On Jan. 16, 2016, President Barack Obama signed an order declaring a state of emergency in Flint, Michigan.[i] It was not because of a tornado or hurricane, flooding or landslides, as was the case in South Carolina or Mississippi a few weeks before, or any other natural disaster.[ii] Rather, it was a response to a … Continue reading »
austerity
Another disaster at political-economic policy analysis by Brad DeLong!
Over at Equitable Growth: I had thought we were well-past the interwar watershed in economic policy. The interwar watershed had three parts: * The winning of the franchise by the working class. * The portfolio rebalancing of the non-entrepreneurial wealthy. * And the recognition that the gold standard was not unbreakable. The last of these … Continue reading »
Depression’s advocates
Over at Project Syndicate: Depression’s Advocates: Back in the darker days of late 2008 and 2009, I had one line in my talks that sometimes got applause, usually got a laugh, and always made people more optimistic. Because the North Atlantic had lived through the 1930s, I would say “This time we will not make … Continue reading »
The humiliation of Greece and Tsipras’s fatal mistake
A large part of Europe is still shell-shocked by the “compromise” that was decided in the Sunday, July 12 Eurozone marathon. Without repeating the list of reforms imposed on Greece, they are much harsher than what had been negotiated weeks and months before, even harsher than anything imposed on Greece since the beginning of the crisis. … Continue reading »
After the Greek ‘NO’: Europe quo vadis?
Tsipras won the referendum, but where do we go from now? Most, if not all of my Greek friends, intellectuals I highly respect campaigned for the Yes. I understand many of their concerns. Greece was institutionally not ready to enter the Eurozone. Greece politics are dysfunctional and clientelistic — there has been fiscal irresponsibility, lack … Continue reading »
Misframing the Greek protest
The calls these days to support the Greek people’s struggle against austerity are in abundance. The Campaign for Democracy group has issued one such petition. I signed this petition, as I do support the Greek people’s fight for social justice and regaining some control of their destiny. But what a pity this is being framed … Continue reading »
Ukraine’s Economic Crisis is Deep; It Needs Loans Faster Than You May Think
The uncertainty around how much — and how soon — Ukraine might get help from international lenders is contributing to two real economic dangers facing the country: a default on its debts and a radical slashing of the budget. Ukraine’s friends — the United States and European governments — need to do a better job, … Continue reading »