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item list element: 12 Characteristics of Successful Economics Students
item list element: The Top Economics Blogs
item list element: Preventing the Death of UK High Streets
item list element: Sample Motivation Letter For Your Economics PhD Application
item list element: Top Economics Journals
item list element: 10 Great Resources to Help Teach Economics
item list element: The Problems With Development Aid
item list element: 10 Biggest Struggles of PhD Students
item list element: Top 10 Best Economics Books
item list element: A Critique of Neoliberalism
item list element: Pros and Cons of Being A College Professor
item list element: Were We Ready for Brexit?
item list element: Best Open Source Software for Economics Graphing and Plotting
item list element: Tips for a Successful PhD Application
item list element: Why do a PhD?
item list element: A Critique of Centrism
item list element: Top Free Online Courses in Statistics and Data Analysis
item list element: Improving Fundamentals of Econometrics with Online Practice Tests
item list element: Capitalism vs Socialism
item list element: How COVID-19 has Affected Economists in the Global North and South
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12 Characteristics of Successful Economics Students
type: Article
title: 12 Characteristics of Successful Economics Students
description: So, to put worried minds at ease, we've compiled a list of the top 12 traits that will ensure that any good student gets the best out of their university experience. And to those now shouting 'what if I have none of them!', well, there's no need to worry, most can be acquired with a bit of determined hard work. Let's begin. 1. Intellectually curious In order to be a successful economics student, or any kind of student for that matter, it's particularly important that you're interested in and engaged with your subject. All of the other characteristics here depend upon you caring about your studies and your specific topic. Of course, everyone finds some topics more interesting than others, but the willingness to find something worthwhile in whatever economics issues you are currently studying will help to keep you on form during your studies. A good way to maintain your curiosity is by observing others who are good at what they do, and then asking questions about anything and everything you don't understand. Asking questions of experts is a brilliant way to learn how something works - they are experts after all! If asking questions fails, or more likely, is not possible, there are endless alternative means of finding something out - books, journals, the INOMICS study resources, and of course, the life-saving Wikipedia. Praise be! 2. Mathematical aptitude Here's a real obvious one: numeracy is a key skill for any economist. From dealing with large datasets to interpreting visual data like graphs, you'll need to be comfortable handling numbers and working with mathematical principles. This is why many economists take preparatory classes in mathematics before beginning work or study in economics. If you're feeling unsure, you should think about exploring this option. There are many introductory statistics, calculus and linear algebra courses freely available online. What's there to lose? 3. Knowledge of social sciences Economics also has a lot of common ground with other…
disambiguating description: What does it take to succeed as an economics student? What qualities make a good economics student – one who thrives at university, enjoys their economics degree, and then, once it's all done and dusted, who goes and gets a good job? These are big questions – there's no doubt – and their answers may not immediately be clear.
date posted: 2018-08-13T15:00:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-06T11:45:01Z
employment type: onsite
language: en
keywords: characteristics
keywords: master's
keywords: James Matthew Alston
keywords: success
keywords: student life
keywords: students
keywords: masters
keywords: qualities
keywords: PhD
keywords: master
keywords: successful
keywords: economics students
type: advice
disciplines: marketing
disciplines: economics
disciplines: law
disciplines: education
disciplines: socialscience
disciplines: business
disciplines: psychology
disciplines: management
disciplines: generaleconomics
discipline labels: Marketing
discipline labels: Economics
discipline labels: Law
discipline labels: Education
discipline labels: Economics and Social Sciences
discipline labels: Business
discipline labels: Psychology
discipline labels: Management
discipline labels: General Economics (JEL A)

The Top Economics Blogs
type: Article
title: The Top Economics Blogs
description: Economics bloggers vary widely from individual students and professors sharing their thoughts on the state of the profession, to blogging superstars like Gregory Mankiw, Paul Krugman, John Cochrane and Tyler Cowen, whose analyses are backed by years of experience and a deep knowledge of the field. Reading economics blogs can be an easy way to get your fill of knowledge and, in many cases, they're more palatable than academic journals, which can be dense and grueling. The blogs we've listed - in no particular order - are the ones we here at INOMICS turn to when we're looking for interesting, informative, and occasionally offbeat articles on a wide range of economic topics. So go on, dive in. 1. Random Observations for Students of Economics Gregory Mankiw uses his blog predominantly to keep in touch with his own students, but it also serves as an excellent source of information on many economics topics to those currently studying. Mankiw himself is the Robert M. Beren Professor of Economics at Harvard University, so quite the authority! 2. Macro Musings Blog David Beckworth was formerly an economist at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Now, he is a senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center of George Mason University. His specialities are monetary economics, international economics, and capital markets. He also has a podcast of the same name, and both the blog and the podcast "reflect his occasional musings on macroeconomic issues". 3. Mainly Macro Mainly Macro is a blog written by Emeritus Professor of Economics and Fellow of Merton College, Oxford Simon Wren-Lewis. Wren-Lewis is one of the most esteemed economists of the age, and his blog is, as he says, for both economists and non-economists. It is an essential resource that mixes politics and economics. 4. Confessions of a Supply Side Liberal Miles Kimball, who holds the Eaton Chair in Economics at the University of Colorado Boulder as well as being Emeritus Professor of Economics and Survey Research at the …
disambiguating description: There are many excellent economics blogs out there. Whether you want to read commentaries on economic policy, find out what people are currently researching, or simply keep up-to-date with the latest economic happenings across the world, there are blogs for all tastes.
date posted: 2019-04-24T15:00:00Z
date modified: 2024-08-02T13:04:49Z
employment type: onsite
language: en
keywords: economics blogs
keywords: James Matthew Alston
keywords: economics
keywords: economist
keywords: Blogs
keywords: economic blog
keywords: students
keywords: Online resources
keywords: Econometrics
keywords: finance
keywords: economists
type: teach
disciplines: economics
disciplines: socialscience
disciplines: business
disciplines: generaleconomics
discipline labels: Economics
discipline labels: Economics and Social Sciences
discipline labels: Business
discipline labels: General Economics (JEL A)

