Populist haven
It has been more than a century since the renowned German sociologist Max Weber wrote about the declining influence of charisma in the modern era. Weber argued that the larger-than-life…
Reframing our goals
Many — maybe most — of our economic goals and targets are fuzzy and ambiguous. In the case of some critical objectives we should be striving towards, the goal is…
Economic effects of intangibles
Economics especially development economics is in limbo for sometime. The excitement of the dismal science is not there anymore. Quantification of variables of development (growth-market development-employment, etc) are mere indicators…
US asserts power in Asia with typhoon relief
The sprawling deck of the USS George Washington bustled with activity as helicopters and planes carrying people and goods landed and took off in quick succession. Crews communicated mainly through…
Ukraine’s EU policies all about money, power
When Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych faces EU leaders at an Eastern Partnership Summit that kicks off in Vilnius Thursday, the prevailing mood will be decidedly sour. Yanukovych has made it…
Taxing times for France despite job growth
French President Francois Hollande's government has been besieged by anti-tax protests for more than a month, but a surprise decline in the number of unemployed could help break the logjam.…
Emerging markets seek savers at home as foreign money drains away
As a decade's worth of easy foreign money starts to ebb away from emerging economies, their governments are renewing efforts to deepen domestic savings pools - even if change is…
Border barriers to supply chain
There are different types of barriers created by individual countries to gain advantage of choice. These barriers include technical standards safety, supporting sanitary and local content requirements and regulations that…
3D printer boom lures new wave of Japan entrepreneurs
Junichiro Asami gave up a stable job to join a group of Japanese entrepreneurs building businesses based on 3D printing, showing the sort of pioneering spirit Prime Minister Shinzo Abe…
Iran deal bears Obama’s personal stamp
When push came to shove in the closing hours of marathon negotiations in Geneva on Iran's nuclear program, it was President Barack Obama, back at the White House, who approved…
