Tag Archives: Economics – General

My son Daniel pointed out to me a feature of Trump’s speech to the laughably named Values Voters summit which seems to have slipped by most observers. As summarized by Colbert King in the Washington Post Telling a revved-up Values Voter audience that he is “stopping cold the attacks on Judeo-Christian values,” Trump suggested to the crowd, which already thinks a “war on Christianity” is being waged, that invoking “Merry Christmas” is a way of fighting back. But “Happy Holidays” is exactly...

I’ve published a couple of articles. One, in the Guardian , expands the argument of this post on Adani. The other, in The Conversation, is a response to the Turnbull government’s energy policy, which managed some remarkably good press, though that seems to be fading away as the realities become more evident.

The TV news hear in Brisbane has been running rumours about an early state election for most of the year. Even though a string of predictions have already proved false, the rumours keep coming. I heard another one yesterday, but today’s news suggests not, though with the odd phrasing ANNASTACIA Palaszczuk has fuelled speculation she may wait until next year to call the election which seems to suggest there is something odd about holding the election on time. I have a couple of thoughts...

Another Monday Message Board. Post comments on any topic. Civil discussion and no coarse language please. Side discussions and idees fixes to the sandpits, please.

I’m writing a book chapter about productivity, much of which will be a rehash of my 20-year debate with the Productivity Commission over measures of multi-factor productivity (MFP). In the process, I reread this op-ed by Ross Gittins, and the Treasury article on which it is based, by Simon Campbell and Harry Withers. As a result, I had what seemed to me like a Eureka moment. As with all such moments, of course, my insight might turn out to be either wrong or obvious. Campbell and Withers...

I have a long article in the Guardian putting forward some thoughts about a socialist economic policy program for the 21st century. The headline “Socialism with Spine” is a shortening of my observation that: As it is used today, the term socialism does not reflect a well-worked ideology. Rather it conveys an attitude that could be described as “unapologetic social democracy” or, in the US context, “liberalism with a spine” The contraction might have led some readers to expect a position...

Another Monday Message Board. Post comments on any topic. Civil discussion and no coarse language please. Side discussions and idees fixes to the sandpits, please.

Last Sunday, my wife Nancy and I had a great weekend in Mooloolaba, where I took part in the Ironman 70.3 event, along with a thousand or so other competitors from around Australia and the world as well as hundreds of spectators. As Nancy said, even though the Sunshine Coast isn’t far from Brisbane, we’d never get around to going if there weren’t an event like this, but the beautiful setting makes us keen to return. While I was there, a friend mentioned that the Melbourne Ironman event...

Home > Economics - General > Another appearance (updated) Another appearance (updated) August 2nd, 2017 John Quiggin Leave a comment Go to comments I’ll be on Sky at 7pm tonight talking to Peter Switzer talking about Zombie Economics and my views on the Australian economy. Update There’s a link to the talk here Categories: Economics - General Tags: Notify me of follow-up comments by...

Home > Economics - General > Special bonus talk: Customs House tomorrow 8am Special bonus talk: Customs House tomorrow 8am August 2nd, 2017 John Quiggin Leave a comment Go to comments Any Brisbane readers interested in my talk on toll roads have a special opportunity to hear it tomorrow morning at the Customs House, with breakfast starting at 8am. It’s the UQ School of Economics annual Colin Clark lecture, and the scheduled...