Nancy Birdsall
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nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall
@nbirdsall.bsky.social
250 followers 17 following 78 posts

development economist, president emerita Center for Global Development (@cgdev.org), hoping some of my Twitter followers move over to BlueSky

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Nancy Birdsall is an American economist, the founding president of the Center for Global Development (CGD) in Washington, DC, USA, and former executive vice-president of the Inter-American Development Bank. .. more

Economics 57%
Sociology 17%
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nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall @nbirdsall.bsky.social · 12h
When the history of this cruel era is written, the shame should be no less than the shame we now feel about the roundups and detention of Japanese Americans in World War II.The Brazen Cruelty of the Trump Regime
open.substack.com/pub/robertre...
The Brazen Cruelty of the Trump Regime
Its plan to warehouse immigrants has shades of Nazi concentration camps and America's shameful imprisonment of Japanese Americans during World War II.
open.substack.com

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall @nbirdsall.bsky.social · 2d
"There is little doubt many people have died." The authors are careful and convincing: 1 to 1.5 million people, mostly in Africa in 2025. My heart goes out to mothers who lost DOGE babies.

Reposted by Nancy Birdsall

cgdev.org
Center for Global Development @cgdev.org · 3d
The projected death toll from USAID program cancellations is rising.

New analysis by @charlesjkenny.bsky.social and @justsand.bsky.social finds current cuts could cost 1 million lives now, and even more with future reductions.
https://go.cgdev.org/4s0Z8w7
Update on Lives Lost from USAID Cuts
In this blog, we report on an update to our earlier estimates of the potential mortality impacts of the administration’s aid cuts. A similar approach to our original estimates using financial data to ...
go.cgdev.org

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall @nbirdsall.bsky.social · 3d
@justsand.bsky.social concludes: Development finance (eg World Bank IFC) for poor countries should go to making STUFF(as in manufacturing) for EXPORT) not to banks. (As in East Asia Miracle -- exporters got publicly funded credit subsidies.)

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall @nbirdsall.bsky.social · 4d
From a friend: "Why can’t people just stay in their own plundered countries? Yes - tricky, that..." Reminding me of Bill Easterly's notable new book Violent Saviors.

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall @nbirdsall.bsky.social · 5d
"And I say again what I have often said for a long time: thank you feminism." @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social here: www.meditationsinanemergency.com/feminism-ver...
Feminism Versus Trump and Epstein
We already knew that Jeffrey Epstein had sexually assaulted and exploited dozens of girls and young women, that he had done so openly, that his dehumanization of the vulnerable had not prevented a who...
www.meditationsinanemergency.com

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall @nbirdsall.bsky.social · 5d
Wonderful photos! including Lant Pritchett in a suit and I think that's Angus Deaton in the fine bow tie. Bill Easterly is a modern Adam Smith.
mclem.org Michael Clemens @mclem.org · 23d
It was a privilege to honor Bill Easterly at his retirement party at @nyu.edu alongside some of the people I admire most: @nbirdsall.bsky.social, Lant Prichett, Angus Deaton, Clive Crook, Yaw Nyarko, Jonathan Morduch & scores of others.

Bill's unstoppable intellect and generosity changed my life.

Reposted by Michael A. Clemens

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall @nbirdsall.bsky.social · 5d
... Now @worldbank001.bsky.social economists should draw lessons on the prerequisites for effective IP from the East Asian countries' success -- tech education; formal business-govt fora; postal savings equivalent for digital era; a well-paid civil service, more.....
mclem.org Michael Clemens @mclem.org · 6d
The great @nbirdsall.bsky.social has a new paper in @aeajournals.bsky.social

She asks how the lessons of the monumental 'East Asian Miracle' report hold up 32 years later.

Was it too skeptical of industrial policy, which is now back in fashion? No, for *most* countries—>

doi.org/10.1257/jep....

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall @nbirdsall.bsky.social · 5d
"Trump has, effectively, chosen white supremacy over national greatness." @martinwolfhh.bsky.social chatting with @pkrugman.bsky.social about new US National Security Strategy (2 great economists on our children's future on Krugman Substack). Don't miss it.

Reposted by Nancy Birdsall

mclem.org
Michael Clemens @mclem.org · 6d
The great @nbirdsall.bsky.social has a new paper in @aeajournals.bsky.social

She asks how the lessons of the monumental 'East Asian Miracle' report hold up 32 years later.

