Monthly Archives: July 2015

The political origins of the banking regulation and the international cooperation at the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank

Posted on July 29, 2015 by

Neither the U.S. Federal Reserve nor the European Central Bank was created as a banking supervisory institution. Each has evolved into its current role, yet for different reasons. In “The Foundations Of Regulatory Convergence And Divergence Between The Federal Reserve And … Continue reading →

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“Ask yourself in the most silent hour of your night: must I write?”

Posted on July 26, 2015 by

In 1902, a 19-year-old student Franz Kappus sent Rainer Maria Rilke — already then famous German author and notable master of lyrics — his poems and asked him for advice about becoming a writer. Rilke’s response to a young poet, in my view, … Continue reading →

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The politics of fiscal policies: the lessons of history

Posted on July 23, 2015 by

Throughout the recent years of the crisis, the EU bodies and the German leaders have constantly oppressed Greece. They have pushed Greek people towards the abyss of austerity in the name of “fiscal responsibility” and “self-evident economic truths”. But essentially, it is … Continue reading →

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Camels, mathematics and the history of economics

Posted on July 18, 2015 by

“By 1935 economics entered into a mathematical epoch. It became easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a non-mathematical genius to enter into the pantheon of original theorists.”  Paul Samuelson (1976: 25) This sharp … Continue reading →

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Law and labor in the American political economy

Posted on July 16, 2015 by

In 1906, a German distinguished (somewhat neglected) economist and sociologist Werner Sombart published Why is there no Socialism in the United States? – a book which will become a famous work on American exceptionalism in this respect to this day.  There are a number of … Continue reading →

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“Aftermath of a Crisis”: Manuel Castells and his colleagues tackling the crisis and its consequences

Posted on July 14, 2015 by

“In this crisis, some people are trying to go back and other people are trying to discover what the future could be. What doesn’t work anymore is the present, for anyone. That’s why it’s Aftermath Time.” – Manuel Castells Shortly after … Continue reading →

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The academic conferences alert!!

Posted on July 10, 2015 by

“We have time for just one long-winded, self-indulgent question that relates to nothing we’ve been talking about.”  😉 I wish all the academics in the house a pleasant and fruitful scholarly conference season! Meanwhile, see here and here more memories of these unique intellectual fetes! 🙂 … Continue reading →

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Socrates on Oligarchy and Democracy

Posted on July 6, 2015 by

The Republic is a monumental work of philosophy and political theory, written by Plato around 380 BC. In this sophisticated and fascinating tractate of ten books, Socrates – the pivotal character of The Republic – conducts his famous dialogues with Athenians, deliberating mainly on essence and aspects … Continue reading →

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