In one of the Star Trek films, there is a scene where Mr. Spock says to Captain Kirk, “On Vulcan we have a saying: only Nixon could go to China.” I think the context was a peace treaty between the … Continued
There is growing enthusiasm in the US around the possibility that US oil and gas output will rise sharply in the next decade, improving the US balance of payments and sharply reducing the power of OPEC and major gas exporters … Continued
It has taken me about five months to finish “On China” by former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Although I have faced several distractions along the way, including the desire to spend time with someone I love, that long … Continued
At a time when very low temperatures are causing death and disruption across Europe (and there is about six cm of snow in Cambridge) here is a link to a set of amazing photos of the ice festival in Harbin, in … Continued
On Monday 6 February 2012, Queen Elizabeth the Second will celebrate her diamond jubilee – 60 years on the throne (though she was actually crowned in June 1952). The main practical significance of this is that we get an extra … Continued
There’s an old, rather obscure joke with several variations that goes like this. Four people set out to write about elephants, from the US, the UK, France and Germany. The American writes a book called “Elephants for fun and profit.” … Continued
Having struggled to learn Chinese for a few months, I was delighted when our teacher recommended a site that really helps learn the characters. Memrise has many languages on it but it will be most helpful for when you’re learning … Continued
Amid the gloom on the Eurozone, sluggish growth in the US and worries over a real estate collapse in China, some students ask me if there’s any future for the financial system? Understandably their main concern is jobs. I can … Continued
In the interests of balance, and because frankly I find it more convincing, I must mention another new report from the Peterson Institute for International Economics, by Simon Johnson and Peter Boone. Called “The Eurozone Crisis Deepens“, it rather depressingly … Continued
Even for people who’ve lived their whole lives in the UK, the Scottish independence debate is a bit confusing and perplexing. For those from abroad I know it’s quite bizarre. Here’s some background to a period which might lead to … Continued
A core part of the MFin curriculum is that students produce an equity research report on a company that we choose for them and present their buy or sell recommendation (no holds allowed) to a panel that includes external investment … Continued
The ever-excellent analysis from the Peterson Institute of International Economics continues. A recent paper argues that the Euro mess will be resolved and will leave the European economy and Union stronger than before. Fred Bergsten and Jacob Kirkegaard argue conventionally … Continued
I wish the MFin fees were lower but they are set in line with the market. And student fees are the main source of revenue for Cambridge Judge Business School. The School gives some scholarships and of course there are … Continued
I recently gave a talk to Cambridge alumni on what I think the major Chinese banks might do in the future. I’m giving a version of the talk in Singapore and Hong Kong in February. There is a short video … Continued
It’s customary in Britain to wish people a merry Christmas and a happy new year. This greeting is used by everyone and has no religious connotations. I know that in North America people often say “happy holidays” for fear of … Continued