Historians and economists see the world in a different way. Economists tend to see progress in terms of the linear ascent of reason. Historians tend to see progress as an ascent through disaster. This year's theme of EPS is the avoidance of a second cold war. It's a very urgent and necessary topic, for on … Continue reading Speech to the Boston Meeting of the Economists for Peace and Security (EPS)
Author: Robert Skidelsky
Economist and member of the House of Lords
Panel Discussion at the Boston Meeting of Economists for Peace and Security (EPS), 4 January 2015
A couple of months ago, at Sochi on the Black Sea, I put the following question to Vladimir Putin: Would you not accept that your biggest failure since you became President in 2000 has been your failure to diversify the Russian economy? Russia has dismantled the old Soviet industrial system without finding a hard currency … Continue reading Panel Discussion at the Boston Meeting of Economists for Peace and Security (EPS), 4 January 2015
Britain’s Closet Keynesian
There is a growing apprehension among Britain’s financial pundits that Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne is not nearly as determined to cut public spending as he pretends to be. He sets himself deadlines to balance the books, but when the date arrives, with the books still unbalanced, he simply sets another. Consider some fiscal … Continue reading Britain’s Closet Keynesian
It is indefensible for Osborne to cut the welfare state as if it were the cause of the crisis
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned that there will need to be “colossal” cuts in public spending to balance the books by 2018-19 – at least £55bn extra. On 4 December, the day after the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, the director of the IFS, Paul Johnson, said that it wasn’t for lack of effort … Continue reading It is indefensible for Osborne to cut the welfare state as if it were the cause of the crisis
Philosopher Kings Versus Philosopher Presidents
When I recently met Irish President Michael Higgins – sharing a platform for a speech in which he connected his newly launched “ethics initiative” to a book I co-wrote with my son, How Much is Enough? Money and the Good Life – I was struck by his devotion to thought. Indeed, engaging with ideas is … Continue reading Philosopher Kings Versus Philosopher Presidents
Cameron is right to warn of another recession, but wrong to blame the world
Ministers are up to their old game of blaming everyone but themselves for Britain’s economic woes. First, they said they were “clearing up the mess” left by Labour. When recovery stalled in 2010, it was because of the Greek crisis. Now David Cameron warns of a new recession even before it has happened– because Europe … Continue reading Cameron is right to warn of another recession, but wrong to blame the world
Mediocre State
Vladimir Putin’s policies have damaged his country’s standing and economy. When will the owners of wealth decide that he is not Russia? In 2004, the Valdai Discussion Club was set up “to promote dialogue between Russian and international intellectual elite”. Each year, two or three days of discussions involving foreign and Russian scholars and journalists … Continue reading Mediocre State
Britain Since 1900: A Success Story?
By Robert Skidelsky Published by Vintage, 2014 ISBN-13: 978-0099572398 "[An] informed and accessible survey" (New Statesman) Read more reviews at: The Guardian Politics Home Buy at: Amazon
The Moral Economy of Debt
Every economic collapse brings a demand for debt forgiveness. The incomes needed to repay loans have evaporated, and assets posted as collateral have lost value. Creditors demand their pound of flesh; debtors clamor for relief. Consider Strike Debt, an offshoot of the Occupy movement, which calls itself “a nationwide movement of debt resisters fighting for … Continue reading The Moral Economy of Debt
Labour must expose the fallacy of George Osborne’s ‘recovery’
Where has the conference silly season left the debate on economic policy? George Osborne claims to have routed his critics: fiscal austerity has produced recovery. Labour, seemingly amazed that recovery has happened, has promised that a Labour government will continue to cut the deficit, albeit a little more slowly. The Liberal Democrats would join them … Continue reading Labour must expose the fallacy of George Osborne’s ‘recovery’
Robert Skidelsky 