The ECB’s Illusory Independence
A commitment to the independence of central banks is a vital part of the creed that “serious” policymakers are expected to uphold (privatization, labor-market “flexibility,”
Helicopter Money: A Disguise For debt Financing Funded By Short-Term Borrowing
The term “helicopter money” is derived from a vivid image created by the US economist Milton Friedman in which a central banker showers notes on
Support For Brexit Is No Longer A Minority Viewpoint On The British Left
Among the British press, which overall shows a bias for leaving the EU, the Guardian is seen as one of the few papers with a friendly attitude towards
Economic Recovery Of The EU Is Not Beholden To The ECB
Europe is in a Gordian knot of debt, deflation and democratic deficits. A hegemonic Germany that Adenauer, Brandt, Schmidt and Kohl wished to avoid dominates
The IMF On Greek Debt – Redefining Chutzpah?
A definition of chutzpah is murdering your parents and then claiming social benefits as an orphan. It is not widely recognised, but the IMF illustrates
The False Promise Of Negative Interest Rates
As a biographer and aficionado of John Maynard Keynes, I am sometimes asked: “What would Keynes think about negative interest rates?” It’s a good question,
Towards A European Pillar Of Social Rights: An Opportunity Not To Be Squandered
In March 2016 the European Commission presented the preliminary outline of a European Pillar of Social Rights as part of the work undertaken towards a
The New ‘Pop-Nat’ Authoritarianism
The drift to illiberal Pop-Nat – populist nationalist – politics in Europe continues. Across the Atlantic Donald Trump exemplifies Pop-Nat politics. There is no sign that the
Europe 2.0? The EU After The British Referendum
For Brexiters, history is already written: the EU is on course to become a superstate. Britain had better jump off the train before it happens,
Transformative Platform Politics For The Digital Society
The more our societies diversify into a loose network of lifeworlds, the more important it becomes to find a platform to hold them together. This
Fighting The Next Global Financial Crisis
What do people mean when they criticize generals for “fighting the last war”? It’s not that generals ever think they will face the same weapon
Why The Universal Basic Income Is Not The Best Public Intervention To Reduce Poverty or Income Inequality
There is no uniform interpretation of Universal Basic Income (UBI). The simplest definition may be that UBI is a public program in which the state
The Economic Consequences Of Brexit
Those campaigning for Britain to exit the European Union claim that doing so would make their country both freer and richer. They assert that after
Democratic Primaries In The Shadow Of Neoliberalism
The Democratic Party primary battle between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders is being fought in the shadow of “neoliberalism” – in the shadow, that is,
Political Instability Stems From The Diminished Importance Of The Left-right Spectrum
Gordon Brown’s exchange with Gillian Duffy on the streets of Rochdale was a defining moment in the UK’s 2010 general election. It also revealed much
The ECB Grants Debt Relief To All Eurozone Nations Except Greece
It looks like Greece may get some debt relief. There is as yet no certainty about this because some German politicians continue to conduct rear-guard battles
The Case For Germany Leaving The Euro #Gexit
The case for or against a British exit from the EU – #Brexit – is headline news. For the moment the earlier quarrel about a