Back to a Golden Age?

Why tinker with international currency speculation by throwing sand in its wheels, when you can block its path completely with a big boulder? That's the view of Paul Davidson, professor of political economy at the University of Tennessee. A 1% round-trip Tobin tax (after Nobel laureate James Tobin) discourages only the small-time short-term speculators. It needs a radical overhaul of the relationship between currencies and economies to end damaging medium-term attacks, Davidson says.

Why tinker with international currency speculation by throwing sand in its wheels, when you can block its path completely with a big boulder? That’s the view of Paul Davidson, professor of political economy at the University of Tennessee. A 1% round-trip Tobin tax (after Nobel laureate James Tobin) discourages only the small-time short-term speculators. It needs a radical overhaul of the relationship between currencies and economies to end damaging medium-term attacks, Davidson says.

Governments only consider changing the parameters of the foreign exchange markets when there’s a currency crisis.

Access intelligence that drives action

To unlock this research, enter your email to log in or enquire about access