Category Archives: Economic fundamentals

A Short Overview of Making Colonial Empires by European Powers from the Time of the Vienna Congress up to WWI (1815−1914)

A high level recap of how European powers built out their empires in the century before the Great War.

The Myth That the US is Rapidly Approaching Bankruptcy

Michael Hudson and Richard Wolff take apart widespread myths about Federal spending and debts.

Russia’s Prosecution of the War in Ukraine: Can It Square the Circle of Probable Boundary Conditions?

Looking at a few likely Russian boundary conditions for its war in Ukraine suggests the end game will be tricky indeed.

Israel: 11 Months of War Have Battered the Country’s Economy

Israel’s economy continues to suffer as its war in Gaza drags on and unless the conflict ends soon, the damage will be lasting and deep.

China’s Rare Earth Restrictions Shake Up Global Markets

The US ceding its once-dominant position in rare earths comes back to bite, as China uses rare earths to retaliate against US sanctions.

Is the Labor Market “Normalizing?” What Even Is “Normal?”

Fewer quits and historically low layoffs & discharges mean fewer job openings, and less hiring to fill them. The massive pandemic churn slowed. But that’s only part of it.

The Persistent Human Costs of Deindustrialization: Lessons from the Collapse of the British Coal Industry

Deindustrialization has terrible consequences to the communities suffering from shut-downs, including future generations.

What’s Next for Germany After Sunday’s Elections Show Major Backlash Against Status Quo?

Two parties which oppose Project Ukraine make major gains. Is anyone listening?

Wall Street Journal Tries to Analyze Not-Great Data on US Immigration, Generating Reader Pushback

An attempt by the Wall Street Journal to mine data on immigration falls short by not providing strong enough caveats.

Naked Capitalism’s Skunk Party Manifesto Finds a Home in the New Kentucky Party

The Skunk Party Manifesto explained how the best political system money can buy is great for its customers and lousy for the rest of us

Beijing and Washington Clash Over Russia Sanctions

The US continues to talk at, rather than with, China about its close ties to Russia.

Why Poverty Reduction Under Capitalism Is a Myth

A full-throated critique of the claim that capitalism benefits the poors.

Michael Hudson: Forgiveness, Foreclosure, & Christianity

Michael Hudson reprises a favorite theme of how the salutary practice of debt forgiveness came to an end under Greco-Roman oligarchs

The Rate Cuts Powell Dangled in Front of Markets May Slam into Inflationary Fiscal & Economic Policies of Whoever Is in the White House Next Year

Are both parties set to continue stimulative fiscal policy, leaving Powell or a successor to reapply the monetary policy brake?

Kamala’s Failed Opportunity

In her DNC speech, Kamala Harris embraced Republican language on the economy. So how deep does her purported progressivism run?