INESS

INESS, the Institute of Economic and Social Studies, began its activities in January 2006. As an independent think tank, INESS monitors the functioning and financing of the public sector, evaluates the effects of legislative changes on the economy and society and comments on current economic and social issues.

Economy

Financial and Economic (Il)Literacy among Young Slovaks

BY Monika Budzak AND INESS / July 31, 2018

With a sample of 4,000 Slovak students, the Economics Olympiad revealed the most serious weaknesses in economic education of young people. Memorizing is believed to be a long-term problem, but knowledge useful only as a part of quiz shows remains a crucial element of the Slovak education system.

Economy

Automakers Good, Merchants Bad

BY Martin Vlachynsky AND INESS / July 18, 2018

Mankind has made unbelievable progress in the last one hundred years. From horse carriages to moon landings, from typhus epidemics to molecular genetics, from conservative patriarchate to gay marriages. One thing does not change though – the suspicion, or even hate towards merchants.

Think Tank News

International Sharing Economy Conference: Do Regulations Kill Innovation?

BY Monika Budzak AND INESS / June 25, 2018

INESS organized the international conference \"Do Regulations Kill Inovation? on June 19, 2018, focusing directly on the sharing economy, its potential for the future, and regulatory environment issues. The conference was attended by over 100 participants.

Think Tank News

Free Market Road Show 2018 in Bratislava

BY Monika Budzak AND INESS / May 31, 2018

INESS has been organizing the Free Market Road Show, an international conference, for a number of years. The event found its way to Bratislava in 2018 again and brought topics stirring the public at home and abroad.

Think Tank News

Seminar on Austrian Economics VIII: Cryptocurrencies and Anarchy

BY Monika Budzak AND INESS / May 28, 2018

The eighth year of the Seminar on Austrian Economics organized by INESS was traditionally held in the Mojmírovce manor on March 15 to 18, 2018. Here, 29 students from various universities from all around Slovakia and the Czech Republic got together.

Economy

Slovak Farmers Are Entrepreneurs

BY Martin Vlachynsky AND INESS / May 22, 2018

Do not be fooled by the vast yellow fields of rapeseed in Slovakia. The agricultural sector is a zombie, living on subsidies instead of fresh brains. There are a few exceptions (like the successful tomato growers), but the overall numbers are harsh.

Economy

How Not to Scare Off Uber and Taxify from Slovakia

BY Robert Chovanculiak AND INESS / April 17, 2018

How can Slovakia match the technologies of the 21st century with regulation, so that the opportunities will be exploited? It\'s simple. It is not rocket science or a super-secured secret. Just look at what has been done by more than half of the U.S. states.

Economy

How Much Would a Simple Tax Reform Cost in Slovakia?

BY Martin Vlachynsky AND INESS / April 17, 2018

Paying the advanced tax in Slovakia is a bureaucratic burden, since an entrepreneur has to take care of the regular payments. But there is a bigger problem. An entrepreneur has to pay the advanced tax from her/his current income – but the payment size is set according to her/his last year’s tax.

Economy

Inappropriate Regulation of Appropriate Conditions

BY INESS / March 26, 2018

The Slovak Ministry of Agriculture lists among its goals the support of Slovak agricultural production. Except their heavy subsidizing under EU common agricultural policy, it uses several tools of nationalist protection of local production.

Think Tank News

New Study: The Separation of Education and Politics in Slovakia

BY INESS / February 12, 2018

INESS has recently presented its views on the steps necessary to reform the education system in Slovakia in the study titled The Separation of education and politics. The proposal does not consist of prescription of exact content and form of education.