Italian Association for the History of Economic Thought 14th Conference – Call for Papers; 28-30 April 2016 Università del Salento (Lecce, Italy) The Italian Association for the History of Economic Thought invites historians of economic thought, economic historians, economists and interested scholars to present proposals for papers and/or sessions along the lines listed below, or […]
Continue ReadingNo. 2016/02: Cochrane, ‘Why Diamonds and De Beers?, or The Need for Accumulation Studies’
Abstract I successfully defended my dissertation in December. This served as the introductory presentation for the defence. In it, I explain what I tried to do with the dissertation, the methods I used, and the larger project I hope it is initiating. Specifically, I suggest there is a need for accumulation studies as a field […]
Continue ReadingWhy Diamonds and De Beers?, or The Need for Accumulation Studies
DT Cochrane Preface. I successfully defended my dissertation in December. This served as the introductory presentation for the defence. In it, I explain what I tried to do with the dissertation, the methods I used, and the larger project I hope it is initiating. Specifically, I suggest there is a need for accumulation studies as […]
Continue ReadingSocial Change and the Bottom Line
DT Cochrane The North Carolina legislature recently passed a law, widely known as the ‘Bathroom Bill,’ that bans anti-discrimination protections for gay and transgender people. The law has generated a lot of backlash from the general public and several high-profile musicians have cancelled scheduled appearances in the state. However, it is not just activists or […]
Continue ReadingFrom Global Oil Politics to Desire via Gas Prices
DT Cochrane The Globe & Mail is reporting that the average fuel efficiency of new vehicles sold in 2014 dropped for the first time since 2011. The coverage suggests this is a response to falling prices at the gas pump. First, without access to the relevant data for a longer time period, it is difficult […]
Continue ReadingThe Panama Papers and the Topology of Power
DT Cochrane Reportage of the Panama Papers, leaked documents from the Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca, is getting intense attention. The papers reveal the use of shell companies to shelter wealth on behalf of many high profile political figures. Debates have erupted about the meaning of the documents and what they reveal about the global […]
Continue ReadingOil, Debt & Power: A New Crisis?
DT Cochrane An op-ed on the advocacy website Oil Change International examines the high levels of debt within the oil business and the consequences of that debt for extraction. It postulates a dangerous positive feedback mechanism between extraction levels, oil prices and oil company debt. The basic argument is that in order to service their […]
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