Europe’s public finances in a warming world
Climate change is increasingly shaping macro-fiscal outlooks. Extreme weather events, chronic damages from global warming, and decarbonisation efforts all have growing implications for public finances
Income, democracy, and growth: Broadening the perspective
Does prosperity bring democracy? Does democracy boost prosperity? This column argues that the answer to both questions depends critically on whether a country has made
The EU fiscal framework undermines innovation and security
European member states may now exceed deficit limits if the borrowing finances defence. This column argues that this fiscal exemption is economically incoherent: it subsidises
Brexit migration shifts: Benchmarking the UK to Germany
Brexit has been one of the most consequential institutional shocks to a major European economy in recent decades. This column examines how Brexit reshaped the
The role of wages in retaining effective teachers in the classroom
Concerns about declining student achievements have become central in education debates, with teacher quality drawing attention as a key driver. This column examines how wages
Why EU innovation policy fails to promote disruptive innovation
Europe’s long-term prosperity depends on its ability to generate and absorb disruptive innovation. This column argues, however, that the European Commission’s proposed 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial
Reforming international taxation: Balancing profit shifting and investment responses
The global minimum tax represents the most ambitious international effort in decades to curb profit shifting to tax havens. But how much profit shifting actually
The Promise and Policy Implications of the 30×30 Initiative for Global Biodiversity Conservation
Biodiversity is declining at unprecedented rates, undermining the foundations of human survival and prosperity. Healthy ecosystems provide food, clean water, and climate stability, yet a major
Efficiency and distribution in the European Union’s digital deregulation push
A new framework shows how EU digital reforms must balance efficiency with transparent recognition of distributive consequences. To boost the European Union’s digital economy, the European
Assessing the Commission’s Multiannual Financial Framework proposal: First-order principles
Since the European Commission’s 2028-34 Multiannual Financial Framework proposal in July, much has been written about its ambitions, the levels of funding involved, and its
