The hottest Economic Development Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

No Pats On the Back

Points And Figures • 772 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Venture Capital Investment Strategies Economic Development
  1. Chicago lacks the investment and willingness to take risks that cities like Silicon Valley and New York have. This makes it hard for startups to get support.
  2. Entrepreneurial ecosystems thrive when they focus on merit and tolerance for failure. Chicago is seen as outdated in these aspects.
  3. The culture in Chicago often emphasizes who you are instead of what you can achieve, which can hinder innovation and growth.

Cattle, Social Cohesion, Culture, Civic Cohesion, Collective Uplift, & Civilization in Sub-Saharan Africa; Causality; & the TseTse Fly

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 123 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Economic Development
  1. The tsetse fly has had a huge impact on Africa's history by harming cattle and limiting agricultural development. This meant less farming and a weaker economy for many regions.
  2. Without cattle, societies couldn't use plows, which hurt their ability to farm efficiently. This led to fewer roads and central governments.
  3. If the tsetse fly didn't exist, Africa might have developed more centralized states and lower rates of slavery, resulting in a stronger economy and bigger population over time.

Why I'm long-term bullish on the Middle East

Noahpinion • 24588 implied HN points • 18 Jan 25
🌍 World Politics Middle East International relations Geopolitics Conflict resolution Economic Development
  1. The Middle East is moving away from constant warfare, with many regions experiencing peace. This shift could lead to economic recovery as people focus on constructive opportunities.
  2. Technology and geography are becoming more favorable for the Middle East. Innovations like cheap solar power and desalination can help support growth in a region with traditionally limited resources.
  3. The region's demographics are shifting positively, providing a 'demographic dividend.' With a more balanced age structure, there is great potential for economic development and workforce growth in the coming years.

Development hailed as biggest transformation of town’s centre since ‘great fire’ has likely ‘considerable viability and funding gap’

NN Journal • 238 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance Public Policy Urban Development Economic Development Infrastructure
  1. The Greyfriars area in Northampton is set for a big redevelopment, but there are concerns about money to make it happen. A partnership with a regeneration company aims to figure out the costs and plans soon.
  2. This project could create over 7,000 jobs and boost the local economy by one billion pounds, but how to pay for it all is still unclear.
  3. Local leaders are excited about this transformation, viewing it as a chance to fix past development mistakes and improve the town's center significantly.
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The Right Industrial Policy Thinks Small

Dana Blankenhorn: Facing the Future • 19 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Industrial Policy Economic Development Entrepreneurship
  1. Support small companies instead of big ones. Small companies can be more flexible and focused on their mission, leading to better outcomes.
  2. Encourage young and hungry talent. It’s smarter to invest in fresh ideas from people who might not be well-known yet than to only look for established experts.
  3. Spread out resources more evenly. Smaller subsidies to many innovators can create more successful companies than big subsidies to just a few giants.

Achievement, here and there

benn.substack • 613 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
💼 Business Startups Entrepreneurship Innovation Technology Economic Development
  1. Many startups often pivot to new ideas after their initial product fails. This happens so frequently in Silicon Valley that it’s often seen as a normal part of business.
  2. Founders usually start companies not just to solve problems, but also to gain status and success. They might care more about how they look to others than the specific product they offer.
  3. There's a growing trend where success in technology is being intertwined with politics. People are now noticing and valuing the impact of policy making as much as tech achievements.

Civil War in Sudan

An Africanist Perspective • 1009 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Civil War Conflict resolution Economic Development Identity politics
  1. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are gaining momentum in Sudan's civil war, indicating a shift in power from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). This may lead to increased violence and further fragmentation within the country.
  2. Sudan's long history of identity politics and development policies centered around the riverain core have contributed to the current civil war. The failure to incorporate marginalized groups has led to years of instability and conflict.
  3. The internationalization of the conflict in Sudan involves foreign actors supporting different factions, which complicates efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution. A negotiated settlement that involves power-sharing between military factions and civilian leadership could be the best way forward.

