The Economist (April 26)
With the population of those aged 65 and over nearly set to double in the next two decades, many economies seem poised for stagnation. In actuality, there are new possibilities for older workers to continue contributing to the economy. Skilled workers are already doing this, but “politicians need to convince less-skilled older voters that it is in their interests to go on working. Doing so will not be easy. But the alternative—economic stagnation and even greater inequality—is worse.”
Tags: Economy, Inequality, Older workers, Politicians, Population, Skilled, Stagnation, Voters
Wall Street Journal (December 23, 2013)
To avoid the stagnation that has afflicted Japan, the U.S. should embrace immigration reform. Reform could lead to a younger population, innovation and entrepreneurship. “If Japan, a rapidly aging country with famously prohibitive immigration laws, teaches us anything, it is this: If you want to avoid a “lost decade,” open your doors to immigrants.”
Tags: Aging, Entrepreneurship, Immigrants, Immigration, Innovation, Japan, Laws, Lost decade, Population, Reform, Stagnation, U.S.
Institutional Investor (June issue)
“Optimism is beginning to infect Japan’s corporate leaders–a crucial factor considering that the new policies must spur corporate investment and expansion if they are to succeed in fostering a sustainable economic turnaround.” Corporate leaders have welcomed Abenomics, but the jury is still out. “Corporate Japan will consider the new government successful if it can end the psychology of deflation and stagnation and offer the prospect of renewed growth. So far, business leaders are fairly optimistic.”
Tags: Corporate leaders, Deflation, Expansion, Government, Investment, Japan, Optimism, Psychology, Stagnation
The Economist (May 25, 2013)
“Unfortunately, the idea that the euro is yesterday’s problem is a dangerous figment. In reality, Europe’s leaders are sleepwalking through an economic wasteland…. For everyone’s sake, Europe’s leaders must shake themselves out of their lethargy. They must grasp that if they do not act, the euro zone faces stagnation or break-up—possibly both.”
Wall Street Journal (May 9, 2013)
“The yen’s decline signals hopes for a more groundbreaking economic shift: the reversal of nearly two decades of stagnation, weak demand and declining prices.”“The yen’s decline signals hopes for a more groundbreaking economic shift: the reversal of nearly two decades of stagnation, weak demand and declining prices.”
Tags: Demand, Economic shift, Hope, Japan, Prices, Stagnation, Yen
Economist (November 4)
First elected prime minister in 1994, Silvio Berlusconi has become the longest serving leader in the G8. He has proved a shrewd fighter, weathering numerous scandals and crises. For Italy, however, his extended reign has created “a comedy that has gone on too long.” The Economist believes change is needed: “what Mr Berlusconi really offers is not stability but stagnation. Far from steering Italy skilfully past the many dangers that confront it, his government has become almost totally paralysed.”
Tags: Berlusconi, G8, Italy, Stagnation
