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DURHAM ECONOMICS DIGEST
Opinion
All the most articulate thoughts on the issues that matter.


The Lasting Impact of 1975’s Loans Affair
‘God Save the Queen, Because Nothing Will Save the Governor-General’ The 11th November is known to most as a day of remembrance for those that died in WW1 and for the innumerable conflicts that followed; poppies are worn, wreaths are lain, the eery notes of the Last Post can be heard. However, for Australia, 11th November is also remembered for another monumental event that happened fifty years ago. Let’s set the scene. It’s November 1975, Mamma Mia by ABBA is the Number 1

Emily Hatwell
1 day ago4 min read


Buy Now, Pay Later: is financing that Black Friday burrito really worth it?
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) providers have rapidly taken over online checkouts. Now, it’s become impossible to visit any online vendor without seeing the soft pastel colours of Klarna or Afterpay; slowly dominating and becoming the primary method of payment for the younger shoppers. The prospect of paying four small instalments – no interest charged, if paid on time. This makes the hard pill of the total price much easier to swallow. BNPL providers like Klarna, Affirm, Afterpay

Gabby Wong
2 days ago4 min read


Cracking the Chinese Consumption Code: Why China’s Growth Model Needs to Flip
China’s remarkable economic rise has primarily been driven by investment, whether in factories, infrastructure, or real estate built at unprecedented speed. But for more than a decade, Beijing has aimed to shift toward household consumption as the core driver of growth. Progress has been limited. Today, consumption accounts for just around 39% of GDP, which is far below major advanced economies, and remains overshadowed by investment and exports. Why is household consumption

James Smith
2 days ago2 min read


The Hidden Psychology of AI Advertising: How Companies and Cookies influence Consumer Choice
Is your phone listening to you? One moment you’re chatting about the newest trending makeup product - phone in hand. And the next time you’re online, doomscrolling TikTok’s or Instagram reels, ads for that specific cosmetic and content promoting that coveted must-have pops up everywhere. Coincidence, or is Mark Zuckerberg secretly in your walls? Probably not. AI algorithms push content that you’re more likely to enjoy — carefully measured by your watch time, engagement,

Gabby Wong
Nov 163 min read


Fixing the UK Productivity Gap: How Investment, Management, and Policy can Make a Difference
For over a decade, the UK has struggled with a persistent productivity gap- workers here produce less output per hour than in many comparable countries. This isn’t just an abstract economic problem: it affects wages, living standards, and even public services. Understanding why productivity lags and how we might fix it is vital. One major factor is investment, or the lack of it. Many UK businesses, especially smaller firms, insufficiently invest in new technology and employee

James Smith
Nov 161 min read


Winner of the 2022/23 Undergraduate Essay Competition: Sonia Lee
Sonia Lee discusses the economic and geopolitical implications of the recent US-imposed tariffs on semiconductors in China

Sonia Lee
Feb 11, 20236 min read


On Recognising the Importance of Volunteering
As a frequent volunteer myself, I occasionally ponder over the economic impact of volunteering. When we think of the work economy, many...

Legacy Writer
Sep 23, 20213 min read



Legacy Writer
Sep 23, 20213 min read


Is ‘voluntourism’ a corporate advantage more than anything else?
Volunteering abroad Is often seen as a noble cause- each year many ambitious students and hard-working adults engage in community or...

Legacy Writer
Sep 23, 20213 min read


And The Academy Award Goes To...Who Cares?
A few days ago I was trying to decide what films to watch at the cinema. I noticed that, as well as there being the typical variety of an...

Legacy Writer
Sep 23, 20215 min read


The Future is Now
Driverless cars, artificial intelligence and robots- our world is increasingly beginning to resemble the futuristic universe envisioned...

Legacy Writer
Sep 23, 20213 min read
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