Economics & Public Policy

To Frack or Not to Frack?

Fracking is now a major issue in public policy choice in the U.S. The economic benefits of fracking are large and undisputed. Here’s what the Brookings Institution reported:

“Gas bills have dropped $13 billion per year from 2007 to 2013 as a result of…

Concerned about Climate Change? Do you know what’s the discount rate?

In his analysis of climate change, Lord Stern used a discount rate that was close to zero. Other economists said that Stern should have used a higher discount rate, which would have changed the conclusions…

It’s really time to get rid of $100 bills — ISIS is using them

In an earlier post, I had concluded that it is time to get rid of $ 100 bills because mainly crooks use them.

I had cast the net too narrow. It turns out that terrorists also use them. Yes, ISIS…

The world needs to rethink the War on Drugs

In a recent post, I had argued that the War on Drugs has been lost. Now, the Economist reports that the former presidents of Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Nigeria and Switzerland, as well as a former deputy prime minister of Britain are asking the world to…

President Zuma and the ANC must shape up

In a recent post, I had written that South Africa’s economy is facing many troubles.

Today, the Financial Times in an editorial has said that President Zuma and the ANC must shape up.

Countries crash when their export prices crash

Few countries are able to save the money they earn from exports when commodity prices are high. Then, when the prices fall, they are in economic trouble. This problem has been observed for several decades.