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The rationality of consuming addictive substances

By Thomas Goh · August 17th, 2018

People often think of addiction as being diametrically opposed to rationality. Yet why do so many consume addictive substances? And what makes them addictive?

Why Performance-Based Incentives for Teachers Make No Sense

By Thomas Granger · August 13th, 2018

There have been multiple attempts by federal and state politicians to introduce performance pay policies for teachers. Thomas Granger debunks the common arguments made for performance-based pay and discusses how we can improve our education system by providing our teachers with more resources and better support.

In defence of uncertainty

By Nick Henderson · August 8th, 2018

Nick Henderson argues that a counterintuitive dose of uncertainty is not just beneficial, but essential for economic and moral development.

Never forget: ‘It’s the economy, stupid’

By Mitchell Harvey · August 5th, 2018

Some people are hoping that Trump doesn’t see the beginning of a second term. Mitchell Harvey explains why they shouldn’t hold their breath and how Trump might be a continuing fixture in their lives.

Navigating Australia’s Energy Policy

By Sarah Fung · August 2nd, 2018

Australia’s energy market has long dominated media headlines. Sarah Fung discusses a number of key reports released this year which make short, medium, and long-term recommendations on what investments need to made to ensure the stability and sustainability of the energy market.

Name a more iconic duo than sequels and franchises

By Tingnan Li · August 1st, 2018

In the face of fresh challenges, Hollywood finds solace in the arms of a new beau: the blockbuster film-franchise. Tingnan Li attempts to make sense of this commercial love story.

#ESSADebate: President Xi and the Abolition of Term Limits

By Bilal Ibrahim & Sherry Te · July 30th, 2018

In March, China abolished presidential term limits from its constitution, allowing the current President Xi to rule the country indefinitely. Term limits had been established in 1981 during the leadership of Den Xiaoping during a liberal era of the country’s history and were intended to move the country away from the shadow of the totalitarian rule of Mao Zedong. Now, the erasure of term limits has been widely condemned with many speculating that it is a step back towards a more totalitarian China.

House prices are falling, but this isn’t good news for first-home buyers

By George Kopelis · July 27th, 2018

George Kopelis takes a closer look at a housing market which is not as accessible as the headlines suggest.

From Ancient Rome to Adam Goodes: The History of Mixing Politics with Sport

By Dan Crowley · July 23rd, 2018

Bringing politics onto our sacred sporting grounds is seen to violate the principle that sport should be a neutral and unifying place. Dan Crowley looks at this fallacy and explores the important role sport has played in politics throughout history; from the Ancient Greek Olympics to apartheid South Africa.

Oplan Tokhang: The Philippines’ War on Drugs

By Sao Yang Hew · May 25th, 2018

Earlier this year, the Filipino government relaunched its violent crackdown on drugs. Sao Yang Hew discusses the unintended consequences of the infamous drug war on the people of the Philippines.

Cryptocurrency and the Future of Central Banking

By Michael Manoussakis · May 24th, 2018

In the past months, we have seen massive variations in the values of cryptocurrencies. Earlier in the year, some predicted that people would soon replace their usage of traditional currencies with crypto-currencies. Michael Manoussakis explores the implications of such a change.

Is market concentration undermining wage growth?

By Miguel Ayala · May 23rd, 2018

Wage growth remains stubbornly low across the developed world. Do big companies hold too much power in the labour market? Miguel Ayala discusses the effects of these monopsonies on wages.

Vote trading: An economic and ethical perspective

By Thomas Goh · May 18th, 2018

Thomas Goh looks closer at the practice of vote trading by elected representatives, drawing on social choice theory and political philosophy.

The economics of diversity

By Hasitha Jayatilake · May 16th, 2018

The effect of ethnic diversity on development has long been a subject of fierce debate. Hasitha Jayatilake takes a close look at the key issues in this debate.

#ESSAdebate – The Cashless Economy

By Charan Naidoo and Ben Toohey · May 14th, 2018

With the rise of new technologies such as, ‘tap and pay phone apps,’ it is becoming easier and simpler for consumers to switch to cashless payments. Charan Naidoo and Ben Toohey discuss whether we should view the rising cashless economy positively or negatively.