Provisions on digital trade are quietly being squared away in both of the two major trade negotiations currently underway—the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) … Shrinking Transparency in the NAFTA and RCEP NegotiationsRead more
Economics
Destructive Stock Buybacks—That You Pay For
The monster of economic waste—over $7 trillion of dictated stock buybacks since 2003 by the self-enriching CEOs of large corporations—started with a little noticed change … Destructive Stock Buybacks—That You Pay ForRead more
Are European taxpayers funding land grabs and forest destruction?
The central aim of European Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) is to foster growth and reduce poverty. Yet in Africa, evidence is mounting that they have … Are European taxpayers funding land grabs and forest destruction?Read more
Americans Are Dying Younger, Saving Corporations Billions
Steady improvements in American life expectancy have stalled, and more Americans are dying at younger ages. But for companies straining under the burden of their … Americans Are Dying Younger, Saving Corporations BillionsRead more
The value of money
Money. The root of all evil. It can’t buy you love, but it makes the world go round. Few people understood the vast complexities of … The value of moneyRead more
The many absurdities of GDP
Reading Lorenzo Fioramonti’s book The World After GDP recently, I was struck again at how simplistic Gross Domestic Product is. It remains our primary measure … The many absurdities of GDPRead more
How Much Money Is Spent on Health Care for Kids, Where Does It Go?
Health care spending on children grew 56 percent between 1996 and 2013, with the most money spent in 2013 on inpatient well-newborn care, attention deficit/hyperactivity … How Much Money Is Spent on Health Care for Kids, Where Does It Go?Read more
The philosophy of money
Once we understand the true purpose of money, we can identify the most ethical and desirable financial systems that serve this purpose. My book, The … The philosophy of moneyRead more
When Your Doctor Breaks You
When people who have had profoundly serious wrongs inflicted on them sue, they are suing for money. But the fact is that they don’t want … When Your Doctor Breaks YouRead more
The Anonymous Companies That Protect Human Traffickers
Human trafficking is one of the most insidious crimes in our world today. It’s a business that profits on depriving basic rights — buying and … The Anonymous Companies That Protect Human TraffickersRead more