When are Assets Sales Appropriate?
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vaithianathanRhema Vaithianathan of Auckland University recently entertained Fabian audiences in both Wellington and Auckland with a review of the evidence on when assets sales could be judged to be appropriate (yes, there are some circumstances). She also  discussed what the costs and benefits of such sales might be. Her presentation can be downloaded here.

 
The Credit Downgrade and the Banks
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Dr David Tripe from Massey University School of Banking Studies and Dr Bill Rosenberg of the NZCTU spoke on this topic on Monday 7th November in Wellington.

David explained the role of the rating agencies in relation to corporate and sovereign debt, showed that New Zealand's risk profile lay more with private debt owed through the banks than with government debt, warned against the risks underlying the persistent current account deficit, and concluded that while further downgrades were possible the main risk lay in a sudden drop in ratings which was dependent on the banks' own ratings. A copy of his presentation can be found here.

Bill Rosenberg looked at the philosophy underlying the criteria used by the agencies in evaluating sovereign debt, showing that they looked not only at the levels of debt but also made a political assessment of governments' willingness to pay, in other words their willingness to place debt repayment above other political and social policies. His conclusion was that the development of good social and economic policy should downgrade the significance of the role played by the agencies. Bill's presentation can be found here and a detailed paper here.

Last Updated on Friday, 11 November 2011 06:33
 
What should be our Economic Priorities?
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Brian Easton, one of New Zealand's foremost independent economists, argues in this Fabian lecture that in a time of prolonged economic stagnation we should not equate income with wellbeing, or pursue income growth at all costs. Instead following Aristotle we should promote the good life well lived, as well as with Amartya Sen enhancing people's life opportunities. Certain sorts of collective spending, better health and education, lower income inequality and less stressful unemployment may all contribute more to our economic well-being.

Brian's presentation may be downloaded here

 

Last Updated on Wednesday, 09 November 2011 15:58
 
The Search for Solutions - Fresh Ideas for a Productive Economy
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A highly successful NZ Fabian Society seminar, Fresh Ideas for the Productive Economy – The Search for Solutionsfeaturing some of New Zealand’s leading business commentators, economic analysts, innovators and entrepreneurs, was staged in the Legislative Chamber of Parliament on Wednesday 27 July.

 

Here is an e-magazine with contributor papers.  An outline of the proceedings can be found here, with papers and presentations available here as they come to hand. For ongoing email updates on this topic, please sign up to the Search for Solutions mailing list

Last Updated on Thursday, 20 October 2011 11:09
 
We Ignore Demographics at Our Peril
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NZDemoIan Pool and Natalie Jackson recently delivered a disturbing message to Auckland Fabians. They exposed the discrepancy between popularly held perceptions of the challenges facing NZ and the realities of demographic trends, long in the making.

Their presentations are available here.

Last Updated on Thursday, 28 July 2011 12:51
 
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    Steve Keen addresses the New Depression on Hard Talk
    27 November 2011
    Address the deepening recesssion by writing off the debt, bankrupting the banks, and nationalising the financial system... Watch Steve Kean on BBC Hard Talk