Assumptions by Warwick Economics Society

02/02/2022

"The coronavirus pandemic has caused significant disruption to many countries around the world, including the most developed ones. However, recently, China has successfully minimised its infection levels; therefore, a question is raised: how is China successfully containing the coronavirus whilst the majority of Western countries continue to struggle with it?"

In his most recent article, Adrian investigates and evaluates the success of China's tough 'zero-COVID' strategy and how this might change in the run up to the Winter Olympics.

02/02/2022

"Cases of major depressive disorder have increased by 27.6% globally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic..."

In her most recent article, Bel explores the impact of COVID-19 on inequality and mental health, and investigates any potential correlations and future implications.

https://warwickeconomicssociety.com/new-page-1-4

How does income relate to mental health? A 2008 study [2] found a positive correlation between income inequality and Major Depressive Episodes (MDEs). While some studies argue that this stems from the limited access to resources available to a large part of the population, others suggest that the re...

21/01/2022

“When a country has seen four central bank governors and three finance ministers in two and a half years, an average Joe would assume that the economy is in trouble. In Turkey's case, Joe is right, witnessing 36% inflation and 44% loss in value of the Turkish Lira last year…”

In his latest article, Suraj explores Turkey’ unusual economic policy choices to determine their success.

https://warwickeconomicssociety.com/erdonomics-economic-brilliance-or-disaster-in-the-making

When a country has seen four central bank governors and three finance ministers in two and a half years, an average Joe would assume that the economy is in trouble. In Turkey's case, Joe is right, witnessing 36% inflation and 44% loss in value of the Turkish Lira last year (1) (2). However, the pres...

04/12/2021

"We have become so familiar with Gross Domestic Product as the de facto measure of economic growth. Per capita figures are used to measure development and year-on-year GDP growth is an assumed indicator of economic boom - but is this concept, whose usefulness was questioned even by its inventor Simon Kuznets over 85 years ago, really the best at our disposal?"

In his first blog post, Jack investigates the weaknesses of GDP as a measure of economic growth and explores potential alternative measures such as the 'Genuine Progress Indicator'.

https://warwickeconomicssociety.com/new-page-1-2-1

We have become so familiar with Gross Domestic Product as the de facto measure of economic growth. Per capita figures are used to measure development and year-on-year  GDP growth is an assumed indicator of economic boom - but is this concept, whose usefulness was questioned even by its inventor Sim...

24/11/2021

“In recent weeks, Poland has become the EU's biggest challenge after its constitutional court ruled that EU laws do not have primacy over Poland's national laws. While the EU and Poland have had several points of contention since the Law and Justice party came to power in 2015, this particular conflict has had grave consequences for both entities involved…”

In his first blog post, Suraj delves into the recent conflict between the EU and Poland, questioning whether ‘Polexit’ is a possibility we ought to take seriously.

https://warwickeconomicssociety.com/new-page-1-2

 In recent weeks, Poland has become the EU's biggest challenge after its constitutional court ruled that EU laws do not have primacy over Poland's national laws. While the EU and Poland have had several points of contention since the Law and Justice party came to power in 2015, this particular conf...

19/11/2021

"Fuel prices are reaching record highs globally and supply chains have been disrupted by constrained production and backlogs in shipping. Consequently, according to business surveys on the planned expansion and Bank of England’s predictions, recovery in the third quarter slowed down disappointingly..."

In his first blog post, Mateusz investigates the current inflation and economic growth rates to question whether we are on course for the 1970s' stagflation.

https://warwickeconomicssociety.com/new-page-1-1-1

Fuel prices are reaching record highs globally and supply chains have been disrupted by constrained production and backlogs in shipping. Consequently, according to business surveys on the planned expansion and Bank of England’s predictions, recovery in the third quarter slowed down disappointingly...

16/11/2021

“Reoffending prisoners generate an annual economic and social cost of £18.1 billion for English and Welsh citizens.”

With the first blog post of the academic year, Bel explores the economic and social impacts of restorative justice through comparing the British and Norwegian responses to punishment.

https://warwickeconomicssociety.com/new-page-1-1

After doing time in the harsh environment that is a prison cell, ex-convicts should be the people most unlikely to return to incarceration, right? However, quite counterintuitively, the Ministry of Justice’s Economic and Social Costs of Reoffending Report states that the average annual prisoner re...

16/11/2021

We are delighted to announce our 2021/22 junior editors!

Isabel Govier, Mateusz Wiewiórski, Jack Donnelly, Ollie Hotchin, Suraj Rajesh, Nirupama Nair and Adrian Wong, welcome to the Assumptions team!

