Latin America- We Must Act Now

“We must act now.”- Lola Castro, WFP Regional Director while speaking about the Latin American region in 2023. Latin America has been facing a combination of economic and social challenges in recent years. The region’s economies have slowed down, and inflation rates have risen, leading to social tensions. These problems have been compounded by the

The Great Reopening: China

On January 8th, inbound travellers to China no longer faced quarantine requirements, effectively reopening one of the world’s largest economies. In the wake of mass popular protests, Beijing ditched the last of its restrictive zero-COVID policy in which the population faced severe limits, frequent lockdowns, and mass testing. According to IMF projections, China’s economy will

NORTH KOREA: THE HERMIT NATION

North Korea: The Hermit Nation – A war in the mid-20th century, obsession with nuclear proliferation and a stubborn refusal to globalise. Read the article to find out about North Korea and its story of political repression and economic seclusion!

Does a weakening dollar matter?

The world economy suffered a dramatic economic hit due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Some countries, like the United States, have pursued expansionary monetary and fiscal policy to counter the negative effects of the crisis. These decisions have not also affected the US recovery, but also that of many emerging countries. Latin American economies, and especially those that rely on commodities exports, will have to face the consequences of a depreciating dollar. How does a weakening dollar affect Latin American markets?

Covid’s Impact on Argentina, Debt, and Latin American Politics Going Forward

The pandemic’s toll on Latin America has taken an economic toll on an already unstable reasons. In the case of Argentina, a recent IMF debt deal under the Macri government in 2018 and rapid inflation in recent years have put the country even under even more pressure to restructure its debt while being able to recover. The new left-leaning Fernandez government faces many challenges in restructuring its debt arrangements with the IMF while still allowing the country to recover during the pandemic. So what effects has the pandemic had on the country’s relations with IMF debt, economic instability, and Latin American politics as a whole, and how will the government navigate the current crisis in order to get the country what it wants? Read the article to find out!

Turkey’s Ceaseless Battle with Price Stability: Inflation and Currency Volatility

Consistent double-digit inflation and currency volatility have plagued Turkey’s economy for the last several years.

Investor confidence has subsequently been crushed, triggering an exodus of foreign finance, and a further tumble in the Turkish lira.

However, a new hope has emerged as the lira rallies due to a sharp shift in investor confidence following the country’s recent shakeup of economic management.

Is there finally an end in sight for Turkey’s ceaseless battle against price stability?

The Lost Decade: The 1980’s Debt Crisis in Latin America

Unemployment, neoliberal reforms and poverty- the Latin American debt crisis rippled through the region in the 1980’s and was the worst one in history.

Borrowing large amounts of capital for industrialisation and infrastructure projects, following two oil crises the region found the debt burden unbearable as interest rates increased and payment schedules decreased.

Discover the origins of ‘The Lost Decade’ and the role the IMF played in exacerbating the crisis and its consequences.

Argentina and the IMF: A Toxic Bond

After 64 years, 21 arrangements, and over 30 presidents, Argentina has reluctantly come back to its first love: the International Monetary Fund. It has been a long and complicated relationship, with moments of hope and despair, of joy and anxiety. Some challenges remain unsolved to say the least, but the couple is still confident that it will work this time. Only time will tell, but the outlook is not very promising.

Discover the origins of this intricate, paradoxical, but intriguing love story, and the future that is yet to come. “Y aunque no quise el regreso, siempre se vuelve, al primer amor”.

China’s soft power in Africa, is it beneficial to African Economies?

China’s rise to the world stage as a political and economic hegemony has come with many consequences, one of which has been its rapid development of soft power streams in Africa through foreign aid, investment, and cultural exports.

Although soft power is a term which seems innocuous compared to traditional global power dynamics, it has caused controversy and even faced criticism from Western competitors, African countries, and international organizations.

So has the rise of Chinese soft power in Africa been beneficial in any way?

Indonesia’s Energy Market: Potential Waiting to be Unleashed

“Indonesia isn’t the most beautiful country in the world. I don’t think so. Italy is much lovelier – and France too. It’s a very problematic country. And that’s why you have to stay here for the rest of your life. Indonesia is a process. It’s not a finished idea. It’s a practice, and a trial