A consumer-finance agency is a good thing, but it would do well to teach consumers a simple lesson: if you don't understand the deal you're making, don't make it. James Surowiecki agencyconsumerdeal Change image and share on social
The problem with venality in business is that getting outraged about it makes it easy to miss the systemic problems that venality often disguises. James Surowiecki businessdisguiseeasy Change image and share on social
In a world where companies increasingly know about their business in real time, it makes no sense that public reporting mostly follows the old quarterly schedule. Companies sit on vital information until reporting day, at which point the market goes crazy. James Surowiecki businesscompanycrazy share on social
Lower oil prices won't, by themselves, topple the mullahs in Iran. But it's significant that, historically, when oil prices have been low, Iranian reformers have been ascendant and radicals relatively subdued, and vice versa when prices have been high. James Surowiecki ascendanthighhistorically share on social
Until the nineteen-seventies, Western countries paid little attention to corruption overseas, and bribery was seen as an unpleasant but necessary part of doing business there. In some European countries, businesses were even allowed to deduct bribes as an expense. James Surowiecki allowattentionbribe share on social
Political risk is hard to manage because so much comes down to the personal choices of policymakers, whether prime ministers or heads of central banks. James Surowiecki bankcentralchoice Change image and share on social
The history of the Internet is, in part, a series of opportunities missed: the major record labels let Apple take over the digital-music business; Blockbuster refused to buy Netflix for a mere fifty million dollars; Excite turned down the chance to acquire Google for less than a million dollars. James Surowiecki acquireappleblockbuster share on social
In order to work well, markets need a basic level of trust. James Surowiecki basiclevelmarket Change image and share on social
In American politics, 'Europe' is usually a code word for 'big government.' James Surowiecki americanbigcode Change image and share on social
Flexible supply chains are great for multinationals and consumers. But they erode already thin profit margins in developing-world factories and foster a pell-mell work environment in which getting the order out the door is the only thing that matters. James Surowiecki chainconsumerdevelop share on social