Preventing the Death of UK High Streets
type: Article
title: Preventing the Death of UK High Streets
description: But we knew this. Consumers are aware of the tradeoff they make buying books on Amazon instead of at the bookshop they walk past on their commute. And shopkeepers, obviously, don’t need telling - they’ve been struggling against internet forces, and before that out-of-town superstores, for years. Now, though, in this COVID-defined moment, lingering hope for a reprieve may well have been dashed, as, in accordance with lockdown and social distancing, even the most committed high street consumers have been kept away - and it’s unclear in what numbers they’ll return. Soon, 40% of non-food sales are predicted to take place online, up from 20% in February, and last month John Lewis and Boots announced a slew of store closures, with retail expert Bill Grimsey warning it’s ‘just the start’. In the coming year, he expects many retailers to join the likes of Toys “R” Us, Claire’s, Debenhams, and Oasis in administration - taking countless jobs with them. And it’s not just retail. Over a third of UK bank branches have shut since 2015, with numbers now increasing, and lockdown has brought the hospitality sector to its knees. The stakes are high This sense of loss is seismic. The character of many towns emanates outwards from the high street, which operates as a bustling hub of exchange, not just economic, but social and cultural. Particularly in smaller towns, for those more rural and isolated, its demise is a devastating, unanchoring experience - jobs are lost never to be replaced, spots where friends used to meet disappear, and optimism fades. It’s a feeling captured visually by the bleak-looking thoroughfares of boarded up fronts that are now a familiar sight in many town centres, the only life coming from corporately owned gambling, payday-loan, or fast-food shops. On the outskirts of these towns it’s not uncommon to find distribution warehouses, often the new centre of regional employment, where workers endure insecure work, with bad conditions and low pay. The Preston Model…
disambiguating description: The internet has given us many things: unlimited information, ever-expanding interconnection, myriad means of procrastination - in some places it’s even helped birth democracy. But as one hand giveth, the other, as is often the case, taketh away. And in the UK, it looks like the gift of online shopping may come at the expense of our high streets - and the thousands of livelihoods they maintain.
date posted: 2020-07-21T14:27:42Z
date modified: 2026-07-03T13:47:25Z
employment type: onsite
language: en
keywords: The Preston Model
keywords: William Pearse
keywords: Community Wealth Building
keywords: UK High Streets
type: blog
disciplines: politics
disciplines: publiceconomicspolicy
disciplines: economics
disciplines: socialscience
disciplines: economicdevelopmentgrowth
disciplines: urbanruraltransportationeconomics
discipline labels: Politics
discipline labels: Public Economics & Economic Policy (JEL H)
discipline labels: Economics
discipline labels: Economics and Social Sciences
discipline labels: Economic Development, Innovation and Growth (JEL O)
discipline labels: Urban, Rural and Transportation Economics (JEL R)

Sample Motivation Letter For Your Economics PhD Application
type: Article
title: Sample Motivation Letter For Your Economics PhD Application
description: It should be noted that a European-style motivation letter focuses on academic background and research history, avoiding too much personal information. The US-style personal statement, on the other hand, is much more 'life experience' based. Here, we focus on the European style. 1. What to include in a motivation letter There are a number of essentials you should include in your motivation letter when applying for your PhD. The introduction should (perhaps obviously) clearly state which economics program you are applying for. This will lead nicely into the next section, which should contain your reasons for wanting to do a PhD and specifically why you wish to do the program for which you've applied. It is important to show what impact your proposed research will have on the industry, including perhaps the gaps in the literature/research that currently exist and how your research fills these in. Following on from this, your own academic background should be explained, including any academic achievements or awards you may have garnered aside from your degrees. Finally, your future career plans, and how your PhD and research proposal will help you achieve them, could be your closing statement of the motivation letter. 2. Be specific One bad habit that many people have when writing their motivation letter is being too vague. Saying that you enjoyed your economics undergraduate course or that you find economics interesting is too vague to be meaningful. After all, it can already be assumed that you enjoyed studying economics or you wouldn't be applying for a PhD. Instead, try to be more specific: mention which particular courses or topics appealed to you most, what you learned from them, and why you want to learn more about them. This is also a good way to mention your research areas of interest and how they will benefit the field. 3. Give concrete examples Another common mistake is to make claims without giving any evidence to back those claims up. For example, you'll o…
disambiguating description: When you apply for an economics PhD, you will need to write not just a research proposal but also a letter of motivation. This letter describes why you wish to undertake a PhD and why you would be well-suited to researching your proposed topic. But what needs to go in this letter, and what tone is appropriate for it? To give you some ideas, INOMICS is sharing a sample economics letter of motivation, as well as offering advice on how to write your own, so you can maximize your chances of getting accepted. If you plan to start your PhD application this autumn, you can download our free guide "How to successfully apply to a PhD in Economics".
date posted: 2018-10-30T16:15:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-06T11:47:52Z
language: en
keywords: applying
keywords: motivation letter
keywords: PhD careers
keywords: phd tips
keywords: apply
keywords: phd advice
keywords: phd letter
keywords: motivation
keywords: doctorate
keywords: PhD matters
keywords: cover letter
keywords: PhD
type: advice
disciplines: marketing
disciplines: economics
disciplines: law
disciplines: education
disciplines: socialscience
disciplines: business
disciplines: psychology
disciplines: management
disciplines: generaleconomics
discipline labels: Marketing
discipline labels: Economics
discipline labels: Law
discipline labels: Education
discipline labels: Economics and Social Sciences
discipline labels: Business
discipline labels: Psychology
discipline labels: Management
discipline labels: General Economics (JEL A)

Top Economics Journals
type: Article
title: Top Economics Journals
description: So, we’ve compiled a list of top economics journals to help you familiarize yourself with the publishing landscape. Regardless of where you are in your economics journey – whether freshman, PhD candidate, or professor actively publishing in economics– take note of these influential journals. ➲ Download the INOMICS Handbook now 1. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, Oxford University Press This is the oldest English language professional journal in the field of economics – and one of the most respected. It covers all aspects of the discipline, has published many famous economics papers, and is arguably the top economics journal of all time. For those who know their stuff, it is the go-to. 2. Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier A journal with a focus on applied papers and case studies, it often includes conjectural papers which address issues less quantifiable and more descriptive than other journals in the field. 3. Journal of Finance, American Finance Association The Journal of Finance is one of the top places to publish in the field of finance, along with the Review of Financial Studies and the Journal of Financial Economics. 4. Econometrica, Econometric Society With a specialization in econometrics, this journal has been established since 1933. In addition to its reputation, it attracts high-quality research through awarding of the Frisch Medal every two years, which recognizes outstanding research published in the journal. 5. Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association This journal commissions peer-reviewed survey and review articles which aim to keep readers informed about the current state of the economics literature. The journal also features book reviews, information about soon-to-be published books, and an index of economics dissertations from North American universities. 6. Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press Another long-standing journal, the Journal of Political Economy was first published in 1892 and covers bo…
disambiguating description: Whether you are a seasoned researcher or a new economics student, it pays to know which journals are the most prestigious and well-known for certain topics. They can help you find the right papers for a literature review, stay on top of the latest research in the field, and even help you set your own publishing goals.
date posted: 2018-12-19T08:00:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-06T11:49:59Z
employment type: onsite
language: en
keywords: economics
keywords: William Pearse
keywords: economics journals
keywords: journals
type: teach
disciplines: economics
disciplines: macroeconomicsmonetary
disciplines: socialscience
disciplines: econometricsstatisticsquantitative
disciplines: generaleconomics
disciplines: finance
discipline labels: Economics
discipline labels: Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics (JEL E)
discipline labels: Economics and Social Sciences
discipline labels: Econometrics, Statistics and Quantitative Methods (JEL C)
discipline labels: General Economics (JEL A)
discipline labels: Finance

