We are delighted to present the contributions of this issue, on the training of economists,
visions of the post-capitalist future, and analysis of the global “polycrisis.”
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The articles include:
• “What Does It Take to be a Good Ph.D. Economist?” by Barry Herman p. 3
Barry Herman offers observations on the IMF, which is at least considering the
alternative types of training for economists and provides various recent instances where
the narrow training of economists has posed problems for society and polity. The IMF
provides some recognition of leading theorists of climate and development such as Angus
Deaton, Jayati Ghosh, Kate Raworth. The Berlin Summit Declaration mentioned the role
of mainstream economics in creating loss of trust in government and the wave of
populism.
• “Manifesto: The New ‘Desirable’ Economy (That is Progressively Growing) to Save
our Civilization” by Marcella Corsi and other p. 5
Marcella Corsi and others offer a “manifesto” for signature, indicating a more progressive
direction for the future of the economics profession. The manifesto presents five
dimensions for changing the foundations of economics, including eschewing homo
economicus, revisiting the share-holder notion of the corporation, reformulating the
methodology of GDP, bridging the individual/social gap, and challenging the
presumption of value neutrality.
• “Towards a Feminism of Love” by Julie Matthaei p. 8
This contribution describes the author’s experience participating in a public event of a
different sort. On March 8, 2024, on the 50th anniversary of Universal Women’s Day,
there was a demonstration for love instead of protesting violence against women. Cosponsored
by the Teacher’s Union, the focus was on redirecting violence against women
into new forms of solidarity, founded on love, and supported by many organizations in
the civil sphere, not just enforced by police and the courts. The gathering bridged
political divides in Puerto Rico, typically based on the issue of statehood, and sought to
demonstrate the power of new relationships, new forms of solidarity, and new coalitions.
• “Trump, Imperial Breakdown, and Constitutional Collapse: The Polycrisis Marches
On” by Dan Lazare p. 11
Dan Lazare’s article analyses the “polycrisis,” a term which has been in the business
press recently. Rather than a random list of symptoms, Lazare offers a Marxian analysis
of the current period, which synthesizes and integrates the various impacts of late
capitalism that have together contributed to this “polycrisis”, especially the global falling
rate of profit and a “democracy deficit”. In his assessment, the rigidity of the US
Constitution has prevented reform, and enabled the right wing to gain control without an
electoral majority, with global implications, including the rise of a right-wing populism
which is also manifested in Europe and Asia.
• Announcements p. 19
We welcome further discussion on the URPE discussion listserv on any of the pieces, as well
as more letters to the editors on the articles or more generally.
For Issue #4, we welcome analyses of the electoral prospects in the US and elsewhere, the
impact of global crises on the possibilities of progressive reform, and on issues regarding gender,
race, climate change, ethnicity, income distribution, social benefits, or prospects for peace. That
is, as the global economy is beset by crises of capitalism, overt military conflict may become
more widespread, including Sudan and Haiti as well as Ukraine, Gaza, and the Middle East.
From newsletter editor Marianne Hill, and Steering Committee liaisons and co-editors Smita
Ramnarain and Ann Davis.
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