To mark the end of 2020, we’ve compiled a list of the five EUROPP articles with the highest readership over the last year. We look forward to publishing more content in 2021 and wish all our readers a Happy New Year.
1. The implications of Brexit for the UK economy
Back in January, when public events were still possible, the LSE hosted a discussion between Gerard Lyons, Vicky Pryce and John Van Reenen on the likely economic impact of Brexit on the UK’s economy. There was little agreement between the panellists on how the UK would fare post-Brexit – and as we head into 2021, many of these issues still remain up in the air.
“Of course, you continue to trade, but the question is on what terms – and those we don’t know.” – Vicky Pryce
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2. The economic consequences of Covid-19
European economies suffered an unprecedented economic shock as the first wave of Covid-19 infections spread across the continent in spring. In this article from April, LSE’s Iain Begg assessed the potential economic consequences.
“There is a well-established link between poverty and poor health, raising the deeply unsettling prospect of a second wave of health problems deriving from the economic impact of Covid-19, rather than the virus itself.” – Iain Begg
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3. A pandemic ‘misery index’: Ranking countries’ economic and health performance during Covid-19
It might take several years to fully appreciate the scale of the damage caused by Covid-19. In an article published in December, Tim Vlandas proposed a pandemic ‘misery index’ that can capture the economic and health outcomes in individual states.
“In the top worst performers, we find three liberal market economies (Canada, the UK and the US) and three southern European countries (Spain, Italy and Portugal). Although not in the top five worst performers, two small open economies in continental Europe – Belgium and Netherlands – also fared poorly.” – Tim Vlandas
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4. Beating Covid-19: The problem with national lockdowns
The first response of many European countries to the initial wave of Covid-19 infections was to implement national lockdowns. In this piece from March, Martin J Bull examined the potential challenges that come with using lockdowns as a virus suppression measure.
“The price that democracies pay in terms of sacrificing our freedoms is a high one.” – Martin J Bull
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5. Thomas Piketty on inequality
In February, Thomas Piketty took questions on his latest book, Capital and Ideology. A recording of the accompanying event at LSE is also available here.
“The current economic system is not working when it comes to solving inequality” – Thomas Piketty
Note: This article gives the views of the authors, not the position of EUROPP – European Politics and Policy or the London School of Economics. Featured image credit: Greg Williams (CC BY-NC 2.0)