Paul Krugman has been one of the clearest and strongest advocates of fiscal stimulus to end the recession which we have faced since the credit crisis of 2008. The basic premise of the book – ‘End This Depression Now!‘ is based on Keynesian analysis of a prolonged recession and liquidity trap. The basic argument is …
For the past several months, the governor of the Bank of England has had to write a letter to the Chancellor explaining why UK inflation has been above the government’s target of 1-3%. April 2012 gives the first on target inflation figure (1-3%) since Dec 2009. Core inflation which strips out energy and food has …
We have frequently heard the statement that we are experiencing the worst recession since the 1930s, but data released from the ONS shows that the fall in GDP is actually more prolonged in the current 2008-12 recession than the Great Depression of the 1930s. source: Office of National Statistics (pdf): In terms of human misery …
Readers Question: There just seems to be many paradoxical actions taking place in markets and economies at the moment. How do we explain? Paradoxes of UK economy Low interest rates have not increased spending / economic growth Despite recession, inflation has been above target. Despite recession and depreciation of Pound, current account deficit increased in …
Two alternative views on UK’s debt problem. Debt Hawk Source: ONS The UK has seen a rapid deterioration in its budget deficit. At £146bn (12.5% of GDP) this is the biggest peace time budget deficit on record. (Apart from Greece) this leaves the UK with the largest annual budget deficit in the OECD. Given the …
Between 1991 and 1998, Russian GDP fell an estimated 40%. The transition to a free market economy was plagued by hyperinflation, rising poverty, falling life expectancy and social dysfunction. Whilst the average citizen saw a marked deterioration in the quality of life, a few oligarchs became intensely rich as they bought state assets at a …
The 1980s was a decade of divides. The proud industrial heartlands of the north suffering irreversible decline. The City of London enjoying an unprecedented boom. In the early 80s, Unemployment soared to the highest level since the Great Depression, manufacturing fell off a cliff. But not everyone suffered in the 80s. Financial liberalisation and tax …
1970s – The Decade That Nearly BROKE BritainWatch this video on YouTube Rubbish piled on the streets, record levels of strikes, an IMF bailout and runaway inflation. The 1970s has gone down in the popular imagination as a dark time, literally in the case of the 3-day week, when lights were turned off, but …