Category: Analysis

Euros & Dollars: Two Problems with EU’s New Fiscal Rules

The EU’s new fiscal rules are supposed to solve the problem with member state budget deficits. But so far, neither the European Parliament nor the European Council has addressed the two biggest problems with their reform efforts.

Fiscal Forecast: Trouble in the U.S. Debt Market

Fiscal Forecast: Trouble in the U.S. Debt Market

The U.S. government is doing everything wrong with its finances. Its current debt management strategy is downright stupid. Are they trying to fabricate a fiscal crisis?

July 19, 2023
A Look at VOX’s Economic Program

A Look at VOX’s Economic Program

VOX’s program contains a battery of tax-cutting measures. In particular, it aims to incentivise family formation and child rearing by removing the tax burden on families.

Fiscal Forecast: Europe Still Not Out of Inflation

Fiscal Forecast: Europe Still Not Out of Inflation

With a little bit of bad luck, Europe could soon face rising inflation again. How can we stop it? Is the gold standard the answer? We explain why not.

July 13, 2023
Fiscal Forecast: Recession or Not?

Fiscal Forecast: Recession or Not?

America is not in a recession. But is one coming? We have the answer.

July 12, 2023
Spanish Elections: Centre-Right Bets on Winning 

Spanish Elections: Centre-Right Bets on Winning 

Regional elections in May signalled a deep concern in Spanish society about not only the social policies of Sánchez’s government but also its authoritarian slide.

July 8, 2023
Fiscal Forecast: Sweden in the Euro? Part II

Fiscal Forecast: Sweden in the Euro? Part II

A euro-zone membership would put Sweden on a fast track to a fiscal crisis like the one in the 1990s. That would be bad: the country cannot absorb the fallout from repeating its disastrous mistakes from back then.

July 6, 2023
“This Is Not a Big Brother Project”: Digital Currency and Political Control

“This Is Not a Big Brother Project”: Digital Currency and Political Control

Christine Lagarde, ECB president, opined that even small transactions using the digital euro should be subject to control.

Paraguay Athwart Liberalism

Paraguay Athwart Liberalism

How long can the South American nation withstand the onslaught from Washington and Brussels?

Fiscal Forecast: Sweden in the Euro? Part I

Fiscal Forecast: Sweden in the Euro? Part I

If Sweden were to join the euro, its economy would be less unstable, but more stagnant. The situation for Swedish households and domestic-oriented businesses would go from bad to worse.

July 5, 2023
EU Data Act Moves Forward

EU Data Act Moves Forward

The Act addresses the question of who owns and has the right to store and make use of non-personal digital data produced in the Internet of Things (IoT), and to the massive windfall such data can represent for industry.

Mercosur Summit to Tackle Imbalances in EU Trade Deal

Mercosur Summit to Tackle Imbalances in EU Trade Deal

Mercosur members agree on rejecting the EU’s environmental conditions, but are divided on allowing members to negotiate bilaterally to open up their market, as Uruguay is trying to do.

French Riots: Ignoring the Rotten Root of the Problem

French Riots: Ignoring the Rotten Root of the Problem

After six nights of rioting, it would appear that the movement is ebbing slightly. But this apparent return to calm should in no way be seen as a victory because, as in 2005, the fundamental problem still remains.