Men lose their high aspirations as they lose their intellectual tastes, because they have not time or opportunity for indulging them… – John Stuart Mill Sweden envy. People trying to run other countries must feel like a younger sibling constantly being asked why can’t they be like the older one, who is richer, better looking,...

“Multinational corporations act and therefore should be taxed as single and unified firms. It is time for our leaders to be bold.” – Joseph Stiglitz Sitglitz says that the international tax system is broken.1)See Joseph Stiglitz quoted on CNN Money, June 2, 2015. Accessed September 20, 2015. And this is certainly true. Large corporations are massive...

“If something cannot go on forever, it will stop” – Herbert Stein’s Law The 2nd half of 2015 is proving to be remarkably challenging for the global economy.  Nevinomics has been struck by how many countries are finding out that the economic model that has sustained them for decades is running out of steam. But...

Nevinomics tries to see the good in most people and organizations. But I find it difficult to see much good in the IMF. The ‘Washington Consensus,’ in its application as economic reform policy that promotes market-driven economies for developing nations, for example, caused untold suffering around the world, particularly in Africa.1)While there is little consensus...

Poverty is fundamentally about a lack of cash. It’s not about stupidity. Erin Anderssen, Globe and Mail This is an idea – as the article says – that was debated in Canada in the 1970s. In fact, I remember the discussion from my childhood. But the oil crisis, stagflation, and general pessimism meant that by...

The cause of homelessness is lack of housing.  – Jonathan Kozol I usually don’t use profane language in Nevinomics. I am Canadian, after all, and uphold our wonderful tradition of politeness globally. Sometimes this makes it difficult to get noticed in the cacophony that is Nigeria, but there you go. The British, however, are really...

The Eurozone economy is running an enormous current surplus (current account) of almost Euro 250 billion in 2014. As The Globe and Mail (Canada’s leading national newspaper) rightly points out,1)While the original article is available to subscribers only, this link to breakingnews.com from November 19, 2014 provides a brief abstract of the conclusions of the...

If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. Derek Bok There is nothing more important to the long-term success of a society than the quality of its education. No matter how many natural resources or other endowments a nation has, they cannot compensate for a lack of effective human resources. I am confronted with this...

Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric light the most efficient policeman. Justice Louis D. Brandeis Nevinomics is in favour of a cashless society. Not only does this reduce transaction costs hugely – moving cash around is very expensive –...

In fact, investment often rises when interest rates go up and volatility increases. – from The Economist Economics is actually starting to Flourish. The GFC has caused a rethink of some of the fundamental assumptions, and young economists are challenging the orthodoxy with empirical studies (the Nevinomics ‘s 1st principle is that Economics is an...

Here is a speech you are unlikely to hear during Canada’s next election campaign: You know, kids are people too… they have rights. If they need a few beers or tequila shots after a tough day at school, who are we to stop them? They deserve it. And ciggies? It’s a free country – sure...