Ben Wood
@benjaminmwood.bsky.social
Research Fellow @ Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition (GLOBE), Deakin University, researching the corporate and economic determinants of health (in)equities
Reposted by Ben Wood
This paper shows that US sanctions against Venezuela killed more than 40,000 people in the first year, 2017-2018. The authors argue that the sanctions violate the Geneva and Hague conventions against collective punishment of civilian populations.
September 11, 2025 at 5:38 PM
This paper shows that US sanctions against Venezuela killed more than 40,000 people in the first year, 2017-2018. The authors argue that the sanctions violate the Geneva and Hague conventions against collective punishment of civilian populations.
Reposted by Ben Wood
this morning I have been thinking about Orlando Letelier, the Chiliean economist assassinated by Pinochet's junta a month after he wrote the famous The Nation critique of the Chicago boys funding by the CIA, and Milton Friedman's overt support for their shock therapy.
July 25, 2025 at 5:43 AM
this morning I have been thinking about Orlando Letelier, the Chiliean economist assassinated by Pinochet's junta a month after he wrote the famous The Nation critique of the Chicago boys funding by the CIA, and Milton Friedman's overt support for their shock therapy.
Reposted by Ben Wood
New research published by The Lancet finds that economic sanctions imposed by the USA and EU are associated with more than 500,000 deaths per year since 1970, five times more than deaths by war.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
The health toll of economic sanctions
Financing for global health is the main topic of discussion in 2025, especially since
the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville earlier
this month. This issue contain...
www.thelancet.com
July 23, 2025 at 5:06 PM
New research published by The Lancet finds that economic sanctions imposed by the USA and EU are associated with more than 500,000 deaths per year since 1970, five times more than deaths by war.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Reposted by Ben Wood
The Treasury and Bank of England should instead be coordinating to develop credit policies to ensure more credit flows to SMEs and green transition and scale up the National Wealth Fund so it can fully support UK infrastructure, housing and green energy.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Carrots with(out) sticks: credit policy and the limits of green central banking
This article considers the role of central bank interventions in credit and financial markets in support of decarbonization. Drawing on the critical macrofinance literature, we argue that central b...
www.tandfonline.com
July 23, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The Treasury and Bank of England should instead be coordinating to develop credit policies to ensure more credit flows to SMEs and green transition and scale up the National Wealth Fund so it can fully support UK infrastructure, housing and green energy.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Ben Wood
It's hard to think about the institutions of the future when so many bad things are happening right now.
But let's have a go: what might corporate power look like, in the more just world that we all long to live in?
criticaltakes.org/the-corporat...
But let's have a go: what might corporate power look like, in the more just world that we all long to live in?
criticaltakes.org/the-corporat...
July 10, 2025 at 7:03 AM
It's hard to think about the institutions of the future when so many bad things are happening right now.
But let's have a go: what might corporate power look like, in the more just world that we all long to live in?
criticaltakes.org/the-corporat...
But let's have a go: what might corporate power look like, in the more just world that we all long to live in?
criticaltakes.org/the-corporat...
Reposted by Ben Wood
last week, I was in an expert hearing on housing at European Parliament.
I told MEPs that I worry the Commission's European Affordable Housing Plan, in partnership w European Investment Bank, may morph into another derisking vehicle for institutional landlords.
I told MEPs that I worry the Commission's European Affordable Housing Plan, in partnership w European Investment Bank, may morph into another derisking vehicle for institutional landlords.
I have an article in the Guardian today on how finance capitalism is wreaking havoc on housing across Europe www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Across Europe, the financial sector has pushed up house prices. It's a political timebomb | Tim White
We’ve been living in a great experiment: can finance provide basic human rights such as housing? The answer is increasingly no, says researcher and writer Tim White
www.theguardian.com
July 10, 2025 at 7:56 AM
last week, I was in an expert hearing on housing at European Parliament.
I told MEPs that I worry the Commission's European Affordable Housing Plan, in partnership w European Investment Bank, may morph into another derisking vehicle for institutional landlords.
