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Sellers' Inflation
The term Greedflation first appeared during the COVID-19 pandemic to describe the idea that some inflation is driven by increases in corporate profits. Suggested mechanisms include price gouging, price fixing, windfall gains resulting from information asymmetry, monopoly-like power, and external shocks to the economy. The theory, which first gained traction among left-wing pundits and trade unions, was considered fringe until 2023. According to Paul Hannon of ''The Wall Street Journal'', most economists believe profits have played a larger role in the post-COVID-19 inflationary episode than during the period of inflation that had occurred in the 1970s, although the issue of precisely to what degree has proven controversial and a point of contention. Organizations and notable people that have expressed concern about inflation alleged to have resulted from outsized or unusually high corporate profits include the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Central Bank (ECB), Fe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Soon after, it spread to other areas of Asia, and COVID-19 pandemic by country and territory, then worldwide in early 2020. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on 30 January 2020, and assessed the outbreak as having become a pandemic on 11 March. COVID-19 symptoms range from asymptomatic to deadly, but most commonly include fever, sore throat, nocturnal cough, and fatigue. Transmission of COVID-19, Transmission of the virus is often airborne transmission, through airborne particles. Mutations have variants of SARS-CoV-2, produced many strains (variants) with varying degrees of infectivity and virulence. COVID-19 vaccines were developed rapidly and deplo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Windfall Profit Taxes
A windfall tax is a higher tax rate on profits that ensue from a sudden windfall gain to a particular company or industry. There have been windfall taxes in various countries across the world, including Australia, Italy, and Mongolia (2006–2009). During the 2021–2023 global energy crisis, policy specialists at the International Monetary Fund recommended that governments institute permanent windfall profits taxes targeted at economic rents in the energy sector, excluding renewable energy to prevent hindering its further development. Discussion Support Thomas Baunsgaard and Nate Verson of the IMF recommend implementing permanent windfall profit taxes on fossil fuel extraction but not temporary taxes or taxes on renewable energy. The taxes should always target a clear measure of excess profits and not be tied to price levels or revenue. They also recommend ensuring that markets can add new capacity quickly if-needed to avoid a spike in prices. Another 2022 IMF paper argues ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
