Category Archives: Economic fundamentals

The Overlooked Role of the Financial Crisis in the Subjugation of Europe

Europe faces permanent economic diminution thanks to following US sanctions But did the financial crisis pave the way for this self-sabotage?

Angus Deaton on How Neoliberal Ideology Produced Abject US Falling Life Expectancy for Less Educated

Angus Deaton returns to his deaths of despair theme, with updated data and a pointed critique of the role of Chicago School libertarians.

Oil, Gas, Wages, Interest Rates: Biden’s Other 2024 Risks

A supposedly good economy has not helped Biden much and trends such as oil prices do not look to be in his favor.

More on the Collapse of Operational Capabilities in the West: How Did We Get Here

Some thoughts on the rapid decline in operational capabilities, or why tons of people, particularly those in charge, are no good at their jobs

Fascism is the Western Answer to Class Struggle

Rob Urie makes a reasoned, data-backed case that the tools used in supposed democracies to enforce class standing merit the label of fascism

Energy Destinies – Part 8: Pathways

Satyajit Das concludes his series on the future of energy by looking at curbing demand, aka radical conseration.

French Invasion of Niger Could Turn into All-Out Franco-African War

An assessment of the stakes for France in trying to reverse the military coup in Niger by force.

As the Ukraine War Drags On, It’s Time to Reassess the Impacts of Sanctions

The bundle of sanctions was initially designed and imposed in haste, with little basis to assess historic performance.

Government Health Financing for All, Not Insurance

Why health insurance schemes, both private insurance and society-wide programs, are more costly than and inferor to government funding.

The Bizarre and Widely Disparaged Fitch Downgrade of US Government Debt to AA+

The financial press and Mr. Market shrugged off the Fitch downgrade of US government debt from AAA to AA+. Why?

Two Overlapping Takes on Inflation

MMT backer Richard Murphy and London finance organ City A.M. have surprisingly simliar views on the causes of inflation but differ on remedies

Going on a Big Energy Diet: Will the Status of Women Be a Casualty?

Will coming energy crunch roll back women’s gains?

Explaining China’s & India’s Reported Differences Over Expanding BRICS

Quelle surprise! China and India have different economic interests, which means they have diverging visions for BRICS development.

Why the GOP Is Trying to Take Credit for Union Workers’ Infrastructure Victory

The feckless Dems get no respect, even on the rare occasions when they do the right thing, as with a recent infrastructure bill.

Central Banks and Income Distribution: Does the Taylor Rule Push Up Rentier Incomes?

An explanation of how a favorite Fed rate setting tool, the Taylor Rule, promotes inequality by shifting income away from workers.