Prof. Rodriguez-Pose asks to which extent size of cities matters, at Regional Studies Associaton conference. Bigger needs not to be better, and density may destroy social capital (and more lessons)

Economic Policy Uncertainty Index is at the highest level ever since recorded.

Having an influential but incompetent friend does not help much, as Mr. Putin may well discover.

Among European countries, Russia has the largest negative difference between its actual life expectancy and the life expectancy suggested by its level of income per head. Under tyranny, people work harder, but life is shorter. (see classic results by Przeworski et al., 2000).

In cognitive psychology, the 'halo effect' is the tendency to extrapolate positive impressions of a person in one area to another area, for example to imply that genuine technological competence is associated with organisational skills applied to public administration.

What a difference a month makes. Latest European opinion poll demonstrates a collapse in trust in USA being an ally.

Futurologists talk about ‘Thucydides Trap’, but the key lesson from ‘Peloponnesian War’ is about a leading democracy that decided to abuse its power against the allies and ultimately lost.