The proposal for a minimal global corporate tax: G-7 in the role of a taxman
by Krassen Stanchev 21 July 0
Edmund Burke once said that “No government ought to exist for the purpose of checking the prosperity of its people or to allow such a principle in its policy”. In contrast to this principle, however, in June and July finance ministers and central bankers met in London and Venice to check the (...)
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership: the biggest trade bloc in history
by Mohamed Moutii 14 July 0
In spite of the attacks it has suffered in the past years, globalization is doing well. In particular, last November free trade supporters celebrated the birth of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a free trade agreement that includes the members of the Association of (...)
Call for research proposals - guidelines and information
by IREF 8 July 0
IREF is a free-market oriented think tank. It promotes ideas, events, and academic research. With regard to research, IREF supports original projects that lead to the production of papers of academic quality of at least 7,000 words. This support is not a prize to published work, nor is it an (...)
200 years of modern Greece
by Aristides Hatzis 7 July 0
„I hope that our government, more enlightened and more liberal than in the past, will be in the future the true friend of the best and noblest cause that exists; and that the name of England will forever be dear to the Greeks.“ Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley in a letter to Alexandros Mavrokordatos (...)
Towards a zero-risk society?
by Sergio Beraldo 23 June 0
‘Towards a zero-risk society’ might be thought as the manifesto of a dishonest politician who tries to win voters’ support by promising to free them from any possible risk. A deceitful manifesto, however: although it could attract plenty of people and gather widespread consensus, the promise would (...)
On the Rise (and Fall) of fake news hype
by Luigi Curini 16 June 0
For some years, they have been the undisputed queens of political talk shows, the master key used by most commentators to explain the whatever. There was no election in which they did not make their triumphal appearance: The «leave» won at Brexit? Fault of fake news! Trump becomes president? The (...)
The European Green Deal will cause more harm than good
by Mohamed Moutii 9 June 0
In the last European elections, the so-called green parties won a record number of seats and became the fourth largest bloc in the European parliament. The Greens are now seen as pivotal political allies for passing EU legislation. Not surprisingly, climate issues have become central to the (...)
Give priority to the first shots!
by Fabian Kurz, Translation by Anna-Maria Kohnke 2 June 0
Jabs are the way out of the COVID-19 pandemic. The UK, US, and Israel have made much progress with their vaccination programmes. In continental Europe, however, life-saving vaccine doses are scarce – partly due to the EU’s unfortunate purchasing policy. In light of the scarce vaccines and of the (...)
A wide look at Digital Euro – part 2: monetary policy
by Leonardo Baggiani 19 May 0
In a previous article, we pointed out a number of technical problems related to the Digital Euro (DE) and the expected benefits for the users. To make a long story short, the costs and risks of the project seem greater than the benefits. We now add some thoughts about the ECB monetary policy. (...)
A wide look at Digital Euro – part 1: risks, costs, and benefits for the users
by Leonardo Baggiani 12 May 0
The European Central Bank is working on her own digital currency: the Digital Euro (DE). Several details are provided in the specific ECB report. There are still many technical problems to solve and structural choices to make before implementing DE. Yet, some features seem clear. DE would be a (...)