Quantitative easing is an unorthodox monetary policy aimed at stimulating economic growth and preventing a fall in the money supply. Just to recap, Q.E. involves: Central Bank creating money electronically. Using this extra money to purchase government bonds (and other securities) from banks and financial institutions. Q.E aims to: Increase bank liquidity. When commercial banks …
Recently, Liverpool supporters protested about plans to increase the price of many ticket (the most expensive seat in the Main Stand will now be £77). Many supporters complain that football tickets have risen well above the rate of inflation in recent years, making football less accessible to supporters on lower-incomes. But, what are the economic …
The global economy faces many difficulties, both short term and long term. In the short term, the global economy risks a prolonged period of sluggish growth, which will lead to problems such as high unemployment, debt default and low investment. In the longer term, the global economy faces greater threats from the environment, demographic changes …
I found this old video I made in 2008 about Keynesian economics. It’s OK for a basic introduction to some elements of Keynesian economics. 2008 was a pivotal year for economics because it marked a sharp break from much of the post-war economic cycles. 2008 broke the long-period of economic expansion, with growth falling below …
Ireland has often held up to be a model country. Firstly, in the boom years, Ireland was a model of low taxes and deregulation. It’s rapid economic growth saw praise from both sides of the Atlantic. But, after the crash, Ireland has experienced a deep fall in GDP and the model of growth proved highly …
The UK economy in 2016 is emerging from a long period of economic stagnation and the recession of 2008-12, and has some positive signals of growth, low inflation and falling unemployment. However, the UK chancellor has been giving mixed signals. On the one hand he has pointed out that UK has one of the strongest …
When food prices rise in the developed world, it is an inconvenience, something to grumble about. But, when food prices rise in the developing world, it can make a difference between going hungry and getting enough to eat. Food inflation is volatile. Agricultural prices tend to fluctuate because demand and supply are both inelastic and …
The past few months have seen a rise in the US dollar. The trade-weighted index has risen from 95 in 2011 to 111 in Jan 2011. There has been a near 10% rise in the value of the dollar since July of 2014. Against the Euro, the dollar has been even stronger. One Euro was …