In the World

abenomics 1 year on 1

Abenomics one year on

SAO PAOLO | By Marcus Nunes | Shinzo Abe was elected in December 2012 on a promise to revive growth and put an end to deflation. How have his promises ‘performed’ one year after taking power? The ‘performance’ of the so-called Abenomics will be illustrated by a set of charts.


No Picture

Where Has Productivity Growth Gone?

WASHINGTON | By Pablo Pardo | Progress, what progress? We live in an era of endless technological possibilities. Or so they say. We have drones to bomb every soul in the remotest desert; GPS to avoid getting lost while paying a visit to our in-laws (it remains to be seen if that is actually a good thing or not); cellphones to tell us how many calories we have burnt during a walk; robots to play the nurses’ role in hospitals (and sometimes they’re even nicer); and, soon, we will see driverless cars which, according to those who have tried them, are way safer than the current, human-controlled ones. In the meantime, this article is being written from Washington, DC, and it will be edited and posted online in New York, on a London-based website.


Algoritmical

Algorithms examiners in the EU to avoid a flat crash

MADRID | By Julia Pastor | The European Parliament and the EU’s governments have just signed an agreement to develop a law that reinforces controls over high frequency computerized stock exchanges trading, in order to avoid sudden collapses of markets. To minimize the systemic risk, the algorithms will have to be examined and authorised by regulators.


No Picture

Obama’s ‘Promise Zones’ Have Potential if They Include Anchor Institutions

NEW YORK | By Joelle Gamble via Next New Deal | According to the White House, the five Promise Zones, which will be established in Los Angeles, San Antonio, Philadelphia, Kentucky, and Oklahoma will focus on replacing distressed housing, reducing crime rates, increasing student high school graduation prospects, and stimulating economic growth via tax incentives.


Africa industrialisation

Africa Must Industrialize Now

The economies of sub-Saharan Africa have, since the late 1990s to 2013, been experiencing consistent economic expansion. Six of the world’s fastest growing economies are currently within this region. Whereas economic growth slumped for most of the world in recent years, sub-Saharan Africa’s growth has stayed resilient right through the global recession.



US Currency, the Fed’s Other Liability

LONDON | By Joseph Abate at Barclays | For a global 21st century economy, there is a surprising amount of US paper currency circulating. Total US currency outstanding is approximately $1.2trn, which on a per capita basis works out to $3,800.



Is deflation a trap Revisiting the Japanese experience

Is deflation a trap? Revisiting the Japanese experience

LONDON | By Michael Gavin at Barclays | The recent decline of headline and core inflation in the US and Europe has intensified interest in the economics of deflation, particularly the perceived danger that Europe may be headed for a deflationary episode. Deflation is particularly unsettling for many policymakers and market participants because of the theoretical risk that it may render monetary policy ineffective, creating a ‘liquidity trap’ from which it may be very difficult to escape.


No Picture

Spanish Economic Recovery Gets Credit in Washington

NEW YORK | By Ana Fuentes | In an eagerly awaited meeting for the Spanish government, PM Mariano Rajoy made his first official visit to the White House on Monday. As expected, Barack Obama praised the progress and reforms made by the Southern European economy, although both leaders agreed unemployment rate is still posing a major challenge. Later, Mr Rajoy also met IMF’s Head Christine Lagarde. After two hard recession years, and even more painful austerity measures, Spain is looking to restore international investors’ confidence.