Political blogger

During my time, working as a Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager at the European NGO, COFACE-Families Europe, on topics such as financial inclusion, consumer protection, data protection, privacy online, I have gained a profound knowledge about many topics and have started writing articles reflecting on economics, politics, and a wide variety of societal issues.

The articles below don't necessarily reflect my current point of view, but provide a good overview of the evolution of my ideas and ideals.

You can also read my paper on the future of the financial system: Mirroring Biology

Another way to argue for Universal Basic Income (UBI)

Martin Schmalzried

Nov 27, 20212 min read

Another way to argue for Universal Basic Income (UBI)

When discussing UBI, very often, the debate spins around dogmatic ideological confrontations (Free markets vs. Socialism) or around...

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Soft Revolution (part 4): rethinking Private Property Rights

Martin Schmalzried

Nov 27, 202125 min read

Soft Revolution (part 4): rethinking Private Property Rights

“Seize it all and lets move to Communism for good this time!” Joking aside, how can you justify private property rights? This has been...

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Soft Revolution (part 3): reinventing money

Martin Schmalzried

Nov 27, 202119 min read

Soft Revolution (part 3): reinventing money

While everyone is busy predicting the next financial crisis, the next economic collapse, the impending doom brought by the bankruptcy of...

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Soft Revolution (part 2): rethinking universal income

Martin Schmalzried

Nov 27, 202114 min read

Soft Revolution (part 2): rethinking universal income

Universal income has been debated more and more openly in mainstream politics, in Canada, France, Switzerland, and even managed to enter...

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Soft Revolution (part 1): worker owned cooperatives

Martin Schmalzried

Nov 27, 202110 min read

Soft Revolution (part 1): worker owned cooperatives

I have decided to start a “series” of articles to reflect on ways in which we can move beyond the current economic and political system’s...

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Why States must be corrupt and inefficient

Martin Schmalzried

Nov 27, 20215 min read

Why States must be corrupt and inefficient

We all know the story: public services are monopolies, often mismanaged by corrupt government bureaucrats, politicians themselves are...

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When companies pay for your insurance and credit

Martin Schmalzried

Nov 27, 20215 min read

When companies pay for your insurance and credit

Big data analytics has generated a lot of hype in the financial services industry over the last few years. Many financial service...

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Martin Schmalzried

Nov 27, 20219 min read

Theory creates facts

Recently, I have come across two interviews where Noam Chomsky and Slavoj Zizek confront their views on the importance of "facts" versus...

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Martin Schmalzried

Nov 27, 202132 min read

How to kill civil society

The following essay stems from the personal experience I have gathered, working for an organization representing civil society. It aims...

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Brussels Economic Forum 2016: selling inclusive growth as inequalities rise

Martin Schmalzried

Nov 27, 20218 min read

Brussels Economic Forum 2016: selling inclusive growth as inequalities rise

On the 9th of June, ECFIN held the 2016 edition of the Brussels Economic Forum, which brought together key policy makers from all over...

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Colruyt helps tackle childhood obesity with inspiring lunch boxes

Martin Schmalzried

Nov 27, 20211 min read

Colruyt helps tackle childhood obesity with inspiring lunch boxes

Or not... This month, Colruyt Belgium published a special "back to school" advertising folder. Unfortunately, what looks like a desperate...

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Martin Schmalzried

Nov 27, 20216 min read

Fintechs: milking the poor

Original article published here: http://www.coface-eu.org/en/Policies/Consumers-Health/Financial-Services/ Every week or so, new articles...

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