Dr Oliver Hartwich

Latest posts

Is icing sugar the new cocaine?

A health minister caught snorting cocaine would be news. A health minister seen snorting fake cocaine might be news. But a health minister spotted at an event where others may have snorted fake cocaine is no news at all. [...]
Should legal fictions pay taxes?

Most economists would agree that for this reason companies never really pay tax at all. So my question is why do we keep pretending that they do? [...]
A penny saved is a penny earned

When it comes to regulatory burdens, it is not necessarily the cost of a specific regulation that matters. It is the fact that many such seemingly trivial regulations taken together impose substantial costs on businesses. [...]
The Illusion of Germany’s Jobs Miracle

A decade after legal overhauls pushed more people into work, taxes and overregulation still make good jobs too rare. [...]
Housing New Zealand’s migrants

New Zealand's dysfunctional housing market should not dictate migration policy. [...]

Swiss success: Small is beautiful

12/08/2016

If Prime Minister John Key really wanted to turn New Zealand into the Switzerland of the South Pacific, this is what he should do. [...]
A Human Tsunami?

30/07/2016

Maybe Merkel meant well. But that is the best you can say about her refugee policy. [...]
Enlightenment and the burka ban

22/07/2016

What would Kant have said about the burka ban? [...]
Jennings’ challenge to New Zealand

15/07/2016

Despite his high-flying international career, Stephen Jennings has not lost interest in his native New Zealand. However, his continental distance allows for a sober look at our domestic affairs. [...]
Australia has lost the election

08/07/2016

There are two losers in the Australian election: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. And Australia. [...]
Brexit: Keep calm and carry on

24/06/2016

There is no need to panic over Brexit. [...]
Brexit is a question of liberty

17/06/2016

The referendum’s real question is whether in its current state the EU is a club that freedom-loving democrats happily want to belong to. Next week we will find out the answer. [...]
Treating symptoms is not a cure

03/06/2016

There is no shortage of ingenious ideas for the housing crisis. I prefer a simple one, though: Build more homes. And build them now. [...]
Study debunks inequality myth

03/06/2016

Two Danish economists show economic growth and reform, not redistribution, is the best way to reduce income disparities. [...]
Thankfully, a boring budget

27/05/2016

Bill English has delivered a solid, unspectacular and sober budget. And there is nothing wrong with that. Unless you are a gallery journalist. [...]