Seattle's Most Remarkable Day

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 339 implied HN points • 25 Apr 24
💾 History Local history Transportation Economic Development Civic engagement Cultural Events
  1. Seattle's citizens wanted a railroad to connect them to the rest of the country. After being rejected by the Northern Pacific Railroad, they decided to build their own railroad instead.
  2. On a notable day in 1874, the community came together to start building the Seattle and Walla Walla Railroad, marking a moment of pride and determination.
  3. Although the railroad never reached its ambitious goals, it opened new opportunities for Seattle, particularly in coal supply, showing how local efforts can make a big impact.

Joe Biden: An ‘End of History’ Cheerleader Living in a Future That Could Never Exist

Matt Ehret's Insights • 1316 implied HN points • 16 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Global Alliances International relations Economic Development
  1. Forward-thinking politicians once believed in a rules-based liberal order as the only option.
  2. Joe Biden was an early advocate for the 'End of History' and the new world order.
  3. The rise of a multipolar alliance and initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative have challenged the unipolar world order.

Stars of the Desert: UAE's Pioneering Role in Space Exploration

Space Ambition • 119 implied HN points • 07 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Space Exploration Innovation Education Economic Development International Collaboration
  1. The UAE is taking big steps in space exploration, launching missions like the Hope Probe to Mars that gather important data about the planet's atmosphere.
  2. They are also inviting private companies to join their plans for an Asteroid Mission, aiming to learn about asteroids and explore potential resources.
  3. The UAE is focused on building a strong foundation for future space experts through educational programs, helping students gain hands-on experience in space science and technology.

Why has fertility plummeted across East Asia?

The Great Gender Divergence • 412 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Education Gender Equality Cultural Evolution Economic Development
  1. Meritocratic civil service exams in East Asia led to heavy investment in education for social mobility.
  2. Education fever in East Asia sparked an arms race of intensive parenting, seen as costly and labor-intensive.
  3. Cultural liberalization and economic development in East Asia have weakened the pressure to bear multiple sons, leading to plummeting fertility rates.

Issue #1: Changing Greece

The Greek Analyst • 679 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Economic Development Legislation Investments Innovation
  1. Greece is seeing positive changes such as opening voting to its diaspora, a booming stock market, and substantial investments in startups and businesses.
  2. The maritime tech sector in Greece is experiencing growth, with acquisitions, expansions, and new investments indicating a promising future for the industry.
  3. The circular economy is becoming popular in Greece, with the launch of impact funds, international conferences, and government strategies focusing on sustainability.

There is an urgent need to unlock labor productivity in African economies

An Africanist Perspective • 613 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Economic Development Debt crisis Trade
  1. African economies are facing a decline in growth rates due to reliance on commodity exports and insufficient wage job creation, with potential negative implications for the future.
  2. Policymakers must find a delicate balance to prevent liquidity crises from turning into solvency crises, focus on revitalizing economic dynamism in major economies like Nigeria and South Africa, and prioritize intra-Africa trade for economic growth.
  3. The decline in labor productivity in African countries is a significant challenge, requiring urgent attention and structural reforms to promote domestic commercial revolutions and create more jobs.

Wakanda isn't an ideal utopia for Africa

The Novelleist • 575 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Africa Natural resources Economic Development Poverty Corruption
  1. Wakanda in Black Panther is a positive portrayal of African prosperity with advanced technology, boosting pride and dignity.
  2. The economic model of Wakanda, relying on a magical substance for wealth, ignores the realities of gradual economic development involving valuable goods and services.
  3. The obsession with natural resources as a source of wealth can hinder economic growth due to corruption, lack of policy improvements, and misinformation about their true benefits.

