Policy Bites
Policy Bites are a succinct and accessible way we aim to bring together our core pillars of research, education, and engagement. Published regularly, these short texts (bites) present the latest developments in policy research and policy practice, in a format and length that is easy to follow.
On policy and politics
In English, the words "politics" and "policy", though similar, have different meanings. "Politics" refers to the political process (elections, parties, ideologies, etc.). "Policy", in turn, refers to the set of actions adopted to achieve an objective (monetary policy, competition policy, health policy, etc.).
A sovereign wealth fund to invest in strategic companies: a good or a bad idea?
The possible creation of a sovereign wealth fund (SWF) in Portugal to invest in strategic companies is a bad idea for structural, governance, and empirical reasons that are well documented in the economic literature.
Portugal and the Productivity Challenge
There are numbers that hurt more than diagnoses. In 2024, labor productivity per hour in Portugal stood at just 67% of the European Union average, and 55% of the Eurozone. For every hour worked in Lisbon, less than half is produced compared to Munich or Lyon; even relative to Madrid, the gap is around twenty percentage points.
Import Tariffs: Why?
Import tariffs are discouraged by economists but celebrated by certain politicians and economic agents. Donald Trump is currently their number one fan, having declared “tariff” as “the most beautiful word […]
Carry-on luggage: The Vueling case and its effects
Recently, European Union lawmakers voted in favor of adopting a proposal that will allow air travelers to carry, free of charge, one personal item and one piece of hand luggage […]
Housing Supply and Rent Prices
Many developed countries are undergoing a housing crisis, with many families having difficulty finding an affordable hope — and with housing prices showing no sign of a decline. There is […]
The Short-run Effects of Congestion Pricing in New York City
New York City became the first city in the US to introduce a congestion charge for vehicles entering Manhattan’s Central Business District (CBD). The new fees, introduced in January of […]
The Impact of Reducing Licensing Hours
Occupational licensing is often cited as a form of regulatory capture—a situation where regulation serves the interests of industry insiders rather than those of consumers, potential entrants, or society at […]
Who Bears the Burden of Local Taxes?
Who bears the burden of local taxes? Generally speaking, economic theory predicts that the incidence of taxes (and tariffs) is higher on the agent who is more dependent on the […]
Public Policy News
The Public Policy Institute is hiring!
The Nova SBE Public Policy Institute is looking for one Post-doctoral and two Pre-doctoral Researchers to join our team. If you’re passionate about evidence-based policy, are interested in the topics […]
Training the Next Generation of Portuguese Policymakers
Four days. Six hours a day. Party politics left at the door. That was the premise behind Liderança em Políticas Públicas, the Nova SBE Public Policy Institute’s new program for […]
Policy Workshop: Rethinking Early Childhood
Research is unambiguous: a significant share of a person’s life trajectory is shaped in the first three years. The quality of care, stimulation, and environment a child receives at this […]
Labour Market Reform Debate: NPPI Researchers Weigh In
A proposed labour market reform is before the Portuguese Parliament, with implications that go well beyond partisan lines. Two NPPI researchers contributed to the public debate in the past week, […]