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Chartbook by Adam Tooze delves into economic analyses, global historical events, and their interconnections. It examines challenges in China's economy, the Eurozone's crisis, geopolitical conflicts, and environmental issues, offering diverse interpretations on authoritarian economies, financial systems, and the dynamics within conflicts and policy decisions globally.

Economic Analysis Global History Geopolitical Conflicts Environmental Issues Financial Systems Policy Analysis

The hottest Substack posts of Chartbook

And their main takeaways

Whither China? Part III: Policy hubris and the end of infallibility

2317 implied HN points • 20 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics China Economy Policy Authoritarianism COVID
  1. China's economy is facing challenges due to a mix of authoritarian policies and exhausted growth models.
  2. Two main interpretations of China's economic situation are based on institutional economics and Keynesian macro perspectives.
  3. China's current crisis highlights the impact of overconfidence and policy hubris on the regime's decision-making.

Chartbook: Whither China? Part II - Posen v. Pettis or "authoritarian impasse" v. "structural dead-end"

1859 implied HN points • 15 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics China Global Trade Economic Analysis
  1. Different interpretations exist regarding China's economic problems, with one side emphasizing authoritarian impasse and the other focusing on structural issues.
  2. The authoritarian impasse view highlights an inevitable downfall of authoritarian regimes, while the structural analysis points to socio-economic inequality as the root cause of China's economic challenges.
  3. The solutions proposed by each side differ, with one advocating for regime change and the other suggesting a shift towards a more inclusive growth model.

Chartbook 237: Whither China? (4): Zero-Covid myths, dynamic clearing & the Omicron crisis of 2022

1702 implied HN points • 03 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics China COVID-19 Policy Economy Mortality
  1. The zero-Covid policy in China was not always about sustained repression, but involved dynamic clearing to contain outbreaks.
  2. The economic impact of China's Covid policy was influenced more by global demand and housing market than by the lockdowns.
  3. The sudden abandonment of zero-Covid in China in 2022 resulted in a significant projected death toll, showcasing the complexity and consequences of the regime's decisions.
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Chartbook 238: Making & remaking the most important market in the world. Or why everyone should read Menand and Younger on Treasuries.

1673 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
💰 Finance Market structure Financial history
  1. The US Treasury market liquidity is crucial for the global financial system.
  2. The issuance of public debt is intricately tied to the creation of credit and money in a public-private partnership.
  3. Changes in the Treasury market structure, from banks to capital markets to non-bank actors, have implications for systemic stability.

Chartbook 266 Israel's downgrade

844 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Israel Finance Budget War
  1. Moody's downgraded Israel's ratings due to ongoing conflict with Hamas, weakening its institutions and fiscal strength - a first in Israeli history.
  2. Despite the financial toll of the war with Gaza, Israel's debt-to-GDP ratio remains stable, thanks to local currency borrowing and market confidence.
  3. The aid promised by the US to Israel amidst the conflict serves more as a political statement than a financial necessity, relieving pressure on Israel's domestic priorities.

Chartbook 267 JET-P: The "Paper Tigers" of Western climate geopolitics (also Carbon Notes #12)

772 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Climate finance Sustainable Development
  1. The JET-P programs are well-designed but underfunded, serving more as gestures than impactful solutions.
  2. The discrepancy between ambitions and resources in global sustainable development highlights a fundamental issue within Western elite power dynamics.
  3. Private finance acts as a partner to bridge the gap between governmental ambitions and limited fiscal means, but the policies often lack real-world impact.

Chartbook 224 The Wagner uprising and the centrifugal force of war.

1616 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics War Military Rebellion State power Violence
  1. The Wagner group in Russia had a major impact on the world economy, particularly on energy markets.
  2. The dynamics of war show the complexity and rivalry within armed forces, particularly evident during conflicts like the Russian-Ukrainian war.
  3. The Wagner group's mutiny and Putin's response highlight the potential risks of power struggles and succession disputes in Russia, posing concerns for the future.

Chartbook 216: Heroic periodization: histories of Bretton Woods & the "New Washington Consensus"

1745 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🌍 World Politics Monetary Policy Economic History Global Governance International relations
  1. The era of Bretton Woods had a complex history and its implications for today's economic policy are significant.
  2. Historical narratives like Bretton Woods can be used to legitimize and motivate action, but may not always align with reality.
  3. Understanding the continuous process of policy-making improvisation without succumbing to its complexities is crucial for shaping economic policy.

Chartbook #203 Banking crises, states of exception & the disappointment of sovereignty - a roundup of last week.