I told MEPs that I worry the Commission's European Affordable Housing Plan, in partnership w European Investment Bank, may morph into another derisking vehicle for institutional landlords.
Reposted by Ben Wood
We are living through something closer to late oligarchy than late capitalism. Capitalism renews through crisis, whereas oligarchy in capitalist democracy seems to more and more undermine the conditions for accumulation.
July 6, 2025 at 3:45 PM
We are living through something closer to late oligarchy than late capitalism. Capitalism renews through crisis, whereas oligarchy in capitalist democracy seems to more and more undermine the conditions for accumulation.
Reposted by Ben Wood
What would it take to transform the global food system?
For @philbakernz.bsky.social, redistribution of resources to enable more households to access healthy food is the key.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ4q...
What actions do you think are needed? #foodjustice #foodsystems
For @philbakernz.bsky.social, redistribution of resources to enable more households to access healthy food is the key.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ4q...
What actions do you think are needed? #foodjustice #foodsystems
Transforming food systems: tackling inequality and redistributing resources
YouTube video by Institute of Development Studies
www.youtube.com
June 11, 2025 at 11:06 AM
What would it take to transform the global food system?
For @philbakernz.bsky.social, redistribution of resources to enable more households to access healthy food is the key.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ4q...
What actions do you think are needed? #foodjustice #foodsystems
For @philbakernz.bsky.social, redistribution of resources to enable more households to access healthy food is the key.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ4q...
What actions do you think are needed? #foodjustice #foodsystems
Reposted by Ben Wood
Another excellent & helpful paper from Jennifer Clapp & colleagues explaining why excessive corporate power in food systems (& beyond) needs to be addressed. Highly recommend! May be of interest @criticaltakes.bsky.social @katesievert.bsky.social @hfsaus.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Happy to share this new article just published in Food Policy journal! We show that concentrated corporate power matters for people's agency within food systems.
Open access! Highlights and abstract below
Happy to share this new article just published in Food Policy journal! We show that concentrated corporate power matters for people's agency within food systems.
Open access! Highlights and abstract below
June 9, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Another excellent & helpful paper from Jennifer Clapp & colleagues explaining why excessive corporate power in food systems (& beyond) needs to be addressed. Highly recommend! May be of interest @criticaltakes.bsky.social @katesievert.bsky.social @hfsaus.bsky.social
Another excellent & helpful paper from Jennifer Clapp & colleagues explaining why excessive corporate power in food systems (& beyond) needs to be addressed. Highly recommend! May be of interest @criticaltakes.bsky.social @katesievert.bsky.social @hfsaus.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Happy to share this new article just published in Food Policy journal! We show that concentrated corporate power matters for people's agency within food systems.
Open access! Highlights and abstract below
Happy to share this new article just published in Food Policy journal! We show that concentrated corporate power matters for people's agency within food systems.
Open access! Highlights and abstract below
June 9, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Another excellent & helpful paper from Jennifer Clapp & colleagues explaining why excessive corporate power in food systems (& beyond) needs to be addressed. Highly recommend! May be of interest @criticaltakes.bsky.social @katesievert.bsky.social @hfsaus.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Wood
🇺🇳 Treaty on Transnational Corporations and their Supply Chains with regards to Human Rights
🌐 Global Campaign to Reclaim People Sovereignty, Dismantle Corporate Power and Stop Impunity
✊🏽 https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org
#bindingtreaty
#stopcorporateimpunity
#stopTNCimpunity
🌐 Global Campaign to Reclaim People Sovereignty, Dismantle Corporate Power and Stop Impunity
✊🏽 https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org
#bindingtreaty
#stopcorporateimpunity
#stopTNCimpunity
June 5, 2025 at 5:27 PM
🇺🇳 Treaty on Transnational Corporations and their Supply Chains with regards to Human Rights
🌐 Global Campaign to Reclaim People Sovereignty, Dismantle Corporate Power and Stop Impunity
✊🏽 https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org
#bindingtreaty
#stopcorporateimpunity
#stopTNCimpunity
🌐 Global Campaign to Reclaim People Sovereignty, Dismantle Corporate Power and Stop Impunity
✊🏽 https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org
#bindingtreaty
#stopcorporateimpunity
#stopTNCimpunity
Reposted by Ben Wood
What is the new geopolitics of #food?
