Category Archives: Free markets and their discontents

Colonialism or Sovereignty? How the Global Financial System Traps Countries in Debt

A deep dive on developing country debt crisis and how they reveal the workings of international finance.

The United States’ Financial Quandary: ZIRP’s Only Exit Path Is a Crash

Michael Hudson takes a long, hard look at the origins and costs of the Fed’s ZIRP policy.

Economics v. the Earth: New Book Explores the History of a Tense Relationship

Fredrik Albritton Jonsson and Carl Wennerlind discuss how belief in infinite growth came to seem reasonable in philosophy and economics.

It’s Hard for Americans to Engage in China-Bashing Without Tripping on Contradictions

There are no doubt good reasons for Americans to be concerned about China, but our official justificaitons don’t stand up to scrutiny.

The Candidacy and Claims of RFK Jr.

Economist Rajiv Sethi has a look at RFK, Jr.’s election prospects and thinks mainstream experts are underestimating him.

How Scammers Use Psychology to Create Some of the Most Convincing Internet Cons

Keeping up with the latest Internet scams, and how they work.

The New York Times Thinks Worker Suffering Is a Fair Price for Lower Inflation

Per the Times, inflation must be tackled, and the only way to do so is through lowering incomes and potentially jacking up unemployment.

Central Banks, Green Finance, and the Climate Crisis

The tough policy choices ahead for confronting the climate crisis.

Oil Prices, Oil Profits, Speculation, and Inflation

n the not inconsiderable role of speculation in the crude oil market in the increase in the WTI crude oil price.