Boom and Bust Again
Policy Challenges for a Commodity-Based Economy
Description
In many commodity-based economies, rollercoaster boom-and-bust cycles have come to be viewed almost as an unavoidable characteristic. Framed mainly in the context of the Alberta economy, the articles in this volume explore a wide range of issues associated with the historical phenomenon of recurring periods of boom and bust, including reasons for their apparent inevitability, dealing with revenue volatility, possible diversification strategies, savings policy, and challenges faced by policy makers. Re-examining and shedding new light on these struggles, Boom and Bust Again is an important contribution to the literature on policy issues for readers in the fields of economics, business, finance, and public policy. Contributors: Robert L. Ascah, Jason Brisbois, Colin Busby, Edward J. Chambers, Bev Dahlby, Stephen Duckett, J. C. Herbert Emery, Nicholas Emter, Roger Gibbins, Brad R. Humphreys, Ronald Kneebone, Gordon Kramer, Stuart Landon, Kathleen Macaspac, Victor A. Matheson, Melville McMillan, John D. Murray, Alice O. Nakamura, Al O'Brien, David L. Ryan, Liesje Sarnecki, Constance Smith.
Reviews
"Boom and Bust Again is stuffed with valuable information and ideas for improving the way the provincial government manages Alberta's wealth. The many contributors are not only talented, most of them have hard-won experience with Alberta's booms and busts. So the economic theory presented here is tempered like good steel by the hot and cold of Alberta's economic performance over many decades. Every chapter is valuable. I hope the next volume focuses on related issues, including an in-depth analysis of personal and corporate taxes, profits, and royalties." Kevin Taft, September 2013