The hottest Economy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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📉 🔙 Another terrible degrowth argument

Faster, Please! • 1188 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy
  1. Many argue that growth in capitalism leads to exploitation, using resources without paying their true costs. This means companies benefit from cheap labor and the environment while ignoring the environmental harm they cause.
  2. Some believe the solution is to reduce production and consumption, especially in wealthy nations, to help the planet and reduce inequality. They suggest changing how we measure success to include ecological and social factors, not just money.
  3. Critics think this view misunderstands how economies grow and improve over time. They argue that real progress comes from understanding the benefits of growth rather than seeing it as harmful.

Working Hard or Hardly Working

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 24 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Economy
  1. Market-driven economic change uproots communities and erodes social bonds, which lowers trust and can produce crime, political backlash, and long-term despair.
  2. Work has become a central source of identity, driving grind culture and extreme hours that cause burnout and are often counterproductive, while also deepening inequality and gender gaps.
  3. Strong social networks and community matter for jobs and meaning, but AI, clique-driven hiring, and growing loneliness are making the labor market less meritocratic and leaving many people isolated.

Corporate media is catching up: Trump is weak, economy is strong

The Signorile Report • 1418 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy
  1. Corporate media is acknowledging Trump's weakness and the strong economy in contrast to earlier narratives.
  2. Trump's representation as an incumbent, not a newcomer, is highlighted by media reports which could impact the 2024 election.
  3. Beltway reporters are recognizing positive feelings about the economy and how it could influence the election narrative.
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Three reasons the Federal Reserve is likely to cut interest rates soon

Noahpinion • 8647 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
💰 Finance Economy
  1. The U.S. economy is showing strong signs of a soft landing with low unemployment, surging job numbers, high employment rates, and accelerating wages.
  2. Inflation has fallen back to the 2% target, providing a remarkable macroeconomic achievement.
  3. Despite the strong economy, there is speculation that the Federal Reserve might cut interest rates soon due to reasons like accelerating productivity growth.

February 17, 2026

Letters from an American • 29 implied HN points • 18 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy
  1. The administration’s turn toward white Christian nationalism and protectionist trade policies is pushing traditional allies to deepen their own defense and trade ties without the U.S., leaving America more isolated on the world stage.
  2. The U.S. economy shows signs of strain: job growth collapsed in 2025, manufacturing and commercial real estate face big losses, immigration rules are causing labor shortages, and deficits are ballooning after recent tax cuts and increased military spending.
  3. The government is expanding military and enforcement actions while rolling back or reshaping regulations in ways that benefit allies and family interests, and moves to influence media and federal agencies raise alarms about concentrated power and potential abuses.

HS2: The day they cancelled the 21st Century

Striking 13 • 2176 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Economy
  1. HS2 project cancellation in the UK is criticized for hindering progress and development, especially in terms of infrastructure, economy, and environmental impact
  2. HS2 aimed to address capacity issues in the existing rail system, improve connectivity, and contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions from travel
  3. The decision to cancel HS2 is seen as short-sighted, as it not only fails to save money but also overlooks the long-term benefits and potential financial gains of the project

Blame Air Canada: The Cartel Just Canceled My Vacation

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 830 implied HN points • 19 Aug 25
🏝 Travel Economy
  1. Air Canada faced a strike from flight attendants, which caused significant travel disruptions for passengers and led to financial losses. Many travelers, including one author, lost money on flights and bookings due to the strike.
  2. The strike highlighted issues in the airline industry and the difficulties flight attendants face, particularly regarding their pay for non-flying duties. The situation sparked debates about labor rights and fair compensation.
  3. Government intervention, such as binding arbitration to end the strike, can complicate things further and isn't always effective in resolving conflicts. There are concerns about the airline industry's protections that make it hard for new companies to enter the market.

Joe Biden’s Silent War on America’s Steel Industry

Peter Navarro's Taking Back Trump's America • 982 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy
  1. Joe Biden's actions have negatively impacted the U.S. steel and aluminum industries, leading to a decline after years of Trump's tariffs.
  2. Imports of steel and aluminum surged under Biden as he dismantled Trump's tariffs, causing a decrease in domestic manufacturing jobs.
  3. Reinstating Trump's tariffs could help revive the steel industry, and forming domestic partnerships like U.S. Steel with Cleveland Cliffs may be beneficial for national security.

Slick Landing

Doomberg • 8377 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
💰 Finance Economy
  1. In 2022, the US economy was expected to fall into a deep recession, but it didn't.
  2. Despite doubts, the Federal Reserve's aggressive interest rate hikes had a positive impact on the economy.
  3. Forecasts for the US economy are challenging, and unexpected outcomes provide unique learning opportunities.

