What In The Economics?
What In The Economics (WITE), initiated by the NUS Economics Society (NUS ECS), is a research program aimed at analysing contemporary economic subjects. Through WITE, Research Executives will have the opportunity to refine their economic intuition and communication skills by delving into research on current affairs from an economic perspective.
The Global South is on the brink of a renewable energy revolution, fueled by falling technology costs and untapped resources. But despite the growing momentum, deep-rooted challenges like financing gaps and slow adoption threaten to derail this transformation. Can the region truly reshape the global energy landscape, or will these obstacles hold it back? This article dives into the high-stakes battle for energy dominance and what’s at stake for the Global South’s future.
Read MoreThis paper discusses the conflict between protectionism and food security in the agricultural industry, specifically the trade offs of food security that often arise as a result of protectionist trade policies. Japan’s protectionist agricultural policies are used as a case study to examine the impacts, with a focus on its Acreage Reduction Policy and 800% rice tariff.
Read MoreCentral Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are digital forms of government-backed money designed to enhance financial inclusion, reduce transaction costs, and improve global payment systems. Their development varies by region, with countries like China and India leading, while others like Nigeria face challenges due to trust and infrastructure gaps. The success of CBDCs hinges on balancing innovation with regional needs, as a universal model is unlikely to work.
Read MoreNordic model focused on building a effective free market economy while achieving a fairer welfare society. The model was successful in helping the Scandinavia address the pandemic and its following economic disruptions. This article further assessed the applicability of the model to Singapore in face of greater uncertainty in the modern world.
Read MoreMicrofinance has been instrumental in reducing poverty in Bangladesh by enabling low-income individuals to access financial resources, with key contributions from microfinance institutions (MFIs) such as Grameen Bank. It has strengthened rural economies by supporting small enterprises and farming activities. However, challenges such over-indebtedness and financial distress among borrowers threaten the long-term stability of MFIs.
Read MoreThis paper examined the effects of increasing the money supply on real output in both the short and long run. The Keynesian Sticky Nominal Wage Model suggests a short-run rise in output, while heterodox theories propose potential long-run gains through mechanisms like interest stabilization and crisis prevention, though these are strongly challenged by the Austrian school. Empirical evidence points to a possible positive relationship, but many argue it falls short of proving causality. The paper explored how practical application depends on the relative shifts in aggregate demand and long-run aggregate supply, as well as public tolerance for inflation, ultimately reflecting that more output is not always the optimal choice in economics.
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