The Student Economist (2024)

29/11/2021

Germany and Austria have always had a complex relationship. Bound by language and geography, they always seem to end up mocking one another and being jealous of what the other has. Yet despite this childish relationship, they both face a period of great distress and uncertainty.

This week was an important one for Germany. On Wednesday, the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Liberal Democrats unveiled their coalition manifesto. It had been excitedly anticipated following the election results in late September which left three parties, for the first time ever, having to agree to govern the country.

Keep up with German current affairs by reading our latest article.

29/11/2021

In 1994, Rwanda experienced one of the most atrocious events in human history – the Rwandan genocide. The UN estimates that almost 800,000 people were massacred in a short period of 100 days – most of which were of Tutsi ethnicity.

Only 30 years later, Rwanda has seen a miraculous turnaround – from one of the least developed nations in the world to being proclaimed as a country with a great deal of potential. On the surface, it seems like an inspiring story of prosperity and resilience. The country has achieved relative stability and economic enhancement. However, is the story really as perfect as it seems?

Read this insightful article on our new website to learn more.

12/10/2021

The digital currency Bitcoin took the world by storm with its political and philosophical appeal. Yet, to what extent are we aware of the negative externalities produced by this unregulated currency?

The environmental implications are vast with mining resulting in masses of e-waste and catastrophic impacts on global rising temperatures. Furthermore, its confidentiality aspect encourages the transfer of demerit goods on the dark web.

Is the growth of this currency sustainable and moral? What future does it face with China making all cryptocurrency activity illegal?

Read this fascinating and detailed article to discover more of this decentralized digital currency and exactly which kind of mining will be to our detriment.

https://www.thestudenteconomist.co.uk/the-negative-externalities-of-cryptocurrencies)

03/10/2021

Angela Merkel’s period in power will be remembered as heroic by generations to come. Yet, it seems that on the 26th September 2021, Germany couldn’t make its mind up about who it wanted to lead them. As a result, the newly elected Bundestag will be represented by 8 different parties and 735 MPS.

How did this result come about and which party is to blame?

Read this relevant article for an insight into German politics and what the country has to face in the foreseeable future.

https://www.thestudenteconomist.co.uk/postmerkelism-a-new-germany

29/09/2021

Behavioural economics is now a blossoming field that took the economics world by storm after Richard Thaler’s Nudge was published.

It is often assumed in economic theory that beings are rational, yet in truth we are more predictably irrational. Whether these cognitive bias are utilised by businesses or governments it is clear to see the widespread effects that a simple ‘nudge’ can have on the mind.

Read this insightful article for amusing case studies of humans acting irrationally and how as economists, it is important to embrace the fallacies of human nature.

24/09/2021

Chaos, violence and of course, anarchy; the three terms most commonly associated with the political philosophy known as anarchism – the belief that society should function in the absence of government.

Currently this concept is promptly shown the back door in most political discussions due to its complete contrast with the status quo – all you have to do is list the three words: chaos, violence and anarchy, and watch your perception of this ideology consume itself. However, when compared with our current political systems, it becomes apparent that it has its merits, as well as its downfalls.

It just so happens that the requirements of 21st century life are increasingly aligning with the merits of anarchism.

Read this great article by Josh Lamyman for an insight into whether our Governments should really be trusted to solve our problems.

Disagree with this article? Write an opposing letter/article and send to [email protected] We want to hear your views!

08/07/2021

Cultural appropriation is something everyone knows about, yet we are rarely aware of difference between cultural appropriation and appreciation.

How can we fully appreciate different cultures instead of appropriating their ways of life?

People’s views of cultures have been sullied by social media, up until the point where links to cultures have been severed and forgotten.

Read this insightful article by Anavi Hosaangaadi to learn more about the differences between cultural appropriation and appreciation and find out about the misrepresentation of cultures in the modern world.

04/05/2021

A pertinent new addition to the insight column:

After the chaos that ensued following the Super League announcement, one thing that has been brought to light is the atrociously exorbitant earnings of players and managers in high level sports teams. From the Premier League to La Liga to the NFL, one thing in common are the millions that each player is earning per year.

Why is this acceptable? Why are they paid considerably more than more socially prominent professions?

A paramedic on average makes around £30,000 to £40,000 a year for all the mentally and physically challenging work they do on a daily basis. Yet this is petty cash for a high level footballer.

Though their talent and skill is not unrecognised and should not be looked over, we shouldn't overlook all the key workers and employees who essentially kept our country running like clockwork these past couple years. With a 'pay rise' of 1%, it is laughable how severely underpaid nurses are.

