The St Andrews Economist Weekly Edition

The whole of the UK is looking forward to the Summer and the ending of the current lockdown. The UK government’s new budget, delivered by Rishi Sunak (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) will be important in managing the UK’s economic recovery through this transition. Olivia Groom discusses why raising taxes would be disastrous for this budget.

The last couple of months has seen extreme volatility in certain stocks, such as Gamestock which rose in price from $18 to $400 and then crashed down again in a matter of days. Luke Player explains different types of investments, and the role the government should have in regulating and directing investor’s money towards productive and unproductive investments.

The online giant Amazon has seen its warehouse workers attempt to unionize recently, as they struggle through difficult working conditions involving brutal hourly quotas and constant monitoring. Claire Nelson showcases this battle between the corporation and its newly developing labour unions.

On the topic of US politics, Hayden Siratt speaks about how the Republican party has failed to put an end to Trumpism, and the difficulties this will cause for them for years to come. Looking at a more structural issue, Rosalind Horrobin puts into spotlight the age of the US Congress (the average senator is 64 years old), and the problems that an elderly political institution has in addressing modern political issues.

Hampton Toole meanwhile explores the US Capital riots in the perspective of America’s neocolonialism. In particular, he studies the example of Venezuela—victim of a coup in 2017 by Nicholas Maduro—and how the US’s attempts to influence the country, through the eyes of Venezuelans, has many similarities to the chaos that unfolded in the US in January.

In Africa, Laura da Silva examines how foreign aid is abused and harms many nations. From a lack of attention about how best to direct charitable aid in local contexts, to the corruption and resource extraction that is allowed to continue without much attention from Western charities, there is much to be desired about modern efforts to ‘help’ the continent.

Hannah Pedone raises attention to the Central African Republic, and how Russian President Vladimir Putin has been employing mercenaries to secure mineral wealth in the country. These activities, however, are fueling armed conflict between the Republic and armed rebel groups in the region.

In Asia, one of our writers explores the tragedy of the cultural annihilation of the Tibetan people by the People’s Republic of China. The destruction of religious monasteries and forced imposition of a new education system are only a few of the tools that have been employed to eradicate a unique and wonderful culture.

Finally, Lyle Horne explores the exciting research into reversing and ending ageing. He looks at a group of scientists that cured blindness in mice, and discusses how the tissue regeneration they used to do this offers potential for humans.

For more current affairs, check out The World This Week to see our Section Editors’ survey of the latest news stories.

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