Economics and policy

Creating cash should not be the responsibility of the private banking system, but of the common wealth. Let’s get mutual, urge Molly Scott Cato and Martin Large

Creating cash should not be the responsibility of the private banking system, but of the common wealth. Let’s get mutual, urge Molly Scott Cato and Martin Large

During the past weeks, the world’s media have been transfixed by the convulsions of the US and global fi nancial system. At stake are billions in bail-outs and trillions in derivatives. The viability of banks and currencies is threatened, and ultimately the savings and investments of hundreds of millions of ordinary people.

During the past weeks, the world’s media have been transfixed by the convulsions of the US and global fi nancial system. At stake are billions in bail-outs and trillions in derivatives. The viability of banks and currencies is threatened, and ultimately the savings and investments of hundreds of millions of ordinary people.

From all sides, the cry is the same: something must be done. More must be done.

From all sides, the cry is the same: something must be done. More must be done.

With the global credit crunch grabbing all the headlines, issues concerning economies on a lesser scale are easily sidelined.

The current economic downturn is hard, but it’s also filled with opportunities to remake the world in a more sustainable way, says Stephen Hale

The current economic downturn is hard, but it’s also filled with opportunities to remake the world in a more sustainable way, says Stephen Hale

To blame our social and environmental problems on a population explosion in the developing world is to ignore the real bottom line, says Asoka Bandarage

Commercial banks should be forbidden from creating ‘virtual’ money, argues James Bruges – our debt-and-interest economies can only lead to collapse or war.

Commercial banks should be forbidden from creating ‘virtual’ money, argues James Bruges – our debt-and-interest economies can only lead to collapse or war.

Consensus without commitment on climate change is the result of this year’s group of eight summit in Hokkaido, Japan.

Just as Sir Nicholas Stern’s report in October 2006 put a price on the effects of climate change, a new report by the UN has begun to cost out the threat of failing to conserve the world’s biodiversity – a cool £40 billion annually, and rising.

Just as Sir Nicholas Stern’s report in October 2006 put a price on the effects of climate change, a new report by the UN has begun to cost out the threat of failing to conserve the world’s biodiversity – a cool £40 billion annually, and rising.