Robert Chovanculiak

Analyst at the INESS. He joined INESS after a previous collaboration in 2015. He graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, where he also completed postgraduate studies at the Department of Public Economics. He has previous work experience as an analyst at the National Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. He is currently also a research fellow at the CEVRO Institute in Prague. His research focuses on the functioning of the public sector, internet technologies and education

Review #6

REVIEW #6: How to Reform the Content of Education in Slovakia

BY Robert Chovanculiak AND 4liberty.eu / April 22, 2017

Even though there is no coordinating center and no “minister for IT,” the industry runs like clockwork. There are ever newer and better-quality products and efficiency puts downward pressure on prices. The same is true with food, cars, clothing, housing, and so on.

Economy, Politics

Foreign Investment and the Schizophrenia of Nationalism

BY Robert Chovanculiak AND INESS / February 28, 2017

The rising popularity of nationalist thought all over the world is evident. It has already won several battles in the political competition. Nevertheless, it is important to highlight an interesting occurrence here: nationalists operate with at least two incompatible opinions on the functioning of economy.

Economy

Numbers Alone Cannot Explain Unemployment in Slovakia

BY Robert Chovanculiak AND INESS / February 28, 2017

On the one hand, Slovak unemployment rate is declining. Automotive industry and large companies find it difficult to hire enough employees. According to the recent reports, workers are brought in not only from Ukraine or Hungary, but even from Serbia.

Economy

Who Profits from Making Sneakers?

BY Robert Chovanculiak AND INESS / November 14, 2016

Competition creates pressure to decrease profits in every part of production. Therefore, if someone would like to “help” developing countries by restrictions and price regulations, there should not expect that all costs will be absorbed by the corporations.

Politics

The Reform of Slovakian Education Reforms

BY Robert Chovanculiak AND INESS / November 11, 2016

Slovak education needs a consumer-selected group of people and schools that do not wish to offer quality education, and rather just teach the same curriculum year after another, not considering the well-being of children. Many people will have to leave the field of education and a lot of old structures will have to disintegrate.

Policy Papers

Sharing Economy and Slovak Public Regulations

BY Robert Chovanculiak AND More Liberal Voices / October 25, 2016

The article analyses the present state of regulation of accommodation and taxi services in Slovakia. We then briefly describe the arrival of sharing economy platforms such as Uber and Airbnb into Slovakia. We present our recommendations for changes in the public regulations.

Review #5

REVIEW #5: Less Regulation, More Reputation!

BY Robert Chovanculiak, INESS AND 4liberty.eu / October 22, 2016

Regulation of the commercial business sphere by the government is a relatively hot topic these days. According to a new study by Coffey, McLaughlin and Peretto (2016), the current GDP of the US would be 25% higher if federal regulation had not increased since the 1980s.

Economy

Why Is It Rational to Simulate in Football?

BY Robert Chovanculiak AND INESS / July 25, 2016

Football as a sport is not selective about effeminate athletes who have a low pain threshold and pathological inclination to deception. Football players are just the same as other professional athletes; the only difference is in the environment and referring constraints to which they must face in pursuit of victory.

Politics

Inequality and Political Solutions

BY Robert Chovanculiak AND INESS / December 15, 2015

Slovakia’s example is emblematic of how a government trying to patch up fiscal loopholes turns to targeting incomes of the most vulnerable, using their limited means to solve societal problems. From the government’s perspective, this is often the easiest way to procure the necessary funding.

Politics

Racist Background of Minimum Wage

BY Robert Chovanculiak / October 11, 2015

This is the sad history of price regulation of wages, venerated by the politicians, voters but also various organizations trying to help minorities. Although its current defenders do not have the same reasons as its supporters from the previous century, their agendas, unfortunately, still bring the same consequences.