The Other Hand

In Jim’s absence (he always needs a couple of weeks off after the budget), Chris speaks to leading hedge fund manager Peter Van Dessel. An Irishman living in the USA, Peter brings a unique and insightful perspective to the current state of Ireland. He shares his thoughts on the ways in which supply shortages and inflation may well last an awful lot longer than many policy makers seem to think. With many a twist and turn along the way. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The budget was the expected smorgasbord of measures. A budget that makes abundant sense to a centrist. But in this age of populism, does it cut the political mustard? Can the centre hold? In the words of Yeats:Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned;The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.The test of Ireland’s political stability awaits. If Sinn Fein can buy enough votes with its incoherent high spend, high tax, no property tax policies then the die is cast. Ireland will get what it votes for. The centre is collapsing and societal division awaits. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Budget 2022 arrives with amazing news about Ireland’s fiscal position. For once it is unambiguously good news. Why not spend all those extra tax revenues on much needed infrastructure? Health and housing?If you read much of Irish media and listen to opposition politicians, Ireland resembles a dystopian hell-hole. Others - inevitably outsiders - see the country as one of the most prosperous places on earth. One of the mysteries of the age is why the coalition allows the opposition to control the narrative. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland’s tax take is extremely buoyant, at least for the first 9 months of the year. What to spend all the money on? can it last?Boris Johnson has discovered an economic ideology. One that makes no sense whatsoever but is an interesting departure. He is finally accountable for something that can be measured. But Tories don’t like ideologies, least of all one that is a sort of anti-business Neanderthal Thatcherism. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world economy is slowing down. Asia, including China, is weakening. European indicators are flashing Amber. Britain’s bosses are warning about a collapse in confidence. The energy shock, if it persists, could lead to even more trouble.A small thing perhaps, but a British minister has, finally, admitted that Brexit involves an economic ‘transition’. That’s code for ‘problem’. Maybe even ‘trouble’. Cast in the language of ‘moving from one equilibrium to another’. It’s school-level economics. Remember: there is no plan. Restricting immigration, raising taxes and throwing sand in the wheels of trade are the three things they have done. The idea now is to sit back and observe the ‘transition’ to sunny uplands. It could be a long wait. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rising oil and gas prices join the long list of things joining the inflation party. How are central banks going to react? Is this the end of the long party for stock markets?Is this an energy crisis that could bring the post-pandemic recovery to a juddering halt?‘Conspicuous environmentalism”. Surely it’s time for leadership and honesty? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We ignore history. Policymakers certainly do. But there is very little new under the sun. Duncan Weldon reminds us that we ignore history at our peril. And peril is where we are at. There is so much in this unusually readable book. ‘Levelling up’ is at least a century old, despite Boris Johnson taking credit for its invention. Want to know what some of today’s Trump-Johnson-Orban leaders resemble Mafia Dons? Take a look at history: we are more often ruled by kleptocrats than democrats. Jim and Chris have an enjoyable, longer than usual, but highly entertaining chat with Duncan Weldon about his new book, ‘Two Hundred Years of Muddling Through. The Surprising Story of the British Economy’. You will be surprised! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is China and it’s indebted property companies reliving the West’s Great Financial Crisis?Gas prices and inflation and a cost of living crisis? Empty shelves for Christmas? Regular journey’s by road and sea between Britain and Ireland: a changing perspective. A radically different perspective.The Other Hand is completely free to read & listen. Please spare a few seconds and give us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Many thanks This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The annual budget circus has started. Love Island is more entertaining and only marginally less significant. Why do we do this to ourselves?Years ago, politicians deemed themselves incapable of managing monetary policy and the all-important setting of interest rates was handed over to technocratic central bankers. Surely the same considerations apply to taxation & spending policies? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some personal reflections on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11.And some stuff on the budget and interest rates This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Economist has a big piece this week on ‘the rise of the illiberal left’. That newspaper is as worried about the extreme left as it is about the totalitarian right. So are we.One aspect of political extremism is lying. Chris’s written piece on this is questioned by Jim - not uncritically!Economic forecasting is an exercise in futility. Most of the time. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lots of economic data over past few days, all pointing to very robust growth as the economy reopens. Plenty of questions remain over the sustainability of that growth. Almost all countries are in the same post-pandemic (we hope!) boat: a big surge in growth but supply constraints and a changed labour market raise plenty of questions. Another shiny new housing plan but how robust are its foundations? The annual central bank off-site in Jackson Hole is closely watched for clues about US interest rates. But some economists are beginning to think that the era of low interest rates is not really under the control of our monetary masters. It could be that as the rich get richer they save and don’t spend. And those savings drive interest rates down and stock markets and house prices up. If true, this will have ramifications for years to come. Inequality isn’t just bad, it’s really bad. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So much shallow thinking is applied to so many of our problems. Not least housing. But also low pay and inequality.The Fed gets all this, even if many do notWhy does Dublin stink? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hong Kong stock market is off 20% from its high earlier this year. That’s the conventional definition of a bear market. Is this the start of something big - the long-awaited global market correction - or is it just down to China’s attempts to cut it giant corporations down to size? What is China actually up to? It’s not easy to question the environmental consensus. Those that do so are vilified. But unquestioning acceptance of conventional wisdom rarely makes for scientific progress. What are the right questions? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anger is not a strategy. You won’t get lower house prices or lower rents by shouting at the people who bring you the facts. You certainly won’t get more houses if you vote for politicians who magnify and exploit your anger.Following the Great Financial Crisis there was the age of austerity. The Covid crisis is shaping up to be the exact opposite.The tragedy unfolding in Afghanistan was surely avoidable, at least in terms of scale. There will be lots and lots of consequences This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim takes us through the latest economic newsWhy has the environment become so political? Surely it’s just a big problem that needs a solution without left and right taking swings at each other?Ireland is, at last, a big vaccination success. Is this because there are fewer anti-vax nutcases? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does economic normality look like?We suggest that nothing will be normal until interest rates rise. Zero interest rates are connected to lots of things: income and wealth inequality, ever higher house prices. But have we turned Japanese? And has Australia quietly moved on from zero covid? recognising that it is a ‘forever strategy’? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim has been travelling but thinks he might need to keep it quiet.China has taken a sledge hammer to its education and tech sectors. Why?Latest IMF economic forecasts on a watershed day for the Irish Economy. Some Covid arithmetic explaining why vaccinated people turning up in hospital is not as worrying as first appears. And young people looking for their pitchforks. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Latest inflation news on both sides of the Atlantic has been grim. The debate goes on: is the surge in prices temporary?Lots of data on the Irish economy and a changed future fiscal stance: more spending for longer. The state of our politics: the usual suspects call this austerity. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anyone heading off after July 19th should steel themselves for sticker shock, not least for car rental prices. Inflation continues its global creep.Boris Johnson look a worried man - for very good reason. The numbers don’t support what he is doing - or at least reveal a massive gamble. Just as England’s social problems reveal a very troubled country. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson has always been a gambler. His biggest yet is the decision to lift all Covid restrictions on July 19th. Latest eurozone economic data suggest the long awaited lift-off. Are all newspaper articles still written by real people? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK government believes the time has come to live with Covid. NPHET does not.We look at the evidence and what each government believes. In particular, we shine a laser beam on the trade off between health and the economy. Either there is one or there is not. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Surely governments have a wider remit than do medics and scientists? What is the bigger picture?What is the future for the younger generation? Who is looking after their interests? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the 5th anniversary of the Brexit referendum, Chris Grey publishes Brexit Unfolded, his magisterial account of what has happened since that fateful day. The book explores the debate as it unfolded and the evolution of Brexit’s vague definition into the hardest of outcomes. In conversation with Chris Johns, Professor Grey reveals he almost used ‘lies can never become policy’ as the book’s subtitle. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Markets decided weeks ago that the inflation scare is temporary. Now they are doubling down with a bet that the ‘relation trade’ is over: that means big reversals in bonds, commodities and much else besides. Signal or noise?There is far too much muddled thinking on antigen testing. It’s a useful addition to the toolkit. Why NPHET is so opposed is a mysteryA UK by election reveals that southerners with degrees, jobs and a garden don’t like being trashed on a daily basis by Johnson’s culture war mercenaries. