Category Archives: Economics

Book Review: William Ryan ~ The Holy Thief (2010)

The death of Phillip Kerr left a hole in my reading of historical novels. His principal character, Bernie Gunther,1 a Berlin policeman becomes embedded in the Nazi regime whilst maintaining his integrity (sort of). Ryan’s Moscow Noir novels are set … Continue reading

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Rishi Sunak: Scourge of the Middle Classes

Chancellor Sunak has increased taxation from income, which will alienate Conservative middle-class voters. Problem? No way. Adroit political footwork and the magic of inflation will square the political circle. Quietly, without fanfare, and with deadly efficiency Sunak created additional income … Continue reading

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Something Brexit lovers should contemplate

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Germany’s nuclear dilemma

….turning all the German nuclear reactors back on could approximately stop gas imports from Russia. Shutting the remaining ones down could increase the dependency on Russian gas by about 30%. Germany facts of the day – Marginal REVOLUTION

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Woody Guthrie discovers Catholic hypocrisy

“Son, I have been in this service [Roman Catholic priest] all my life. I have seen to it that thousands of men just like you got to work for a meal. But, right at this moment, there is no kind … Continue reading

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What energy crisis?

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Thirteen Ships and Thirty-six Admirals: The Royal Navy, 2022

“Rule, Britannia! Britannia rule the waves:“Britons never will be slaves.”1 The Royal Navy guaranteed British independence for centuries. The last successful invasion of Britain was in 1688 by the Dutch, who’d made sure they got a good reception when they … Continue reading

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An impossible dream

Interviewer: What’s the first thing that you’re going to get with your £10 million lottery win? Jim: I’m going to make my wife very, very happy Interviewer: Do you mind me asking what you intend to do? Jim: I’m going … Continue reading

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The politics of begging

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George Osborne, The Age of Austerity and Children

Osborne, the chancellor, caused alarm and anger when he talked about the unfairness of a “shift-worker” leaving for work early in the morning who looks up and sees “the closed blinds of their next door neighbour sleeping off a life … Continue reading

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