Political economy
Contemporary economic developments are connected with political institutions, social conflict, and the distribution of power across countries.

Perimeter Reading / Economy
Adam Tooze
Adam Tooze places contemporary economics and geopolitics in historical context through substantial essays, charts, research references, and wide-ranging collections of recommended reading.
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The publication
Chartbook mixes economic history with analysis of the institutions and political choices shaping current events. Essays often begin with a chart, an argument, or a piece of historical research and expand into a broader interpretation. The publication also includes audio, video, and Top Links collections spanning economics, politics, culture, and scholarship. Core essays have a free reading option, while paid support adds selected material. It rewards readers willing to follow connections across disciplines and spend time with supporting references.
Readers interested in economic history and global politics who enjoy long arguments, interdisciplinary connections, and a path into books, papers, and further reading.
Inside the reading
Contemporary economic developments are connected with political institutions, social conflict, and the distribution of power across countries.
Research on past crises, states, and economic systems provides context for interpreting present institutions and policy choices.
Top Links and other recommendations range across economic research, global affairs, history, cultural criticism, and unfamiliar subjects.
The Desk’s reading note
Read a full essay before exploring its references, and save the most relevant links for a separate session.
Keep a question, an idea to investigate, or a source to return to in your saved notes.
Add another perspective
NewsletterAn industrial perspective on energy, finance, and geopolitics, using pointed essays to examine physical constraints, policy incentives, and the consequences of economic choices.
Best for Readers following energy, commodities, or industrial policy who want a forceful alternative perspective grounded in physical production, business incentives, and geopolitical constraints.
NewsletterNoah Smith’s essays apply an economics perspective to technology, industrial policy, geopolitics, and culture, combining research references with a clearly expressed personal viewpoint.
Best for Curious general readers who enjoy a strong authorial voice and want economics connected to technology, international affairs, institutions, and contemporary political arguments.
NewsletterJoseph Politano uses charts and economic research to explain labor markets, inflation, trade, investment, and the policy choices shaping everyday economic conditions.
Best for Readers comfortable with charts who want an evidence-led explanation of changing employment, inflation, trade, and industrial investment rather than a quick headline digest.