Martin Sandbu's Free Lunch column is celebrating its 10th anniversary, having launched a decade ago with the aim of providing insightful economic analysis to a global audience. Now read in 212 countries, the column has evolved to address a wide range of topics, from the EU investment fund and the UK immigration debate to the complexities of labor force issues and the impact of Russian sanctions [8f604756].
In its inaugural issue, Free Lunch set the stage for discussions that would recur throughout the years, including the resilience of the euro and the concept of 'economics of belonging,' which Sandbu introduced in 2018. This concept has been particularly relevant in the context of supporting the Bidenomics agenda, as well as analyzing the implications of Brexit and the Northern Ireland outcomes [8f604756].
Over the years, notable pieces have included explorations of universal basic income and predictions regarding political figures such as Kamala Harris. The latest column reflects on the EU's commitment problem, highlighting ongoing challenges within the union [8f604756]. Sandbu's ability to engage with pressing economic issues has solidified Free Lunch as a vital source of commentary in the field of political economy, making it a staple for readers seeking to understand the intricacies of global economics [8f604756].