Was it too skeptical of industrial policy, which is now back in fashion? No, for *most* countries—>

doi.org/10.1257/jep....

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall @nbirdsall.bsky.social · 7d
Not in the "speech" last night: Manufacturing jobs shrank under Trump.
steverattner.bsky.social Steve Rattner @steverattner.bsky.social · 7d
Health care and social assistance have led employment growth this year. Despite Trump’s efforts, manufacturing saw among the worst job losses.

My @morningjoe-msnow.bsky.social Chart

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall @nbirdsall.bsky.social · 7d
Attn: African Development Bank, including the private sector window: get onto this before the next pandemic: www.cgdev.org/blog/unfinis... @cgdev.org i
The Unfinished Agenda on Diversifying Vaccine Manufacturing: Six Takeaways from CGD Research
The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the asymmetries of the global vaccine landscape. This blog distills takeaways from recent CGD analysis, highlighting unresolved questions and technical, political, and ...
www.cgdev.org

Reposted by Nancy Birdsall

steverattner.bsky.social
Steve Rattner @steverattner.bsky.social · 7d
Health care and social assistance have led employment growth this year. Despite Trump’s efforts, manufacturing saw among the worst job losses.

My @morningjoe-msnow.bsky.social Chart

Reposted by Nancy Birdsall

mclem.org
Michael Clemens @mclem.org · 8d
The US Administration is obliterating programs that protect American children because pediatricians exercised their rights to criticize policy directly in their field of expertise.
axidentaliberal.bsky.social Adam Cohen (My Personal Views Only) @axidentaliberal.bsky.social · 8d
“The Department of Health and Human Services has canceled seven federal grants that supported programs aimed at reducing sudden infant deaths, prenatal substance exposure, birth defects and adolescent mental health problems, after the grants’ recipient repeatedly criticized federal vaccine policy”

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall @nbirdsall.bsky.social · 22d
Wow. Thank you Todd! Recommending your Substack...
Birdsall House Rules open.substack.com/pub/toddmoss...
Birdsall House Rules
Lessons about impact and team building I've learned from a true trailblazer
open.substack.com

Reposted by Nancy Birdsall

mclem.org
Michael Clemens @mclem.org · 23d
It was a privilege to honor Bill Easterly at his retirement party at @nyu.edu alongside some of the people I admire most: @nbirdsall.bsky.social, Lant Prichett, Angus Deaton, Clive Crook, Yaw Nyarko, Jonathan Morduch & scores of others.

Bill's unstoppable intellect and generosity changed my life.

Reposted by Michael A. Clemens

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall @nbirdsall.bsky.social · 29d
Such great stuff...Renewed congrats to @mclem.org and to @helen-dempster.bsky.social

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall @nbirdsall.bsky.social · 29d
Thoughtful and thorough piece on the risk to independent research at World Bank of latest reorg. To every economist everywhere working on global development: Read this and resist. @charlesjkenny.bsky.social @eeshani.bsky.social

Reposted by Nancy Birdsall, Johannes Haushofer

cgdev.org
Center for Global Development @cgdev.org · 29d
A new wave of Global Skill Partnerships is emerging to respond to rising labor migration needs.🗺️

@helen-dempster.bsky.social & Ahmed Iqbal explore how these programs are being designed—and what that reveals about the evolution of the GSP model:
https://go.cgdev.org/4oyT9fA
The Next Generation of Global Skill Partnerships: How the Model’s Evolved to Meet Current Challenges
Building on previous pilots—including the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC), Youth, Employment, and Skills in Kosovo(YES), and Pilot Project Addressing Labour Shortages Through Innovative La...
go.cgdev.org

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall @nbirdsall.bsky.social · Nov 26
Sweden best. US worst of advanced economies. (SIgh). www.cgdev.org/cdi#/ @cgdev.org
Commitment to Development Index | Center for Global Development
The Commitment to Development Index ranks 40 of the world's most powerful countries on their dedication to policies that affect more than 5 billion people living in poorer nations. Sweden leads this y...
www.cgdev.org

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall @nbirdsall.bsky.social · Nov 26
Well beyond Epstein: the harms to trafficked girls & women worldwide with Trump Admin cuts to "DEI/gender" programs: www.cgdev.org/blog/women-h.... Ths Charles Kenny @cgdev.org
Women Have Been Disproportionately Harmed by Trump Administration Aid, Migration, and Trade Policies
The first year of the second Trump administration has seen a broad assault on global flows of goods, services, finance, and people, with an outsize impact on low- and middle-income countries. As a sid...
www.cgdev.org

Reposted by Nancy Birdsall, Caroline Krafft

cgdev.org
Center for Global Development @cgdev.org · Nov 24
The World Bank plans to “operationally align” its research arm. But the changes could undermine its ability to deliver rigorous, independent analysis free from client or internal pressure.

