Category Archives: Economic fundamentals

Lynn Parramore: Austerity Without Debt Relief Courts New Unrest in Greece

Economist James K. Galbraith warns that ‘unrealistic expectations’ by creditors of Greece is a recipe for turmoil

Germany Blinks on Giving Debt Relief to Greece….or Did It?

Despite press reports to the contrary, in this year’s game of chicken over the Greek bailout, it looks like the IMF, and not Germany, blinked.

The Minimum Wage Increases = Job Loss Myth

Repeat after me: study after study shows that minimum wages increases don’t lead to job losses.

Inflation Targeting and Neoliberalism

An interview on inflation targeting and its implications.

Naked Capitalism’s Diptherio Discusses Flaws in Unemployment Reporting

Lies, damned lies, and statistics, unemployment report style.

TTIP: We Were Right All Along

The European Commission’s claim that the TTIP is aimed at ‘help[ing] people and businesses large and small” is shown to be a flagrant falsehood.

When Commodity Prices Fall

Decomposing the drivers and effects of commodity price swings.

Lessons from Iceland, Where Offshore Created an Onshore Bubble Free of Rules and Regulations

In Iceland, the rapid growth of offshore, meaning tax evasion, along with harmful, even criminal, practices produced a massive boom and bust.

Is Gasoline Demand the Biggest Red Herring In Oil Markets?

Gasoline demand distracts from the more important subject that there is no fundamental reason for the current oil-price rally.

“Free Trade” in Trouble in the United States

“Free trade” policies, in a world of substantially liberalized trade, no longer elicit knee-jerk support. About time.

Inequality Kills: Top 1% Lives 15 Years Longer Than the Poorest

Inequality kills, as the death gap between the richest and poorest rises to 15 years in the US.

Randy Wray: Progressives Don’t Let Friends Vote Neocon

If you take a hard look at Clinton’s neocon policies, it’s far from obvious that she’s a less dangerous Presidential pick than Trump.

The Unfairness of Housing Purchases Through Time

Housing has clearly become less affordable over time. What to do about it?

Trade Costs of Border Controls in the Schengen Area

Granular analysis of the cost of imposing border controls along refugee routes versus ending the Schengen system, as well as who has the most to lose.