The coming monetary crisis in Europe
Europe's crisis was bad but not as bad as it could have been. Still, the worst is yet to come. [...]
2020
When cutting emissions cuts no ice
If we care for effective emissions reductions, we need to understand how the ETS works. Otherwise, we will fail both the environment and the economy. [...]
Effective and affordable – Why the ETS is sufficient to deal with the climate emergency
New Zealand is at risk of spending tens of billions of dollars on policies that will not cut carbon emissions by a single gram. And as for those emissions reductions we do achieve, we will do so at ludicrously inflated costs. [...]
Housing needs supply-side fix
Voters should ask a simple question about any new housing proposal: Will it make it easier to build more homes? If the answer is not “yes,” these are not the policies Australia or New Zealand need to fix our countries’ housing crises. [...]
The fiscal mess provoking fears of an Italian exit
After the crisis year of 2020, the next 12 months will decide if Italy can get its economy, financial system and public finances under control again. [...]
An open letter to Mike Hosking on housing
Bad government policies are the main reason housing is unaffordable. Said differently, if government wants to make housing more affordable, it could do so simply by getting out of the way. [...]
Defrosting the trans-Atlantic relationship
Healing US politics will be a tough challenge for Biden. If he wants an easier task, he should try healing trans-Atlantic relations first. After all, most European leaders want him to succeed so they can rule out a return to the frostiness of Trump. [...]
Good news weeks
In a year of bad news, the past few weeks were a welcome exception. [...]
In search of Kiwi excellence
Kiwis have mothballed their ambition. We have forgotten about growing the pie so we can share it. We have given up on excellence in favour of wellbeing, kindness and not rocking the boat. [...]
Roll over Beethoven
By adding Ludwig van, Beethoven shall appear a little less genial than he was. He is just another composer. At least he is dead. [...]