The price of a small (illogically called the ‘Tall’) Starbucks Cappuccino is now £2.05. The Venti now costs £2.65 (2008 prices) This year the price of Starbucks drinks have increased by more than the rate of inflation. Costa Coffe and Cafe Nero have both kept their prices below £2, but, industry analysts argue that it …
Why is monetary policy easier to conduct than fiscal policy in a highly divided national political environment? Monetary policy is usually implemented by independent monetary authorities. For example, in UK, monetary policy is implemented by the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England. Therefore, they can take politically unpopular decisions such as increasing interest …
Readers Question: Could deflation lead to devaluation of the UK Pound? Deflation in the UK means prices fall. This hasn’t happened since the 1930s, but, if it did happen, it could lead to a further depreciation in Pound Sterling. Firstly, deflation would mean interest rates would likely fall to 0%. This fall in interest rates …
Readers Question: What are the advantages and disadvantages of leaving pension provision to the private sector? Could you please explain with the help of economic theory? Advantages of Leaving Pensions to the Private Sector Private Sector is thought to be more efficient. The private sector has profit motives to gain the best return for investors, …
After several years of rapid growth, 2009, will prove a testing year for India. Inflation Inflation continues to pose a threat. Inflation peaked at 12% in early August ’08. Inflation, is being caused by rapid growth (demand pull factors) but, also the cost push inflation factors (rising oil prices). Hopefully, the fall in oil prices …
Readers Question: I understand why, generally, low inflation is considered to be a good thing and why high inflation is bad particularly if you have savings whose value in real terms then diminishes faster. What I do not understand is why inflation is not in fact a good thing for those of us in their …
Readers Question – what on earth is the black market and how does the immigrant have an impact on that? The black market is a colloquial term that refers to economic activity that is not regulated by the government. It involves economic activity where people don’t declare tax returns or pay VAT e.t.c. It is …
Readers Question: why is political stability needed to attract FDI? FDI = Foreign Direct investment. For example, if BP invested in Venezuela or Iraq to produce oil. This would be an example of foreign direct investment into Venezuela and Iraq. Clearly for countries like this, the political situation is going to be important for determining …