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Johnson once again fluffed his lines when he had to speak them live. He’s all bluster, zero beliefs and much worse than a mere mini-Trump.90+% of covid in the UK is of the India/Delta variety. Does scientific advice make sense? Do the current lockdown restrictions? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The G7 has a long and mixed history. It used to be about exchange rates. Today it is mostly taxes but there have been important environmental initiatives of late.Staff shortages in surprising places: out and about in London and DublinUK and EU fall out over sausages. Johnson’s next capitulation is in sight, if the past is anything to go by. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A raft of economic data this week suggests economies on both sides of the Atlantic have taken off like a rocket. But, in the US at least, workers are notable by their absence. The UK looks to be trouble with the Delta variant. How bad could it get and does it threaten the recovery?Property taxes are in the frame. Politicians who should (and probably do) know better say they are in favour of wealth taxes and against property taxes. That is nonsense. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comments from civil servants about Dublin’s Street life raise all sorts of questions. Only some of which are about Covid: the ghosts of authoritarian priests are seen walking the Capital’s streets. We all need to be mindful of our inner traffic warden. There could be an authoritarian also lurking in there somewhere.The OECD is getting a lot more optimistic about post-Covid recovery. Joe Biden is worried about China and Wuhan. If the virus was lab-made there is big trouble ahead. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland announces the reopening plan. But the Common Travel Area is still not common: Britain has kept it operating through the pandemic, Ireland has not.US inflation surprises on the upside again; as does the cost of your breakfast. Talks about talks about interest rates going up might be about to begin. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The future of housing and house prices. Can and should the public sector get much more involved? The competition between economic metaphors: the tomato ketchup economy?If you like this podcast please sign up and/or share with your friends. Get involved in the discussion! Many thanks. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reaction to our last podcast has been massive and it remains the non-covid issue for Irish politics. It will become the biggest issue once the pandemic is over. Why can’t the government see that they are gifting the next election to you-know-who?The near half-century of neo-liberalism looks like it is coming to an end. We discuss Professor Dani Rodrik’s wise words on what has happened and what is coming our way.Brexit: Lord Frost says all is going well in Dover but things are terrible in Larne. Both statements cannot be true.Covid Corner: The Indian variant threatens us all. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A look at what drives house prices. Populists will grab the headlines - and maybe the votes - but they have no solutions, only strategies to make things worse. House prices going up are a global phenomenon, one thats been around for a long time. The role of interest rates is under appreciated.If you like this podcast please join the discussion, tell your friends and/or sign up - we write on this site as well as speak. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England turns blue. The end of the Union looms into sight? US jobs disappoint and, once again, reveals the pointlessness of economic forecasting. Jim turns the podcast blue with his revelations about sex toys.The US jobs report may have lessons for Ireland, the UK and elsewhere: ending pandemic unemployment assistance will be tricky.Supply shortages get worse and commodity prices boom. If you like any or all of this please share with your friends. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Like this podcast: sign up!And tell your friends!Some economic indicators are approaching all-time highs. Inflation and interest rates set to rise? Janet Yellen and Warren Buffett speak about their inflation concerns. European commentators still haven’t recognised the astonishing socio-economic radicalism going on in the US. It could be the biggest policy experiment of our lifetimes. Some countries achieved zero covid: could their experiences really have been replicated? Not all zero-covid policies were the same: differences speak volumes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A bit of economic history, name-checking T K Whitaker, the insurance problem, inequitable taxation, the lack of interest in SMEs shown by official Ireland and much else besides This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The chatter around global corporate taxation grows ever louder with the OECD, the EU and now Joe Biden all joining in. If you thought that Ireland and one or two other jurisdictions are unfairly grabbing your taxes and jobs you will be surprised by the facts. Cheap headlines get in the way of the truth: you don’t need to be a finance expert to understand what is going on. Just listen to Seamus Coffey here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjpeconomics.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.