China is ‘world’s sole manufacturing superpower’, with 35% of global output

Geopolitical Economy Report • 1056 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Economy
  1. China has become the world's top manufacturing power, accounting for 35% of global production.
  2. China's economic success is largely attributed to its state-led development model, with government-controlled enterprises and strategic policies.
  3. The US is heavily reliant on Chinese manufactured goods, making complete decoupling challenging and costly for both countries.

The Biden-McCarthy Memorial Weekend Surrender Institutionalizes Stagflation

Peter Navarro's Taking Back Trump's America • 2044 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy
  1. Historians may see Kevin McCarthy's quick surrender to Biden as a footnote in history, not a turning point.
  2. Biden's spending may lead to both demand-pull and cost-push inflation, similar to the stagflation of the 1970s.
  3. McCarthy missed a chance to assert America's energy dominance and combat inflation by caving to Biden's spending plans.

The Hollow Economy

Anima Mundi • 185 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Economy
  1. AI is reshaping priorities in the economy, making human needs less important as machines take the lead. People are adjusting to this new reality where they are secondary.
  2. The physical demands of AI are causing environmental and geopolitical issues. Data centers consume vast amounts of electricity and water, often at the expense of local communities.
  3. As AI becomes more capable, human roles are diminishing, and this could lead to many people becoming economically unnecessary. We need to rethink our values and recognize human worth beyond just economic productivity.

Recruiting Brainfood - Issue 380

Recruiting Brainfood • 1100 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
💼 Business Economy
  1. Networking is crucial in the industry, meet people in-person to build connections.
  2. Enhancing your profile can give a competitive edge, consider participating in initiatives like Brainfood Tribune and Guest appearance on Brainfood Live.
  3. Performance is key, networking and profile building can complement performance in a positive cycle.

The Houthis, A Disappointing Wage Report, and the Tumbling Yen

Japan Economy Watch • 1098 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
💰 Finance Economy
  1. The yen has weakened due to external factors like the Houthi attack, impacting Japanese economy and inflation, and market anticipation of interest rate changes. The disappointing wage report for November dampened expectations for a rise in interest rates by the Bank of Japan, leading to a weaker yen.
  2. An accurate model for predicting the yen's strength has a standard error of about 3.4 yen. A sizeable discrepancy between the model's forecast and the actual yen value could either indicate a correction back to expected levels or suggest a long-term trend change.
  3. The growth in nominal wages in Japan has consistently fallen short of the 3% goal needed for sustained inflation. This has influenced market expectations regarding the Bank of Japan's monetary policy decisions and consequently impacted the yen's valuation.

Forbes Asia, Asia Times Reviews of My New Book

Japan Economy Watch • 1078 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
💼 Business Economy
  1. Japan has a significant opportunity for economic growth through entrepreneurship and innovation, with potential for a tectonic shift in civil society.
  2. Richard Katz's new book highlights the importance of Japan seizing the chance to revitalize its economy by generating innovative companies and above-par growth.
  3. Key megatrends like generational shifts, technological advancements, and political stresses are identified as factors that could reshape Japan's economic future according to Katz.

🛑 Here’s how it all went wrong. Let's not repeat the mistake

Faster, Please! • 913 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy
  1. In the 1960s, some people started to worry that our tech-focused society was losing its human touch and becoming too controlled by big organizations.
  2. Critics believed that technology was making us lose our individuality and prioritize cold efficiency over our well-being and culture.
  3. This growing concern led to political movements that challenged the postwar economic boom, emphasizing the need for more human-centric values.

Africa’s 2023 Year in Review

An Africanist Perspective • 1167 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Economy
  1. Reforms in Nigeria's petroleum sector can have a significant impact on the regional economy.
  2. African countries face challenges in navigating the political economy of energy and climate change, impacting their energy future.
  3. Increased Gulf cash and influence in Africa poses both investment opportunities and risks for African economies.

Alone in the Foxhole

Doomberg • 6935 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy
  1. Corporate leaders often seek government support for financial gain.
  2. US primary energy producers face challenges from shifting government policies.
  3. President Biden's pause on LNG export approvals has bipartisan implications.

The Economic Cost of Right-Wing Populism

Persuasion • 1022 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Economy
  1. Populism from both left and right can have negative economic effects.
  2. Populist leaders tend to centralize power and personalize governance, increasing economic volatility.
  3. Populists reward allies and punish opponents through market regulation, impacting businesses negatively.

