The H-1B Program Reaches Presidential Heights
Since its inception in 1990, the H-1B guestworker program that allows employers to bring in high-skilled foreign workers on six-year visas has been steeped in controversy.
Category: Political Economy
U.S. Wins WTO Solar Panel Case against India
On Wednesday, the World Trade Organization (WTO) announced its ruling in a case brought by the United States against India. In the case, the U.S. argued that India imposed unfair trade restrictions designed to deny foreign manufacturers from equal access to Indian markets in contradiction of WTO rules.
The London Mayor Carries the Day
Most prospective prime ministers would be mildly embarrassed if a boost to their chances made financial markets plunge. However, Boris Johnson is doubtless gratified that his backing for Brexit led to the pound’s biggest one-day fall since the aftermath of the financial crisis. Sterling had barely flinched when cabinet ministers including Michael Gove and Iain Duncan Smith made their own interventions a day earlier.
Eastern Europe’s Geopolitics Goes Underappreciated
The great British geographer Halford Mackinder invented the term “geopolitics” over 100 years ago. He painted a grand vision of international relations that revolved around one fear: dominance of what he called the “Heartland” of Eurasia. Mackinder believed the road to dominance ran through Eastern Europe. His ideas have remained influential ever since, for as long as the West has concerned itself about the impact of Eurasia on world affairs.
Why Trump Risks Making the Republicans Unelectable
The billionaire’s strategy of appealing to angry white men by stigmatising minorities is exerting lasting damage on the Republican Party’s image. Demographic shifts could make the party unelectable for a generation, or more.
EU not Wanting to Give PiS a Chance
ECB President Draghi made clear at yesterday’s press conference that new risks have materialized and the central bank’s job to reaching its mandate is far from over. Current efforts may not suffice to achieve its legal prescribed mandate. Monetary policy will be reviews and reassessed at the next meeting in March, when new staff forecasts will also be available.
Bernie Sanders: The Socialist Outsider Who Took Centre Stage
Rather than undermine his campaign, Bernie Sanders has made a virtue of the label ‘socialist’ and is riding a wave of opposition to economic inequality that began with the Occupy Wall Street movement.
When Housing Policies Go Bad
Lack of affordable housing is a serious policy concern in many countries. In large prosperous cities such as London, New York, Beijing, or Tokyo, the affordability crisis is particularly acute. In these cities, households often live in excessively expensive and crammed spaces. Homeownership remains an unachievable dream for many.
Building a Bigger Budget Deficit
Christmas came early for Congress this year as politicians from both sides of the aisle came together to pass – by wide margins – a US$1.8 trillion package of tax cuts and new spending.
At year-end, Washington seemed awash in a spirit of holiday cooperation with the president praising new Speaker Paul Ryan. However, does the bipartisan approval of the budget deal really mean that Democrats and Republicans have learned to play together nicely in the Congressional sandbox?
Definitely not.
When Political Risk Trumps Economic
The international media spent 2015 criticising South Korean President Park Geun-hye’s government and its policies, and the criticisms are visibly increasing in frequency. The topics range from history textbooks to excessive use of force by riot police, but they share one theme: serious concern for South Korean political democracy.