10 Great Resources to Help Teach Economics
type: Article
title: 10 Great Resources to Help Teach Economics
description: 1. Moodle If your university has a CMS like Moodle, (this writer had the luxury of having access, thank you Humboldt Universität) you can upload lecture notes, links, and much more to a central website from which students can download all the information they need. You can even use it to host online class discussions (when has this ever been more relevant?) or to notify students that you're running late or a class is cancelled. There is widespread consensus among teachers that this is one of the easiest ways to get your materials online – and trust us, your students will be eternally grateful for the convenience. 2. Discovering Statistics Statistics can, and often is, an intimidating topic for many students, and one which is perceived (INOMICS does not concur) as being dull. Regardless, this website from Professor Andy Field is full of funny, engaging information and practical advice on how to use statistics correctly in an academic setting. It can be an especially useful resource if, as is likely, you have some non-econometrics students in your class who may struggle with stats. The plain-language teaching of Prof. Field has been a ‘way in’ to statistics for countless otherwise hesitant students. Use it. 3. Mendeley Mendeley is a site which can be used for both reference management (the band of most students’ lives) and social networking. For students, the reference management function will be most helpful, allowing them to build reference lists without all the tedious formatting that used to be required. Show this site to students who are tired of fiddly referencing procedures to make their lives easier. Using Mendeley means you can say goodbye to deadline day phenomenon of the disappearing bibliography. 4. Yahoo Finance A website and app for keeping up to date with the latest news in global finance, including stock prices. Students can investigate the stock prices to see how what you are teaching them in the classroom plays out in practice. 5. Khan Academy The Kh…
disambiguating description: Teaching in any capacity, let alone in economics, can be a daunting prospect: the prepping, marking, not to mention the actual teaching. It’s hard work. This reality is most acutely felt when you are starting out or moving institutions and having to settle in somewhere new. In both instances, the pressure and workload can feel intense. That is why it's useful – if not essential – to be aware of all the support that's out there, most of which – conveniently – is free and accessible online. So, without further ado, here are ten of our favourite tools for helping teach economics.
date posted: 2018-02-20T10:43:29Z
date modified: 2026-07-06T11:52:00Z
language: en
keywords: economics podcasts
keywords: economics
keywords: teaching economics
keywords: economics app
keywords: professors
keywords: teaching
keywords: Educational Podcasts
keywords: economics professors
type: teach
disciplines: economics
disciplines: education
disciplines: socialscience
disciplines: business
disciplines: management
disciplines: generaleconomics
discipline labels: Economics
discipline labels: Education
discipline labels: Economics and Social Sciences
discipline labels: Business
discipline labels: Management
discipline labels: General Economics (JEL A)

The Problems With Development Aid
type: Article
title: The Problems With Development Aid
description: In the words of Economist, Dambisa Moyo, the answer is zero: African people ‘are worse off; much worse off… aid has helped make the poor poorer, and growth slower’. A strong condemnation this may be, but Moyo's assessment is no outlier. Development expert, William Easterly, has drawn similar conclusions – his study ‘Can Foreign Aid Buy Growth’ revealing an inverse correlation between aid and per capita growth. Indeed, the aid establishment has endured four decades of trenchant critiques, many of the most vocal coming from within its own ranks. Throughout this time, the sector has shown itself impressively impervious, rarely changing its approach to development, offering only window dressing in way of reform. When criticism has built, the response from donors, whether the World Bank, the U.S, or even Bono, has invariably been the same: the demand for ‘one final push’. Poverty eradication, by this logic, has always been just one last injection of aid away. Given the huge cash flows of aid from the developed to developing world its persistence is hard to make sense of. Even harder to reconcile is the fact that between 1970 and 1998 poverty in Africa rose from 11% to 66%, this while aid flows were at their peak. <11an>limit:2;categories:jobs|courses|conferences;disciplines:Economic Development, Innovation and Growth (JEL O)|Urban, Rural and Transportation Economics (JEL R)</11an> The paradox Something, evidently, does not add up. How is it possible that an initiative so ‘well-intentioned’ can be so ineffectual, to the point of possibly being disruptive? And further, how can said initiative be allowed to continue unchanged for so long? To answer these questions, it’s necessary to consider the motivations behind its continued provision and the effects of its implementation - simple sounding steps that curiously the development community itself has, thus far, seemed so unwilling to take. Before continuing, one other thing should be said. In the following, ‘aid’ is meant to…
disambiguating description: ​Development aid: what is it good for? Well, according to much research the answer may well be absolutely nothing. In fact, it may well be worse than nothing. When judged against its aim of ‘instigating economic development and alleviating poverty’, its record is so dismal it looks as though aid actually hinders the achievement of its own stated goals. And the curious thing is this seems to be something of an open secret. Even to an untrained eye the big numbers pertaining to development aid don’t look right. Take Africa, for example. Over $1 trillion dollars has been pumped into the continent in the last 50 years, and how much has it benefited? How many African countries are actually in a better condition now than they were before receiving aid?
date posted: 2019-05-31T12:40:17Z
date modified: 2026-07-03T13:48:56Z
employment type: onsite
language: en
keywords: development
keywords: economics
keywords: africa
keywords: William Pearse
keywords: development aid
keywords: foreign aid
keywords: aid
type: blog
disciplines: politics
disciplines: internationaleconomics
disciplines: publiceconomicspolicy
disciplines: economics
disciplines: socialscience
disciplines: economicdevelopmentgrowth
discipline labels: Politics
discipline labels: International Economics (JEL F)
discipline labels: Public Economics & Economic Policy (JEL H)
discipline labels: Economics
discipline labels: Economics and Social Sciences
discipline labels: Economic Development, Innovation and Growth (JEL O)

