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economy

“If you oppose all tariffs, you are essentially signaling that you are comfortable with exploited foreign workers making your stuff at the expense of American workers.” 

John Fea   |  March 7, 2025

Chris DeLuzio represents Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. Here is a taste of his piece at The New York Times: Many of my constituents support smart tariffs, particularly ones that target China, and so […]

The Author’s Corner with Ellen Hartigan-O’Connor

Rachel Petroziello   |  January 16, 2025

Ellen Hartigan-O’Connor is Professor of History and Associate Dean for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars at the University of California, Davis. This interview is based on her new book, America Under the Hammer: Auctions and the Emergence of Market Values (University […]

Joe Biden is leaving us a country “that by many measures is in good shape.”

John Fea   |  January 5, 2025

Here is Peter Baker at The New York Times: To hear President-elect Donald J. Trump tell it, he is about to take over a nation ravaged by crisis, a desolate hellscape of crime, chaos and economic hardship. “Our Country is […]

The Author’s Corner with Justene Hill Edwards

Rachel Petroziello   |  November 4, 2024

Justene Hill Edwards is Associate Professor of History at the University of Virginia. This interview is based on her new book, Savings and Trust: The Rise and Betrayal of the Freedman’s Bank (W. W. Norton & Company, 2024). JF: What led […]

The Author’s Corner with Mary Bridges

Rachel Petroziello   |  October 25, 2024

Mary Bridges is an Ernest May Fellow in History and Policy at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. This interview is based on her new book, Dollars and Dominion: US Bankers and the Making of a […]

Harris-Nixon 2024?

John H. Haas   |  August 20, 2024

What has Kamala Harris to do with Richard Nixon? Hint: it has to do with grocery prices.

The Author’s Corner with Michael J. Douma

Rachel Petroziello   |  August 19, 2024

Michael J. Douma is Associate Professor in the McDonough School of Business and Director of the Georgetown Institute for the Study of Markets and Ethics at Georgetown University. This interview is based on his new book, The Slow Death of […]

“Don’t want more immigrants in this country? Then tell grandma she can never retire.”

John Fea   |  June 11, 2024

Here is Catherine Rampell at The Washington Post: As I’ve noted before, immigrants are driving the U.S. economic boom. That is: The United States has escaped recession, hiring growth has exceeded expectation, and inflation has cooled faster than predicted — all […]

The Author’s Corner with Brian Judge

Rachel Petroziello   |  April 15, 2024

Brian Judge is a Policy Fellow at the Center for Human-Compatible AI at the University of California, Berkeley. This interview is based on his new book, Democracy in Default: Finance and the Rise of Neoliberalism in America (Columbia University Press, 2024). JF: […]

The Author’s Corner with Felicia B. George

Rachel Petroziello   |  April 8, 2024

Felicia B. George is Adjunct Professor of Anthropology at Wayne State University. This interview is based on her new book, When Detroit Played the Numbers: Gambling’s History and Cultural Impact on the Motor City (Wayne State University Press, 2024). JF: […]

The Author’s Corner with Shaun S. Nichols

Rachel Petroziello   |  March 26, 2024

Shaun S. Nichols is Assistant Professor of History at Boise State University. This interview is based on his new book, Manufacturing Catastrophe: Massachusetts and the Making of Global Capitalism, 1813 to the Present (Oxford University Press, 2024). JF: What led […]

The labor market is booming.

John Fea   |  February 2, 2024

More good economic news today. Here is Lauren Kaori Gurley at The Washington Post: The U.S. economy added 353,000 jobs in January, a shockingly strong pickup, even as higher interest rates continue to ripple through the economy. The gains were […]

The American economy “boomed” in 2023

John Fea   |  January 25, 2024

Here is Abha Bhattarai at The Washington Post: The U.S. economy grew by a bustling 3.1 percent in 2023, shaking off recession fears and offering an upbeat picture of consumers and businesses ahead of a pivotal election year. Growth slowed […]

The U.S. economy is doing very well. Why are some progressive unwilling to accept this fact?

John Fea   |  December 9, 2023

Over at The New York Times, economist Paul Krugman makes a “progressive case for Bidenomics.” Here is a taste: There are two big questions right now about the U.S. economy. One is why it’s doing so well. The other is why […]

The Author’s Corner with Benjamin Jenkins

Rachel Petroziello   |  June 19, 2023

Benjamin Jenkins is Associate Professor of History and University Archivist at the University of La Verne. This interview is based on his new book, Octopus’s Garden: How Railroads and Citrus Transformed Southern California (University Press of Kansas, 2023). JF: What […]

Joe Biden should use Fareed Zakaria’s recent column as the foundation for his 2024 presidential campaign

John Fea   |  May 26, 2023

Here is CNN commentator Fareed Zakaria’s column at The Washington Post: The United States’ debt ceiling crisis is, once again, provoking the usual commentary about the country’s presumed dysfunction. But the truth is that this unprovoked madness, causing self-inflicted wounds, is taking place against […]

Americans are quitting their jobs in record numbers

John Fea   |  January 4, 2022

This is a sign that the job market is getting stronger. Here is the Associated Press: A record 4.5 million American workers quit their jobs in November, a sign of confidence and more evidence that the U.S. job market is […]

Did you pay more for your turkey this year? Don’t blame Biden

John Fea   |  November 23, 2021

Blame corporate America. Here is Faiz Shakir at The New Republic: The prices of everyday goods are going up, and everyone from members of Congress to talking heads on cable news have their own diagnoses as to why it’s happening. […]