Category Archives: Politics

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

Gonzalo Lira Reports Torture in Ukraine Prison, Extortion, Inevitable Conviction with Sentence of 5 to 8 Years in Labor Camp

Gonzalo Lira is alive after being tortured in prison. He is tryng to flee Urkaine, witih tacit approval of the authorities. Wish him luck.

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.

The Latest on Covid, Cognitive Impairment, and Social Cognition (“Theory of Mind”)

A sociopathic elite is one thing, that we’re used to; but a sociopathic elite with brain damage is quite another.

NATO Failed in Ukraine Against Russia. Now It’s Targeting China

NATO is trying to extricte itself from Ukraine. But will the US play ball?

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.