Do these teams that we all follow so dearly care more about their fans or their pay checks? Read the latest article by Lahari Paladugu to find out why what footballers are getting paid matters and why the Super League ignited anger from fans across the globe.

29/04/2021

A thought-provoking new addition to the Current Affairs column 🇬🇧: (link in bio)

After winning the Labour crown one year ago, Starmer presented us with a picture of unity. He apologised to the Jewish community. He polled well. And most of all, he looked and sounded the part of a promising opposition.

But a year has passed and we have yet to hear Sir Keir’s vision for a post pandemic UK. The leader’s popularity has plunged leaving three big questions:

What does Starmer stand for? What does ‘Starmerism’ represent? Can we even imagine a future with Labour?

His run to power seems to involve abating a divided electorate and disjointed Labour Party. With the need to confront their 2019 defeat and the three election defeats that preceded it, Starmer holds one of the hardest jobs in British politics and it is, no doubt, a daunting task.

From corporation tax to “Tory Sleaze”, Nikita Karri & Eleanor Carmel discuss Keir’s Labour and their position in the game of party politics. Have a read and grasp a clear insight into the issue. What stance do you take?

21/04/2021

An insightful new article in the debate column: (link in bio) 🌎

Universal basic income, a monthly unconditional payment given to every single citizen, has crossed the political cleavage that is left and right. Not only that, but the faces at the forefront of modern capitalism have pledged their support. Elon Musk, Richard Branson and Mark Zuckerberg all argue that UBI will be necessary to overcome poverty and weather the automation revolution.

For what moral, social and economic reasons is UBI hailed as such a great scheme? And is it as effective as it seems?

Although a method of redistribution, some argue UBI is a mere plaster over the festering wound that is widening inequality. Not only this, but issuing an allowance to every citizen will be expensive, with estimates suggesting that all income must be taxed at 45% to fund the scheme.

If it time for a UBI? You decide.

Read both sides of the argument in opposing articles by Freddie Cooke and Anoushka Chawla and vote for the most convincing at the bottom of the page.

20/04/2021

A poignant new article for the insight column:

The 2021 budget saw Rishi Sunak increasing corporation tax from 19% to 25% in 2023 in an attempt to rebuilt the public finances.

But do big businesses actually pay up?

Worldwide, large corporations have increasingly been avoiding tax. In fact, if you paid $120 to Nike to buy a pair of Air Force 1s, you’d be paying more than Nike have paid in US Federal corporate tax in the last 3 years.

How is this legal? And what can be done to solve it?

Read this fantastic article from Lahari Paladugu to better understand how tax havens function, to learn the flaws of modern multi national capitalism and to come to terms with what can and is being done to make big business pay up.

16/04/2021

A fantastic new article in the insight column: 🇺🇸 (link in bio)

On the US national mall currently sits 40,000 flowers to commemorate the yearly US death toll to gun violence. Last night’s shooting in Indianapolis, as well as countless others this year, have been called an ‘International Embarrassment’ by President Biden. Biden’s solution? Banning Semi-Automatic Assault Weapons.

But will this reduce deaths to gun violence? And do Americans want this legislation in the first place?

Not only has this already been put in place in 1994, to minimal effect, but also less than 8% of gun violence deaths can be attributed to the style of weapon - and this doesn’t take into account the impracticalities of initiating the ban.

Read this great article by Tommy Williams to better understand the unpopular, ineffective and impractical policy that is unlikely to have a considerable effect on the epidemic of gun violence in the US.

Disagree with this article? Write an opposing letter/article and send to [email protected] to be published on our website. We want to hear your views!

14/04/2021

A great new article in the insight column: 👩🏽‍💼

It was only during the last day of March that the World Economic Forum (WEF) published its annual Global Gender Gap Report. Amongst a myriad of sobering statistics, one little fact sits protuberant from the rest: closing the global gender gap, has increased from 99.5 years in 2020 to a heinous length of 135.6 years.

What is behind the dip in progress towards global gender equality? And what can the UK learn from the report?

Read this fantastic article from Nikita Karri to better understand the role of government policy in shaping gender equality, to learn of the trailblazing Nordic countries from which the UK should learn and come to terms with the economic case for gender equality.

08/04/2021

An insightful new addition to the current affairs column:

The EU’s sluggish vaccine procurement and rollout has given rise to concerns about the stability of the Bloc of 27. It’s response is a €750bn plan to bounce Europe back from the pandemic and beyond with grants, loans and investment – the so-called Next Generation EU.

But what does this mean for the future of the Eurozone?

