Author Archives: Yves Smith

Gizmodo Echoes Naked Capitalism: “Don’t Buy Anyone an Echo”

Naked Capitalism is now in very good company in warning you to stay far far away from the Echo and its cousins.

Eastern Europe Showed How Neoliberalism Produces Reactionary Populism, Like Trump

Trump’s antecedents in Eastern Europe show how widening inequality and failed economic promises pave the way for reactionary politics.

Germany’s Dystopian Plans for Europe: From Fantasy to Reality?

For Germany, the idea of Europeanism has allowed its elites to conceal their hegemonic project behind the veil of ‘European integration’.

Links 12/5/17

Security Train Wreck Confirms Apple’s Crapification

A security meltdown confirms that Apple is running on brand fumes.

Brexit’s Irish Checkmate

Brexit talks and Theresa May are in serious trouble.

Tax Cuts, Wages and Salaries: Will Lower Taxes and Profit Repatriation Help Workers?

Debunking some of the claims of tax “reform” proponents, like that giving companies a tax break to repatriate profits will create jobs.

UK Press Making Optimistic Noises re Big Brexit Hurdle: Breakthrough or Headfake?

Today is the day of a big Brexit deadline. But don’t get your hopes up.

Links 12/2/17

GOP Tax Bill is Even Worse Than We Think

There’s ugly, and then there’s the GOP’s tax bill.

Is Bitcoin A Speculative Bubble?

Do Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have fundamental value?

Japan’s Tight Labor Market Generates Deflation…

Puzzling over Japan’s super low unemployment with continued deflation.

How Market Competition Really Works

One of the best models of competitive markets in an economy is an evolutionary one.

Global Value Chains, Trade Shocks and Jobs: An Application to Brexit

A conservative analysis, incorporating the impact on value chains, estimates the UK will face a 4.7% GDP fall in a hard Brexit scenario.