Automation, it seems, is taking its toll. For example, based on its turnover Amazon employs less than half the staff levels of the broader retail sector – and they are driving efficiency gains all the time. So, is the answer to tax robots – one of the ideas from failed French Presidency candidate Benoît Hamon. No, says Professor Steve Keen. He suggests to Phil Dobbie that the solution is a universal basic wage. But won’t that remove any incentive to work and innovate?
To hear the full version subscribe by picking a plan in the right column of the Debunking Economics website (not the mobile app). Or become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/ProfSteveKeen
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Lockdowns set to ease, house prices set to rise
Monday 22nd February 2021
Unless you’ve been hiding in a bunker (as many of us have) you’ll be aware that Boris Johnson will be announcing the schedule for the easing of lockdown measures today. Phil Dobbie says most papers this morning already have it planned out, as the UK’s vaccine rollout programme continues at pace and ahead of schedule. He explains why Israel will be an interesting test case in the next few weeks – they have rolled out vaccines quickly too, but also opened up shops and schools immediately afterwards. Have they moved too soon? But there’s one western democracy where vaccines aren’t entirely welcome. Listen in for more. You’ll also hear property expert Russell Quirk’s views on house prices. He says they are going to rise this year, even though many other experts are forecasting a downturn. With interest rate slower for longer, and the potential for inflation when the economy eventually bounces back, isn’t increased housing demand inevitable?
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Phase 2 deal unlikely; Trump’s impeachment proceedings; the Fed and the Aussie dollar
A variety of factors have hit the US dollar, shares and bond yields. NAB’s Ray Attrill says the danger of no phase two trade talks with China have caused the most damage.
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Market prices US-China trade escalation
How did the markets shake down after President Trump’s China tariff announcement? And what happens next? NAB’s Ray Attrill on today’s Morning Call podcast.
