The hottest Political Economy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Gunpowder-Empire Fiscal Legibility & State Development: Economic History/Political Economy Seminar

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 222 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
💾 History Economic History Political Economy
  1. The Viceroyalty of New Spain in 1550 was dominated by a gunpowder-empire machine with Castilians and indigenous populations, showcasing early forms of state development.
  2. The introduction of the Patio Process in 1554 for silver extraction revolutionized mining districts in Mexico, attracting workers and increasing prosperity due to the flow of mercury.
  3. Improved fiscal legibility in mining districts post-Patio Process led to accelerated political centralization, as viceroys had more confidence in transitioning areas from encomienda to corregimiento for better state control and revenue collection.

The True Shape of America's Debt & Deficit "Burdens"

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 261 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Policy Government spending National Debt Political Economy
  1. Debt-to-GDP ratio in the U.S. has fluctuated over the years, with significant changes under different administrations.
  2. The U.S. could manage its debt by matching program spending to taxes in the future, allowing it to gradually diminish.
  3. The current U.S. deficit is a concern as it exceeds the optimal level, posing a risk for the future due to political and economic factors.

What To Do About the Dependence of the Form Progress Takes on Power?: Quick Takes on Acemoglu & Johnson's "Power & Progress"

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 76 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🚌 Education Technology Economics Social Issues Political Economy Innovation
  1. The distribution of technological progress can be influenced by the balance of power in both markets and politics.
  2. Technologies can have both positive and negative impacts on society, so it's important to consider the distributional effects.
  3. Diverse perspectives and opinions are crucial in shaping better and more equitable technological trajectories.

This is Hypertext

Hypertext • 139 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Liberalism Political Economy Policy Public Discourse
  1. Hypertext journal is a new platform from the Niskanen Center focused on liberalism, political economy, and policy.
  2. They aim to engage in thoughtful dialogue through essays to bring people together and restore the original promise of hypertext.
  3. The Niskanen Center works to bridge the gap between traditional left and right ideas by injecting fresh perspectives into public discourse.

Discussing Debt & Proclaiming Liberty

System Change • 314 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
💰 Finance Debt Political Economy
  1. Debt forgiveness and liberty were fundamental in ancient societies through practices like the Jubilee principle.
  2. Historical principles of debt cancellation and freedom are echoed in modern-day struggles against oppression.
  3. Discussions on debt and system change are essential for understanding today's financial landscape.
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De-dollarization is about more than currencies: As dollar system declines, what comes next?

Geopolitical Economy Report • 378 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🌍 World Politics Economic Systems Monetary Systems Political Economy Global Trade Financialization
  1. De-dollarization is a shift away from the US dollar system towards a new economic system based on reducing imbalances and promoting balanced economic growth.
  2. The current crisis in the dollar system is exposing vulnerabilities, such as declining capital inflows and the need for central bank intervention to prop up asset markets.
  3. The future economic system may involve a mixed public-private economy, government intervention in strategic sectors, and capital controls to prevent financialization and promote productive expansion.

Why haven't markets disciplined public finance management practices in African states?

An Africanist Perspective • 277 implied HN points • 20 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Debt crisis Political Economy
  1. African countries face high debt risks, diverting resources from critical areas like education and healthcare to debt servicing.
  2. The lack of market discipline in public finance management in African states can be attributed to factors like moral hazard involving foreign creditors and poor linkages to political institutions.
  3. Lessons learned from past debt crises emphasize the importance of democratizing public finance management and learning from mistakes to make smarter policy decisions.

What Josh Hawley gets wrong about me

Of Boys and Men • 131 implied HN points • 23 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Gender Studies Labor Market Political Economy Government Policy
  1. More men should be encouraged to work in HEAL professions like healthcare and education for a variety of reasons.
  2. It's important to address the gender disparities in occupations like health care and education to better serve clients and address labor shortages.
  3. Supporting opportunities for men in both blue-collar jobs and growing HEAL sectors is vital for a balanced workforce.

Subsidies, External Costs, and Deadweight Loss

Knowledge Problem • 39 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
💼 Business Energy Tax policy Market Dynamics Subsidies Political Economy
  1. Understanding economic analyses of power markets is crucial for applied economics.
  2. Federal subsidies for wind and solar impact wholesale power markets by creating inefficiencies and distorting outcomes.
  3. Tax credits like the PTC/ITC are costly ways to encourage renewable energy generation, and a carbon tax might be more efficient.