Economics Archives

Why Lithium Is So Crucial (and How the US Is Falling Behind)

What, exactly, is lithium? Who’s in the race for lithium supply chain superiority? Who are the likely winners and losers? The US and other global powers are in a race to lock in lithium supply chains to meet growing electric vehicle needs. But the US faces a long road to becoming a player in the lithium supply chain game, and it’s likely to remain reliant on other countries for the mineral for the foreseeable future. Below we’ll take a look at the US lithium situation compared to other countries.

The Avoidable War: Kevin Rudd’s Take on US-China Relations

Is a war between the US and China inevitable? What’s the history and the future of US-China relations? Hostility between the US and China has been growing for over a decade, eroding the wary but pragmatic relationship of years past. Now, as tensions threaten to escalate, diplomat and politician Kevin Rudd argues that a full-blown military conflict can and should be averted. Continue reading for an overview of The Avoidable War, Kevin Rudd’s analysis of this critical situation.

What Is the Fourth Industrial Revolution & Should You Worry?

What is the fourth industrial revolution? How is this revolution different than the previous three? While previous moves from manual labor to automation left many blue-collar workers jobless, this latest disruption threatens to displace white-collar workers for the first time. Career experts say now is the time to think about your place in this Industrial Revolution. Here’s a look at the AI revolution and how it may affect jobs in the future.

Is War With China Inevitable? A 3-Part Diplomacy Plan for Peace

What would happen if the US went to war with China? Is war with China inevitable? As tensions between the US and China threaten to escalate, Kevin Rudd argues that a full-blown military conflict can and should be averted. He shares his recommendation for how these two global powers can avoid full-on war—an outcome that would take a huge toll on the US and China as well as global stability. Read more to learn the potential consequences of a war between the US and China and how to avoid it.

A History of US-China Relations: Opium Wars to Normalization

How did the Opium Wars impact the US? What opened up China to foreign trade and missionaries? Has the relationship between the US and China ever been good? Hostility between the US and China has been growing for over a decade, eroding the wary but pragmatic relationship of years past. In The Avoidable War, Kevin Rudd explains that today’s situation is best understood in its historical context. Continue reading for an illuminating history of US-China relations.

Kevin Rudd: Xi Jinping’s Priorities & Strategies for China

How did China’s policies change when Xi Jinping came to power? What’s Xi’s vision for China? According to Australian diplomat Kevin Rudd, Xi Jinping has serious goals in mind for China. They include maintaining the power of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), unifying what they perceive as their territory, and increasing their global influence. Keep reading to learn about each of these priorities and the strategies that Xi is using to achieve them.

The Sovereign Individual: Book Overview & Key Takeaways

How does technology shape society? How major has the transition to the information age been? In the 1990s, James Davidson and William Rees-Mogg predicted that “sovereign individuals” would be the future. They discuss this prediction and others about society and the economy in their book The Sovereign Individual: Mastering the Transition to the Information Age. Continue reading for an overview of this prescient book.

How Does Society Change? Exploring the Theory of Megapolitics

How does society change? What’s the biggest factor? Is societal change predictable? Writing in the 1990s, James Davidson and William Rees-Mogg made major predictions about society’s future. They base them on what they call “megapolitics,” the theory that forms of government and economies are dictated mostly by circumstances, such as climate and the resources that are available. Keep reading to understand Davidson and Rees-Mogg’s theory of how society changes.

The Future of the Virtual Economy—as Predicted in the 1990s

3 Major Tips From Charlie Munger on Investing

What’s the impact of the virtual economy on commerce? To what extent have digital currencies replaced fiat currencies? In the 1990s, James Davidson and William Rees-Mogg predicted that the virtual economy would overtake physical economies. In their book The Sovereign Individual, they discuss what that would mean for the economy as a whole and for civilization in general. Keep reading to learn Davidson and Rees-Mogg’s predictions about the virtual economy and, in retrospect, see how close they got.

Why Are Cars So Expensive Right Now? Examining the Issues

Why are cars so expensive right now? Will prices come down any time soon? It’s been a rough ride for Americans looking to buy a car in 2023. The average new vehicle carries a monthly payment of $730, and the average used car rings in at $26,000. Auto insurance rates and repair costs have also been rising. Read on to learn why cars are so expensive right now and if prices will come down any time soon.