The hottest Global Development Substack posts right now

The newsletter will broaden its focus beyond environmental topics to include demographics, technology, global health, and development while keeping a data-led approach to analyze problems and solutions.
The newsletter is being renamed to "By the Numbers" to reflect the wider scope, and the change will happen automatically; some subscribers may leave, but the aim is to reach a broader set of global issues.
The publication will remain free and unpaid, produced in spare time to keep it enjoyable, with plans to continue publishing data-driven posts into 2026.

President Putin emphasizes the importance of adapting to a changing world, especially in relation to China's growing economy and global influence.
Bret Weinstein's discussion on political developments in Panama lacks substantial evidence and overlooks historical context of American influence in the region.
President Putin expresses concerns over the US using brute force tactics like sanctions and military actions, highlighting the need for a more cooperative approach in international relations.

The ACX Grants Results for 2024 announced several innovative projects that received funding, ranging from lead-acid battery recycling in Nigeria to lobbying for changes in kidney donation laws.
The grantees included projects like developing anti-mosquito drones, creating germicidal UV lightbulbs, and advocating for a specialized pandemic response team at the FDA.
The ACX Grants covered a diverse range of causes, including animal welfare, educational attainment, political change, and innovative medical research like artificial kidney creation and phage therapy.

There is a critique on the slow death of global development, focusing on the failures of the Western establishment, missing the economic changes in developing countries since the 1980s.
The piece discusses the problem of deagrarianization and deindustrialization in many low-income countries, emphasizing the importance of industrialization for economic development.
The narrative of perpetual stagnation in Africa and elsewhere in the developing world is challenged by highlighting significant improvements in developmental outcomes in the last three decades.

Brazil's President Lula da Silva visited China to deepen strategic partnerships and challenge US dollar dominance by signing cooperation agreements, focusing on trading in local currencies.
China is Brazil's largest trading partner, with significant trade surpluses, and both countries have seen substantial growth in bilateral trade over the years.
Political coups in Brazil, backed by the US, led to economic downturns, but under Lula and Dilma, the country advanced, lifting millions out of poverty and shaping key economic relationships.

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The US is supporting proposed World Bank reforms that shift focus from low-income countries to global public goods, risking a loss in policy influence worldwide.
US structural influence through organizations like the World Bank reflects in policy decisions that align with US interests in low-income countries.
Failure of the World Bank to prioritize needs of low-income countries could lead to a loss of influence for the US and the Bank in those regions.

China is building a global economic alternative while the US-led neoliberal financial order weakens.
Understanding historical context is key to grasping China's development path and its impact on the global economy.
Facing challenges, the world can find hope in alternative economic models and a shift away from Western domination.

The world is on the brink of a potential nuclear war, with the West being the most irresponsible and reckless actor, leading to a dangerous situation.
International relations are not just about nations, but about the interests of elites within those nations, often conflicting with the broader interests of the population.
Cooperation for development, like the Belt and Road Initiative, outweighs conflict and domination, offering a path towards stability and progress.

The novel 'On The Marble Cliffs' by Ernst Jünger is highly praised and considered a favorite read of the year with its allegorical brilliance and intense narrative.
Artist Theaster Gates focuses on salvaging precious items in a paradoxical approach blending black radicalism with conservative preservation.
Two essays discuss the concepts of modernization theory in global development and the challenges faced by nations transitioning to a service-based economy, particularly in comparison to China.

Gapminder is an independent Swedish foundation focused on fact-based global statistics.
Their bubble chart software, Trendalyzer, was acquired by Google in 2007.
Gapminder provides educators with free resources and offers a 'Worldview Upgrader' quiz to challenge misconceptions.