Author Archives: Yves Smith

U.S.-China: These Are Much More Than Just Trade Talks

Gaming out what the US-China trade talks mean for US politics.

All Eyes on the Fed

The latest round of debate on what the Fed might do down the road.

ZEN and the Art of Modern Money (MMT)

Working through a primer on MMT.

Links 5/7/19

Boeing’s Crapified Safety Culture: Airline Pressured, Overruled FAA Designees, Told FAA Late of Problems, Gave Inconsistent Stories to 737 Max Customers

The longer you look at Boeing, the uglier it gets.

Will the U.S. Start a War Against Iran?

The US announced plans to park warships on Iran’s doorstep and tries to depict Iran as the provocateur. What gives?

Ilargi: Renewables Are Dead

How Germany’s failure to meet renewable energy targets demonstrates that renewables won’t be able to meet current and expected production needs.

Antitrust in American History: Law, Institutions, and Economic Performance

The Chicago School’s weakening of antitrust law hurt the economy

Good Riddance to CalPERS’ Bill Slaton; Board Changes May (Finally) Lead to Staff Serving Beneficiaries, Not Its Own Interests

Why beneficiaries and California taxpayers should welcome Lisa Middleton replacing Bill Slaton on the CalPERS board.

Yes, the Tech Giants Are a Big Problem—But the Untamed Finance Industry Could Still Blow Up the Economy

Why finance, broadly defined, is still a hazard to the US economy.

Bill Black and June Carbone Will Join Our Minneapolis Meetup Tomorrow, May 2!

If you are in the Twin Cities area, hope you can make our meetup tomorrow and chat with Bill Black and June Carbone.

How Far Can We Push Fiscal Spending in Light of MMT? Some Optimistic Reflections on the Potential For Economic Experimentation

Estimating where MMT’s inflation constraint on fiscal spending kicks in.

Links 4/30/19

The Tragedy of the Electric Commons: How New York’s Renewable Energy Policy Failed, and What We Can Do Now

Why renewable energy has gone nowhere in New York state….the fear that it would produce a death spiral for utilities.

Buttigieg’s Small Donor Surge: Less There Than Meets the Eye?

A first look at the data about Buttigieg’s donors raises some uncomfortable questions.