About Per SE

Commentary and research on current events and public policy by economists from the University of the Philippines
Monthly archive July 2015

On Piketty’s “Capital”

One of the first questions I asked myself as I began to read Capital was: why was this book not written before?

Summas, magnas and all the other graduates: life as continuous learning process

Soon enough, all graduates realize that as true life commences – beyond schooling – there are many factors that determine “success in life.” Even this can be defined, and of course there could be a debate in the definition of what constitutes success.

A Greek tragedy

A euro exit has the potential to transform Greece, Europe and the whole world.

Of CALAx, industrial policy and the nature of the State

The first CALAx auction in June 2014 — won by Team Orion with a bid of P11.66 billion in premium payment — was scrapped by the government when a technicality disqualified contender, SMC-affiliated Optimal Infrastructure, opened its bid document to the public, revealing a P20.1-billion bid.

As important as who the next prez will be

I will not write about Binay this week. I will write instead on a matter that is at least as important to the Philippines as who the next president will be: the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The Reader, however, may find certain similarities in the two issues.