Author Archives: Yves Smith

Empire in Decay as Trump Spying Allegations Fly

Astonishingly, Lawrence Wilkerson, Colin Powell’s former chief of staff, is willing to say that the CIA may have arranged for spying on Trump.

Links 3/7/17

Definition of Madness: Spain Needs Bigger Banks, Apparently

Spain’s pending bank mergers look like an exercise in hope over experience.

America’s Hidden Water Affordability Crisis

Why water is a stealth crisis in places like Seattle and Atlanta and will become an economic and social problem for more cities soon.

NAFTA in Play: How President Trump Could Reshape Trade in North America

Some likely scenarios for US negotiations over NAFTA, and what they would mean for the US, Mexico, and Canada.

Vanity Fair Acts as Democratic Party Enforcer Against Greenwald, NC, Others; Train Wreck Ensues

James Wolcott had a hissy fit in Vanity Fair last week against parties he deems not sufficiently fixated on toppling Trump, including NC.

Cambridge Analytica: BINGO!

Our Marina Bart was alone in debunking the supposedly miraculously propaganda powers of Cambridge Analytica, which the Guardian just trashed.

Apprenticeship and the Rise of Europe

How the apprenticeship system developed and gave Europe an edge.

Links 3/4/17

Keynesianism and the Great Recession

Why abandoning Keynesianism in favor of neoliberalism set up the financial crisis and led to inadequate post-crisis responses.

Gaius Publius: Massive Permafrost Thaw Documented in Canada, Huge Carbon Release May Be Coming

Permafrost melt is yet another worrisome climate sign….

Links 3/3/17

Michael Hudson on Trump’s Tax Sleight of Hand

A skeptical look at some of Trump’s tax proposals.

Dismantling Public Education: Turning Ideology into Gold

Following the money behind the campaign against public education.

Understanding the Long-Run Effects of Africa’s Slave Trades

Looking at some of the lasting damage done by the slave trade, such as higher incidence of HIV.