Trouble in paradise
05 September 2008
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From the start of the Euro zone, the great danger of instability that threatens a single currency area was pointed out, if no explicit transfers were possible when an asymmetric shock occurs, that hits one country more than the rest of the members. The crisis in which the European project has been involved for years (like the rejection of the European Constitution) makes the further development of its economic structure politically impossible. But like a boomerang, this could turn itself against us in the coming years. |
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Europe vs. America
26 August 2008
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Many of the recent economic problems have their origin in the United States: this does not mean, however, that unemployment and inflation will hit harder there. Most likely, it will be the other way around. |
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The U.S., land of economic liberalism, and sportive dirigisme
22 August 2008
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The Olympic Games are a true triumph for China: an incredible organisation and a sportive success measured by the number of medals wan. Economic research shows that authoritarian regimes are more capable to succeed in top-class sports. America’s dirigisme in sports, on the other hand, is less well-known. |
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A common framework for blue collar and white collar workers implies new labour market policies
20 August 2008
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Marc De Vos calls for a common legal framework but stresses that it involves fundamental questions for better labour market performance. The impasse on the common framework hides a deficit of vision on labour market policy. |
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Social fraud in social security
12 August 2008
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Belgium is accumulating victories in its battle against social fraud. This is good for the state, and good for our social system. |
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There comes the recession?
11 August 2008
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According to Ivan van de Cloot, it’s important to distinguish the virtual losses of the stock exchange and housing market from the real economic activity. The financial crisis can slow the US and thus also the Belgian economy down, but will not necessarily lead to a recession. The pessimistic reporting of the press for the past few months, on the contrary, will certainly have its price. |
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The olympic choice
06 August 2008
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Marc De Vos analyses the failure of the Doha-round and warns for the creeping malaise in economic globalisation. Will the world community continue on the path of an international legal order and common wealth creation?
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Oil through the roof
31 July 2008
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Many hope a barrel of petrol will go back to a 100 dollar before the end of the year. Their argument is, of course, that the price of 135 dollars per barrel does not reflect the market price triggered by supply and demand but has been caused by financial speculation. In the United States the presidential candidates are trying to surpass one another by cursing the speculators. It is, however, not that simple to estimate the role of speculation on the current oil price. Ivan van de Cloot argues that its role should not be overestimated. |
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Public investments and the economy
31 July 2008
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Often, public investments are not based upon economic arguments but turn out to be a real horse trading. Economists, on the other hand, always plead in favour of weighing social benefits against societal costs (including potential pernicious effects on health and environment). Public authorities oblige everybody to financially support their projects. It is only normal they should manage that money well. |
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Should public authorities subsidise external beauty?
28 July 2008
| Figures that have recently been published by the Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre show that health insurance spending for plastic surgery has more than doubled in only 11 years. This example serves to introduce a debate on the desirability of health expenses in general. |
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