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Tim Harford is economics leader writer for the Financial Times and writes the “Dear Economist” and “Undercover Economist” columns on Saturdays. He first joined the FT as Peter Martin Fellow in 2003 and after a spell at the World Bank in Washington DC he rejoined the FT’s leader writing team in 2006.
Tim’s book, The Undercover Economist, is a Business Week bestseller and a Sunday Times bestseller, and was number one on Amazon.co.uk. It has been translated into sixteen languages. He is now working on a sequel.
Tim is also the presenter of the BBC2 series, Trust Me, I’m an Economist. He lives in London with his wife and two daughters.
NEW: Read Tim’s ‘Undercover Economist’ blog
Tim Harford’s website - -
Dear Economist: Should I take my own great leap forward?
I was given notice that my position will be eliminated at the end of the month. Should I go big and change industries, risking a long unemployment, or play it safe?
What the wealth of nations is really built upon
An accomplished economist attempts to answer the old question: why are some countries rich and others poor? His conclusions do not fully convince Tim Harford
Perhaps microfinance isn’t such a big deal after all
A year ago Tim Harford warned of a backlash against microfinance. Now there is mounting evidence that the practice is not living up to its promises
Dear Economist: Did Thierry’s head inform his hand?
With regard to the controversial goal that has shattered Irish World Cup hopes, how would an economist have chosen to control the ball in the French striker’s position?
Political ill wind blows a hole in the climate change debate
The trouble with cap-and-trade – which has long been regarded as the easier sell – is that countries must agree how to divide the allocation of permits, writes Tim Harford
Dear Economist: Should I stay single in Italy – or come home?
I’m a 32-year-old American woman. I am being forced to re-earn an Italian BA for my master’s programme, but can I handle another year and further enforced singledom?
Dear Economist: I love Walmart: my wife hates it. Help!
I have tried to convince her that not only does the chain offer the lowest prices, it is also a force of good. But she complains about its policies. Who is right?
It’s not just Scrooge who wants Christmas abolished
Resources that go into Yuletide gifts often result in products that nobody wants, but Tim Harford says these findings omit the warm glow we get from giving and receiving
Dear Economist: How can I be fair to my grandchildren?
My son has two children and my daughter four. I propose to give £5,000 to each grandchild in my will. Would this be equitable?
Given the choice, how much choice would you like?
Having more options seems to be counterproductive under certain circumstances, but we don’t yet know much about what they are, writes Tim Harford
