Across the modern world today there are few topics more divisive and debated than health care. Governments are constantly in a struggle to ensure proper care is available to those who need it, while also combating risings costs and greater demands on existing systems. Often, the groups that are hardest hit in this process are
The beacon of development often conjures up images of radical innovations, disruptive models and leapfrog technologies. And yet, as nations attempt to embrace the promises of development, there is often a colossal failure of both imagination and execution in providing for even the most basic of human needs. Measurable social change, ensuring a degree of
In economics, individuals or entities act based on the hope that the benefits of their actions will outweigh the costs. The economic value of an action is measured by the benefit it provides.
A current hot topic in news media is the potential agreement between the United States and Iran. Economically speaking, what would the value
The current predicaments of Greece and Puerto Rico have been a long time in the making. No single policy or economic agreement is to blame, but the difficulties involved in both situations are likely to negatively impact many people, creditors and debtors alike. Unfortunately, regardless of the resolutions, it is probable that the poor will
Explore the UN’s SDG website: Act Now
In September 2015, at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in New York, new Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) were adopted. These SDG’s address a comprehensive range of issues, from poverty, health and hunger, to gender equality, climate
Small businesses are a very essential component of the economic and financial fabric of emerging market countries such as Mexico.
In order for a company to secure a business loan from a bank in Mexico, the owner(s) will need to put up some form of collateral. The collateral can be in the form of business or
Given that China will become the largest economy in the world soon, if it is not already, now might be a good time to learn something more about the leader of this nation of 1.3 billion people. Xi Jinping is general secretary of the Communist Party of China, the president of the People’s Republic of
The Global Corruption Barometer survey across 107 countries found that, in 2013, in 51 of these nations, people perceived political parties to be among the institutions most affected by corruption. Bribery, corruption, theft and tax evasion cost developing countries $1.26 trillion per year, sufficient to lift the 1.4 billion people living on less than $1.25
With the release of economic data from China showing that the rate of growth of its gross domestic product decreased to 7.3 percent when compared to last year’s fourth quarter number, it is a good time to reflect on the basic direction of China’s reforms over the last 38 years.
The Chinese economic reform, literally called
Founded by Edward Said and Daniel Barenboim in 1999 as an experiment in coexistence, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra is a unique enterprise. Since its inception, it has given about 176 public performances across a range of impressive venues such as Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, and the General Assembly Hall at the United Nations, among
Sweden met the age-old problem of prostitution with a new approach fifteen years ago using simple economics: target demand (buyers) rather than supply (sellers). This means that the fines and arrests are directed at those buying instead of selling sexual services. Restricting demand in this way subsequently lowers supply. Sweden went from having 2,500 prostitutes
This story is about two Mexican citizens who came from two very different economic sides of their society. Yet, their stories converge in that they believed they could achieve a better life by moving north.
Jose was a peasant living in the state of Tamaulipas. A few years ago, a drought ruined his crop. Moreover, he
Mexico was a relatively peaceful country before it became a drug-related war zone, where executions, kidnappings, extortions and beheadings became normal in some cities. Although it is true that many drug lords were arrested and many tons of narcotics were seized during the drug war, more than 100,000 Mexicans died during this time, and cartels
On April 18, 1949, bells and celebrations erupted in Ireland. Thirty-three years after the beginning of the Easter Rebellion, the Republic of Ireland Act came into force, severing the last constitutional link to England and the British monarchy. This was followed by the Ireland Act of 1949, in which Britain conceded its former role and
Some might argue that greater convergence of international wages is essential for the achievement of a more just and balanced world economy. The perceived injustice of a system where 0.00000004% of the world’s population has as much wealth as the poorest 42% of the world’s people is a cause for alarm. True sustainability of both
In the past 25 years, over 2 billion people have gained access to improved sources of drinking water. Earlier this year, the World Health Organization announced the Millennium Development Goals for water had already been reached. The efforts of nonprofits, private businesses and governments are to be lauded for this great success.
Although, as a whole,
For what we believe is the second time in the world, an ongoing class will be taught as part of a major MBA program. The Said Business School at the University of Oxford will have classes taught by John Hoffmire – beginning in both September of this year and April of next year.
The focus of
Plans are being made to privatize Royal Mail, the distribution entity of the UK government which delivers letters and packages. As part of this transaction, upon completion, employees will receive 10% of the company stock. The value of this stock is estimated to be worth approximately $3000 per employee, which is proposed to be shared
As Africa awakes to its enormous promises and confronts the challenges that it must surmount, the recent World Economic Forum Africa Summit in 2013 reflected on how Africa’s entrepreneurs can be transformed into global champions.
The key points that emerged were that, though entrepreneurship is growing rapidly in Africa, there are significant difficulties and barriers that entrepreneurs must confront. Lack of access
Energy, environment, food production, and healthcare are some of the top challenges in the world that are being confronted by the faculty and students at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and other campuses of the UW system as part of a study abroad class on social entrepreneurship being taught at Oxford University this August
