What I Learned From Oxford Tutorials

I was at Oxford for only four-weeks but the experience honed analytical and speaking skills that I employ decades later. It was a summer course in the late 1960s comprised of 80 students from universities in America and Europe. It was organized by the university’s Institute of Education and the program continues to this day. We were housed at St. Anne’s College. Our course was … Continue reading What I Learned From Oxford Tutorials

Recent publication roundup

In this biznews.com piece on January 30, leading South African academic Jonathan Jansen laments the “destruction” of the University of Cape Town. On January 11th in Palo Alto Barry discussed Chinese-US relations with Hoover Institute historian Niall Ferguson. See  video. On January 12th Barry was at the Tesla factory in Fremont, CA. See tweet video. As Trump comes in and TPP dead, trade is at … Continue reading Recent publication roundup

Zimbabwe: How Bad Money Drives Out Good

WASHINGTON: Gresham’s Law from 16th century England says bad money drives out good. Sir Thomas Gresham, money manager for Queen Elizabeth I, argued that if two coins with the same nominal value simultaneously circulate the one with the most gold will be hoarded while the less valuable coin is used. Who would have guessed that in our time this medieval axiom would be tested—of all … Continue reading Zimbabwe: How Bad Money Drives Out Good

Is Trump Victory a Mandate for Change?

  WASHINGTON: Historian Douglas Brinkley of Rice University describes the unexpected victory of Donald Trump as a social revolution comparable only to the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980. “There’s been nothing like this in our lifetime,” said the respected authority on the presidency. Pollsters and pundits—including myself—were completely wrong-footed. In retrospect there were signals that were missed. In my case two days before the … Continue reading Is Trump Victory a Mandate for Change?

A Weak Economy and Disconnect Between People and Finance

There they sat on October 9 interviewing each other, the famous writer who exposed Wall Street’s excesses, and the elegant French woman who leads the international agency set up to is assure financial stability. Big Short author Michael Lewis and International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde agreed that eight years after the financial crisis progress has been made but more work is required to avert future catastrophe. Continue reading A Weak Economy and Disconnect Between People and Finance