Category Archives: Economic fundamentals

China’s Push for 7% Growth Faces Big Challenges

China plans to return to a higher level of growth. Are its targets attainable?

Rebooting Antitrust’s Economic Theory to Focus on Social Welfare

New Brandesians oppose the flawed mainstream antitrust “consumer welfare” theory. A social welfare standard would be even better

“Anti-Western or Non-Western? The Nuanced Geopolitics of BRICS”

More on how much and what kind of influence BRICS might wield when it grows up.

The Increasing Cost of Buying American

Looking at the costs versus purported benefits of programs that require or encourage Federal agencies to purchase American products.

The Collapse of Syria, BRICS, and Wishful Thinking

How the sudden collapse of the Syrian government exposes fundamental weaknesses in the BRICS initiative.

“The Next Crash Could Be Much Bigger Than the Last Two”

Rentierism in housing in the UK has reached what looks like nose-bleed, self-correcting, and thus potentially crash-inducing levels.

Syrian Refugees: Where and What of Over 11 Million Who Have Fled?

Looking at the large population of Syrian refugees and what that portends.

Can Europe Afford Its Energy Transition?

A not-complete tally cost estimate for Europe’s climate change containment comes in at €1.3 trillion annually to 2030, then >€1.5 trillion through 2050.

Why Did the French Government Fall and What Happens Next?

Some detail on the French government crisis and what the next moves may be.

NATO Pledges Urgent Support for Ukraine’s Battered Infrastructure

NATO messaging about “helping” Ukraine is become even more divorced from reality.

Wall Street Journal Tries “Recovery Finally Underway” Office Space Patter as Securitized Office Mortgage Delinquencies Hit a New Post-Crisis High of 10.4%

The Journal gets egg on its face for trying to call a bottom in the office space market even as delinquencies were accelerating

Trump Threatens BRICS Countries With 100% Tariffs if They Ditch the Dollar

Why Trump’s dedollarization tariff threat is much more bark than bite.

Nissan in Crisis, “12 or 14 Months to Survive,” as Size, Difficult Conditions for Non-China Carmakers Make Rescue Seem Remote

Nissan, with intensifying cash flow woes and vultures circling, looks like a canary in the coal mine for non-China carmakers.

Book Review: The Many Bounties of Collaboration in Nature

What would make a critical mass of Americans, marinating in a rugged individualist culture, want to become their neighbors’ keepers?

Inflation Re-Accelerates Despite Plunging Gasoline Prices as “Core Services” PCE Price Index Hits 7-Month High

Core services inflation is the biggie and going the wrong way. The Fed is already talking down the pace of rate cuts.