A Primer on Covid-19 and its Impact on the Supply Chains in China
By Zhio Xi April 30, 2021 The issue of supply chains has been one of the most discussed economic topics in China recently. Since joining the WTO in 2001, China's integration into the global economy has been accompanied by the reshaping
A Primer on Democratic Socialism
Twisha Asher
June 30, 2019
In 2017, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez beat Joe Crowley to claim the seat for New York’s 14th district in a momentous political upset. As a self-described Democratic Socialist, Ocasio-Cortez’s election spurred debate across the political spectrum. Read more
A Primer on Real Versus Nominal
Harvey Gram
July 22, 2018
The word “nominal” suggests insignificance. A “nominal tip” is small. “Nominally in charge” means “in name only” i.e. not really in charge. A money-valued variable such as GDP in dollars, pesos, Euros, etc. is described as... Read more
A Primer on Stocks and Flows (Part 2)
Harvey Gram
June 06, 2018
“Debts” and “deficits” seem to have negative connotations. Still, every debt/liability for one party is a credit/asset for some counter-party who willingly holds the corresponding security; and every deficit has its matching surplus somewhere in a complete and consistent set of accounts. Read more
A Primer on Stocks and Flows (Part 1)
Harvey Gram
May 18, 2018
The distinction between stocks and flows is essential to economic reasoning. In many cases, it is just common sense. If I tell you that my income is $1000, am I a prince or a pauper? Is it $1000 per hour or $1000 per year? Income is a flow, which must have a time dimension in order to be... Read more
A Primer on Exchange Traded Funds: Costs and Benefits
Ernesto Garcia
April 30, 2018
Exchanged Traded Funds (ETFs) have been around since 1989. By the end of 2017, global ETF assets totaled $4.569 trillion. The main reason ETFs have become so popular is straightforward—an individual investor can own, through the ETF, a basket of assets that... Read more
A Primer on Rules of Origin in NAFTA Negotiations and What Is Next
Richard J Nugent III
December 22, 2017
The latest round of negotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on November 21 ended with no major breakthroughs on contentious issues such as autos, dairy and rules of origin among others. The US administration’s demand that at least half of a NAFTA-qualifying vehicle... Read more
A Primer on Brexit
Merih Uctum
December 20, 2016
In a referendum on June 23, 2016 Britain voted to leave the European single market paving the way to further turmoil in Europe. This note summarizes why this happened and the implications for Britain when it pulls out. Read more