English

  Negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the European Union and the Southern Common Market – known by the Spanish abbreviation Mercosur (Mercado Comun del Sur), the Portuguese Mercosul (Mercado Comum do Sul), or Nemby Nemuha in Guarani – have been ongoing since 1999. Implementation of a draft deal signed in 2019 remains stalled and […]

  Following Mario Draghi’s report on “The Future of European Competitiveness,” the European Union has become more attentive to the challenges posed by the lagging productivity growth that stems from declining innovation. The primary thrust of the report is to establish a new, Brussels-centered industrial policy that includes substantial subsidy programs, policy harmonization and tariffs designed to […]

  A very short appreciation of Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) and his opus magnum   No one has a right to compel me to be happy in the peculiar way in which he may think of the well-being of other men; but everyone is entitled to seek his own happiness in the way that seems to […]

  “The press does not tell us what to think, it tells us what to think about.” This phrase by Walter Lippmann (1889-1974), a pioneer of ethical journalism, captures the essence of the media’s role in society. Free media is essential in a free society, providing citizens with the information they need to make enlightened […]

  All 31 major U.S. banks passed the 2024 Federal Reserve stress tests -> Many believe the tests are overly optimistic and fail to capture realistic risks -> The assessment neglects the vulnerability of smaller regional banks   In June, the international financial press was excited to share some “great news” from the United States: […]