His attack on government R&D was a precursor of his attack on democracy which was a precursor of his impeachment
04.04.2025 14:50
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His attack on government R&D was a precursor of his attack on democracy which was a precursor of his impeachment
Favorite news of the week is South Korea emerging as the apparent savior of/shining beacon for Western liberal democracy
South Korea today
Thank you for the kind words! The job matket has been rough, but hearing this from you means a lot.
Someone said the job market is a rare moment when your paper has more readers than just you and your referee.
Today in my econ history PhD class: Politicians and Economic History
For better or worse, reasonably sure no one else teaches a lecture like this in any other econ history grad classes
It seems PubMed has disappeared. This is the digital equivalent of burning a library.
What the US can learn from South Koreans who stopped an Authoritarian Power-Grab
Hitler, who I do not support, never would have embraced genocide, which I also do not support, if the Weimar shitlibs hadn't tried so hard to deplatform him.
by Glenn Greenwald
Some of the observations in here can be summed up thusly: this administration is not acting as if they expect to be held accountable by the people through free and fair elections.
Ninety nine USAID public servants gave their lives in the line of duty.
Only economists use Polity data.
Lant Pritchett has a fantastic new paper on whether aid has helped.
He notes that there has been a massive reduction in infant mortality,
More than would be expected from growth alone.
One possible explanation is aid
Now being cut.
A new study ties the mandate for USAID to Christian faith, spread across Congressional districts in the 19th century via the YMCA etc.
U.S. commitment to foreign aid comes from the heart, and from the heartland.
Maps from @younbaek.bsky.social's new #jmp #EconSky, here: younbaek.github.io/research
In a new post about the Musk/Trump dismantling USAID, I spoke to the prominent aid critic William Easterly, an economist at NYU. “It’s illegal and it’s undemocratic," he told me. "Even if I like the idea of moving away from aid, I cannot condone this horrific way to go about it.” (1/3)
Hold off on USAID obituaries and suggesting staff have gone.
Most actions so far are under legal challenge, only Congress can get rid of USAID (and its funding), the staff are on administrative leave.
What has happened is terrible, but it is time to push back, not give in.
Cuts to USAID will scupper access to drugs, workers, clinics & humanitarian aid.
In Kenya, 40,000 health care workers will lose their jobs
USAID is also a primary funder of 2 refugee camps for 700,000 people.
Infrastructure is being decimated - @kopalo.bsky.social
By @declanwalsh.bsky.social
Research universities are often the largest employers in their region. They are often the primary health care providers to communities. This funding shift will not only reduce US research leadership, it will put working people out of work and reduce healthcare access.
A new Congressional Research Service report says plainly that "the president does not have the authority to abolish [USAID]; congressional authorization would be required to abolish, move, or consolidate USAID." punchbowl.news/in12500/
Shutting down USAID is not about efficiency—it’s about undermining America’s global leadership. USAID counters extremism, fights diseases, and creates more markets for U.S. exports. This is reckless and dangerous.
Is foreign aid just political bribery—or can it be a genuine act of humanitarian commitment? My research shows that US international development has deep roots in humanitarian values, inspired by Protestant missionary advocacy. #econsky #policysky