We will be publishing their first articles this term so watch this space!

10/11/2021

03/07/2021

In exciting news, Assumptions will be launching a summer collaborative project!

Inspired by the recent women’s rights protests, this project will be a deep dive into the female economy.

Women’s experiences in the working world have always been an important topic of conversation, and one that’s increasingly relevant to young professionals and students alike.

This project would be a series of short articles (between 400-800 words) published on a biweekly basis, through the summer holidays. Each contributor would be expected to write one article on a topic of their choosing, to do with women’s economic rights and market interests.

We want as many people to contribute as possible! Whether you would like to talk about women in the film industry, unpaid domestic labour or even the market for work heels - whatever it is, it has a place in the project!

Just fill in this form (https://forms.gle/sdaNUKaabmZj3gjd9) and we’ll get back to you soon!

19/03/2021

There is no denying that most aspects of our university experience have been greatly impacted by the pandemic, from Microsoft Teams breakout rooms replacing group work in seminars, to online socials. In our latest blog post, Clara Nabialek examines the long-lasting impacts that remote-learning may have on current students, and whether the pandemic will put us at a disadvantage in the job market.

Muted, camera off, lying in bed… sounds like just another seminar to me. Although technology has allowed us to carry on with our degrees during the pandemic, there is no denying that the quality of learning has been impaired, simply from the lack of engagement caused by sitting behind a computer s...

07/03/2021

"It is in our best interest to find sustainable development solutions at the micro-level. Often real change starts from the foundations."

In his latest article, Maksymilian Łudziński takes a closer look at the alternative currency scheme introduced in Kenya to foster sustainable, community-based economic development.

Are there any small-scale initiatives that can be undertaken, to help poverty and environmental sustainability while empowering a local population’s community? The answer is yes, and one of such policies, not discussed so often, is the introduction of alternative currencies. If designed well, such...

25/02/2021

Last week, Keir Starmer unexpectedly announced the Covid Recovery Bond he would implement if he were elected PM, which would invest the savings made by households during the pandemic into recovery schemes. In this article, Clara Nabialek examines the potential benefits and concerns of the scheme, and assesses whether the policy is realistic.

Last week, the Labour leader Keir Starmer surprised everyone with a policy announcement in his speech about the economy, which is unusual this early on in the election campaign. He promised the implementation of a Covid Recovery Bond, which would re-invest some of the savings households have accumul...

23/02/2021

After a decade of slow growth and inflation hovering around naught, hefty governmental stimulus packages may finally bring back the characteristics of the pre-2008 Western economy.

Phaidon Theologites discusses the possible benefits and dangers of higher inflation.

After a decade of slow growth and inflation hovering around naught, hefty governmental stimulus packages may finally bring back the characteristics of the pre-2008 Western economy. Phaidon Theologites discusses the possible benefits and dangers of higher inflation.

18/02/2021

Glorified benefits of supporting residents and businesses and preserving the natural environment have fuelled a growing interest in eco-tourism as an alternative to ‘normal’ tourism. But even so, it has come under scrutiny by ecologists and economists alike.

Tolu Odejide asks whether eco-tourism is killing in the planet in a sharp new article.

Glorified benefits of supporting residents and businesses and preserving the natural environment have fuelled a growing interest in eco-tourism as an alternative to ‘normal’ tourism. But even so, it has come under scrutiny by ecologists and economists alike. Eco-tourism can be defined as ‘resp...

16/02/2021

It is estimated that for every £1 spent on community sport and physical activity in England, a £4 social and economic return is generated. This return includes £1 billion from heart disease and stroke prevention, £450 million from fewer GP visits, and £110 million from depression prevention. However, this return will inevitably be reduced by the impacts of the coronavirus.

In our latest blog post, Emily Vaughan discusses the valuable contribution that sport makes to society and the economy in the UK.

It is estimated that the combined economic and social value (SROI) of participating in community sport and physical activity in England is £85.5 billion annually. Roughly, this means that for every £1 spent on community sport and physical activity, a £4 return is generated for the English economy...

15/02/2021

“Is it possible to design a market economy in such a way that it no longer exploits non-renewable energy resources and wastes material goods resources, while at least preserving the natural environment?”

Sustainability has become one of economics’ hottest topics. In his newest article, Maksymilian Łudziński explores an original approach to resource-preserving economic systems. By outlining three key areas of transition, he looks at what needs to be achieved for a sustainable and circular transformation.

“Is it possible to design a market economy in such a way that it no longer exploits non-renewable energy resources and wastes material goods resources, while at least preserving the natural environment?” Sustainability has become one of economics’ hottest topics. In his newest article, Maksymi...