Economist Podcasts Unsustainable envelopment goals: China’s zero-covid fight
Jan 21, 2022
This discussion features Simon Cox, a China economics expert from The Economist, and Simon Speakman-Kordahl, who writes about the growing cycling movement in the Arab world. They dive into the challenges of China's zero-COVID policy amid the Omicron variant, revealing its toll on the economy and consumer confidence. Additionally, they explore the unexpected economic benefits of historical gulags in Russia and the rising popularity of cycling in the Arab region, linking it to transport efficiency and political activism.
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Gulag's Surprising Legacy
- Despite its horrific nature, the Gulag system may have inadvertently benefited surrounding areas.
- Areas near former camps now show better economic outcomes, potentially due to the influence of relocated intelligentsia.
Discovery from Call for Papers
- Sondre Solstad's call for research papers led to a surprising discovery about the Gulag system's impact.
- The overwhelming response to his call highlighted this study's significance among various submissions.
Gulag and Economic Development
- The study focuses on the relocation of the Soviet intelligentsia to remote Gulags.
- Surprisingly, areas around these Gulags demonstrate better economic performance today.