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Author

Erwin Bulte

Erwin Bulte

Erwin Bulte is professor of economics at Wageningen University and Tilburg University. He is also a research fellow at the University of Cambridge, UK, and an advisor to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. His research interests lie at the interface of natural resources, economic growth and development, and institutional change.

The long shadow of slavery

A few months ago I was in Ghana and visited St George’s castle in Elmina, the infamous fort used by the Dutch to hold large numbers of African slaves prior to their ‘export’ to the New World. The Dutch captured the fort from the Portuguese in 1637, and when the slave-trading days were over they handed it over to the British in 1871. St George’s castle is imposing and grim. Its current status as a UNESCO world heritage site is well deserved.

Erwin Bulte: Aid and governance

Chinese puzzle

What’s the connection between China’s one-child policy and the ability of the United States to continue spending beyond its means? You can be excused for not immediately guessing the answer to this bizarre question. The truth is an amazing story.

Biofuels

Fossil fuel reserves are being depleted. Volatile oil prices are wrecking economic havoc worldwide. Oil rents are supporting dictators, and fuelling conflicts. And carbon emissions from the use of fossil fuels represent one of the biggest threats to future welfare. In light of these concerns it is perfectly sensible to reduce our addiction to fossil fuels, and diversify our energy portfolio by promoting the use of renewable energy sources. One such energy source is biofuels.

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