1659 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
💰 Finance Banking Market Crisis Regulations Economy
  1. A stressful day for financial markets due to negotiations about the future of Credit Suisse.
  2. Switzerland considering emergency measures for UBS to take over Credit Suisse amid banking crises.
  3. Signs of negative impact on the real economy, especially through small banks and commercial real estate loans.

Top Links 367 What's happening to dollars, who makes AI, business and the far-right & Foucault's dissertation

429 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Art
  1. The post discusses topics like the status of dollars, AI development, business in the far-right, and Foucault's dissertation.
  2. The Chartbook Newsletter by Adam Tooze provides valuable links, images, and readings.
  3. The featured artist, Edi Hila, is an influential figure in the Balkan art scene who captures the societal changes in post-communist Europe.

Top Links 372 China's New Year spending, the history of the growth paradigm, outlaw electric trikes and the Autobiography of Red

400 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics China Economic Growth
  1. China's Lunar New Year holiday saw increased travel and spending, surpassing pre-pandemic levels despite economic growth concerns.
  2. The post focuses on topics like the history of the growth paradigm, outlawing electric trikes, and the Autobiography of Red.
  3. The information shared in the post is intended for paid subscribers only.

Top Links 383 America's grotesque Gaza policy, the UK impasse, Turkey's balancing act, China's satellites, a life in three colors.

357 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Art Surrealism Painting
  1. The post discusses America's Gaza policy, the UK situation, Turkey's diplomatic role, China's satellite programs, and a life portrayed in three colors.
  2. The Chartbook Newsletter by Adam Tooze provides great links, images, and readings related to these topics.
  3. The content includes a mention of Dorothea Tanning's artwork 'Endgame' from 1944 and her desire to convey hidden aspects of life through surrealism.

Top Links 382 Global asset management rankings, living in private equity times, nuclear overkill & Chinese migration.

357 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Paid content
  1. The post provides top links on global asset management rankings, private equity times, nuclear issues, and Chinese migration.
  2. The Chartbook Newsletter by Adam Tooze offers great links, images, and reading material.
  3. The post includes a piece on Tatsuo Ikeda and his artistic journey, available to paid subscribers.

Top Links 378 Biden & the oil industry, from guns to butter, shrinking Korea, Pax Economica & bitcoin's mad power consumption

371 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Japan Resistance Communist Party Art
  1. The post discusses various topics including Biden's relationship with the oil industry, the concept of 'guns versus butter', the shrinking of Korea, Pax Economica, and the energy consumption of Bitcoin.
  2. There is a mention of resistance art in Japan, particularly focusing on the country's opposition to American influence after 1945 and the presence of a large Communist Party.
  3. The post is intended for paid subscribers, offering additional insights and content beyond what is available to the general audience.

Top Links 377 Xi's crackdown on bankers, the world's most polluting power plants, on book-buying, flatscapes, the Kaiser on future ships & Oswald's swan.

371 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Art history
  1. The post discusses Xi's crackdown on bankers and the world's most polluting power plants.
  2. It touches on topics like book-buying, flatscapes, the Kaiser on future ships, and Oswald's swan.
  3. The content includes great links, reading, and images from the Chartbook Newsletter by Adam Tooze.

Top Links 385 China's vanishing statistics, Mexico's investment boom, why German carmakers don't want tariffs on Chinese EV & the Rangoon School

329 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Activism History
  1. The post highlights various topics like China's vanishing statistics, Mexico's investment boom, why German carmakers dislike tariffs on Chinese EVs, and the Rangoon School.
  2. Adam Tooze's Chartbook Newsletter includes interesting links, readings, and images.
  3. The featured portrait is of General Aung San, a significant Burmese politician and independence leader who was tragically assassinated before he could see Myanmar gain independence from British rule.

Top Links 371 The UK's grim trajectory, dumb & dangerous banks, the authentic Iranian face at risk & Morin on Gaza

371 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration
  1. The post discusses the UK's concerning situation, issues with banks, risks to the authentic Iranian identity, and Morin's perspective on Gaza.
  2. The Chartbook Newsletter by Adam Tooze offers valuable links, images, and reading material.
  3. Paid subscribers get exclusive access to in-depth content and profiles, like the one on artist Awol Erizku and his exploration of the Black condition.

Top Links 374 The new armaments boom, how to build places for people to live, Eswanti's ship register & Marx to Darwin

357 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Housing Evolution
  1. The post highlights topics like the new armaments industry, urban planning, and Eswatini's ship registry.
  2. The Chartbook Newsletter by Adam Tooze offers valuable insights and content on various subjects.
  3. The post includes links to intriguing content, like a piece on Yozo Hamaguchi's art and a paid subscriber section.

