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Chinese Communist Party’s succession problem matters
It has become fashionable for some scholars of China to claim that the political system in that nation, led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), has become institutionalized over time. What this claim means is that there exist rules that govern how leaders are selected and promoted. Specifically, the claim is that leadership can be passed from one leader to another without […]
Commercial real estate economy will not recover if 1031 exchanges are capped
An essential tool in the rebuilding of our American economy is at serious risk as part of the $1.8 trillion American Families Plan Congress is considering — and the damage will be felt in every state, city and town still reeling from the ravages of COVID-19. For the last century, like-kind exchanges — which allow investors to defer taxes […]
Air pollution hurts us in ways we typically do not think of
Readers will not be surprised to learn that air pollution adversely affects our well-being in a variety of ways. For instance, we have known for quite a while that air pollution causes respiratory illness and cardiovascular disease. More recently, evidence has appeared that air pollution negatively affects the productivity of workers and the number of […]
The conflict between profit and purpose
I recently met a young investment professional who was determined to make his millions before he turned 30. I suggested that his priorities might be off base since he was so focused on money and all the trappings that come with wealth in America today. The young man then brought one of the world’s greatest […]
How education will thrive and survive after COVID-19
This past year presented some of the greatest educational challenges endured by students, teachers, and parents across the globe. Many families struggled to navigate remote learning technology. Then there were the psychological, emotional, and physical challenges associated with schooling from home. However, despite the hardships, pandemic teaching and learning gave us a[...]
The dos, don’ts and nuances of civil discourse
As a businessperson I understand competition and how the boundaries of right from wrong can become confusing in the heat of battle. We see this happening at both the national and local political scene in both parties. Among the real losses in our country over the last three decades is civil discourse — the ability […]
War between America, China over Taiwan’s future: Economic impacts, deterrents
The Economist recently opined that Taiwan is the most dangerous in the world. When viewed through the lens of superpower politics, this description is apt because of four interrelated reasons. First, with the passage of time, more residents of Taiwan identify as Taiwanese and not Chinese and, as a result, the opportunities for a peaceful reunification of democrati[...]
A budget is a moral document
On its face, a budget outlines an organization’s financial strengths and weaknesses, and provides a bottom-line number for the organization and its stakeholders to orient around over the course of the year. Contained within the offsetting revenues and expenses is a story about who and what the organization values, prioritizes, and represents as most directly […]
The four stages of globalization
Globalization is a contentious subject. It is possible to find researchers drawing very different inferences about whether the benefits of globalization outweigh the costs. Research in the last two decades by Jagdish Bhagwati, Marc Levinson, Branko Milanovic, Joseph Stiglitz and others has shed light on this much contested phenomenon. This research suggests that it is […]
Employers must consider these factors when establishing workplace vaccination protocols
The widespread rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations over the past few months has led hopeful business leaders across Rochester to begin finalizing their workplace reopening plans. However, the uncertainty around clear best practices to maintain a safe and healthy workplace has only increased as employers face the reality that not all workers may have received their vaccination[...]
Socially responsible investing isn’t trendy; it’s a smart strategy
Take one look at recent news headlines and it’s likely you’ll see plenty of talk about conscious consumerism. Look again and you’ll probably see stories around social justice, pay equity or environmental stewardship. These matters have always been important, but lately they are more front-and-center, as customers have more access to information on the companies […]
A little less democracy might be a good thing
Given the rise of Donald J. Trump to the U.S. presidency in 2016, the decision by the U.K. to leave the European Union in 2016, and the rise of illiberal regimes in Hungary and Poland, many have begun to worry about the future of democracy not only in North America and Europe but also in […]
