Economics
Simon Wren-Lewis: Which OECD country is the highest social spender?
That France is top is probably not a huge surprise , but that the United States is second might astonish Read Here
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Economics
Bill Mitchell: The inflation backtracking from the central bankers and others is gathering pace
Why have central bankers in continued to hike interest rates, especially when the most direct measure of the situation – the actual inflation rate – has been abating for months in most jurisdictions? Read HERE
Climate Crisis
Matthias Schmelzer: ‘Green Growth’ Won’t Prevent Climate Collapse. ‘Degrowth’ Might
There is an increasingly divisive debate about whether “green growth” or overcoming the growth paradigm altogether is the better way to achieve rapid emissions reductions and a more livable world. Read HERE
Economics
Jacobin: It’s Not Just the Gig Economy — Precarious Work Is Everywhere
A new study finds insecurity and precariousness is widespread across the economy. Read the article HERE.
EU politics
Dominique Pierre – Fortress Europe: more migrants dying in the Mediterranean
The first quarter of 2023 was the deadliest for migrants crossing the Mediterranean since 2017. Published on International Viewpoint. Read the article HERE.
Economics
Kate Mackenzie, Tim Sahay: The Gigantic Austerity Drive
We are quietly witnessing the largest shift to austerity undertaken in this century. Debt-strained developing countries are making further cuts to already ragged budgets, in many cases as they battle to meet punishing new conditions demanded by the […]
Economics
DeStatis – Germany: Building permits for dwellings issued in February 2023 -20.6% on the same month a year earlier
The ECB’s interest rate hikes are having clear negative effects on the housing market in Germany. Building permits for new construction issued in January and February 2023: -28.4% for single-family houses, -52.4% for two-family houses, […]
Austerity
Marlon Ettinger: After Raising the Pension Age, Emmanuel Macron Is Planning “Unprecedented Austerity”
‘Emmanuel Macron has pushed through a rise in the pension age despite vast protests. In a televised address on Monday night, he said he’d “heard the anger” in the streets — yet his government’s new […]
Climate Crisis
Paula Andrés – Water politics: How Spain’s drought became a battle ground for rural votes
How the politics of climate change and drought is playing out in the south of Spain. In Euractiv. Read the article HERE.
Finance
Michael T. Klare: Girding for Wars of the Future with an endless Arms Race
Many of the billions of dollars being tacked onto US military spending are intended to procure exactly the items you would expect to use in a wider war in the late 2020s or 2030s. Read […]