Category Archives: Free markets and their discontents

Making Profit Should Not Now Be the Primary Goal of a Business: Being Net-Zero Carbon Should Be

Central banker Mark Carney argues for green economy gradual transition, Can’t get too much in the way of almighty profit.

California’s New Transparency Law Reveals Steep Rise In Wholesale Drug Prices

Drug price data in Califorinia shows mind-boggling increases in wholesale prices since 2019. Of course, the industry claims that that information is misleading.

The IMF Convenes in Washington, Deaf to the Suffering It Causes Across the Planet

A brief reminder of the IMF record of failure and harm.

Thomas Piketty’s New Book: Impressive Research, Problematic Solutions

Capital and Ideology is a quantitative history of inequality, a largely noneconomic theory of social stratification, an investigation into the social roots of current populism, and a political manifesto for the European left.

Post-Capitalists Must Understand the Role of Migration in Global Capitalism

Why the left needs to stop being naive about the economic uses of migration.

Old Toryism, Risen from the Crypt

A deeper explanation of Brexit, contemporary UK events and how it inherits an old tradition of conventional Toryism.

Unsustainable California: No Easy Remedy for PG&E Blackouts, Fire Risks

California prototypically lead the US. It’s PG&E infrastructure failure and lack of good remedies to escalating wildfire risks are the latest example.

Marketers Want Even More Control Over Hospitals

Another distubing example of MBA infestation at hospitals.

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.

Mark Ames: Why Finance Is Too Important to Leave to Larry Summers

A reprise of Mark Ames’ biting fundraiser classic.

Federal Appeals Court Issues Mixed Decision on Net Neutrality

Parsing a mixed ruling on net neutraliity.

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.

How Performance Evaluation Metrics Corrupt Researchers

New research shows how citation metrics create perverse incentives for corruption in economics.