Economics

3 December 2015

The ECB Meets and the Markets Wait

The much-anticipated ECB meeting is at hand.   Yesterday's disappointing Eurozone CPI figures only fanned the anticipation. Today the service PMI was softer than expected at 54.2, down from 54.6.  What will Draghi do?  There are four moving parts.  The much-anticipated...

2 December 2015

Japan’s Hashimoto Practices Unconventional Politics

The results of the November 2015 ‘double election’ for the Osaka Prefectural governor and Osaka City mayor are in. The regional Osaka Ishin no Kai candidates won both positions with huge margins, defeating their rivals — including those supported by...

1 December 2015

Anonymous Person Seeks Non-Discrimanatory Employment

When you send off a CV to a prospective employer, you will hope to get a fair hearing. You will hope that your skills, experience and qualifications decide the response, rather than the school you went to, your post code,...

1 December 2015

History’s Guide to Global Governance

Globalisation needs global institutions of governance. In the wake of the 10th meeting of G20 leaders at summit level in Antalya, Turkey on 15–16 November, now is a good time to reflect on the state of global governance. The roots...

30 November 2015

Climate Equity should not be a Thing

For years now, the climate talks have revolved around discussions who should bear the burden of cutting emissions, particularly between developed and developing nations. Much of Paris climate summit will be focused on this notion of equity and how to...

30 November 2015

Global Climate Change Leadership from…China?

What happens in China is central to the global effort to limit the extent of future climate change. China is already the largest emitter of greenhouse gases by far, even as it continues its process of urbanisation and economic modernisation....

30 November 2015

Fewer Workers and Low Unemployment

The decline in the labor force participation rate helps explain the substantial decline in the US unemployment rate over the past couple of years.  That decline has helped bring the Federal Reserve to the point that a December rate hike...

29 November 2015

Part of Abe’s Third Arrow Takes Aim at Governance

As part of Abenomics’ third arrow of structural reform, Japan recently adopted a new corporate governance code. The new code focuses on making Japanese corporations more transparent, more responsive to shareholders — including minority shareholders — and subject to more...

29 November 2015

ASEAN after the Smoke Clears

The smoke haze crisis that battered a major part of the southern ASEAN region in mid-2015 is showing signs of abating. Along with the disappearing haze, it is crucial that the resolve demonstrated by all parties — especially governments —...

29 November 2015

Is Seven Your Lucky Number?

The week ahead is among the most important of the year.  Rarely is there such a confluence of events in a short period that will have far-reaching implications for investors known ahead of time and discussed so extensively.  One implications...