Global Economy

So-called fair trade is the rage among elites who believe that it protects people in poor nations who would like higher prices for their exports. In reality, fair trade distorts prices and provides disincentives for consumers.

With the European economy remaining relatively stagnant and government debt levels climbing to disturbing levels, it's possible that some of these countries will see another debt crisis like we saw in Greece more than a decade ago.

Prompted by a listener request, Bob gives the standard economic analysis of tariffs and other types of taxes.

What changed? Justin Trudeau's campaign to convert Canada from a US-style mixed economy into a state-dominated economy like the sick men of the EU.

Economics researcher Joakim Book joins Bob to discuss his recent article on the dollar's international dominance.

Do you like your central bank capital positive or negative? The Fed is bankrupt, but even after taking recent losses, the Swiss National Bank still has positive capital. 

While progressives tout foreign aid to poor countries as socially and economically beneficial, in truth it makes poor nations even poorer. Foreign aid is a poor substitute for free trade and free markets.

The “AI” in our present real-world hype is nothing like the sci-fi “creatures” of film; AI machines are nowhere near conscious beings.

Artificial intelligence has much to contribute as a consumption good and a producer’s good. However, there also are limitations in what AI can do, given it susceptible to the GIGO rule: Garbage in, garbage out.

Christian Sandström is a Swedish economist who joins Bob to make the case that massive government funding projects aren't necessary to promote science or industrial growth.