💥Lender on Lender Violence is Back! And on Steroids. Part III.💥

PETITION • 1002 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
💰 Finance Economy
  1. The article discusses recent bankruptcy cases involving companies like Wesco Aircraft Holdings Inc. and Instant Brands Acquisition Holdings Inc.
  2. The bankruptcy cases highlighted the complex interactions between lenders and debtors, showcasing the challenges and strategies involved in negotiations.
  3. Key themes in the cases include asset stripping, liability management, regulatory approval challenges, and the role of different parties in bankruptcy proceedings.

The Path to Equality

Glenn Loury • 1646 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy
  1. Strong family structures and education are key factors in determining success
  2. Adhering to 'The Success Sequence' can be crucial for young people
  3. Households led by single parents may face disadvantages and need attention

Tankers South

Irina Slav on energy • 982 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Economy
  1. Tanker traffic in the Red Sea is being disrupted due to missile strikes between the Houthis and the Combined Military Forces, leading to rerouted vessels and rising prices.
  2. Container freight rates for vessels traveling to Europe from Asia have reached a 15-month high, with fears of the situation worsening.
  3. Higher shipping prices and emissions are a consequence of vessels avoiding the Red Sea route, affecting the cost of various goods and causing some companies to switch from ships to planes.

Help make local meat affordable again!

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 1697 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy
  1. Support for the PRIME Act can lead to more affordable and accessible local meat options by allowing farmers to use local butchers without costly USDA intermediaries.
  2. Passage of the PRIME Act would increase access to local slaughterhouses, improve food safety, boost food security, and contribute to the local economy.
  3. Taking action by calling or emailing legislators to support the PRIME Act, meeting with representatives, and spreading awareness can make a significant impact on the future of local meat production.

How AI will reshape society

Kvetch • 62 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Economy
  1. AI will concentrate massive power in the hands of giant firms and a few high-leverage individuals while many people and middling institutions shrink, creating a new divide between decision-makers and delegators.
  2. AI will globalize culture even as it personalizes truth, producing a shared platformed world but thousands of private reality bubbles that weaken common institutions and boost niche leaders and new movements.
  3. Daily life will see lost privacy, more leisure and passive consumption, and rising competition for scarce status goods, yet basic human needs like intimacy, parenting, and embodied experience will remain essential.

The Fed is only looking to past inflation, and that's a problem.

Stay-At-Home Macro (SAHM) • 805 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
💰 Finance Economy
  1. The Fed is focusing only on past inflation, and this approach may lead to problems with monetary policy decisions.
  2. Recent data shows a rapid decrease in inflation over the past six months, suggesting a return towards the 2% target.
  3. Despite strong economic growth and high interest rates, the Fed continues to rely heavily on backward-looking inflation data for its decision-making.

We Need to Talk About China. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 718 implied HN points • 05 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy
  1. China is becoming a big problem for the West, especially economically and militarily. Their control over important resources is concerning for many countries.
  2. Taiwan should learn from Ukraine and focus on building strong defense capabilities to protect itself from potential threats.
  3. The U.S. is making technology trade restrictions on China, but some argue these restrictions might backfire and harm American interests instead.

Bari Weiss Overplayed Her Hand (60 Minutes Update)

JoeWrote • 134 implied HN points • 26 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy
  1. Most Americans voted because of economic concerns, not to endorse a conservative cultural agenda. The right’s effort to force conservative cultural changes is unpopular and is annoying voters as the economy worsens, hurting Trump’s support.
  2. A powerful media figure reshaped a major news network to favor conservative and pro‑Israel voices, firing staff and promoting partisan programming. Pulling an investigative 60 Minutes segment to protect the administration was widely seen as censorship and damaged the network’s credibility.
  3. Conservative media tends to reassure its base instead of persuading undecided viewers, which comes off as elitist and out of touch. Billionaire consolidation of media could amplify that bias and provoke a broader public backlash against the right.

Levantine Travels

Gideon's Substack • 35 implied HN points • 09 Feb 26
🏝 Travel Economy
  1. The security crisis has sharply reduced tourism and strained Israel's economy even as construction and population growth continue to drive a long-term building boom.
  2. Political life feels deeply polarized and pessimistic: many fear postponed elections, see no clear alternative leadership, and view protests and Arab-party realignments as potentially transformative but also risky.
  3. Jordan is poorer but notably stable, with Aqaba boosted by foreign investment that brings both growth and local resentment, and the region overall faces governance challenges as fragmentation and outside influence complicate democratic development.