Even with rising inequality and weak labor rights, unions secure enough improvements in pay and conditions to provide some class mobility.
Recent Items
Thursday, July 9, 2026
How Unions Pave the Way to the American Dream
Topics: Free markets and their discontents, Guest Post, Income disparity, Social policy, Social values, The destruction of the middle class
Posted by Yves Smith at 9:55 am | 4 Comments »
Links 7/9/2026
Topics: Links
Posted by Conor Gallagher at 6:58 am | 43 Comments »
Iran War: US and Iran Continue Escalation With New Exchange of Harsher Strikes; Iran Options Include Closing Strait of Hormuz
Today’s Iran war news: Trump doubles down on Strait of Hormuz control as experts view the strikes as preparation for a ground operation.
Topics: Commodities, Doomsday scenarios, Economic fundamentals, Energy markets, Media watch, Middle East, Politics
Posted by Yves Smith at 4:55 am | 84 Comments »
Greenspan Ran the Fed for 18 Years and Left an Economic Time Bomb
Michael Hudson and Radhika Desai: take a hard look at Greenspan’s misrule at the Fed and find more not to like than you might know about
Topics: Banking industry, Credit markets, Dubious statistics, Economic fundamentals, Federal Reserve, Free markets and their discontents, Guest Post, Investment banks, Macroeconomic policy, Market inefficiencies, Politics, Regulations and regulators, Ridiculously obvious scams, The destruction of the middle class, The dismal science
Posted by Yves Smith at 4:29 am | 1 Comment »
Culture Is the Far Right’s Secret Weapon – and It’s Winning Over Some of Europe’s Most Educated Youth
EU officials seem aghast at the fact that many citizens, particularly the young, identify with national or local culture.
Topics: Europe, Free markets and their discontents, Guest Post, Income disparity, Media watch, Politics, Social policy, Social values, The destruction of the middle class
Posted by Yves Smith at 2:04 am | 24 Comments »
Coffee Break: The Machine Gets Its Man in Maine
Graham Platner has suspended his campaign following a Politico article featuring “credible” accusations of sexual assault against him. Not everyone finds the charges equally credible.
Topics: Coffee Break
Posted by Nat Wilson Turner at 2:00 pm | 70 Comments »
Fire Any Financial Advisor Who Tells You to Utilize a Trump Account
Sure, take the $1,000 that Trump wants to give newborn kids. But never put another dime in a Trump Account..
Topics: Guest Post, Income disparity, Investment management, Politics, Social policy, Taxes, The destruction of the middle class
Posted by Yves Smith at 9:55 am | 15 Comments »
Links 7/8/2026
Topics: Links
Posted by Conor Gallagher at 6:59 am | 77 Comments »
Iran War: Trump Declares MOU Over After Biggest US-Iran Exchange of Strikes Since Signing in Struggle Over Strait of Hormuz Control; US Suspends Iran Oil Sanction Waiver
Today’s Iran war news: As many expected, the MOU is coming apart as the US-Iran fight for control of the Strait of Hormuz escalates.
Topics: Doomsday scenarios, Energy markets, Environment, Media watch, Middle East, Politics
Posted by Yves Smith at 6:54 am | 169 Comments »
A Bang or a Whimper? Comparing Imperial Collapse in the US to the UK’s Decline
Book Review: Erik Linstrum’s ‘Age of Emergency: Living with Violence at the End of the British Empire’.
Topics: Doomsday scenarios, Income disparity, Macroeconomic policy, Middle East, Russia, Social policy, Social values, Surveillance state, UK
Posted by Conor Gallagher at 6:00 am | 38 Comments »
A Super El Niño Is Coming: 5 Hard‑Won Lessons the World Can Learn From Africa
Africa suffered in past super El Niño events and developed approaches to prevent and mitigate harm. Can rich countries learn?
Topics: Africa, Doomsday scenarios, Economic fundamentals, Environment, Global warming, Guest Post, Income disparity, Permaculture, Social policy
Posted by Yves Smith at 2:46 am | 3 Comments »
Coffee Break: Armed Madhouse – From Spy Satellites to Peace Satellites
Military reconnaissance satellites have become indispensable instruments of national security, yet they remain overwhelmingly dedicated to advancing competing national interests. This article argues that the same technological revolution could instead become the foundation of a new international institution: independently governed Peace Satellites that generate trusted public evidence for diplomacy, arms control, humanitarian response, and conflict prevention.
Topics: Coffee Break
Posted by Haig Hovaness at 2:00 pm | 5 Comments »
How the Lack of Housing Affordability Harms Europe’s Citizens
A look at the mechanisms by which poor housing affordability hurts the European public.
Topics: Economic fundamentals, Europe, Income disparity, Real estate, The destruction of the middle class
Posted by Yves Smith at 9:55 am | 16 Comments »
Links 7/7/2026
Topics: Links
Posted by Yves Smith at 6:59 am | 92 Comments »
Iran War: Expected Hardening of Iran Posture in Wake of Funerals for US-Israel War Martyrs; Iran Hits Two Tankers Transiting on Oman Side; China Buying Non-Iran Gulf State Oil, Opposes Iran Control Plans; Yet More on Oil Price Anomalies as Crack Spreads Widen Further
Today’s Iran war news: Why the conflict is set to become more acute, with mid-August a potential crisis window.
Topics: China, Doomsday scenarios, Economic fundamentals, Energy markets, Market inefficiencies, Media watch, Middle East, Politics
Posted by Yves Smith at 6:58 am | 99 Comments »



