This article was first published on the Institute of Economic Affairs Substack. Politicians and general non-economist commentators often talk as if … Continue reading “In defence of trade deficits”

By far the least interesting aspect of the Brexit campaign is that it won. What should be much more mystifying … Continue reading “Review: National Populism, by Roger Eatwell and Matthew Goodwin”

It’s always an occasion of note when Paul Krugman says a true thing. And it has happened. “Given the powers … Continue reading “The US president should have fewer powers”

Those dismayed by the Brexit vote in the UK, or the election of Donald Trump in the US, often blame … Continue reading “Can the free market solve the ‘fake news’ problem?”

The Democratic leadership and its leftwing intellectual base are feeling implausibly smug these days. They figure it this way: the … Continue reading “Left-wing economics is no match for Alt-Right resentment”

These aren’t great times for the left. ‘Right-wing populism’ is said to be on the rise everywhere. First Brexit. Then … Continue reading “On populism and ‘People Power’”

Donald Trump tore up the broad consensus on international free trade with a miserable, protectionist inaugural speech on Friday. So … Continue reading “Trumponomics: ‘How bad can he be’? The answer is VERY”

In the midst of much chaos, the victory of Francois Fillon in the French centre-right primary has restored some normality … Continue reading “The left will continue to lose until they start to empathise with their enemies”