Author Archives: Yves Smith

Michael Hudson: America’s Neoliberal Financialization Policy vs. China’s Industrial Socialism

Further discussion of the American and Chinese economic models, focusing on financialization as a central distinction.

Pricey Learning Pods Are Now Helping Vulnerable Students. Will the Trend Survive the Pandemic?

A case study of the “innovation” of learning pods, and why they are being promoted as an alternative to remote instruction.

Whither AOC?

Trying to make sense of AOC’s gambit of giving $160,000 at $5,000 a pop to Dem Congresscritters who mainly hate her.

Experts Lay Out Their Case Against Carbon Pricing

Climate change policy advocates have turned against market approcaches like carbon offsets, which have clearly failed. But what next?

Why Work at Home Is Not Likely to Thrive After the Covid Era

Despite its popularity, expect work at home to be reined in when we reach life after Covid.

Lessons from the First New Deal for the Next One

Whether it is called “Build Back Better” or a Green New Deal, it is imperative to reject the false dichotomy of “jobs against climate.”

Only Multilateral Cooperation Can Stop Harmful Tax Competition

International tax reform, to check multinational tax avoidance, has made perilously little progress. Will Yellen’s backing make a difference?

Links 4/13/2021

UNCTAD’s Richard Kozul-Wright on the Post-COVID World Economy: Out of the Frying Pan… Into the Fire?

Kozul-Wright warns that for a sustainable Covid-19 recovery, it is key to abandon policies that concentrate economic power and wealth

What is the Bullshit Economy?

Establishing some first principles of the bullshit economy.

The War Nerd: Taiwan — The Thucydides Trapper Who Cried Woof

Parsing the war of words (and some deeds) between the US and China, particularly over Taiwan.

Expose at Pennsylvania’s Biggest Public Pension Fund Reveals Lavish Private Equity Travel, But Misses How It Serves as a Bribe

Pennsylvania pension fund PSERS is under the hot lights for pricey travel. And its explanations only confirm its capture by private equity.

Michael Hudson Asks Our Readers: If Democracy Winds Up Creating Financial Dominance, What Do We Call China?

Michael Hudson seeks reader input on what to call modern governments not run by traditional nobles or financial interests.