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Kaushik Basu
By enabling a few wealthy individuals to wield disproportionate influence, today’s global economy increasingly marginalizes and disenfranchises much of the world’s population.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 4, 2024
To preserve democracy, tax the rich
What the world needs are progressive tax systems that redistribute income from the rich to the poor without weakening socially beneficial incentives.
One problem with globalization is American leaders have the power to disrupt numerous economies by severing supply chains or manipulating financial flows, but citizens of those countries have no influence over U.S. elections.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 29, 2024
Democracy and authoritarianism in a modern, globalized world
The bedrock principle of democracy is that people affected by the decisions of political leaders should have a say in selecting those leaders.
Japan's law-abiding pedestrian culture and norms may help explain its economic performance.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 3, 2024
The economic consequences of legal behavior
There is a complex relationship between cultural norms, legal systems and economic development.
Anti-capitalist protesters with Occupy San Francisco take part in a demonstration on the streets of the Californian city in October 2011.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 10, 2024
The economic future of our overworked grandchildren
While John Maynard Keynes predicted a future of leisure and abundance, the world has seen an increase in wealth disparity and a culture of overwork.
Many obstacles stand in the way of effectively combating corruption globally. Reaching an agreement on international regulations would be a good starting point.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 6, 2023
A world engulfed in corruption and cronyism
In today’s interconnected world, the consequences of cronyism and corruption often extend beyond national borders.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 19, 2023
NATO’s Ukraine tightrope
NATO's cautious approach to Ukraine membership could reassure ordinary Russians that President Vladimir Putin's downfall would not mean their own.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 15, 2023
Governing the unknown
Major advances in AI are raising a raft of concerns about education, work, warfare and other risks that could destabilize human civilization long before climate change does.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 28, 2023
Can the global economy avoid a lost decade?
The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are now predicting a prolonged period of sluggish growth and declining investment.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 7, 2023
International law and halting the authoritarian drift
In a globalized world, the task of containing rising authoritarianism cannot be left to individual countries, because one rogue leader’s malfeasance can affect everyone.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 8, 2023
How Singapore continues to impress year after year
There are many reasons for Singapore’s rapid growth over the past six decades, but its authoritarian regime is not necessarily one of them.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 17, 2023
The Group of 20 could use a 'G Minor' grouping to represent emerging economies
While the G20 represents the world's largest economies, it's time to think of a group that could represent the needs of emerging and developing countries.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 30, 2022
When elections become more like sporting events
Elections are like sporting events: Many voters, like fans, seem to view victory over the other side as an end in itself
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 14, 2022
Putin and all the king’s games
In an era of democratic erosion, we must study the tactics that enable authoritarians like Vladimir Putin to stay in power.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 27, 2022
Why Sri Lanka imploded
Sri Lanka's ruling Rajapaksa family's ill-advised economic handouts and unsustainable policies eventually ran into a wall.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 24, 2022
Global shortages demand global solutions
Policymakers must try to establish minimal global conventions and agreements to deal with shortages of food and other essential commodities.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 4, 2022
The new art of economic warfare
The severe sanctions that the West has imposed on Russia may be justified to defeat Putin, but they have escalated economic warfare to an unprecedented level.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 2, 2022
There is a big economic and political cost to closed minds
One of the main reasons for the uneven COVID-19 recovery has more to do with politics than economics as support for aggressive nationalistic trade barriers has grown sharply in recent years.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 24, 2021
An existential threat to humanity: Democracy’s decline
Increased outsourcing of production has contributed to hypernationalism, which in turn is fueling the rise of anti-democratic leaders who exploit people's desperation.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 1, 2021
The inflation conundrum
Unlike prior inflation episodes, what is remarkable this time is how different the cross-country experiences have been as governments' diverse responses have led to varied economic outcomes.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 31, 2021
Climate talks: Glasgow, Greta and good intentions
If we want to leave a livable planet to future generations, we must understand why there may be a disjuncture between promises and what is actually delivered to fix climate change.

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Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?