J. Peter Neary facts for kids

J. Peter Neary was a very important economist. He was born in Ireland on February 11, 1950, and passed away on June 16, 2021. He spent his career studying international trade, which is all about how countries buy and sell things to each other.

Professor Neary taught at famous universities. These included Oxford University in England and University College Dublin in Ireland. He was also known for helping to explain an economic idea called "Dutch disease."

Who Was J. Peter Neary?

J. Peter Neary was an expert in economics. Economists study how people and countries make choices about money and resources. Neary focused on how countries trade goods and services. This is called international trade.

He was a professor for many years. This means he taught students at universities. He also did a lot of research. His work helped us understand how global trade works.

Early Life and Education

Peter Neary grew up in Drogheda, Ireland. He was a very bright student. He went to University College Dublin for his first degree.

After that, he continued his studies. He went to Oxford University in England. There, he earned his D.Phil. This is a very high academic degree. He finished his studies in 1978.

A Career in Economics

After his education, Professor Neary became a leading economist. From 1980 to 2006, he was a professor at University College Dublin. He taught many students there.

Later, he moved to Oxford University. He became a professor of economics there. He was also a special fellow at Merton College, Oxford. He worked as a research fellow too. This meant he spent time doing important economic research.

Leading Economic Groups

Professor Neary was a leader in the world of economics. He helped guide important groups. He was an editor for the European Economic Review. This is a big journal where economists share their ideas.

He was also the president of the Irish Economic Association. This group helps economists in Ireland. In 2002, he became president of the European Economic Association. This is a very important role for economists in Europe. He was also chosen to be a member of the British Academy and the Royal Irish Academy. These are big honors for smart people in different fields.

Understanding "Dutch Disease"

One of Peter Neary's most famous contributions was about "Dutch disease." He worked with another economist, W. Max Corden, in 1982. They helped explain this economic idea.

"Dutch disease" describes a problem some countries face. It happens when a country finds a lot of valuable natural resources. For example, a lot of oil or gas. This can make the country's money stronger.

However, a stronger currency can make other industries suffer. It makes it harder for the country to sell other goods to the world. These goods become too expensive for other countries to buy. So, while one part of the economy booms, others might struggle. Neary's work helped economists understand this challenge.