Category: Political Economy

  • A Fourth Industrial Revolution

    The rumors of the demise of American manufacturing have been greatly exaggerated. In fact, American manufacturing is experiencing something of a renaissance. In 2018, the United States added 261,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector, mirroring an increase of 207,000 in 2017. This job growth has primarily been powered by small, high-technology firms working with cutting-edge…

  • The End of University Inc

    Universities have long been critical components of public life and deeply formative institutions in the lives of many. Unlike in most nations, US universities also play a very active role in economic activity nationally thanks to their high tuition fees, extensive real estate holdings and the base of consumers and renters they bring to many…

  • Global Money Laundering Part II

    The FinCEN files has quickly swelled into a news story globally with new revelations coming thick and fast – with everyone from Michael Flynn to the Tokyo Olympics now caught up in the scandal. But the FinCEN files – while rich in information – pale in comparison with the 2016 Panama Papers leaks. The Panama Papers involved the leaking of 2.6 terabytes…

  • Short-Termism in Capitalism and A New Social Contract for Shareholders

    Short-Termism in Capitalism and A New Social Contract for Shareholders

    “Modern capitalism is plagued by short-termism and myopia.” “Shareholders are king and everyone else gets left behind.” “The public markets hurt companies more than help them.”  This is the popular narrative today and to some extent it is true. It is true that modern capitalism does present numerous challenges for public companies. Quarterly reporting cycles…

  • ICOs and Token Rights: The Need for Governance

    This post was originally published in Hacker Noon. Capitalism and Investing The unique, historical innovation of Capitalism has been its take on ownership of capital. Capitalism is built on a system of property rights that allows capital to be accumulated, owned and deployed by individuals or corporations for profit. This combination of capital, property rights…

  • The Populist Revolt

    The Populist Revolt

    It is now abundantly clear that the Western world is in the midst of an expansive, multifaceted populist revolt. The ideological, institutional and cultural achievements of the Left in recent decades are now at risk of implosion. The return of the right to the political discourse in force and uncertainty around security and economics are…

  • Circa 1930: The Neoliberal Retreat

    Circa 1930: The Neoliberal Retreat

    As the chorus of Neoliberalism quietens, the world enters a period of uncertainty and tension similar to the decade before WWII. Since the end of WWII with the victory of the Allies (Britain, the US and Russia), democracy and free market economics have made a stunning joint advance worldwide. Together, these policies form the core…