Rewatch our webinar for an enlightening discussion on how conflict, trade wars, aid cuts, & weak institutions are contributing to rising food prices, profiteering, ecological crisis, & hunger.
And the need for cooperative self-reliance.
youtu.be/bA7eAx_2g0I
Rewatch our webinar for an enlightening discussion on how conflict, trade wars, aid cuts, & weak institutions are contributing to rising food prices, profiteering, ecological crisis, & hunger.
And the need for cooperative self-reliance.
youtu.be/bA7eAx_2g0I
THE NEW GEOPOLITICS OF FOOD | IPES-Food webinar
YouTube video by IPES-Food
youtu.be
June 4, 2025 at 10:46 AM
What is the new geopolitics of #food?
Rewatch our webinar for an enlightening discussion on how conflict, trade wars, aid cuts, & weak institutions are contributing to rising food prices, profiteering, ecological crisis, & hunger.
And the need for cooperative self-reliance.
youtu.be/bA7eAx_2g0I
Rewatch our webinar for an enlightening discussion on how conflict, trade wars, aid cuts, & weak institutions are contributing to rising food prices, profiteering, ecological crisis, & hunger.
And the need for cooperative self-reliance.
youtu.be/bA7eAx_2g0I
Reposted by Ben Wood
This fascinating new research overturns longstanding assumptions. It finds that lower-income groups are more concerned about the environment and prefer environmental protection over economic growth, compared to higher-income groups. Data from the USA.
June 2, 2025 at 10:55 AM
This fascinating new research overturns longstanding assumptions. It finds that lower-income groups are more concerned about the environment and prefer environmental protection over economic growth, compared to higher-income groups. Data from the USA.
Reposted by Ben Wood
UN: “100 per cent of the population of Gaza is at risk of famine.”
Food is a fundamental human right and denying it is a violation of international humanitarian law. Yet, here we are.
ipes-food.org/food-cannot-...
www.ft.com/content/0064...
Food is a fundamental human right and denying it is a violation of international humanitarian law. Yet, here we are.
ipes-food.org/food-cannot-...
www.ft.com/content/0064...
Entire Gaza population at risk of famine, says UN
Latest warning on starving population comes as Hamas considers ceasefire proposal
www.ft.com
May 31, 2025 at 1:34 PM
UN: “100 per cent of the population of Gaza is at risk of famine.”
Food is a fundamental human right and denying it is a violation of international humanitarian law. Yet, here we are.
ipes-food.org/food-cannot-...
www.ft.com/content/0064...
Food is a fundamental human right and denying it is a violation of international humanitarian law. Yet, here we are.
ipes-food.org/food-cannot-...
www.ft.com/content/0064...
Reposted by Ben Wood
3.3 billion people — almost half of humanity — live in countries that spend more on debt interest than on education or health.
The United Nations debt dashboard offers data & insights on key public debt & development spending indicators for 188 countries.
Explore the dashboard ▶️ ow.ly/kN1n50TaZho
The United Nations debt dashboard offers data & insights on key public debt & development spending indicators for 188 countries.
Explore the dashboard ▶️ ow.ly/kN1n50TaZho
May 31, 2025 at 3:44 PM
3.3 billion people — almost half of humanity — live in countries that spend more on debt interest than on education or health.
The United Nations debt dashboard offers data & insights on key public debt & development spending indicators for 188 countries.
Explore the dashboard ▶️ ow.ly/kN1n50TaZho
The United Nations debt dashboard offers data & insights on key public debt & development spending indicators for 188 countries.
Explore the dashboard ▶️ ow.ly/kN1n50TaZho
Reposted by Ben Wood
The Pensions Review is a great opportunity to boost the UK economy & help savers — but it's being missed.
The state must use its fiscal might to enable better outcomes for both the economy & the public, while policymakers must be innovative & take risks.
