Category Archives: Economic fundamentals

Herd Behaviour in Asset Markets: The Role of Monetary Policy

Data supports the idea that lax monetary policy contributes to bubbles. Yes, Virginia, some regard that claim as controversial.

Long Term Real Interest Rates Fell Below Zero in all Euro Area Countries

Is praise of negative real interest rates in Europe making a virtue out of (mis)perceived necessity?

Bad Debts Make Good Profits – But What Are the Social Costs?

As European borrowers choke on debts they can’t repay, due to a significant degree to austerity-induced weak economies, financial profiteers swoop in to take advantage of the distress.

Secular Stagnation: The Limits of Conventional Wisdom

The debate over secular stagnation continues, yet orthodox economists are loath to admit that the needed fix is more demand, which means more government spending.

Rural Hospital Closings Reach Crisis Stage, Leaving Millions Without Nearby Health Care

How rural hospital closures have serious knock-on effects.

The Cost/Benefit Analysis of No Deal

Looking at the contours of a No Deal Brexit.

Michael Hudson: Asset-Price Inflation and Rent Seeking

A meaty new paper by Michael Hudson.

Brexit: Past the Event Horizon

Slouching towards Brexit.

Why Degrowth Is the Only Responsible Way Forward

Why degrowth is necessary and potentially attractive.

The Financial Times’ Martin Wolf Discovers that Rentier Capitalism and Financialization Increase Inequality and Hurt Growth

Martin Wolf has a big think about what is wrong in and discovers rentier activity.

Brexit: A Repeat of the Turmoil of 1914-1922?

What do critical chapters of British-Irish history augur for Brexit?

Drama in the Oil Markets After Attacks on Saudi Production. But This Isn’t 2007 Anymore

How the shale boom made the US less vulnerable to oil supply shocks.

Keynes Was Really a Conservative

“The class war,” said Keynes, “will find me on the side of the educated bourgeoisie.”