Men and women are different. That’s a good thing, much of the time, but not in the case of unemployment. A woman may be able to bewitch her partner, but when it comes to being out of work, she’s the one in the deepest spell—an unemployment spell, that is. Recent research in Colombia sheds light on some of the issues surrounding women in and out of the workforce. Let’s set the … [Read more...] about Unemployment among Women: Another Kind of Spell
What do Ireland and Costa Rica Have in Common? A World of Possibilities.
Besides stunning landscapes, abundant natural resources, folklore, music and a joyful approach to life, Costa Rica and Ireland have in common openness to internationalization. Both countries illustrate —with different strategies—the importance of the macroeconomic context, institutions, and the trade regime to successfully attract foreign direct investment. Despite the near … [Read more...] about What do Ireland and Costa Rica Have in Common? A World of Possibilities.
Commodity Prices: over 100 Years of Booms and Busts…
Commodity prices are very persistent. During booms we seem to forget that they have always (yes, always) been followed by busts (see Figure 1). And during a slump we forget that a boom is surely going to come along— we just have to wait long enough. What determines such booms and busts? Was the last boom exceptional? Where are prices today relative to long-run trends? And the … [Read more...] about Commodity Prices: over 100 Years of Booms and Busts…
Faced with a Water Shortage, a Flood of Ideas.
The US state of California is passing through a very serious drought, which has resulted in serious problems of water availability. Experts have not been able to agree on the reasons for the extreme situation and why preventive measures were not taken, nor have they been able to agree on the best possible solutions. Nevertheless, it seems that the measures they have taken up … [Read more...] about Faced with a Water Shortage, a Flood of Ideas.
Foreign Aid for Disasters: Never Enough
The destruction was colossal, the after-shocks harrowing. Nepal's April 25th earthquake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, leveled large parts of the country, reduced ancient city centers and mud-brick villages to rubble, and left much of the nation in chaos. More than 5,000 people died, more than 10,000 were injured, and tens of thousands lost their homes. Nations from … [Read more...] about Foreign Aid for Disasters: Never Enough