Economics Archives

What Is the Attention Economy—and How Is It Harming Us?

What is the attention economy? Why is it easier for people to be manipulated these days? Why are people more lonely than ever? According to Jenny Odell, the harmful modern need to constantly do something derives from capitalism. Using examples from art, history, and her own life, Odell recommends doing “nothing”—devoting time and attention to “non-productive” activities that deepen your connection with the world. Read more to understand what the “attention economy” is and why you constantly feel pushed to be productive.

Resisting Capitalism: The Wrong & the Right Ways to Fight Back

Are you feeling burned out? Do you sometimes feel like retreating from the world, either temporarily or permanently? In her book How to Do Nothing, Jenny Odell discusses different ways people try to resist capitalism, particularly the attention economy mindset of placing a monetary value on time and attention. She identifies the methods she believes are flawed and then shares what she thinks is a better way. Read more to learn about the wrong and right ways to resist capitalism and take back control of your life.

Can and Should the US Abolish the Debt Ceiling?

What purpose does the debt ceiling serve? What are its pros and cons? Is abolishing the debt ceiling feasible? Many Americans agree that Congress’s increasingly chaotic debt ceiling negotiations have become a distracting and dangerous spectacle. But to date, calls to abolish the ceiling have fizzled. We’ll examine why the US has a debt ceiling and what it would mean to abolish it.

The US Drug Shortage: Causes and Potential Solutions

What’s behind the shortage of hundreds of drugs in the US? What can be done to fix the problem? The US drug shortage is so severe that physicians at large cancer centers have virtually no supply of chemotherapy drugs left. Experts attribute much of the drug shortage problem to an ailing generic drug manufacturing market, which accounts for 90% of all domestic prescriptions. Below we’ll take a look at what’s causing the US drug shortage and if anything can be done to remedy it.

What Is Greedflation, and Does It Actually Exist?

What is greedflation? Why is it controversial? Is it just a conspiracy theory? Some economists say companies are using inflation as an excuse to ratchet up prices to profit excessively. Known as “greedflation,” this practice comes at the expense of American consumers. Mainstream economists have been skeptical of the greedflation concept, with some calling it a conspiracy theory. Keep reading to learn about greedflation and the opposing viewpoints as to its existence.

How Climate Change Is Affecting Homeowners Insurance

Why is it a bad idea to buy a house in California or Florida right now? How is climate change affecting insurance? A growing number of US home insurers are limiting coverage, raising rates, and pulling out of states entirely as climate change-related natural disasters grow in frequency and intensity. Failure to address the problem will further destabilize already weakened insurance markets. Here’s what you need to know about climate change, insurance, and the housing market if you’re considering investing in property.

China’s Economic Reform: Maintaining Xi’s & the CCP’s Power

How does Xi Jinping use China’s economy to achieve his aims? How does the Chinese economy impact the US? According to diplomat Kevin Rudd, China changed course when Xi Jinping came to power. Rudd believes that the core of President Xi’s vision is retaining control over the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), keeping the CCP in power, and using Marxist-Leninist ideology to guide the country’s economic policies. Keep reading to learn why Rudd thinks that China’s economic reforms are really about keeping Xi and the CCP in power.

China’s Global Influence: Challenging the Global Rules-Based Order

Why is China attempting to rebuild its historic trade relationships? Why is it establishing businesses in various parts of the world? China isn’t content with the “world power” status it’s enjoyed for decades. They want even more. That’s the view of diplomat Kevin Rudd, who writes that President Xi Jinping aims to challenge the “global rules-based order” and wield more and more influence all over the world. Read more to learn about China’s global influence and how it’s growing.

Current US-China Relations as Seen From Each Perspective

How do the US and China view each other? Why have US-China relations soured in recent years? Hostility between the US and China has been growing for over a decade, eroding the wary but pragmatic relationship of years past. Australian diplomat and politician Kevin Rudd argues that this tenuous relationship is unraveling, and he provides an analysis of where relations stand now. Read on to understand current US-China relations from America’s and China’s perspective.

China-US Diplomatic Relations: Normalization & Beyond

Why did the US want China as an ally in the 20th century? After the two nations normalized diplomatic relations, what were the sticking points? In The Avoidable War, Kevin Rudd explains the complex factors contributing to hostility between the US and China. One chapter in this fascinating history is the normalization of relations between the two countries. Read on for an overview of China-US diplomatic relations in the latter part of the 20th century.