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
The state must use its fiscal might to enable better outcomes for both the economy & the public, while policymakers must be innovative & take risks.
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
To Unlock Pension Funds, We Need to Unlock the Pensions Review | Briefing | Common Wealth
www.common-wealth.org
May 29, 2025 at 8:16 AM
The Pensions Review is a great opportunity to boost the UK economy & help savers — but it's being missed.
The state must use its fiscal might to enable better outcomes for both the economy & the public, while policymakers must be innovative & take risks.
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
The state must use its fiscal might to enable better outcomes for both the economy & the public, while policymakers must be innovative & take risks.
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
Reposted by Ben Wood
Welcome and overdue.
But it isn't just the planning system.
Privatisation has led to under-investment and asset sweating of our water system.
But it isn't just the planning system.
Privatisation has led to under-investment and asset sweating of our water system.
May 29, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Welcome and overdue.
But it isn't just the planning system.
Privatisation has led to under-investment and asset sweating of our water system.
But it isn't just the planning system.
Privatisation has led to under-investment and asset sweating of our water system.
Reposted by Ben Wood
🔴 REVEALED 🔴
BP, Chevron, Shell, and other oil majors back arts and community groups to protect their business models, subpoenaed documents show.
✏️ @rebeccajohn.bsky.social reports: buff.ly/ZQ1IaRF
BP, Chevron, Shell, and other oil majors back arts and community groups to protect their business models, subpoenaed documents show.
✏️ @rebeccajohn.bsky.social reports: buff.ly/ZQ1IaRF
REVEALED: Now There’s Proof That the Fossil Fuel Industry Uses Cultural Sponsorships to Block Climate Action
BP, Chevron, Shell, and other oil majors back arts and community groups to protect their business models, subpoenaed documents show.
www.desmog.com
May 26, 2025 at 4:23 PM
🔴 REVEALED 🔴
BP, Chevron, Shell, and other oil majors back arts and community groups to protect their business models, subpoenaed documents show.
✏️ @rebeccajohn.bsky.social reports: buff.ly/ZQ1IaRF
BP, Chevron, Shell, and other oil majors back arts and community groups to protect their business models, subpoenaed documents show.
✏️ @rebeccajohn.bsky.social reports: buff.ly/ZQ1IaRF
Reposted by Ben Wood
☠️"Our #foodsystem is killing us. Designed in a different century for a different purpose it is now a source of jeopardy, destroying more than it creates.
"1/4 of all adult deaths globally – 12M every year – are due to poor diets" writes @stuartgillespie.bsky.social
#UPFs #junkfood
"1/4 of all adult deaths globally – 12M every year – are due to poor diets" writes @stuartgillespie.bsky.social
#UPFs #junkfood
It’s time to stop the great food heist powered by big business. That means taxation, regulation and healthy school meals | Stuart Gillespie
The global food system has been captured by a few rapacious companies that profit from public ill-health. We need a radical overhaul
www.theguardian.com
May 26, 2025 at 3:31 PM
☠️"Our #foodsystem is killing us. Designed in a different century for a different purpose it is now a source of jeopardy, destroying more than it creates.
"1/4 of all adult deaths globally – 12M every year – are due to poor diets" writes @stuartgillespie.bsky.social
#UPFs #junkfood
"1/4 of all adult deaths globally – 12M every year – are due to poor diets" writes @stuartgillespie.bsky.social
#UPFs #junkfood
Reposted by Ben Wood
"Junk food manufacturers are pressuring the government to adopt junk health policy, and the price will be paid in the public’s health."
my @thesoilassociation.bsky.social comment on the latest DHSC U-turn
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
my @thesoilassociation.bsky.social comment on the latest DHSC U-turn
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
UK ban on junk food adverts targeting children is delayed until next year
Experts say delay from October to January after lobbying by food industry is huge setback for public health
www.theguardian.com
May 22, 2025 at 3:42 PM
"Junk food manufacturers are pressuring the government to adopt junk health policy, and the price will be paid in the public’s health."