We Need a New Movement for Independent Retail

The New Urban Order • 299 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
💼 Business Retail Economic Development City Planning Commercial Real Estate Small businesses
  1. The uniqueness of independent retail in cities like Cadiz, Spain, highlights the need for a new movement supporting independent retail in American cities.
  2. While American retail may seem to be thriving, there is a concern about the homogenization of street life across cities, showcasing the importance of distinct local retail offerings.
  3. To revitalize independent retail, new solutions such as credit tenant leasing adjustments and promoting corner stores are essential, along with the need for an international movement to advocate for and support independent retail.

A sucuri aperta o abraço

O Observador de Corcyra • 275 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Reform Taxation Federalism Economic Development Legislation
  1. The reform on regional development attached to the tax reform intensifies the extraction of income from society towards regional groups outlined in the 1988 Constitution.
  2. The new tax levied through the reform merges five indirect taxes, creating the largest tax of its kind globally, aiming to increase productivity and reduce tax disputes in Brazil.
  3. The approval of the reform will centralize fiscal autonomy in states, limiting their ability to adjust tax rates based on economic needs and creating additional federal transfer funds, perpetuating income extraction from more developed to less developed regions.

How to change Greece

The Greek Analyst • 179 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Political Philosophy Migration Economic Development Education
  1. Is the glass of ouzo half empty or half full? Both perspectives are necessary to move forward, focusing on what's been fulfilled and what's missing.
  2. Greece needs a unified framework for change, merging the perspectives of optimists and pessimists to address shortcomings and successes for a comprehensive view.
  3. The country is making progress with factors like voting by mail, achievements in tech and startups, efforts to combat brain drain, and the rise of women leaders.

Inside Latin America's new currency plan, with Ecuador's presidential candidate Andrés Arauz

Geopolitical Economy Report • 279 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Security Economic Development Social Impact
  1. Latin America is attempting to create a new regional currency to challenge the existing US dollar-based system, aiming for a more balanced international monetary system.
  2. Ecuadorian economist and former presidential candidate Andrés Arauz advocates for a clearing and settlement bank that can facilitate transactions without concern for US sanctions.
  3. There is a push for regional integration mechanisms in Latin America, with the goal of creating large geopolitical blocs to allow for balanced planetary governance and more effective monetary systems.

Farmland & Ranching in Argentina

BowTiedMara - Geoarbitrage & Mobility Assets • 176 implied HN points • 08 May 23
💼 Business Agriculture Real Estate Investing Market Analysis Economic Development
  1. Farmland in Argentina varies in price based on region and quality, offering opportunities for investment.
  2. Argentina's agricultural landscape is diverse, with regions specializing in different crops like soy, wheat, and corn.
  3. Ranching in Argentina is significant, with a large number of farms dedicated to bovine production and potential for increased meat exports.

Picturing HCMC's Future

Vietnam Weekly • 176 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Legislation Economic Development
  1. Resolution 98 aims to address various issues in Ho Chi Minh City, including infrastructure, housing market, climate risks, and urban management.
  2. City leaders are looking to overcome previous failures and boost economic development with Resolution 98.
  3. Specific mechanisms like increased salaries and the BOT model for traffic projects are part of the action plan for implementing Resolution 98.

The race to be the gateway to Eastern and Central Africa heats up

An Africanist Perspective • 158 implied HN points • 23 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Infrastructure Economic Development Logistics
  1. The competition between Kenya and Tanzania as gateways to Eastern and Central Africa involves extensive infrastructure plans to link landlocked countries to the sea.
  2. The economic challenges of landlocked countries in the region show a need for improved transportation infrastructure to reduce costs and boost trade.
  3. While Kenya has a head start in infrastructure, Tanzania's cost-effective land acquisition and political stability position it to potentially surpass Kenya in the long run.

🔅 The Singapore Economic Masterclass Missed by Africa & A Digital Heritage Reclamation

baobabnewsletter • 58 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Economic Development Cultural heritage Immigration Public Health Environmental Conservation
  1. Singapore's economic success story could teach African nations valuable lessons in governance and economic growth.
  2. Digital Benin project aims to digitally reconnect the Benin Bronzes with their community, setting a blueprint for cultural heritage reclamation globally.
  3. Italy's Africa summit focuses on boosting Africa's prosperity through investments, highlighting the importance of equal partnerships over charity.

