From Monthly Review, István Mészáros on The Only Viable Economy. To do with the price of fish: How do mobile phones promote economic growth? A new paper provides a vivid example. From Cato Unbound, Daniel Klein on economics and the distinction between coercive and voluntary action. From American, does economic success require democracy? Sadly, no. In fact, the politically unfree countries are enjoying more economic growth than the politically free ones. Kevin Hassett tells why.
From The Economist, who's the real left-winger? The main Democratic candidates' economic policies are hard to pigeon-hole. John Edwards is meticulously laying the groundwork to become the candidate of organized labor, insisting prosperity can expand only if unionization expands. From TAP, why populists need to re-think trade: James K. Galbraith on why it's time for a reality-based approach; and why populists need to seize the moment: Jeff Faux on why it's time to rewrite the rules of the global economy on workers' behalf (and a debate). Locked in and locked out: When the world adopts a set of economic institutions it has an incentive to build on old mistakes, like a lack of labour and environmental standards. From traders with second thoughts: Poisoned pet-food ingredients are coming in from China.
Are the Communists out to kill our pets, or is the mood in America beginning to shift? Don't be fooled by Europe's mood. Globally, the left is reawakening: The political ructions of the past week can't hide a progressive resurgence - even in the belly of the capitalist beast. International socialism: The people's flag is palest pink—at the hustings, socialism can be a drag. A review of Comrades! A History of World Communism and Seven Years that Changed the World: Perestroika in Perspective. Michael Weiss reviews What's Left? by Nick Cohen. A review of Praised Be Our Lords: A Political Education by Régis Debray.
From New Humanist, Caspar Melville on anti-God squad "Rational Response Squad". From The Nation, a review of The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins; God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything by Christopher Hitchens; Atheist Manifesto: The Case Against Christianity, Judaism, and Islam by Michel Onfray; and The Meaning of Life by Terry Eagleton. More on God is Not Great. Marvin Olasky on The Major Religious Alternatives.
Within its first 60 seconds, the new Rush album, Snakes & Arrows, throws down against the Christian right. Republicans retreat from their war history: How the GOP ditched decades of hard-headed foreign policy realism. How George Bush Salvaged His Dad’s Legacy: History is warming to George H.W. Bush by the day—just as it cools toward his son. A review of Ronald Reagan: Fate, Freedom, and the Making of History by John Patrick Diggins. The first chapter from The Conscience of a Conservative by Barry Goldwater.
From American Heritage, a review of Michael Beschloss’s Presidential Courage: Brave Leaders and How They Changed America, 1789-1989. The royalty trap: Americans have a dangerous fondness for monarchy. An All American Suck-Ups: Don't believe the "hardy independence" nonsense. Americans eagerly pander to state and throne — and have throughout the country's history
