There are two way of studying economics: mathematical and historical analysis.

If you study economics from a mathematical view, the credit crisis must have come as something of a shock, says Lord Rees-Mogg.

But if you’re an economic historian, recent events won’t surprise you at all. Historical economists don’t see timing as any more predictable for economic shocks than for earthquakes. But they recognize a cycle of debt when they see on. And they know that the liquidation of debt has a deflationary effect…

Inflation is spreading like wildfire around the globe, and while not every country is hurting as bad as Zimbabwe with its mind-boggling 2.2 million percent inflation, the United States and Europe are definitely still getting scorched by rising prices.

U.S. consumer prices, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), increased 1.1% in June, the Department of Labor reported yesterday (Wednesday). That brings the inflation rate for the past 12 months to 5%, well above the U.S. Federal Reserve’s preferred target of 2.0%.

The increase was higher than expected as a 6.6% jump in energy costs and a 0.8% rise in food prices helped to boost CPI up past the expected rate of 0.8%. So-called core CPI, which excludes highly volatile food and energy…

Hyperinflation is a common concept, but an illustrative example is necessary to show just how quickly it can wreak its havoc. A recent example would be the early 1990s in Yugoslavia when the nation was slipping into civil war.

My mother didn’t go to work today. She’s one of hundreds of thousands of local authority workers up and down the country who have stayed away today. The funny thing is, she’s not even in the union. But when a strike happens, everyone stays out.

Hyperinflation is a common concept, but an illustrative example is necessary to show just how quickly it can wreak its havoc. A recent example would be the early 1990s in Yugoslavia when the nation was slipping into civil war.

What’s responsible for soaring inflation? Government meddling, says The Mogambo Guru.

World Bank President Robert Zoellick thinks the solution is to spend more to get out of trouble – by creating more money and credit.

Anyone with any sense should have bet against the Fed and put as much money as they can in gold, silver and oil.

Argentine economist Horacio Pozzo says that government manipulation of inflation figures in Argentina could take the country beyond the point of no return. For investors with a stake in the Argentine economy, Horacio is a must read…

A couple of months back I compared the housing market to a rock climber climbing down a cliff face. He can’t see how far above the ground he is. He prods and probes with his foot, trying to find a toe-hold… or, ideally, terra firma.

Brazilian stocks as measured by the country’s Bovespa benchmark stock index has fallen 20% from its May 20 record, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to give up on Latin America’s largest economy. Brazil still has plenty to offer, and with stock valuations low, it’s a good time to go bargain hunting.

Is China winning the fight against inflation? Two Chinese newspapers said this week the government will give new figures to show that it is. Now’s the time to get in on the economic giant’s SSE Composite Index, says Irwin Greenstein. Even if the index drops, it could still be a good long-term investment…