my @thesoilassociation.bsky.social comment on the latest DHSC U-turn
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
my @thesoilassociation.bsky.social comment on the latest DHSC U-turn
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Ben Wood
🔥Time to stop the great food heist
And we know what to do....
my new article for @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
And we know what to do....
my new article for @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
It’s time to stop the great food heist powered by big business. That means taxation, regulation and healthy school meals | Stuart Gillespie
The global food system has been captured by a few rapacious companies that profit from public ill-health. We need a radical overhaul
www.theguardian.com
May 21, 2025 at 6:26 AM
🔥Time to stop the great food heist
And we know what to do....
my new article for @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
And we know what to do....
my new article for @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Reposted by Ben Wood
📢 Announcing our WEBINAR | The New Geopolitics of Food: trade wars, hunger & the case for cooperative self-reliance
What happens when food becomes a pawn in global power struggles?
Join IPES-Food experts + @thinink.bsky.social
📆June 3
🕑14h CEST/8am EDT
REGISTER: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
What happens when food becomes a pawn in global power struggles?
Join IPES-Food experts + @thinink.bsky.social
📆June 3
🕑14h CEST/8am EDT
REGISTER: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
May 20, 2025 at 3:38 PM
📢 Announcing our WEBINAR | The New Geopolitics of Food: trade wars, hunger & the case for cooperative self-reliance
What happens when food becomes a pawn in global power struggles?
Join IPES-Food experts + @thinink.bsky.social
📆June 3
🕑14h CEST/8am EDT
REGISTER: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
What happens when food becomes a pawn in global power struggles?
Join IPES-Food experts + @thinink.bsky.social
📆June 3
🕑14h CEST/8am EDT
REGISTER: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Reposted by Ben Wood
Looking forward to participating in this webinar with @ipes-food.org colleagues and moderated by @thinink.bsky.social on June 3! Do join us! Details below ⬇️
📢 Announcing our WEBINAR | The New Geopolitics of Food: trade wars, hunger & the case for cooperative self-reliance
What happens when food becomes a pawn in global power struggles?
Join IPES-Food experts + @thinink.bsky.social
📆June 3
🕑14h CEST/8am EDT
REGISTER: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
What happens when food becomes a pawn in global power struggles?
Join IPES-Food experts + @thinink.bsky.social
📆June 3
🕑14h CEST/8am EDT
REGISTER: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
May 21, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Looking forward to participating in this webinar with @ipes-food.org colleagues and moderated by @thinink.bsky.social on June 3! Do join us! Details below ⬇️
Reposted by Ben Wood
I used a lot of FOIs for a research project on multistakeholder partnerships and the role of the FDF - hard to think of a trade association that’s been more effective at lobbying policy makers
www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publicati...
www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publicati...
The informal governance of public-private partnerships in UK obesity policy: Collaborating on calorie reduction or reducing effectiveness?
www.research.ed.ac.uk
May 17, 2025 at 6:26 PM
I used a lot of FOIs for a research project on multistakeholder partnerships and the role of the FDF - hard to think of a trade association that’s been more effective at lobbying policy makers
www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publicati...
www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publicati...
Reposted by Ben Wood
I spent the half-year working on this investigation. Extraordinary influence of UPF lobby behind the scenes.
'UK government dropped health push after lobbying by ultra-processed food firms' 👇
www.theguardian.com/society/ng-i...
'UK government dropped health push after lobbying by ultra-processed food firms' 👇
www.theguardian.com/society/ng-i...
UK government dropped health push after lobbying by ultra-processed food firms
Exclusive: Guardian investigation reveals guidance for retailers in England changed after campaign by global food firms
www.theguardian.com
May 17, 2025 at 4:19 PM
I spent the half-year working on this investigation. Extraordinary influence of UPF lobby behind the scenes.
'UK government dropped health push after lobbying by ultra-processed food firms' 👇
www.theguardian.com/society/ng-i...
'UK government dropped health push after lobbying by ultra-processed food firms' 👇
www.theguardian.com/society/ng-i...