World Perspectives

Historical Migration Economics

The FAO is set to release 2020 data on land clearing in Brazil but important to understanding the dynamic is its economics. University of Michigan economist Sebastian Sotelo and NYU’s Heitor Pellegrina find that Brazilians marching westward starting in the 1950’s is not unique in the human experience. The tripling of Europe’s population during the middle ages converted grasslands and forests. Western migration in the U.S. during the 18th and 19th centuries did the same. The Chinese more recently shifted from rural to eastern manufacturing and exporting centers.   In the case of Brazil, the focus on soybeans, corn and beef helped to exploit comparative advantage relative to global demand. Notably, the authors fin...

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From WPI Consulting

Weighing in on strategic realignment

WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.

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