Readers Question: What is the cause of deflation? Deflation involves a fall in the price level – a negative rate of inflation. From a very basic standpoint, there are two main potential causes of deflation: A fall in aggregate demand (AD) A shift to the right of aggregate supply (AS) – i.e. lower costs of …
Due to lack of space in the book, we have published full bibliography on this website. Bibliography Chapter 1 Is it OK to be selfish? Frank, R H (1988) Passions Within Reason: The Strategic Role of the Emotions, p. xi. New York: W W Norton & Co. Galbraith, J K (1982) “Recession economics”, The New …
Readers Question: Should the government provide more welfare support programs such as child tax benefit and unemployment insurance in order to decrease economic inequality? This is a classic dilemma that governments face. To simplify the argument. Higher welfare benefits help to reduce inequality and reduce relative poverty. Higher benefits will give those on low income a better …
People often refer to the idea of a Twin Deficit, especially in the US. The twin deficit refers to Government borrowing – government spending greater than tax revenues. Government borrowing creates an annual budget deficit and increases national debt. Current account deficit (imports greater than exports) on Balance of Payments US current account deficit 5% …
Many Western economies face a demographic time bomb – an ageing population, which places strain on government spending and the welfare state. To deal with this situation, governments face several difficult choices – Raise taxes to pay for pensions, Shift the emphasis on to the private sector provision of pensions, Raise the retirement age Cut …
I recently watched a BBC documentary (No place to call home) about Britain’s housing crisis, focusing on a suburb of London (Dagenham). It was an insight into the desperate situation many find themselves in because of a shortage of housing, very high rents and a feeling the council / government is unable to help with …
The EU has many achievements of which it can rightly claim. Long period of peace and prosperity, unrivalled in European history. Secured transition to democracy for countries such as Spain and post-Communist countries in Eastern Europe Free trade and free movement has helped improve economic growth and living standards. Working on European wide problems, such …
In recent years, the UK has seen a more flexible labour market. One phenomena is the growth in self-employed contractors. This category of workers have different rights to employees. Self-employment can be attractive to workers seeking greater flexibility. But, there is also concern firms are using the categorisation of self-employment as a bogus method to …