When politicians campaign on competition, be very worried
It’s fair to say that economists like competition. It’s also fair to say that, when politicians start talking about competition, economists ought to get a little bit nervous. Read more
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It’s fair to say that economists like competition. It’s also fair to say that, when politicians start talking about competition, economists ought to get a little bit nervous. Read more
Imagine being part of a conservation society devoted to eradicating intrusive exotic animal pests. This year, the society will work in a large range where rabbits are ruining the hillsides, plentiful possums have been eating everything, and someone thinks they might have seen a wallaby. Read more
This week, the Treasury barred representatives from the Council of Trade Unions and the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union from attending its restricted briefing for the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update. They had been invited to register their intent to attend the briefing. Read more
To solve a problem, first you have to understand it. Once you understand it, you sometimes realise that it isn’t the same problem you had thought. Read more
Economists’ open letters don’t have that great of a track record. In 1981, some 364 economists warned against UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s fiscal policies. Read more
Last week, eleven New Zealand economists issued a public letter advocating more government spending relative to revenue. That means yet more debt. Read more
On NBR, Dr Eric Crampton and Dr Ganesh Nana presented opposing views on New Zealand's economic direction and government spending. While Nana argued for increased public investment in infrastructure and services to build long-term economic resilience, Crampton advocated for fiscal restraint and maintaining lower debt levels to preserve borrowing capacity for future crises. Read more
In his victory speech, Donald Trump promised Americans a new “golden age”. While he had the numbers to win the election, the economic realities he faces will make delivering on his promise challenging. Read more
Paul Brennan talks to Dr Eric Crampton on Reality Check Radio about New Zealand’s alarming drop in birth rates, and why we ranked dead last in infrastructure delivery in a global survey. Listen below. Read more
BusinessDesk’s Pattrick Smellie had the best synopsis of New Zealand First’s announcement on foreign direct investment this weekend: “it was less important for what it said than for the fact that Peters said it.” The Overseas Investment Act has placed New Zealand among the developed world’s least hospitable climates for foreign investment. Other countries recognise investment as a benefit to be sought. Read more