We have lived with COVID-19 for almost two years. It has affected economies all around the world, particularly in the developing world. Yet, developing economies, while experiencing an economic con
Degrowth: Delinking GDP, output and value
This is my contribution to the ongoing polemic between the proponents of degrowth and those who believe that degrowthers are engaged in mystical thinking ignoring the hard economic reality and the
Great Disappointment (Neoliberalist capture in the time of COVID-19)
Originally, the Great Disappointment refers to the false prophesy of William Miller about Christ’s Second Coming in 1844. This, as we know, didn’t happen, leaving his followers bewildered and d
Serbia’s accession to where?
Today’s post is a preview of my chapter in a forthcoming book on Public Administration in Conflict Affected Countries under the editorship of two eminent colleagues, Prof. Purshottama Sivanar
Creating good and productive jobs in Uganda
Creating meaningful and productive employment for young people in Uganda is extremely important. In Uganda, every year there are 300,000 new entrants to the job market. But the formal sector can cr
A World Without Work: Revindication of Marxism without Marx
If I were to summarize Daniel Susskind’s new book “A World Without Work” in one sentence, it would be “The world without work is behind the corner but we shouldn’t worry too much about it
Local Government Fiscal Space for COVID-19 and Beyond
Two studies in which I recently participated, one on COVID-19 impact on the local government fiscal space and service delivery in Uganda, and the other on the impact of COVID-19 on in African citie
Reading development economics at the time of COVID-19: Good Economics for Hard Times
As we have all discovered, life continues even under COVID-19 as people adapt and adjust to the new normal. Many usual things are getting unusual meanings and importance. The same must be true for
COVID-19 and fiscal space of Ugandan local governments
Local government fiscal space consists of three main components, own source revenues, intergovernmental fiscal transfers (grants) and borrowing. Considering that the share of borrowing in local gov
Life After Corona: Business as Usual?
Trying to predict the future is so inherently human. To me, this is a sign of ingrained optimism: even when the future predicted is very gloomy, it is still a future we are talking about. Future fo