More from @charlesjkenny.bsky.social and @eeshani.bsky.social ⬇️
https://go.cgdev.org/43vNSgK
The World Bank Group Reorganization: A Retreat from Research Quality?
A recent PowerPoint presentation presents the outline for the institutional structure of “The WBG Knowledge Bank.” But a knowledge bank owes it to its stakeholders impartial and transparent considerat...
go.cgdev.org

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall @nbirdsall.bsky.social · Nov 23
"...the long game requires that the rest of us learn from this revolting era......how to constrain [the rich and powerful]." @rbreich.bsky.social substack...

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall @nbirdsall.bsky.social · Nov 17
Come listen learn...what should be the "new course"?
cgdev.org Center for Global Development @cgdev.org · Nov 11
Next week! Join CGD for our 10th annual Birdsall House Conference. Throughout the day, you'll hear remarks from Kehinde Ajayi, @rglenner.bsky.social, @charlesjkenny.bsky.social, Nancy Folbre, @nbirdsall.bsky.social, Todd Moss, Alexia Latortue, & more.

Happening Nov. 18:
https://go.cgdev.org/4p5V6k9

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall @nbirdsall.bsky.social · Nov 17
On Pepfar this is smart on the $$ and the politics, and full of ("compassionate", literally) wisdom. Read and see: www.cgdev.org/publication/...
Tough Times, Tough Choices: Charting PEPFAR’s Next Chapter While Safeguarding Its Legacy
The Trump administration and key congressional lawmakers are shaping a new US government approach to the future of PEPFAR, alongside other global health programs like malaria and tuberculosis. We prop...
www.cgdev.org

Reposted by Nancy Birdsall, Caroline Krafft

cgdev.org
Center for Global Development @cgdev.org · Nov 11
Next week! Join CGD for our 10th annual Birdsall House Conference. Throughout the day, you'll hear remarks from Kehinde Ajayi, @rglenner.bsky.social, @charlesjkenny.bsky.social, Nancy Folbre, @nbirdsall.bsky.social, Todd Moss, Alexia Latortue, & more.

Happening Nov. 18:
https://go.cgdev.org/4p5V6k9

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall @nbirdsall.bsky.social · Nov 10
My fellow Americans: Take heart. Resistance is everywhere, all the time. Thanks @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social www.meditationsinanemergency.com/in-2025-we-s...
In 2025 We Showed Up: Notes on Resistance to the Regime
A young white woman in yoga clothes berating masked ICE agents in a parking lot this spring. A pope speaking up again and again for immigrants. Furious judges dressing down the Trump administration an...
www.meditationsinanemergency.com

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall @nbirdsall.bsky.social · Nov 9
Mamdani's appeal to me (!) (via @davidwallace.bsky.social): "..in his real-life suit and smile, he looks the part of an eager-beaver student council president." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/05/o...
Opinion | This Is What Democrats Must Learn From Mamdani’s Victory
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Nancy Birdsall

rebeccasolnit.bsky.social
Rebecca Solnit @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social · Nov 9
I took inventory. It looked good.
In 2025 We Showed Up: Notes on Resistance to the Regime
Ayoung white woman in yoga clothes berating masked ICE agents in a parking lot this spring. A pope speaking up again and again for immigrants. Furious judges dressing down the Trump administration and...
www.meditationsinanemergency.com

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Nancy Birdsall @nbirdsall.bsky.social · Nov 6
Wonderful: "Mamdani on election night thanked Yemeni bodega owners and Mexican abuelas. Senegalese taxi drivers and Uzbek nurses. Trinidadian line cooks and Ethiopian aunties. Thanks @hcrichardson.bsky.social @mclem.org