Top Links 386 China's investment shifts gear, Sudan's refugee crisis spills over, southern African drought & America's history crisis

314 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics China Sudan America Refugee Crisis
  1. Adam Tooze's Chartbook Newsletter covers a range of topics like China's changing economy, Sudan's refugee crisis, Southern Africa's drought, and America's history crisis.
  2. Paid subscribers get access to in-depth content and analysis on important global issues.
  3. The newsletter provides great images, links, and reading recommendations for those interested in understanding complex global developments.

Top Links 384 Gaza's famine, Malaysia's currency under pressure, PE impasse, pickles for millenials and Hjalmar Schacht's host in Indonesia.

300 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Private Equity Global Economics
  1. The post discusses Gaza's famine, Malaysia's currency challenges, private equity dilemmas, pickles for millennials, and Hjalmar Schacht's visit to Indonesia.
  2. The content includes great links, readings, and images from the Chartbook Newsletter by Adam Tooze.
  3. To access the full post and more content like this, readers must be paid subscribers to the newsletter.

Top Links 381 Rising interest rates, Chinese defense stocks, Houthi shipping secrets & the future of air conditioning

300 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art
  1. Top Links 381 covers rising interest rates, Chinese defense stocks, Houthi shipping secrets & the future of air conditioning
  2. The post emphasizes great links, images, and readings from the Chartbook Newsletter by Adam Tooze
  3. Some content may be restricted to paid subscribers, urging others to subscribe for access

Top Links 380 How Congress is holding up the defense-industrial boom, China's green hydrogen push, Keynes on the politics of time &. a disaster brewing in Congo

286 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Green Energy Economics History Disaster relief
  1. The post shares top links about Congress affecting the defense-industrial boom, China's green hydrogen efforts, Keynes' views on time politics, and a looming disaster in Congo.
  2. Adam Tooze's Chartbook Newsletter provides great links and content related to various global topics.
  3. The post features an image by Hiroshi Hamaya, a renowned Japanese documentary photographer from the 20th century.

Top Links 387 America's aging capital stock, Japan's trade union breakthrough, instant noodles taking over the world & the decline of hobbies.

271 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Sculpture Exhibition
  1. The post discusses America's aging capital stock, Japan's trade union breakthrough, instant noodles' global popularity, and the decline of hobbies.
  2. There are links, images, and other content from the Chartbook Newsletter by Adam Tooze.
  3. The post includes information about sculptor Rigobert Nimi's background and work.

Top Links 373 Ordeal by Roses, US bank worries, Gazprom's losses, misfiring missiles & Bismarck's legacy

286 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
💰 Finance Banks Real Estate Investment
  1. Top Links 373 include the Ordeal by Roses photos, US bank concerns, Gazprom's losses, misfiring missiles, and Bismarck's legacy.
  2. US banks like JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America have seen a decrease in reserves for commercial real estate debt.
  3. This post is available for paid subscribers and includes insights on various topics related to finance and geopolitics.

Top Links 363 Gaza's destruction, how motherhood hurts careers, America's global profits, cricket flour & the parable of the hostages.

300 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Exhibition Photography
  1. The post is about top links covering various topics like Gaza's destruction and the impact of motherhood on careers.
  2. It features an exhibit called 'Quantum Traces' by Carolina Fusilier from Mexico City.
  3. The post is for paid subscribers only, with an option to subscribe and access the content.

Top Links 388 America's stable economy, Brazil's China dilemma, Nepal's lurch to the left,Latiff Mohidin's Pago Pago & the "funky drummer".

228 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Global Affairs
  1. The post highlights insights on America's stable economy, Brazil's China dilemma, Nepal's political shift to the left, and Latiff Mohidin's Pago Pago art series.
  2. The Chartbook Newsletter by Adam Tooze provides great links, images, and reading material related to these topics.
  3. The content includes information about Latiff Mohidin, a prominent figure in Malaysian modernism, known for his abstract Pago Pago series depicting Malay landscapes.

Top Links 358 Bond markets on fire, Cairo revamp, Libyan flood aftermath, Aron on Europe & NATO, plus fascism in America

286 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Europe NATO America
  1. US corporate bond markets have been very active recently, with record-breaking amounts of debt being sold.
  2. An article discusses the mysterious death of Cuban artist Ana Mendieta, who fell from her New York apartment in 1985.
  3. The Chartbook Newsletter by Adam Tooze covers a variety of topics including bond markets, Cairo redevelopment, Libyan flood aftermath, and fascist movements in America.