Category Archives: Globalization

The Spider’s Web: Britain’s Second Empire

How Britain’s system of offshore finance and tax havens developed and preserved the UK’s role as the largest player in international finance.

Chevron Arbitration Ruling Against Ecuador ‘Completely Off Base’

A secret corporate arbitration panel in the Hague ruled that Ecuadorean courts’ $9.5 billion judgement against Chevron for environmental damages is illegal and should not be enforced. An expert argues that the decision is a travesty.

Brexit: Circling the Drain?

Has anything changed on the Brexit front?

Shall We Kill the Hay Exports or the Cows?

Hay has become a scarce resource in Australia, and not for the best reasons.

As Musk Goes Nuts Publicly, Tesla Bondholders Get Antsy

Rising bond yields pose a problem to Tesla’s survival.

The Mills of Providence Were Ground Up Slowly

Life along Woonsquatucket, and what “a screw loose” really means.

Causes of Turkey’s Crisis

Turkey is entering a major crisis, which many of the media have been quick to blame on Erdogan’s nationalist inclinations. However, the crisis has much more to do with poor economic fundamentals and the lending decisions of European banks.

Marrying NAFTA and The TPP: The “US-Mexico Trade Agreement”

How a new “great” Trump trade deal is just recycled old trade deals with a new label.

Brexit Is a Consequence of Low Upward Mobility

In the Brexit referendum, UK citizens were pleading through their vote – and non-vote – for a fair shot at the future.

France Could Lose Billions In Brexit Trade Route Redirection

How French ports and hence France look set to lose in Brexit.

Empires, Past and Present

Which countries fit criteria that would lead them to be classified as empires?

Trump Is Giving Protectionism a Bad Name

A short overview of some protectionism successes.

What’s with the New York City Subway System?

Climate change, aging cars, signals, and tunnels, plus looting by the political class and the bankers.

Inequality and Ordinary Living Standards in Rich Countries

How the evolution of the rise in inequality in the US has dominated and distorted economists’ and pundits’ commentary; data show that some pet generalizations don’t hold up.

Gaius Publius: There Will Be No Chinese Century

Why on current trajectories, China (and the US) are toast.