10 Biggest Struggles of PhD Students
type: Article
title: 10 Biggest Struggles of PhD Students
description: If you are considering a PhD program, or just beginning one, advanced awareness of these stresses may help you overcome them if you ever have to make their acquaintance (don't worry, we have our fingers crossed). Plus, knowing that they are frequently experienced and nothing out of the ordinary will hopefully provide you some comfort. Okay, let's begin. 1. Isolation One of the most common problems for PhD students is the feeling of isolation. PhD candidates often work alone, having few or sometimes no other people on their project. This happens while friends may be working in offices and in teams, enjoying a far more social side to the 9-5. Predictably, this can lead to loneliness, lack of motivation, and the fear that no one understands, or can relate to the problems you are experiencing. As an antidote to this, it is advisable to make an effort to get into contact with other graduate students. There are many ways of doing this, for instance, through journal clubs, conferences, or networking. Being in contact with other PhD students will give you someone to talk to, complain to, and will help alleviate these disruptive and negative feelings. Simply breaking up the routine of studying can do you a whole world of good! 2. Stress With looming deadlines, large scale projects, and a huge amount of personal investment, a PhD can be extremely stressful. This is compounded by the fact that everything is always riding on you and you alone - making the highs higher and the lows, well, let's not go there. It has been found that PhD students have high levels of mental disorders - likely related to high levels of stress they have to endure. For this reason, it is imperative that one finds healthy ways to decompress, whether through exercise, meditation, the arts, or anything else. Any university worth its salt will also have mental health services which can be sought if things get particularly difficult. Regardless of how bad you're feeling, its always helpful to talk it throug…
disambiguating description: Starting a PhD is an incredibly daunting task. Normally at least 3 years, there are some challenges that you are almost certainly going to have to face during the program. Below we look at some of the biggest (and most common) problems that PhD students encounter.
date posted: 2019-01-23T16:55:55Z
date modified: 2026-07-06T11:55:20Z
employment type: onsite
language: en
keywords: stress
keywords: funding
keywords: Students
keywords: time management
keywords: mental health
keywords: motivation
keywords: thesis
keywords: struggles
keywords: Research
keywords: PhD
keywords: supervisor
type: advice
disciplines: marketing
disciplines: economics
disciplines: law
disciplines: education
disciplines: socialscience
disciplines: business
disciplines: psychology
disciplines: management
disciplines: generaleconomics
discipline labels: Marketing
discipline labels: Economics
discipline labels: Law
discipline labels: Education
discipline labels: Economics and Social Sciences
discipline labels: Business
discipline labels: Psychology
discipline labels: Management
discipline labels: General Economics (JEL A)

Top 10 Best Economics Books
type: Article
title: Top 10 Best Economics Books
description: More than just giving you good economics books to read, at INOMICS, we're dedicated to helping you get the most out of your economics education and career. For more information and career advice, download the INOMICS Handbook, which contains interesting insights into the world of economics, as well as recommended institutions and study offers for you. INOMICS takes part in the Amazon affiliate program. This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn money through any qualifying purchases made after you click through. However, this is not a sponsored post. <11an>limit:2;categories:jobs|courses|conferences;disciplines:General Economics (JEL A)</11an> 1. The Big Short by Michael Lewis A description of the events leading up to the 2007-2008 world financial crisis by financial journalist Michael Lewis, who also wrote Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game, this bestselling non-fiction book spent 28 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. In 2015 it was also made into an award-winning film starring Christian Bale, Steve Carrell, and Ryan Gosling. The book follows many of the people who believed the housing bubble was going to burst and who, by betting against the collateralized debt obligation bubble, ended up profiting vastly upon its eventual collapse. It also follows some of those who lost money, such as Howie Hubler, who sits in second place for the most lost in a single trade at $9 billion. 2. Post-Capitalist Society by Peter F. Drucker Peter F. Drucker is considered to be the most important thinker on management theory ever, and his writings have contributed to the development of the modern business corporation. Well known for predicting future events such as the economic rise of Japan and the emergence of an information society, this book argues that First World nations have already moved to a society beyond capitalism, in that capital is owned by organizations rather than individuals. Regular citizens therefore become, in essence, the own…
disambiguating description: The topic of economics is rich with great writing, and many books have been published over the years that tackle economic issues for a popular audience. Here is our list of ten of the best books in the area of economics. Many of the books here are economics bestsellers, but we have included a few lesser-known titles that have had an important impact on how the public perceives economics. Some titles, too, are interdisciplinary, combining science, psychology and economics to explain history and human processes; others are narratives of events. All, though, are well worth a read.
date posted: 2018-12-09T17:54:35Z
date modified: 2026-07-30T13:15:56Z
employment type: onsite
language: en
keywords: literature
keywords: James Matthew Alston
keywords: economics books
keywords: Books
type: teach
disciplines: internationaleconomics
disciplines: publiceconomicspolicy
disciplines: law
disciplines: education
disciplines: socialscience
disciplines: business
disciplines: healtheducationwelfareeconomics
disciplines: marketing
disciplines: economics
disciplines: financialeconomics
disciplines: psychology
disciplines: management
disciplines: agriculturalenvironmentaleconomics
disciplines: generaleconomics
discipline labels: International Economics (JEL F)
discipline labels: Public Economics & Economic Policy (JEL H)
discipline labels: Law
discipline labels: Education
discipline labels: Economics and Social Sciences
discipline labels: Business
discipline labels: Health, Education, and Welfare (JEL I)
discipline labels: Marketing
discipline labels: Economics
discipline labels: Financial Economics (JEL G)
discipline labels: Psychology
discipline labels: Management
discipline labels: Agricultural and Environmental Economics (JEL Q)
discipline labels: General Economics (JEL A)

A Critique of Neoliberalism
type: Article
title: A Critique of Neoliberalism
description: Although over a decade later neoliberalism is yet to be replaced, its grip on power has considerably loosened, the pandemic – and all its attendant injustice – forcing the most recent reckoning with its shortcomings. It’s a process we can see in real time, with new political formations emerging on both the right and left. Indeed, alternatives that in previous years would have been dismissed as too radical, utopian or even regressive, are now earnestly discussed as people seek an exit from the current political model. But what does this really mean? What exactly are these alternatives looking to depart? The word neoliberalism is used with such regularity – and at times carelessness – that its definition has become hazy, its precepts unclear. And therein lies much of its power. To escape its clutches people must first understand it: how it arose, to whom it accrues power, and by what means it has been sustained. To that end, the following attempts to dissect the term, studying its history, the policies born from its logic, and the effects it’s had on society. It's conception Although famously associated with the politics of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, neoliberalism’s history predates both leaders – the term likely first used in the late 19th century. It found an institutional home, however, some fifty years later, when in 1947 a group of alarmed economists convened at Mont Pelerin, and ominously warned that ‘the essential conditions of human dignity and freedom had disappeared’. To those in attendance – who would coalesce and become the Mont Pelerin Society – the roots of the crisis were clear and found in the ‘declining belief in private property and the competitive market’. A staunch defense of an increasingly besieged free-market capitalism was needed, and the state must withdraw from interfering with economic activity – only then could liberty be preserved. This fear of state intervention was so potent it placed social democracy on the same spectrum as bo…
disambiguating description: Few would contest it as the ideology of our political age. Ever since the 1980s, it has dominated western politics, underpinning governance, influencing culture, and leaving its indelible mark across society. During this time its core tenets were rarely challenged and only its peripheral aspects tweaked. The 2008 financial crash, however, changed this, shaking confidence in an ideology whose name, up until that point, was rarely ever spoken. With the loss of savings, skyrocketing inequality and falling living standards that followed, people wanted answers and began to question the political system that had facilitated such a disaster.
date posted: 2019-04-09T13:31:38Z
date modified: 2026-07-03T13:52:03Z
employment type: onsite
language: en
keywords: anxiety
keywords: economics
keywords: William Pearse
keywords: mental health
keywords: neoliberalism
keywords: political thought
type: blog
disciplines: economichistory
disciplines: politics
disciplines: publiceconomicspolicy
disciplines: economics
disciplines: socialscience
disciplines: business
disciplines: management
disciplines: economicthoughtmethodology
discipline labels: Economic History (JEL N)
discipline labels: Politics
discipline labels: Public Economics & Economic Policy (JEL H)
discipline labels: Economics
discipline labels: Economics and Social Sciences
discipline labels: Business
discipline labels: Management
discipline labels: Economic Thought & Methodology (JEL B)

