Tag: economics

What the world can learn about equality from the Nordic model

OPINION: Given that the five Nordic countries – Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden – are some of the world’s most equal on a number of measures, it makes sense to look to them for lessons in how to build a more equal society.

Tax havens can drive environmental degradation

A new study from Sweden shows how the use of tax havens is indirectly linked to illegal fishing as well as deforestation in the Amazon.

Researcher: Monopolies are good

OPINION: Without monopolies consumers miss out on the best technology at a good price. The task is to prevent that monopoly from abusing its power.

Why you shouldn’t bring your mobile device shopping

If you want to save money after your holiday, leave your mobile phone at home when shopping. Consumers who used their phones in the grocery store ended up with fuller shopping carts.

The economic effects of restricting immigration – lessons from US history

Clearly changes in immigration policy generate winners and losers. But perhaps not the winners and losers that the government might expect.

Power cuts seen when all pay their fair share of costs

Swedes waste more electricity when power costs are included in their rent.

You can get wealthier with one sibling

Having one brother or sister can contribute to a higher income in adulthood. On average if your parents get divorced it has no economic consequence for your future income.

Conserving rare bees has ethical merit but little economic value

Most wild bee species do not pollinate crops and offer little economic return; scientists suggest other reasons to conserve them

Professor: let’s fight corruption in Africa effectively

Foreign aid in Africa often lands in the wrong pockets. This leads many to call for a stop to aid Africa’s poor. A Professor of law suggests new, more sustainable solutions to the dilemma.

Red figures for Oslo - Stockholm fast train

The bottom line figures flash as red as a stoplight when using a new method of calculating the profitability of a prospective high-speed rail between the Norwegian and Swedish capitals.

Immigrants have a positive effect on native workers

New study disproves old economic theories about wages going down and native workers losing their jobs when immigrants take the low-salary jobs.

Foreign markets: high risk, high reward

Branching into markets that are culturally unlike your own poses risks, but can be a better business strategy than staying closer to home.

Swedish transport deregulation leads to price hikes

The idea was to increase competition and lower prices. But when domestic flights and the taxi sector were deregulated, it had the opposite result, and prices spiked, Swedish research shows.

Icelandic music thrives against all odds

Reykjavík is a paradox. The tiny Icelandic capital has produced a music scene that is far greater than its size warrants.

How the heavy plough changed the world

New technology ploughed its way to prosperity in medieval Northern Europe.

Debt crisis is caused by corruption

There is a close link between the current EU debt crisis and the extensive corruption taking place in several southern European countries, according to new research on corruption.

Is Danish welfare facing a break-up?

OPINION: Denmark is now discussing a break with the philosophy of universalism, although social expenditure in the Nordic countries is no higher than in Germany or France. Social policy experience tells us that universal welfare schemes are the most redistributive and that welfare for the poor always ends up as ‘poor welfare’.

Trust creates a welfare state – not vice versa

The Scandinavian welfare model cannot be exported to other countries because the fundamental trust required for such a system to function is unique to the Nordic countries.