We need to stop making the irrational and unfounded, anti-empirical assumption that the corporate and financial elite are stupid – they are demonstrably sociopathic, but they are not stupid, as a class – and it would be stupid of them to not cooperate and coordinate, orchestrate, plan and carry out
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Accidental Deliberations: Sunday Afternoon Links
This and that for your Sunday reading. – Kate Aronoff writes about the need for a functional and representative democracy to ensure that public demand for climate action is actually represented in policy decisions. And Seth Klein rightly proposes that the NDP (or Bloc) should take the opportunity in a
Continue readingAlex's Blog: Don’t Panic: Debt Can Build a Better World
This is an updated version of an article that first appeared in Alberta Views (December issue). COVID-19, this microscopic bug, seems to have upended just about everything. History provides no perfect analogy for what has turned out to be a global health, social and economic catastrophe. Not since the Depression
Continue readingThings Are Good: IMF: Raise Taxes on the Rich, Lower Taxes for Everyone Else
Historically, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) argued for lower taxes for everyone, particularly those that need it the least: the wealthy. Due to increases in multiple forms of inequality since the last global recession the IMF has changed its tune. The institution now calls for countries around the world to
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Saturday Afternoon Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading. – Amadeus Narbutt discusses the uncertain effect of the coronavirus on the global balance of power. And Adam Tooze notes that the U.S.’ damaging response to COVID-19 included vetoing IMF support for governments around the globe. – Andrew Langille examines how workers with low
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Friday Evening Links
Assorted content to end your week. – A new IMF working paper confirms the connection between employment deregulation and workers’ share of income. And Jennefer Laidley points out the all-too-imminent danger that the Ontario PCs are about to undo what little belated progress had been made in making social assistance
Continue readingDead Wild Roses: Why Was Greece So Brutalized By Their ‘Bailout’?
The tortures that the Grecian people are being subjected to by the neo-liberal institutions of Europe (European Commission, European Central Bank and IMF) are unnecessarily brutal and threaten to unravel the fabric of their society. We can learn what is in store for other nations that dare to act against
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: What Worries Billionaires? You and Me, Us.
Not since the time of the Carnegies, Rockefellers and Vanderbilts at the turn of the 20th century was so much owned by so few I’m pretty sure I’ve never spent time with a billionaire. I’ve never had the chance to hear them out, what makes them tick, what troubles them,
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Toasted, Roasted and Grilled. – Lagarde
IMF chief Christine Legard has added her voice to the call for urgent action on climate change – and growing inequality. “As I’ve said before, if we don’t do anything about climate change now, in 50 years’ time we will be toasted, roasted and grilled.” Both climate change and inequality
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – The Economist examines the latest research showing the amount of money stashed in tax havens is even higher than previously estimated. And the Guardian calls for action on the IMF’s conclusion that we’ll all end up better off if the wealthy pay
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Thursday Morning Links
This and that for your Thursday reading. – Nathaniel Lewis and Matt Bruenig discuss the relationship between massive inheritances and ongoing wealth inequality. Nick Hanauer makes the case for much higher taxes on the wealthy as part of a plan for improved economic development, while a new Ipsos poll finds
Continue readingParchment in the Fire: Greek Leaks Expose IMF Chief Overruling Pro-Debt Relief IMF Negotiator
Filed under: Eurozone crisis, Southern Europe, Uncategorized Tagged: Austerity, Eurozone Crisis, Greece, IMF
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Friday Afternoon Links
Assorted content to end your week.- Rick Salutin argues that we need to say no to any more trade agreements designed to privilege corporations at the expense of the public. Will Martin reports on the IMF’s long-overdue recognition of the failures of ne…
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading.- Greg Jericho is the latest to weigh in on the false promises of neoliberalism:An article in the IMF’s latest issue of is journal Finance and Development notes that “instead of delivering growth, some neolibe…
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Sunday Morning Links
This and that for your Sunday reading.- Andrea Germanos follows up on the IMF’s realization that handing free money and power to corporations does nothing for the economy as it affects people’s lives. And Susie Cagle examines the role of tech money -…
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Friday Morning Links
Assorted content to end your week.- Murray Dobbin is hopeful that we may be seeing corporate globalization based on unquestioned neoliberal ideology come to an end: There is no definitive way to identify when an ideology begins to lose its grip on the…
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Saturday Morning Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading. – Barbara Tasch writes about the IMF’s latest research on growing inequality in developing and developed countries alike. And Michael Krassa and Benjamin Radcliff study the impact an improved minimum wage can have on economic well-being: Simply stated, as the minimum wage increases, the
Continue readingCuriosityCat: IMF rides to Greece defence with shocking dose of reality
Legarde leads the cavalry to the rescue Despite attempts by the top EU states to suppress its latest report, the IMF, led by managing director Christine Lagarde, has spoken truth to the powerfulwith a dramatic report that clearly indicates three things. First, Greece cannot repay the crushing national debt it
Continue readingParchment in the Fire: IMF Demands Debt Relief for Greece
In a rather surprising turn of events today, the IMF has released a statement demanding debt relief for Greece. This vindicates Varoufakis’ position that Greek debt was unsustainable, positions the IMF against Germany and its allies, and finally brings the IMF into line with its own research – research that
Continue readingDead Wild Roses: Greece – Will The People Accept the Dismantling of Civil Society (Austerity)?
Here at DWR we’ve been keeping an eye on the Greek economic situation. As early as 2010 we commented that the IMF had been working its magic on the Greek economy: “Did you ever want to see a society remade into the corporatist mode? Greece is going down that
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