It’s a largely unexpected move for Europhilic politics, since the Eurozone’s puppet master Germany has never been a fan of shouldering the debts of other European countries. Does this mean the tides are turning?

Dive into this article by Elliot Wood to find out why Next Generation EU is so revolutionary and why the Eurozone’s future looks much brighter than it did a decade ago.

06/04/2021

A great new opinion piece in the current affair column: (link in bio) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

This May, the Scottish electorate will head to the polls to elect members of their national parliament—and by extension, their First Minister.

But in whose hands should Scotland place its trust? And what will be the implications for Scottish Independence?

Read this great article from Josh Traynor to learn how Scottish Independence may not be about hatred, division, bitterness or separatism, rather, a hope for a better future, democracy, internationalism and promoting Scotland’s interests. Delve deeper in to the past, present and future of Scottish politics, how SNP is shaping political debate in the UK,
and learn why Scotland can only flourish under Sturgeon’s leadership.

Disagree with this article? Write an opposing letter/article and send to [email protected] We want to hear your views!

01/04/2021

A great new article in the Current Affairs column:

Last week, the leaders of the EU nations gathered to tackle the most pressing challenges to the bloc of 27. The agenda looked promising yet the summit statement barely touched on the issue of Russia.

This is concerning. Whilst all the world observes the Sino-US pendulum swing, a conflict much closer to home could be looming over the horizon. Sticking points between the EU and Russia are becoming increasingly harder to unstick and they threaten to draw a new iron curtain on the continent.

The EU’s attitude of disregard towards Russia will have far reaching consequences for European and global politics.

Where do the issues lie? And what can the EU do about it?

To find out more about these ever pressing questions, read the latest addition to The Student Economist by Elliot Wood.

25/03/2021

A great new article in the insight column: (link in bio) 🇬🇧

Disproportionately elected majority governments have dominated British politics, so there’s no surprise that when it comes to making monumental decisions like leaving the European Union, the people of the United Kingdom demand a representational vote. Out with the politicians, in with the people – democratic bliss.

But are referendums as good as they seem?

Not only do many argue that referendums are poorly regulated, but they also allow a political class to perpetuate falsehoods without an accountability mechanism.

In fact, the case against referendums is so strong that Clement Attlee and Margaret Thatcher can be found in the same camp. Thatcher regularly quoted Attlee, reciting that, “Referendums are instruments of demagogues and dictators”.

Read this insightful article from Josh Lamyman to learn why Britain needs a radical rethink on referendums and how in the meantime, referendums will remain a tool of demagogues and dictators – it’s just that today’s dress in liberal clothing.

22/03/2021

An insightful addition to the insight column: (link in bio) 📈

Gross Domestic Product. It dominates economic commentary and is often used as a unitary measure to signify all aspects of a nation’s development, meshing together ideals of a healthy society and economy.

But is it fit for purpose?

In simple terms, GDP measures the market value of goods and services produced within an economy, but it fails to account for externalities, consumer surplus and the effects on the environment. Thus, we’re chasing after economic value, regardless of whether it may be good or bad for society.

Read this great article from Nikita Karri to learn the problems with GDP, the effect of the digital age on the indicator and the best alternative measure to truly define economic success in the 21st century.

17/03/2021

A great new addition to the insight column: (link in bio) 📦

Amazon is the world’s largest online retailer, delivering 3.5 billion packages in 2019, one for every two human beings on earth. Having just opened its first grocery store in London, Amazon has made it clear that it intends to use its tech monopoly to subsidise investments elsewhere.

But exactly how much power does Amazon have, and how was this achieved?

Read this great new article written by Flo Stephens to learn how predatory pricing and monopoly leverage have catalysed Amazon’s rise to fame, and learn whether it is time to limit Amazon’s control or simply concede to the rise of ‘Corpocracy’.

Disagree with this article? Write an opposing one and email to [email protected]. We want to hear your opinions!

12/03/2021

Read a great counter article to yesterday’s piece, now in the debate column: (link in bio) 🇬🇧

Proportional representation seems, at first glance, to be the saviour of modern democracy; redistributing the power held by self-interested politicians to the electorate, thus putting the pedals of politics under the feet of every man and woman eligible to vote.

But does it really achieve this?

Political gridlock can be avoided through compromise, but this comes at the cost of removing the influence of the very instrument integral to democracy: The vote. Voters are no longer sure what they are voting for as they are not included in the process of negotiation, hence perplexing the definition of democracy itself.

Read the argument for and against Proportional Representation through the link in our bio and vote for the most convincing at the bottom.

