Amid War and Elections, What About Europe’s Economy?

It’s been a long time since I wrote about the European economy, although I do mention it whenever I write about the global economy. The reason I think it needs a dedicated piece this time is because I think that the continent is too caught up in too many things at the moment and the… Continue reading Amid War and Elections, What About Europe’s Economy?

How India Loses by Not Holding a Census

2020-21 was the year of the decadal census for many countries, including India, as I wrote in a blog post at the time. It was also the year of the dreadful Covid-19 pandemic across the world and India too had introduced strict lockdowns. This, and social distancing norms being enforced meant that the census could… Continue reading How India Loses by Not Holding a Census

Why 2024 Ought to Be the Year of Rightsizing Luxury

A small bit of news during Q3 2023 corporate earnings struck me as curious. That luxury goods sales were slowing down. And not merely because of China’s economic slowdown, but luxury sales even in the US were reported to be lacklustre. If anything, China was still the saving grace. And it’s not just LVMH; Kering… Continue reading Why 2024 Ought to Be the Year of Rightsizing Luxury

Myths and What We Make of Them

I am reading the famous book of Norse mythology called The Edda, said to have originated in Iceland in the 13th century. Or at least it is believed to have been written in the 13th century. The Edda is in two parts: The later Poetic Edda dating from AD 800 to 1100, and the earlier… Continue reading Myths and What We Make of Them

The Three ‘I’s to Watch in the Global Economy

What? There are no 'I's in the global economy, of course. Well, the year has begun with corporate earnings and once again it’s time to turn our attention to these to see what they seem to be telling us about the health of the economy. India’s, and the world’s. From the corporate earnings announced, they… Continue reading The Three ‘I’s to Watch in the Global Economy

What The Davos Summit Missed in 2024

The start of a new year usually means the world’s global elite gather at Davos-Klosters in Switzerland for their annual summit. And this year was no different. After three years when these were disrupted due to Covid-19 pandemic and had to be held virtually, they are back in person for the second consecutive year now.… Continue reading What The Davos Summit Missed in 2024

When The Political Right Steals Ideas and Policies from The Left

We have to admit we live in pretty strange times. Not only is there not much to choose between the political left and the right these days, it’s also because there is so little that differentiates them. There used to be a time, when they were so clearly defined by their ideologies, that it would… Continue reading When The Political Right Steals Ideas and Policies from The Left

COP28 Ending on a Timid Note

In my last few blog posts on climate change and how it affects the poor, I had wondered how a COP summit being held in hydrocarbon heartland would go. On the one hand, it could be stymied by all the powerful interests in fossil fuels present in the region as many of their economies are… Continue reading COP28 Ending on a Timid Note

What To Expect from the Global Economy in 2024

We’re nearing the end of 2023, and it appears that most economies have managed to stave off a recession, except Germany, Austria, Poland and Sweden among advanced economies that might still close the year a little in the cold. Ireland too looks surprisingly weak in 2023, but not if you consider the previous two years… Continue reading What To Expect from the Global Economy in 2024

Global Economy Still Searching for Direction

The last time I wrote about the global economy, I wrote about its fractious state, thanks to the geopolitical tensions all around. This time, I thought I would look at it from the multilateral institutions’ point of view and then share my own thoughts on where the global economy might be headed. As I write… Continue reading Global Economy Still Searching for Direction