LONDON – The United Kingdom’s “Remainers,” who still hope to reverse Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, have placarded British cities with a simple question: “Brexit – Is It Worth It?” Well, is it? The answer given by economics is clear: certainly not. In terms of the costs and benefits of leaving, the result … Continue reading The Brexit Endgame
Author: Robert Skidelsky
Economist and member of the House of Lords
Beyond Austerity: The Challenge Facing Labour
This essay, published in the New Statesman, is based on a lecture hosted on 19th September by the Progressive Economy Forum, of which Lord Skidelsky is a Council member. Labour has always been set a higher standard on the economy than the Conservatives: it had to be more orthodox, more competent, more successful to win … Continue reading Beyond Austerity: The Challenge Facing Labour
Good Politics, Bad Economics
LONDON – Bad economics breeds bad politics. The global financial crisis, and the botched recovery thereafter, put wind in the sails of political extremism. Between 2007 and 2016, support for extremist parties in Europe doubled. France’s National Rally (formerly the National Front), Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), Italy’s League party, the Freedom Party of Austria … Continue reading Good Politics, Bad Economics
Lessons for the Left, 1997 – 2018
A lecture given at King's College London, under the auspices of the Political Economy Forum i. Labour’s Relationship with Keynes Labour has always been set a higher standard on the economy than the Conservatives: they’ve had to be more orthodox, more competent, more successful to win equal praise or escape equal blame. The reason is … Continue reading Lessons for the Left, 1997 – 2018
Money and Government: a lecture at the LSE, 17 September 2018
i. Over the weekend, just ten years ago, the investment firm Lehman Bros collapsed, and the world economy collapsed after it. I feel a little reluctant to add to the torrent of words trying to read the runes of this catastrophe for the better management of affairs in the future. But, by chance or cunning, … Continue reading Money and Government: a lecture at the LSE, 17 September 2018
Money and Government: A challenge to mainstream economics
The dominant view in economics is that money and government should play only a minor role in economic life. Money, it is claimed, is nothing more than a medium of exchange; and economic outcomes are best left to the 'invisible hand' of the market. The view taken in this important new book is that the … Continue reading Money and Government: A challenge to mainstream economics
Protectionism for Liberals
LONDON – Liberal revulsion at US President Donald Trump’s mendacious and uncouth politics has spilled over into a rigid defense of market-led globalization. To the liberal, free trade in goods and services and free movement of capital and labor are integrally linked to liberal politics. Trump’s “America First” protectionism is inseparable from his diseased politics. … Continue reading Protectionism for Liberals
Brexit: Preparations and Negotiations
My Lords, it is very cold in this spot at the moment. That is a comment not on the Cross Benches but on the fierceness of the air conditioning—but I shall struggle through. I have heard with increasing incredulity the efforts of noble Lords in this House, some of them my good friends, to reverse … Continue reading Brexit: Preparations and Negotiations
The British History of Brexit
LONDON – Since June 23, 2016, when 52% of British voters backed withdrawing from the European Union, the “Brexit” debate has been tearing British politics apart. Although the Brexit referendum was non-binding, then-Prime Minister David Cameron’s government, expecting a vote in favor of “Remain,” had promised to honor the result. Britain, late to join the … Continue reading The British History of Brexit
Putin Family Values
LONDON – The fixation on the ongoing World Cup, during which an estimated one million foreign football fans, many from Europe and the United States, are expected to converge on Moscow and other Russian cities, risks masking the extent to which Russia and the West have drifted apart. In fact, relations between the two sides … Continue reading Putin Family Values
Robert Skidelsky 