any reason for celebrations. Reasons for pessimism are not hard to find. Major statistics for the economy, security and human development paint a picture of a country in despair. Time was when the naira, Nigeria’s currency, was stronger […]
How the tech giants are innovating to weather the looming downturn
Rising inflation and looming recessions are squeezing household finances, but businesses also worry about an economic downturn. This is not just because of higher bills, but also because consumers spend less and finance from banks and investors dries up when the economy worsens. Even strong industries such as technology feel these effects. With the Standard […]