Category Archives: Economic fundamentals

Tom Ferguson: Biden Blurring Almost Everything

Political scientist Tom Ferguson juxtaposes the factions around Biden with how Roosevelt eventually stared down banks and corporatists in the second phase of the New Deal

Summer Rerun: Journey into a Libertarian Future: Part III – Regulation

Another dive, in both senses of the word, into the implications of libertarian ideology.

World Bank’s ‘Mobilizing Finance for Development’ Not Financing Development

The World Bank is trying to rebrand a failed public private partnership scheme as “blended finance”. Developing countries, beware.

Foreign Direct Investment and Supply Chains in a Risky World

More forecasts on the future of supply chains.

New York City Faces Another “Drop Dead”: How Many Other Cities Will Wind Up in Distress?

We are at best only at the end of the beginning of big cities’ Covid-19 pain. What comes next?

Covid-19: Carmageddon Beckons Unless Work from Home Continues

Another way Covid-19 is wreacking havoc on major cities.

Saudi Arabia Refuses To Learn From Its Two Failed Oil Price Wars

The oil situation has developed not necessarily to Saudi Arabia’s advantage, but MbS appears not to have gotten the memo.

How Dairy Monopolies Keep Milk Off the Shelves

How consolidation in dairy processing has led to overproduction of milk and dumping.

Fed Economists Finger Monopoly Concentration as Underlying Driver of Neoliberal Economic Restructuring; Barry Lynn in Harpers and Fortnite Lawsuit Put Hot Light on Tech Monopoly Power

Some good work on monopoly is marred by the bizarre inclusion of Uber. Its predatory pricing is the result of deep pockets and ideology, not potential market power.

As Courts Re-Open, Britain’s Renters Must Confront the Power of Landlords

Renters and landlords need to come to terms in the Covid-19 new normal. But it’s not shaping up to be pretty.

Mortgage Delinquencies Jump by Most Ever. 60-Day Delinquencies Hit Highest Level Ever. Record 16% of FHA Mortgages Delinquent. What a Mess

A spike in mortgage delinquencies says more bad results are coming, particularly with no new stimulus in sight.

Grim Future of Cities: State’s Growing Budget Hole Threatens New York City Jobs, Services

The New York City budget hole is getting bigger. How much of a harbinger is this for other US cities?

What Will the Real American Resistance Look Like — Chaotic Rebellion or Organized General Strikes?

As lower and middle income Americans slide into dire straits thanks to Covid-19, political pressure is building. But are Americans capable of rebellion?

Universal Testing: An Overlooked Covid-19 Policy Response

Why universal testing + isolation is the best way to tame Covid-19 at the lowest economic/societal cost.