Center for Economic and Policy Research
Mark Weisbrot is co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, which describes itself as a nonpartisan think-tank. He is co-author of Social Security: The Phony Crisis and the author of Failed: What the 'Experts' Got Wrong about the Global Economy.
Weisbrot is a former research associate with the Economic Policy Institute
Is there a way out for Venezuela? Venezuela sits atop the world's largest oil reserves but you wouldn't know it if you visited the country today. The country today seems on the verge of civil war. President Nicolas Maduro's repressive government has turned Venezuela into a kleptocracy, with people facing violence, organized crime and food shortages. This has led to mass demonstrations. A thousand people have been injured and eighty have died in the protests on the country's streets over the last two months. The descent into potential chaos has become an increasingly complex challenge for the international community. We take an in-depth look at the Venezuelan crisis.
Are Venezuela's troubles the legacy of populism? Twenty years ago, the late Hugo Chavez promised to save democracy in Venezuela. Today, Venezuela is moving toward a dictatorship, with the opposition divided against authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro. Late last year there were massive street protests, and this weekend the Supreme Court stripped the legislature of its power. When the rest of the world took notice, that ruling was mostly reversed -- but economic depression continues, and the government refuses food or medical aid. We hear what life is like in the nation with the world’s largest oil reserves -- and hear a debate about how it got that way.
In Iowa, the Democrats Are Down to the Wire Hillary Clinton may lead Bernie Sanders in national polls, but the race to the White House is a state-by-state process. In Iowa and New Hampshire, Sanders is coming on strong -- raising the stakes for last night’s final, televised confrontation before Democrats caucus in Iowa. There were lively exchanges on gun control, healthcare, taxes and Wall-Street domination……with appeals not only to the mostly white voters in the two early states — but to more diverse electorates in primary contests just around the corner.
Greek Voters Just Say "No" After five years of pension cuts and tax increases, the prospect of greater austerity in exchange for another bailout was defeated yesterday by a margin of 60 percent. The banks are still closed, and Greece faces default, financial collapse, expulsion from the Eurozone — and possibly from the European Union. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras calls his referendum " a celebration of democracy " and, for the moment, EU leaders don't know what to do. One sign of possible conciliation is the surprise resignation of controversial Greek Finance Minister, Yanis Varoufakis. We look at possible options for America's biggest trading partner.
Global Ageing: Peril or Promise? This year's World Economic Forum at Davos released a report that surprised those still worried about overpopulation. Forget the " Population Bomb ." Birthrates are now declining around the world, and the latest concern is the "Grey Tsunami." That's when those over 60 have swamped those under 30, and that moment may be coming sooner than you think. Even the US is moving in that direction, leading New York Times columnist David Brooks to call it, " the slowly aging leader of a rapidly aging world ." Will fewer people enjoy longer lives? Will the environment enjoy welcome relief, or will the generations go to war over diminishing resources?
Political Brinksmanship and the Debt Ceiling Treasury Secretary Geithner says the first default in US government history would mean economic catastrophe , and it's just two weeks away. David Brooks (at left), the New York Times' conservative columnist shocked Washington this week by saying that Republicans may not be "fit to govern." Many Republicans see default as an opportunity to force massive spending cuts, even if the government has to shut down. But President Obama rejects any short-term fix and sees an opportunity of another kind. Will Republicans drive the country into default? Has the President made too many concessions or, as he said yesterday, is this an "opportunity to do something big?" Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
The Debt Limit and Economic Brinksmanship With the first default in US government history predicted for August 2, President Obama has rejected any short-term fix . Tomorrow, he's invited the top two Democratic and Republican leaders of both parties to visit the White House "to do something big." Treasury Secretary Geithner says default would mean economic catastrophe. Speaker John Boehner says Obama doesn't understand "economic and legislative reality," but will show up at the White House tomorrow. "Legislative reality" could mean that Boehner can't control his own Republican members, many of whom deny that default will have dire consequences and see it as an opportunity to force massive spending cuts, even if the government has to shut down. Should the President be happy to get even a short-term fix? Has he already made so many concessions that Republicans could claim victory?
The Wolfowitz Showdown at the World Bank The World Bank is a multilateral institution intended to rid the world of poverty. Big European donors have a powerful voice but the United States picks the Bank's president. Now they're at loggerheads over Paul Wolfowitz , chosen two years ago by President Bush after helping to plan the Iraq War as top aide to Donald Rumsfeld. Controversial from the start--Wolfowitz's polices and management style have alienated both the Bank's staff and donor countries, his downfall may be caused by a personal issue. He's accused of damaging the Bank's effectiveness and his own anti-corruption crusade by arranging special treatment for his girlfriend, Shaha Riza. Will there be a showdown between President Bush and the leaders of Europe? What's at stake the international effort to end poverty? We talk about a crisis unprecedented for the 60-year old international institution.
Bush's New Way Forward in Iraq; Chavez's Venezuela One of the promises of the President Bush's New Way Forward in Iraq is deployment of "provincial reconstruction teams" to work with local leaders. Echoing the President's plan at yesterday's news conference with the Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice affirmed that success will depend on the US getting civilians out of the embassy and green zone and into the field to support local leaders and structures. We hear how America's original occupying force walled itself off from the Iraqi people. Is there still time for a change or is the new plan too little too late? Also, today, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he'll nationalize communications, electricity and oil companies and turn his country into a socialist state. Should the US be worried? Has the war on terror diverted the Bush administration from America's interests in Latin America?
Are state-mandated gender quotas legal? California becomes the first state to impose gender quotas on corporate boards, but will the new law make it through legal review? It’s a close race for the 25th Congressional seat in Ventura County, as Democrats try to flip the district from red to blue. A wine from the Central Coast plays a lead role in “Somm 3,” and artists debut performances inspired by the Thomas Fire and subsequent mudslides.
The Kavanaugh Factor and the Midterm Elections Republicans have secured their long-term goal: a right-wing majority on the U.S. Supreme Court. There are conflicting expectations for rulings on abortion, immigration, voting rights--and the powers of both the White House and Congress. In this divided nation, public trust in the rule of law is also at stake. How will the bitter battle over Brett Kavanaugh impact next month’s midterm elections?
Two California Senators, One Supreme Court Justice With key votes expected by Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins and West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, Brett Kavanaugh is likely to be confirmed as the next Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Two Senators who don’t support Kavanaugh represent California: Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris. And both have played pivotal, if limited, roles in the confirmation and hearing process up to this point.