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This year is bound to be an exciting and tumultuous one, as the first tangible effects of the long-awaited economic recovery (in growth terms) coincide with the electoral cycle. Voters can expect the nature of the election promises on both sides of the line to change substantially, with politicians emboldened by the overall uptick in economic activity. Read more

In debating, speakers are not rewarded for having a superior argument per se. They are rewarded for convincing the audience that they do. Read more

Let us play a game of spot the odd one out. Which of the following has the highest level of traffic congestion: New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Western Europe or the United States? Read more

Admittedly, judgements by the German constitutional court can sometimes be hard to understand. Last week’s ruling to pass on the matter of the European Central Bank’s bond purchases to the European Court of Justice is no exception. Read more

Last week the New Zealand Productivity Commission (NZPC) published its second interim report on productivity in the private sector component of the services industry. This website provides easy access to this report and related documents. Read more

Public policy should, at the very least, make sense – economically, politically, environmentally or morally to name just a few credible reasons. However, Premier of Western Australia Colin Barnett’s decision to enact a catch-and-kill shark culling policy seems to contradict well-grounded judgement no matter which perspective it is viewed from. Read more

Before becoming Foreign Secretary in the British government, William Hague was one of the most sought-after celebrities on the speaking circuit. That was not least due to his wit and sense of humour. Read more

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When the Prime Minister delivered his State of the Nation speech last week, the ideas on education reform were bold and substantial. Even the teachers’ unions, not the government’s most natural ally, were impressed. Read more

Coming up with careful policy in an election year is a bit like turning up to Mardi Gras in a business suit. After all, it is supposed to be a time for political parties to woo the public with their most extravagant and colourful policies. Read more