Pros and Cons of Being A College Professor
type: Article
title: Pros and Cons of Being A College Professor
description: The Benefits of Being a College Professor One of the biggest pros is the freedom that it offers you in terms of research. Once you are senior enough, you can choose which projects to work on and which methodologies you employ. Few other jobs can match this level of intellectual freedom, and it is undoubtedly one of the perks of being a professor. Alongside freedom, is the joy of teaching, which, with the right group, can be endlessly interesting. The beauty of teaching is often – somewhat counter intuitively – the learning. Engaging young ambitious students with learning materials, and seeing what novel angles they take when approaching them can be highly stimulating, to say nothing of how rewarding it can be. Who, for instance, get's to say that they shape and inspire the next generation of academics? Another big plus is the working hours that academia can offer, which are frequently more flexible than in other professions. If, for example, you are a young parent who needs to leave the office early to pick up a child from school, workarounds can often be found, and your job can be made to fit around home life. Sabbaticals are another possibility. Many senior professors will, at some point in their career, arrange to take off few months, maybe even a year, from their regular teaching duties so that they can go and research in a different university and country. Others sometimes go even further, and step away from teaching entirely to work on writing a book, for example, all the while knowing that they can return to their position once they are done. And finally, on the way to becoming a professor there are many opportunities for travel. You can find jobs in many places all over the world, and you can travel to new places for conferences or research visits. If you enjoy exploring new places and getting to know new cultures, languages, and cuisines, then working as a professor offers many chances for you to develop those interests. The Negatives of Being a College Pro…
disambiguating description: If you're thinking about which direction to take your research career, one possibility is the professor route, teaching and researching in a university context. This is one of the most desirable jobs among young academics, and something that people often strive for. But what are the pros and cons of working as a college professor?
date posted: 2017-03-16T15:07:17Z
date modified: 2026-07-06T11:56:55Z
language: en
keywords: professor
keywords: teacher
keywords: James Mathew Alston
keywords: University
keywords: lecturer
keywords: Professors
keywords: educator
keywords: Teaching
type: advice
disciplines: marketing
disciplines: economics
disciplines: education
disciplines: law
disciplines: socialscience
disciplines: business
disciplines: psychology
disciplines: management
disciplines: generaleconomics
discipline labels: Marketing
discipline labels: Economics
discipline labels: Education
discipline labels: Law
discipline labels: Economics and Social Sciences
discipline labels: Business
discipline labels: Psychology
discipline labels: Management
discipline labels: General Economics (JEL A)

Were We Ready for Brexit?
type: Article
title: Were We Ready for Brexit?
description: The carriers must pay attention to their passport validity An erection of a harder border between the UK and EU involves not only changes in customs work, fees and tax calculations, and other money-related issues, but a lot of small details, many of which were previously ignored by carriers, and which are now critically important. For example, the validity periods of ID documents and the amount of time UK drivers can spend in the EU, and vice versa, are of newfound significance. As stated on the official UK government website, UK drivers that enter the EU must have a passport that is valid for at least six months. Every UK citizen can stay in the EU without a visa on condition that he/she does not spend more than 90 days in the EU over a 180-day period. This means that carriers must calculate how many days their employees (drivers) have spent in the EU at any given time. The 90 day countdown begins as soon as you cross the UK/EU border. From the 1st of October citizens of EU, EEZ countries and Switzerland will need to present their passports to enter the UK. ID cards will no longer be considered a valid travel document. The number of documents required to cross the UK/EU border has also significantly increased. From the 1st of January the movement of goods across the UK/EU border in either direction are considered exports and imports simultaneously. This means that all documents related to transport and the movement of goods from one area to another must be filled and completed. Free movement of goods has ended. This will create a huge amount of bureaucracy for British ports and airports since all cargo from Europe goes through them. Goods from the UK, on the other hand, can go in various directions, distributing the workload of document inspection. <11an>limit:2;categories:jobs|courses|conferences;disciplines:Politics|International Economics (JEL F)</11an> Same old story During the first days of January, it quickly became clear that none of the parties involved wit…
disambiguating description: 2021 began not only with an understanding that COVID-19 restrictions would likely continue for some time, but that the effects of Brexit – Great Britain leaving European Union – would also start to be felt. That Brexit would bring about changes to the UK/EU border was known for months. And yet, when it happened, most of the carriers and state institutions were not ready, creating (or rather, extending) the chaos in ports and near the Eurotunnel.
date posted: 2021-03-11T11:11:46Z
date modified: 2026-07-03T13:53:26Z
employment type: onsite
language: en
keywords: trade
keywords: freight
keywords: Brexit
keywords: Rolands Peterson
keywords: carriers
type: blog
disciplines: economichistory
disciplines: politics
disciplines: internationaleconomics
disciplines: economics
disciplines: socialscience
disciplines: urbanruraltransportationeconomics
discipline labels: Economic History (JEL N)
discipline labels: Politics
discipline labels: International Economics (JEL F)
discipline labels: Economics
discipline labels: Economics and Social Sciences
discipline labels: Urban, Rural and Transportation Economics (JEL R)

Best Open Source Software for Economics Graphing and Plotting
type: Article
title: Best Open Source Software for Economics Graphing and Plotting
description: 1. Gnuplot Gnuplot is one of the best-established graphing tools, popular among intermediate and advanced users. Available cross-platform for Windows, Linux and Mac, its primary function is the visualization of mathematical data and functions. Over the years its functions have diversified so that it is now usable for the visual display of all kinds of scientific data, in both two-and three-dimensional plots. It is a command line program, so some amount of programming knowledge is required. However, having been in use for many years (since 1986), there is extensive documentation and advice on using the program which can be found online. 2. Matplotlib Matplotlib is another popular option for economists looking for tools to aid in the visual display of their results. It is a 2D Python library for plotting which produces particularly attractive figures, and the library can be used in Python scripts or be run on web application serves. This library is a good choice for anyone familiar with the statistical software package Matlab, as the Matplotlib interface is similar, making it easy to learn. The default style of the graphs produced by Matplotlib is attractive and polished, requiring less tweaking than those produced by Gnuplot. However, Matplotlib works only with Python, whereas Gnuplot can work with other programming languages too. 3. R R is already popular among statisticians and scientists working in data-heavy fields for statistical analysis in addition to graphing. It uses a command-line interface, thus requiring some degree of technical ability, but once mastered is a powerful tool for data analysis and can be very beneficial for an economist. There are a wide range of graph types available in both 2D and 3D formats, which is beneficial for finding the perfect format for displaying your data. However, while the default graph style produced by R is functional, it requires some work to make the produced graphs look more elegant. R is an excellent plotting option fo…
disambiguating description: A great way to make your presentations or papers slick and memorable is to improve your graphs and diagrams. The standard graphs produced by software such as Excel or SPSS can convey the required information, but tend to lack style as these tools have limited customisation options. Other software exists for the singular purpose of configuring your diagrams, including many which are open-source and hence freely available. As an economist, it's important to make sure your graphs are looking as good as possible, as they are essential for winning over and keeping the attention of your audience.
date posted: 2018-10-15T07:00:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-06T11:58:28Z
employment type: onsite
language: en
keywords: James Matthew Alston
keywords: graphing
keywords: software
keywords: stats
keywords: plotting
keywords: online
keywords: Online resources
keywords: Statistics
type: teach
disciplines: marketing
disciplines: economics
disciplines: socialscience
disciplines: business
disciplines: management
disciplines: econometricsstatisticsquantitative
disciplines: datascience
disciplines: generaleconomics
disciplines: statistics
discipline labels: Marketing
discipline labels: Economics
discipline labels: Economics and Social Sciences
discipline labels: Business
discipline labels: Management
discipline labels: Econometrics, Statistics and Quantitative Methods (JEL C)
discipline labels: Data Science
discipline labels: General Economics (JEL A)
discipline labels: Statistics

Tips for a Successful PhD Application
type: Article
title: Tips for a Successful PhD Application
description: 1. Apply broadly, but only if you’re really interested When applying to college many people send out dozens of applications, including ones to universities they aren't even particularly interested in attending. While at undergraduate level these 'safety' schools might be a good idea in order to guarantee you'll get an education (although there's also an argument for taking another year out to improve your grades and reapplying), at the graduate level this isn't necessarily the best strategy. <11an>limit:3;categories:PhD Programs;disciplines:Economics</11an> Yes, applying to only your two dream departments is an extreme gamble, but it's probably better to put your all into applying to those places, as well as maybe one or two backups you'd still be happy to attend, in order to ensure your most important applications get the lion's share of your attention and time. That way you can really put your heart into your applications, which will shine through and likely help land you a spot in the program of your dreams. Moreover, if you’re actually interested in a program at the outset, you’re much more likely to be able to maintain that momentum and ultimately work your way through to a completed dissertation. If you attend a school you don't particularly like, and especially if your program isn't exactly what you wanted to do, you may find yourself getting demotivated down the line, and a PhD is big jump up in terms of work quantity and self-discipline than even a Master's degree. 2. Spend ample time on your dissertation proposal Although a thoroughly researched dissertation proposal is a key component of many applications, it remains conspicuously absent from others. Yet, whether you are asked to include a 10-page proposal or simply a paragraph highlighting your specific interests, this description is often the crux of what separates an admitted PhD candidate from one who is left wondering why they were rejected. The proposal you write in your application will possibly ha…
disambiguating description: Whether you are applying to a structured program like those typically found in the United States, an independent research PhD like those in much of Europe and elsewhere, or a hybrid of the two, the first step is to gather your thoughts (and paperwork) in an effort to convince the admissions board that you are the most qualified and motivated candidate for the position. Regardless of location or discipline, your application will almost certainly include a personal statement, transcripts, copies of your previous degrees and letters of recommendation. If you plan to start your PhD application this autumn, download our free guide "How to successfully apply to a PhD in Economics".
date posted: 2019-02-01T08:00:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-06T12:00:33Z
language: en
keywords: PhD programs
keywords: graduate school
keywords: phd
keywords: Application
keywords: tips
type: advice
disciplines: marketing
disciplines: economics
disciplines: education
disciplines: law
disciplines: socialscience
disciplines: business
disciplines: psychology
disciplines: management
disciplines: generaleconomics
discipline labels: Marketing
discipline labels: Economics
discipline labels: Education
discipline labels: Law
discipline labels: Economics and Social Sciences
discipline labels: Business
discipline labels: Psychology
discipline labels: Management
discipline labels: General Economics (JEL A)

Why do a PhD?
type: Article
title: Why do a PhD?
description: Will a PhD help my career? Will doing a PhD boost your career options? Absolutely, but with some caveats. If you want to work in academia, for example in research or as a professor, then doing a PhD is essential. Having a PhD can also help you to land jobs in industry, for example working as an analyst or as an actuary. When applying for these jobs, your PhD is both a demonstration of your prior experience in running a research project, and an example of your motivation and self-discipline. Our Salary Report found, however, that while the gender pay gap is closing for PhD positions, women still earn less than men, and for senior positions, there still exists a 'glass ceiling' for women, meaning they are less likely to be chosen for these roles. Yes, the direction of travel may be the right one, but we are clearly still travelling with the handbrake on. A PhD is also not essential for every job. If you know that you want to work in a field such as finance or accounting, then real-world job experience can be just as important when applying for jobs as academic qualifications. And there are some employers who will be put off by a candidate with a PhD who is applying for entry-level jobs, finding them to be overqualified. It's not a good idea to do a PhD just because you think it will help you generally to get a better job in the long run, as this may not be the case. The time you spend studying is time that could be spent accruing work experience. So before you make your decision really consider the specific role that you want or the field in which you want to work, and then see if a PhD would be helpful for that career path. <11an>limit:3;categories:PhD Programs;disciplines:Economics</11an> How can I fund a PhD? One of the most important issues to consider when thinking about a possible PhD is the question of funding. As working on a PhD is generally a full-time job, you will need funding to cover your living costs and other expenses. There are a number of sources of …
disambiguating description: Taking the step towards doing a PhD is a big decision, and one that shouldn't be made without the proper research and consideration. Once taken, however, it can be an extremely valuable experience and one that can set you up nicely in the future. Here we consider some of the things you should definitely think about before taking the plunge.
date posted: 2019-05-07T07:00:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-06T12:06:33Z
language: en
keywords: study advice
keywords: economics
keywords: PhD
type: advice
disciplines: economics
disciplines: socialscience
disciplines: business
disciplines: management
disciplines: generaleconomics
disciplines: economicthoughtmethodology
discipline labels: Economics
discipline labels: Economics and Social Sciences
discipline labels: Business
discipline labels: Management
discipline labels: General Economics (JEL A)
discipline labels: Economic Thought & Methodology (JEL B)

