Business Spectator
A new legal challenge to the ECB’s mandate
The two ECB flagship projects of saving the euro and saving Europe’s banks are now both under legal threat.
2014
Insights
How criminal is New Zealand?
Perhaps the reason why our newspapers are so full of crime stories is not because there are so many crimes but because of the very opposite: crime is quite uncommon in New Zealand.
Business Spectator
The political cost of Germany’s uber-competitiveness
It is the same mentality that has propelled Aldi to one of the world’s most successful retail chains, one that is driving Germany’s astonishing competitiveness.
Insights
The more things change, the more others stay the same
The older I get, the more I feel at home in the hardly changing world of government-provided services.
Business Spectator
Do market fundamentals still matter?
In an ideal world, an economic liberal like myself would happily enter a debate supporting the moot that it is financial fundamentals driving investment markets.
Business Spectator
The welfare state is enslaving European workers
For the Germans, July 8 was a good day.
Interest.co.nz
Friday’s Top 10
Economic forecasts were, of course, only invented to make weather forecasters look better.
Insights
‘S’ is for signalling
Doctorates, warranties and Andie MacDowell may differ in many ways.
Business Spectator
Setting the stage lights for Europe’s second crisis
Last week, I wrote about Angela Merkel’s declining influence in Europe.
Business Spectator
The fallout from Merkel’s waning power
It is debatable whether Merkel actually managed to negotiate good deals for her country, but at least it always appeared as if she was able to dictate her will in Europe.