Category Archives: Finance

Book Review: Economics for Everyone

Posted on April 12, 2011 by

Economics for Everyone: A Short Guide to the Economics of Capitalism Jim Stanford (2008), Pluto Press, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, and Fernwood Publishing Inc. Upon first reading Economics for Everyone I was disappointed. At the time of its … Continue reading →

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No. 8: We got effeciency here

Posted on December 23, 2010 by

For some I know this will seem a little too low on the list, but it is low because it really is low. When you are trapped inside GET (general equilibrium theory) reality is your enemy. Inside GET everything is … Continue reading →

Posted in American politics, Canadian Politics, Class War, economic crisis, Finance, Financial Regulation, Neoliberalism, Real Economists, unemployment, welfare state | 2 Comments

Causes of the financial Crisis

Posted on October 16, 2010 by

These animated lectures are really good. One problem is that watching the drawing can be more interesting then the lecture. Here is David Harvey’s Crises of Capitalism. One critique that I would have is that this not really an original … Continue reading →

Posted in Capitalist Consupmtion in the Modern Age, Class War, economic crisis, Finance, Free Trade, Marxian, Neoliberalism | Leave a comment

A tale of Two Cities: FIRE and Manufacturing in the US (PII)

Posted on September 21, 2010 by

Yesterday I took a look at the changing share of value added between the FIRE and manufacturing sector in the US. Today I have thrown up a graph plotting the relative decline in manufacturing employment and the relative ascendency of … Continue reading →

Posted in American politics, economic crisis, Finance, Neoliberalism, unemployment | Leave a comment

Goldman Sachs, Market Makers and standard economic theory

Posted on April 27, 2010 by

I wish I had the time to work through this more systematically but I do not. But can anyone watching the US senate grilling of G&S execs believe in the micro-foundations of orthodox economics (scientific liberalism)? What I liked was … Continue reading →

Posted in American politics, Capitalist Consupmtion in the Modern Age, Class War, economic crisis, Finance, Financial Regulation, Free Markets, Profits, Real Economists | 1 Comment

Stiglitz: Capitalism is Characterized by Big Bubbles and more

Posted on February 27, 2010 by

Stiglitz is one of the few (liberal) economists who is not suffering from a massive bought of cognitive dissonance owing to the GFC. This hour long interview with Joseph Stiglitz is well worth watching. Don’t have an hour? Then watch … Continue reading →

Posted in American politics, central banks, Corruption, economic crisis, Finance, Financial Regulation, Free Markets, Gov Debt, housing prices, liberal economic theory, Neoliberalism, Price Mechanism, Profits | 1 Comment

Krugman should talk to the CD Howe about Canadian Banking policy

Posted on January 30, 2010 by

Canadians’ need to be mentioned south of the border will probably find some glee in Krugman’s musings on the Canadian policy conversation. But as edifying as it is to be talked about in such a positive light by such a … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Finance, Financial Regulation, Free Markets, M&A, Profits | 4 Comments

Lunacy on Loonie spreads to the Department of Finance via the Bank of Canada

Posted on October 28, 2009 by

At some point we are going to have to throw in the towel and conclude that there is a concerted effort to promulgate the noble lie.  It was one thing when the business press argued that the BOC faced technical … Continue reading →

Posted in central banks, competitive advantage, Exchange rates, Finance | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Forget the Bank of Canada: We need an INVITE program to stem appreciation of the CDN Dollar.

Posted on October 20, 2009 by

If what we are worried about is an overvalued CDN dollar which is caused by speculative flows then why the focus on the Bank of Canada?  Exchange rates are not really in the BOC’s mandate.  Sure in the case where … Continue reading →

Posted in central banks, economic crisis, Exchange rates, Finance | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Today’s Big Question

Posted on April 28, 2009 by

Today’s big question is will bond holders take an equity stake in GM or risk a severe hair cut in bankruptcy court. I have no particular experience in Corporate US bankruptcy law so I am hard pressed to see the … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, competitive advantage, economic crisis, Finance, Free Markets | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment