Michael Hudson is an American economist, a professor of economics at the University of Missouri–Kansas City, and a researcher at the Levy Economics Institute at Bard College. He is a former Wall Street analyst, political consultant, commentator, and journalist. You can read more of Hudson’s economic history on the Observatory.
The Privatization of Law, Religion and Culture
Today’s state has turned over profit-seeking activity to the private sector. It runs its operations at a loss, and finances them by levying taxes on the private-sector surplus.
September 24, 2024
Roman Oligarchs Avoided Tax Liability and Restrictions on Land Size
The oligarchic tradition of land-grabbing and tax dodging goes back centuries.
June 20, 2024
Modern (Mis)interpretations of Clean Slates
Today’s creditor-oriented ideology depicts the archaic past as much like our own world, as if civilization was developed by individuals thinking in terms of modern orthodoxy.
June 6, 2024
Some Myths Regarding the Genesis of Enterprise
Not only were “modern” elements of enterprise present and even dominant already in Mesopotamia in the third millennium BC, but the institutional context was conducive to long-term growth.
May 22, 2024
Seven Features of Ancient Enterprise
The changing context for enterprise through the centuries reminds us that business activities are not universal but fluid and alter according to society’s practical priorities and ethics.
May 15, 2024
Parallels Between Archaic Entrepots and Modern Offshore Banking Centers
Offshore banking and tax-avoidance centers are nothing new; they’ve been with us for millennia.
May 10, 2024