Blogging primarily at Autos and Economics

I may on occasion repost here, but have decided not to spread posts across blogs. Please follow me at:

== Autos and Economics ==

http://autosandeconomics.blogspot.com

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During the Washington and Lee University academic term my students and I blog on the following:

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Fall 2015

Senior Macroeconomics Seminar    (Econ 398) – mainly US-related

China's Modern Economy    (Econ 274)

Economics of Business Strategy    (Econ 243)

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Winter 2016: tentative!

Econ 274 and Econ 398 as above

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Spring 2016

Auto Industry (Econ 244)

Mike Smitka, Professor of Economics, Washington and Lee University

Autos and Economics: Waiting for the stars to align: Japan's Consumptio...

Autos and Economics: Waiting for the stars to align: Japan's Consumptio...: Japan, as does much of the world, has long-run fiscal challenges. Its population aged faster than anticipated. No mechanism was put in place...

Since writing this Abe called a snap election, which the opposition lost; proposed tax cuts that will undermine part of the benefits of the 1st tax increase but which will do nothing to stimulate the economy (since corporates are awash with cash while interest rates are low in real terms, taxes aren't what's holding them back); postponed the 2nd tax increase; and ... the economy appears to again be re-entering the world of (mild) deflation. At some point I'll revisit these issues.

mike smitka