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

Economy

Degrowth: Wrong Answer to an Important Question

BY Robert Chovanculiak AND INESS / December 28, 2023

A new movement called degrowth is being mentioned more and more often in the media around the world. The aim of this movement is to address current environmental challenges by abandoning the \'economic growth paradigm.\' However, life and humanity as we know it today exist only because of economic growth. We would not be dealing with the environment today without years, decades, and centuries of economic growth.

Society

When You Cannot Change Boat’s Course, Hand Out Lifeboats

BY Robert Chovanculiak AND INESS / May 11, 2023

Education is like an enormous oceanic ship where no one can change the course quickly, even if everyone can see that they are heading for an iceberg. Enough politicians have been burned in Slovakia who have taken command, announced a new course, and started turning the steering wheel, but nothing happened to the ship.

Economy

Slovak Government Continues to Forget about Poorest Citizens

BY Robert Chovanculiak AND INESS / January 11, 2023

Since 2006, most of the time Slovakia has been ruled by politicians who have emphasized the role of the welfare state. The concept of pre-election welfare packages has become more popular and has become an integral part of mainstream politics, regardless of the phase of the election cycle.

Society

School Reform: Arizona Introduces Education Vouchers

BY Robert Chovanculiak AND INESS / October 19, 2022

It makes a big difference whether the state directly funds the operation of restaurants or \"merely\" mandates the issuance of food stamps, or whether restaurants are funded by paying customers.

Society

Cost of Diploma Inflation in Slovakia Is Brain Export

BY Robert Chovanculiak AND INESS / July 4, 2022

In Slovakia, we have a problem with the drain of the brightest young people to foreign universities. If we want to solve this problem, we need to know the causes. And we can only know these if we understand how higher education works and what its real added value is.

Society

In Education, Length Matters

BY Robert Chovanculiak AND INESS / July 1, 2022

If a quality secondary school can produce a quality graduate in 3 years instead of 4, it will save a quarter of its costs. That means it can cut the price by a quarter!

Think Tank News

[PUBLICATION] Teachers’ Pay with Sober Head

BY Robert Chovanculiak AND INESS / March 22, 2022

Teachers\' salaries are a topic every year. This time, however, it is different. In addition to internal arguments about the state of education, external developments - inflation and the public deficit - also play an important role.

Society

Let’s Not Be Intimidated by Private Schools but Take Them as Opportunity

BY Robert Chovanculiak AND INESS / March 21, 2022

In Slovakia, we need more alternatives, more private schools to help all children. Especially in a situation where we have 2.6% of children attending private primary schools.

Economy

Competition Is Like Adidas Stripes, More Is Not Always Better

BY Robert Chovanculiak AND INESS / January 14, 2022

The European Commission is preparing a new regulation of internet companies called the Digital Markets Act (DMA). It is supposed to require or prohibit a number of activities from platforms, all under the slogan: \"more fair, competitive and innovative business on the internet\".

Economy

Will Efficiency Be Curse in EU?

BY Robert Chovanculiak AND INESS / January 14, 2022

Amazon is not only a large retailer, but also the creator of the digital marketplace. And on that marketplace, it allows other sellers to sell for a fee. And it also allows those who are interested to do something extra.