coronavirus
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Costa Rica: Challenges to stability mount
Costa Rica’s stable democracy faces some strong headwinds, including a slowing economy, political fragmentation and violence associated with drug trafficking. Now, measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic are taking a massive economic toll, smothering its lucrative tourism sector. Costa Ricans are responding positively to President Alvarado’s leadership, but the political and economic situation will become trickier once the crisis abates.
Italy’s post-pandemic challenges
Despite having declared a state of emergency early, the Italian government was late in responding to the coronavirus threat. This delayed reaction allowed the illness to wreak havoc in northern regions, the industrial powerhouse of the country. Nevertheless, citizens’ responsible reaction slowed the spread of the disease, leaving the country ...
Relevance beyond the crisis: Globalization is not going away
Contrary to the popular narrative, the COVID-19 crisis has not convinced companies that globalization is a bad move. In fact, the lesson of the pandemic is that firms need to broaden their supply chains and diversify their providers. Governments, however, will take advantage of the situation to push nationalization and ...
Zombies and stagflation: Mario Draghi’s crisis prescription
In late March, Mario Draghi broke his post-ECB silence with an article in the Financial Times that set out several recipes for how to address the economic difficulties brought on by measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Essentially calling for a “whatever it takes” part two, he urged central banks ...
Azerbaijan takes a triple hit
Thanks to vast oil and gas resources, Azerbaijan’s regime has been able to keep a tight lid on the opposition while increasing its influence in the South Caucasus in recent decades. However, the shock in oil prices caused by the coronavirus pandemic comes at a time of political instability. Recent ...