The Death of The Bethlehem Mill

ESG Hound • 461 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Industrialization Environmental Labor Economic Development Globalization
  1. The Bethlehem Mill was a once-thriving industrial complex that declined due to economic changes and globalization.
  2. The site faced environmental issues and cleanup challenges due to decades of industrial activity.
  3. Capitalism's impact on industrial sites like the Bethlehem Mill underscores the importance of responsible stewardship and waste management.

我最新专栏的中文翻译：《王向偉真話中國》新政府新使命：需堅決遏制‘極左’思潮。

Wang Xiangwei's Thought of the Day on China • 98 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics China Leadership Ideology International relations Economic Development
  1. The Chinese government needs to firmly control extreme left-wing ideologies to ensure economic development.
  2. Historical leadership transitions in China focused on economic development and pragmatism rather than ideological debates.
  3. Current challenges in China include economic recovery post-COVID and balancing international relations while curbing extreme nationalist ideologies.

Is there a Cotwus out there?

Gordian Knot News • 87 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Nuclear power International relations Climate change Global Cooperation Economic Development
  1. A vision where a poor country adopts Underwriter Certification for regulating nuclear power, leading to economic boom and technological advancements
  2. The concept of a country like Cotwus attracting nuclear power plant developers and becoming the richest nation due to cheap electricity, infrastructure development, and sharing in ventures
  3. The potential global impact of other countries adopting Underwriter Certification, leading to more competition in the nuclear power business, cost reduction, and progress towards green hydrogen fuels

Rise of Civilization, Part I

America in Crisis • 59 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
💾 History Civilization Cultural Evolution Religion Institutions Economic Development
  1. Humans scaled society to manage larger groups through cultural evolution, harnessing collective brain power.
  2. Living under the 'gossip trap' limited social organization, fostering a focus on reputation management over innovation.
  3. The rise of Western civilization was influenced by factors like Church initiatives, shifting societal foundations towards commerce, education, and meritocracy.

🔅 Ivory Coast's Lêkê Revolution & Madagascar's Gemstone Scandal

baobabnewsletter • 39 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Africa Corruption Economic Development Terrorism Government
  1. Ivory Coast's popular lêkê sandals are more than just footwear, they're a fashion statement and a symbol of national pride.
  2. Madagascar's former chief of staff attempted to leverage influence for personal gain in a gemstone scandal involving a bribe offer.
  3. Zambia is venturing into direct copper trading to maximize economic benefits, joining other African countries in taking control of their mineral resources.

Reflections on the Land League

Robert's Reflections • 19 implied HN points • 26 Apr 24
💾 History Land ownership Ireland Economic Development Political violence
  1. The Land League in 19th-century Ireland campaigned for land redistribution to address economic disparities, offering lessons for modern movements.
  2. The Land League's tactics included boycotting land agents and enforcing the 'three Fs' - free sale, fixity of tenure, and fair rent - leading to successful reform actions.
  3. Lessons from the Land League include the importance of diverse demographics, strong leadership, funding strategies, persistence, and the organic development of movements in Ireland.

The Future of Sino-Africa Relations

An Africanist Perspective • 59 implied HN points • 03 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Economic Development Geopolitics
  1. Bureaucratic competence is crucial in fostering successful partnerships between China and African countries. China can support African nations in developing effective governmental structures to improve economic growth and avoid corruption.
  2. Investing in African agriculture presents a win-win scenario for both China and African countries. Enhancing agricultural productivity can lead to economic development, food security, and reduction of trade deficits.
  3. China can enhance Sino-African relations by actively involving African countries in Chinese value chains, boosting investments in African human capital, and gaining a more nuanced understanding of African politics. These approaches can contribute to sustainable growth and positive partnerships.