Sean O'Connell
Alumni (2019–22)
10 articles · since April 2019
A Marine Le Pen Presidency: Coup de Grace for Europe
BRB Shorts Economics / InvestingIf far-right candidate Marine le Pen becomes the next French president, what would her ambitions mean for the European economy—and for her country's geopolitical ambitions?
The Price of War is Paid in Wheat
Economics / InvestingThe Ukraine conflict represents an existential threat to global food security as some of the world’s largest food exporters: Russia and Ukraine, become embroiled in war.
Battle of the Banks
BRB Shorts Economics / InvestingThe U.S. and its allies announced new sanctions on Russia targeting foreign assets and removing several banks from the SWIFT payment system. This unprecedented financial penalization could come with unintended consequences.
Intellectual Property in a Pandemic: Does Vaccine Access Need to Change?
Economics / InvestingOn October 2, 2020 India and South Africa proposed a temporary waiver on coronavirus vaccine patent rights in a meeting of the World Trade Organization.
Solving the World’s Debt Crisis, Can International Collaboration Solve a Monetary Spiral?
Economics / InvestingWhat happens when entire countries can no longer pay their debts in the 21st century? Is the international economy strong enough to handle dozens of insolvent countries—especially in the middle of a global pandemic?
Understanding Proposition 22
BRB Shorts Economics / InvestingIn recent years, California’s voters have been increasingly tasked with making important policy decisions with limited information on the November ballot.
Understanding Chinese GDP Misreporting
Economics / InvestingDespite recent metrics around the globe showing severe production declines as a result of coronavirus, Chinese GDP growth continues to be one of the fastest among developed and developing nations. That’s not a new story.
Chained to Ratings
BRB Shorts Economics / InvestingWhy International Banks Struggle to Innovate in a Strict Ratings Market. The last time credit ratings probably played a major role in your life—if in fact they ever did—was during the 2008 Financial Crisis.
A Market Proposal: Microfinance Pitfalls and Solutions
Economics / Investing“Freedom from poverty is not free. The poor are willing and capable to pay the cost,” concluded a 1999 Reserve Bank of India taskforce on finance reforms.
Rebuilding Coal Country
Economics / Investing“I can tell you what my grand-daddy always said. No matter how many times you beat and kick that dead horse, it’s not getting up to plow again,” a former coal miner...
