Obliquity
Strange as it may seem, overcoming geographic obstacles, winning decisive battles or meeting global business targets are the type of goals often best achieved when pursued indirectly. This is the idea of Obliquity. Oblique approaches are most effective in difficult terrain, or where outcomes depend on interactions with other people.
Customer inertia and the active shopper
When human nature conflicts with government policy or business strategy, human nature will usually win. From mobile phones to credit cards, customer inertia remains a dominant influence in many markets.
Don’t get too hung up on inflation measures
Index number experts are the economic analogue of trainspotters. John explains why the Chancellor should direct attention to a broader range of monetary measures instead of redefining the inflation index.
Economic forecasting will never be an exact science
John explains why reliable economic forecasting is, in principle, impossible
Galileo and the lure of amateur economics
A comparison of DIY economics - the things everyone knows but aren't so - with DIY physics.
A message from Macbeth, and Adam Smith
The invisible hand is the most widely used metaphor in economics. What did Adam Smith (or William Shakespeare, who coined the phrase) really mean?
Imperial China fell prey to a lack of pluralism
Unravelling one of the great puzzles of economic history - why did economic development take off three centuries ago in North West Europe, not South East China?
When the heat is on the cool places still prosper
The connection between a country’s climate and its wealth can prove elusive.
Why the world is not on Britain’s side
John explores one of the most enduring questions of all Englishmen abroad. Why do foreigners drive on the wrong side of the road?
Tax is bad enough without needless complexity
Sir Christopher Gent and a precinct of policemen provide some insights to our tax system.