A Critique of Centrism
type: Article
title: A Critique of Centrism
description: Increasingly sidelined, the one-time arbiter of sensible, down-to-earth politics, has seen its stock plummet and the centre-ground left barren, sparsely populated by members of a fading political establishment. As Mehdi Hasan has observed, ‘labels like 'centrist' and 'moderate,' which common sense tells us should reflect the views of a majority… have come to be applied to those who represent minority interests and opinions”. But why? How exactly has this come to pass? And where, if anywhere, does the future of the centre lie? <11an>limit:2;categories:jobs|courses|conferences;disciplines:Politics</11an> A very brief and incomplete history Like the monikers ‘left’ and ‘right’, the ‘centre’, as a political orientation, finds its roots in the French Revolution and the seating arrangements of the short-lived National Assembly. It designated those that sat between the high clergy and wealthy on the right of the chair, and the lower clergy and poorer folks on the left. It was there that contrasting ideas met, were mediated, and (sometimes) found synthesis. In the centuries that followed, the ‘centre’ was sporadically appropriated as both a signifier and epithet. To a modern, anglophone ear, though, it’s mostly associated with the politics of the 1950s and 90s. President Dwight Eisenhowever was among its most strident torchbearers, committed to a politics he called ‘the middle ground’: socially-minded, yet limited governance that despised communism. Riding on his coattails, was UK Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, whose political career was grounded in a similar set of principles he codified in, ‘The Middle Way’. Positioned between ‘socialism and pure capitalism’, it was underpinned by the enduring belief that ‘quiet, calm deliberation disentangles every knot’. This period of supremacy abruptly ended in the 1960s, when centrism fell victim to the political convulsions that swept the west. In a context of counterculture and revolution, the considered nature for which it was …
disambiguating description: The current moment is one defined by crisis. It can be found everywhere: in the climate, economy, mental health, even in democracy. It’s so ubiquitous as to have almost become the new norm. Amid the chaos, politics has struggled to keep up, its landscape is in permanent shift, its rulebook long thrown away. New formations have emerged, metastasized, sometimes died, and occasionally taken over - developments often surprising and hard to make sense of. What’s clear, though, is that polarisation has set in. From Bernie to Bolsanaro, from Modi to Make America Great Again, the voices now heard, the names that fill newspaper columns, are reminding us just how wide the political spectrum is. For many, it's a terrifying prospect, for others, it’s a thrilling and necessary reset. For the centre, as developments in the US and UK are showing, it may well spell death.
date posted: 2020-02-24T12:55:23Z
date modified: 2026-07-03T13:56:54Z
employment type: onsite
language: en
keywords: inequality
keywords: William Pearse
keywords: climate crisis
keywords: political thought
keywords: centrism
type: blog
disciplines: economichistory
disciplines: politics
disciplines: publiceconomicspolicy
disciplines: economics
disciplines: socialscience
disciplines: economicthoughtmethodology
discipline labels: Economic History (JEL N)
discipline labels: Politics
discipline labels: Public Economics & Economic Policy (JEL H)
discipline labels: Economics
discipline labels: Economics and Social Sciences
discipline labels: Economic Thought & Methodology (JEL B)

Top Free Online Courses in Statistics and Data Analysis
type: Article
title: Top Free Online Courses in Statistics and Data Analysis
description: 1. Statistics with R Specialisation by Coursera (Duke University) Duration: 10 weeks Background needed: Basic math, no programming experience required. 2. Intro to Statistics by Udacity (Stanford University) Duration: 8 weeks Background needed: Introductory course, no experience required. 3. Statistical Learning by Stanford University Duration: 10 weeks Background needed: Basic knowledge of statistics, linear algebra, and computing. 4. Introduction to R by Leada Duration: Self Paced Background needed: Introductory course, no experience required. 5. Statistics: The Science of Decisions by Udacity (San Jose State University) Duration: Self Paced; approximately 4 months Background needed: Basic understanding of proportions (fractions, decimals, and percentages), negative numbers, basic algebra (solving equations), and exponents and square roots. 6. Introduction to Probability Theory by Saylor Duration: Self Paced Background needed: Completed courses in single-variable and multi-variable calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations, or equivalents. 7. Statistical Thinking for Data Science and Analytics by EDX (Columbia University) Duration: 5 weeks Background needed: Introductory course, no experience required. 8. Foundations of Data Analysis - Part 1: Statistics Using R by EDX (University of Texas) Duration: 6 weeks Background needed: Introductory course, no experience required. 9. Learning from Data - Caltech Duration: Self Paced Background needed: Introductory course, no experience required.
disambiguating description: There are now more online learning options than ever, including courses which are - thank you Internet - absolutely free. Whether you want to prepare for your upcoming university course, need to pick up some extra skills to help with your job, or you are just interested in a subject and want to learn more, there will be an online course out there that can help you achieve your goals. Particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced many of us to spend more time indoors and less time on campus or at evening classes, online courses can be a great way to carry on your education while minimising risk. Here are some of the best the internet has to offer in the area of statistics and data analysis.
date posted: 2015-12-23T15:14:21Z
date modified: 2026-07-06T12:07:41Z
language: en
keywords: economics
keywords: data analysis
keywords: stats
keywords: online
keywords: course
keywords: statistics
keywords: big data analysis
type: teach
disciplines: marketing
disciplines: economics
disciplines: socialscience
disciplines: business
disciplines: management
disciplines: econometricsstatisticsquantitative
disciplines: datascience
disciplines: generaleconomics
disciplines: statistics
discipline labels: Marketing
discipline labels: Economics
discipline labels: Economics and Social Sciences
discipline labels: Business
discipline labels: Management
discipline labels: Econometrics, Statistics and Quantitative Methods (JEL C)
discipline labels: Data Science
discipline labels: General Economics (JEL A)
discipline labels: Statistics

Improving Fundamentals of Econometrics with Online Practice Tests
type: Article
title: Improving Fundamentals of Econometrics with Online Practice Tests
description: Getting to grips with the fundamentals of econometrics – where the field of economics meets and overlaps with the field of statistics – is often a daunting prospect. The age-old maxim that practice makes perfect is at least as applicable to econometrics as to any other skill. Reaching a useful level of proficiency requires a good deal, and likely several years, of hard graft and persistent learning. Indeed, students need to get their heads around the basics of data analysis and core statistical methods, as well as gain confidence in the use of more advanced panel data and regression models. For those teaching econometrics at university, the challenge often lies, like in many subjects, in helping students grasp the basics of the discipline. This has traditionally been achieved through the classic mixture of textbooks, set journal articles, seminars and lectures. But in a reality consisting of large class sizes and limited contact time between tutors and students, the extent to which a professor of econometrics can effectively monitor and support the progress of each student is often very restricted. And that is before even considering the added challenge presented by the 2020/21 (22,23...) global pandemic and the accompanying social and academic distancing. One professor at Hamburg University and Universität Potsdam, Thomas Siedler, has developed a new online resource to help econometrics lecturers and students alike tackle the challenge of practicing and gauging students’ progress in the fundamentals of econometrics. As an experienced economics lecturer with a focus on microeconometrics, Prof. Siedler initially developed mcEmpirics for students on his own econometrics courses at Hamburg University. After excellent feedback, in early 2020 he opened it up to anyone with access to the internet. As with most good ideas, the principle of mcEmpirics is simple. It offers a quiz-based format for students, with each test compiled from a pool of over 800 questions. These cove…
disambiguating description: A new initiative from Hamburg University, Universität Potsdam, and the Berlin School of Economics is helping economics students get ahead in the fundamentals of econometrics. The online tool mcEmpirics offers econometrics practice tests for students and is now being rolled out for whole economics departments with new campus-licenses. Especially with the challenges of remote teaching resulting from the ongoing global pandemic, mcEmpirics is gaining notice as a digital solution for economics students and teachers worldwide.
date posted: 2021-02-17T08:41:16Z
date modified: 2026-07-06T12:09:34Z
employment type: onsite
language: en
keywords: Study advice
keywords: Prof. Thomas Siedler
keywords: Online Learning
keywords: Econometrics
keywords: mcEmpirics
type: teach
disciplines: economics
disciplines: socialscience
disciplines: econometricsstatisticsquantitative
disciplines: generaleconomics
discipline labels: Economics
discipline labels: Economics and Social Sciences
discipline labels: Econometrics, Statistics and Quantitative Methods (JEL C)
discipline labels: General Economics (JEL A)

