The world Europe confronts is changing rapidly. On the hand, the United States is becoming widely viewed as an indispensible, but unreliable ally. Equally importantly, the global economy appears to be entering an era of rapid technological change for which Europe is not fully prepared. To be sure, the region enjoys an enviable economic model; [...]
Category: Europe
France: Plus Ca Change?
2 March 2025 "Plus ca change" is a French adage loosely meaning "the more things change, the more they stay the same". To be sure, France enjoys an enviable socio-economic model: producing high levels of productivity and living standards combined with a strong commitment to equity and sustainability. Indeed, I have just returned from an [...]
Can Europe Surprise? Only With Reforms
20 February 2024 Is Europe in secular decline? If so, can it be halted? Since as recently as 1990, the region's share of global GDP has declined from 24% to 14%. Even compared to other advanced economies, Europe has lost ground. Indeed, since 2005 European GDP growth has trailed the USA by 0.7% annually (the [...]
Italy: Supply-Side Reforms Are the Only Remedy
19 November 2022 I have just enjoyed a fact-finding trip to the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Naturally, I indulged myself with the gastronomic delights of Bologna, Parma, and Modena; as well as marvelled at the mosaics in Ravenna. On the economic front, to be sure, Italy has had little to cheer about in recent years. [...]