09/03/2021

An interesting new article in the insight column (link in bio): 🇬🇧

Behind your election ballot lives a vast bureaucracy. In essence this exists to answer the fundamental question: How to transfer votes into representation?

The UK uses ‘First Past the Post’, which means that the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins.

But have we got this very wrong?

Not only do 43 out of 45 countries in Europe opt for proportional representation, but the damaging effects of our elections system are being felt.

Read this exciting collaboration between Make Votes Matter and The Student Economist to learn how proportional representation has the power to shift the political paradigm from polarisation to compromise and rejuvenate those most left behind by our political process.

06/03/2021

A brilliant new article for the current affairs column: (link in bio) 🇬🇧

The bookie’s favourite to be the next PM, Rishi Sunak, took to the stage on Wednesday afternoon to announce the second monumental budget of the Coronavirus pandemic. Expectations were high - but did he deliver?

Opposition leaders were quick to denounce the green initiatives proposed by Mr Sunak, as well as the ramifications on the NHS and social care. Were they right to do so? And what does this mean for us?

Read this comprehensive analysis of the budget which could change the UK’s economic history through the link in our bio. Some are concerned whilst others are hopeful. What should you be?

03/03/2021

An exciting new addition to the controversy column: (link in bio) 🇺🇸

We often have trouble learning from people we don’t respect - that needs to change. The 45th President has undergone two impeachment trials, an election defeat and numerous scandals yet he looks set to dominate the Republican scene a while longer.

So what exactly does the rest of the World need to learn from America’s demagogue?

Beyond the fake tan and obnoxious lies, there is a leader who can serve as an example of good. As a president with the second most votes achieved in history, it’s time to understand, reflect on and even admire the likes of Donald Trump.

Read the latest controversy column article now to find out what you, and the leaders of the western world, should learn from Donald Trump.

02/03/2021

A brand new addition to the current affairs column: (link in bio) 🇺🇸

The dust has settled on what was a turbulent two months for the US stock market. GameStop stock rose a staggering 2,265%, and the redditors protest has reached the upper echelons of the financial world that they consciously took on.

But was the movement always poised to fail?

Read this article from Freddie Cooke to learn how not only was redditors’ rage against the hedge funds missing the point, but in an attempt to curtail the ‘wall street criminals’, Redditors became the bandits themselves.

01/03/2021

An outstanding new addition to the current affairs column: (link in bio) 🇷🇺

Even at the mention of Russia over the past year, a certain name to springs to mind: Alexei Navalny. Having survived Putin’s assassination attempt where the Nerve agent, Novichok, was inserted into his boxers, he now resides in a Russian jail cell on phony charges.

Has Putin retained his grip over internal affairs?

Russia’s upper echelons are inherently unstable, Putin relies on a precarious ‘house of cards’ that depends on the public’s ignorance and apathy in the face of blatant corruption.

Read more of this article from William Worthy to learn why Russia has a bright future, but one that relies on the those at the top enjoying a long hard fall to the bottom.

19/02/2021

An insightful first addition to our debate column: (link in bio) 🇬🇧

On the 1st January 2021, free movement ended. Boris and Priti Patel have basked in the glory of the new ‘points-based system.’ But is it fit for purpose?

Immigrants make Britain who we are. Yet the UK has ‘Brexited’ - a movement undoubtedly focussed on negative attitudes towards immigration. Now the UK has regained its sovereignty, the question remains:

How much immigration is desirable?

You decide. Read both sides of the argument in opposing articles, and vote for your favourite at the bottom.

18/02/2021

A fantastic recent article in our insight column: (link in bio) 🇨🇺

On February 6th 2021 Labour Minister Marta Elena Feito Cabrera announced that the Cuban government would open up its economy to private entrepreneurs in over 2000 sectors, with only 124 reserved for state control.

This represented a large change of heart from the communist Cuba, formerly in the Soviet Union.

The move was prompted, if not forced, by the economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. But was Castroism always doomed to fail?

Will Cutlan-Smyth looks right back to the start of the Castro years to explain why the COVID pandemic has provided the much-needed impetus for the Cuban Communist party, and what is to come in the future.

The Student Economist

29/11/2021

29/11/2021

12/10/2021

03/10/2021

29/09/2021

24/09/2021

08/07/2021

04/05/2021

29/04/2021

21/04/2021

20/04/2021

16/04/2021

14/04/2021

08/04/2021

06/04/2021

01/04/2021

25/03/2021

22/03/2021

17/03/2021

12/03/2021

09/03/2021

06/03/2021

03/03/2021

02/03/2021

01/03/2021

19/02/2021

18/02/2021

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share