Capitalism vs Socialism
type: Article
title: Capitalism vs Socialism
description: However simple sounding this choice may be, the question is, in fact, a tricky one. What’s even meant by each term? In the current polarised political climate, where both are bandied about and often weaponised, definitions have blurred. Deplorable in the eyes of some, the roadmap to utopia to others. Many are understandably confused. What should one make of being branded a champagne-sipping socialist? Or a capitalist pig? To make sense of it all, we have delineated each term as concisely as possible. Meaning next time the political barbs start flying, you will at least know how offended to be when one comes your way. <11an>limit:2;categories:jobs|courses|conferences;disciplines:General Economics (JEL A)</11an> Capitalism Of the myriad differences that distinguish capitalism from socialism it’s the level of government involvement in the economy that’s most fundamental. The capitalist model is premised on the private ownership of the means of production and property. The economy relies on open, free markets whose forces - the so-called ‘invisible hand’ - determine prices, incomes, wealth and the distribution of goods. In theory, unencumbered competition then drives innovation - in technology and practice - and encourages companies to make the best products they can as cheaply as possible. Over time, therefore, products improve in quality, while becoming cheaper. ‘Inefficient’ companies that fail to keep up, as in, their products are relatively expensive or poor in quality, are quickly usurped and go out of business. This allows resources to flow to other, more ‘efficient’ areas - a process Joseph Schumpeter called ‘creative destruction’. Meanwhile, the consumer is ensured maximum choice at the minimum price - again, in theory at least. And this is what lies at capitalism’s heart: the promise of meritocracy, of efficiency winning out. It underpins the whole system. This leads neatly to another key distinction from socialism: equality, or, in capitalism’s case, the lack…
disambiguating description: As claims go, Francis Fukuyama’s insistence that history’s run its course has aged rather badly. The ascent of China, the Great Recession, spiralling inequality across the West, and now COVID-19, have all, in their own way, undermined his notion that capitalist liberal democracy is the political endgame. If anything, political choice seems to be expanding. People are increasingly being offered the opportunity to continue with capitalism, occasionally of the nativist variety and sometimes strictly neoliberal, or, alternatively, to try a little socialism.
date posted: 2019-11-18T13:33:14Z
date modified: 2026-07-03T14:00:29Z
employment type: onsite
language: en
keywords: William Pearse
keywords: capitalism
keywords: socialism
keywords: economic systems
type: blog
disciplines: politics
disciplines: economics
disciplines: socialscience
disciplines: economicsystems
disciplines: economicthoughtmethodology
discipline labels: Politics
discipline labels: Economics
discipline labels: Economics and Social Sciences
discipline labels: Economic Systems (JEL P)
discipline labels: Economic Thought & Methodology (JEL B)

How COVID-19 has Affected Economists in the Global North and South
type: Article
title: How COVID-19 has Affected Economists in the Global North and South
description: Overall, 36% of economists reported having been negatively affected by COVID professionally (excluding the turn to home-office), with 6% made redundant. Although this may be similar to comparable sectors, mapped geographically, the numbers tell another - depressingly familiar - story. Simply put, economists working in the Global South have suffered far higher levels of job loss, greater reductions in hours and salary, and have had more promotions postponed, than their Global North counterparts. The data is stark: 62% of economists in Africa, 56% in South Asia, and 42% in Caribbean, South & Central America, reported being negatively affected by the pandemic professionally, compared with just 23% in North America, and only 16% in Western Europe. Global inequality The International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) report ‘COVID-19 and the world of work’ makes it possible to place these figures among global labour market trends, and, thus, better understand the nuances of the economists’ experience. ILO research uses ‘working-hour losses’ as an aggregate indicator of COVID-19’s impact on the global labour market, and encompasses shorter hours, being employed but not working, being unemployed, and withdrawal from the labour force. With respect to the Global North/South divide, ILO data contains notable parallels to INOMICS’ survey, reporting that ‘lower-middle-income countries have been hardest hit’ and have endured ‘an estimated decline in working hours of 23.3% in the second quarter of the year’- the equivalent of 240 million full time jobs. This trend continued throughout the third quarter and is accounted for by greater prevalence of informal work, limited opportunities for teleworking, and general resource constraints. Unfortunately, because of unevenly distributed fiscal stimuli, its consequences are also set to worsen - the report expressing concern that ‘the estimated stimulus gap for low-income countries is less than 1% of the total value of the fiscal stimulus packa…
disambiguating description: The damage wrought by COVID, far from equalising, has been pointedly prejudiced. While the virus itself may struggle to differentiate between people, the world in which it operates has no such problem. Indeed, its structures have ensured COVID’s disruption of employment has fallen unevenly across regions - the experience of economists a case in point. Data from the forthcoming INOMICS’ Salary Report speaks to this directly, revealing the relationship between where one works - specifically in which country - and the level of vocational dislocation.
date posted: 2020-11-23T13:31:02Z
date modified: 2026-07-03T14:01:41Z
employment type: onsite
language: en
keywords: COVID-19
keywords: Global North
keywords: William Pearse
keywords: coronavirus
keywords: Economists
keywords: Global South
keywords: Inequality
keywords: Salary Report 2020
type: blog
disciplines: internationaleconomics
disciplines: economics
disciplines: socialscience
disciplines: business
disciplines: economicdevelopmentgrowth
disciplines: healtheducationwelfareeconomics
discipline labels: International Economics (JEL F)
discipline labels: Economics
discipline labels: Economics and Social Sciences
discipline labels: Business
discipline labels: Economic Development, Innovation and Growth (JEL O)
discipline labels: Health, Education, and Welfare (JEL I)