Lara Merling
@laramerling.bsky.social
Economist and internationalist. Critical perspectives on 🌎 macro, debt, climate & development, and the role of money. "The purpose of studying economics is to learn how not to be deceived by economists." My opinions. 🇷🇴 in 🇺🇸
www.laramerling.com
www.laramerling.com
Pinned
Lara Merling
@laramerling.bsky.social
· May 16
Real Constraints
The Global North talk constantly about the
www.break-down.org
Framing climate policy as a finance issue obscures the real stakes. We need to refocus debates on mobilizing real resources, challenging economic orthodoxies, and building a more just financial system.
My latest for @the-breakdown.bsky.social
www.break-down.org/post/real-co...
My latest for @the-breakdown.bsky.social
www.break-down.org/post/real-co...
Reposted by Lara Merling
Transformative visions for green industrial policy in the Global South are, unfortunately, impossible without a redesign of today's international financial architecture (IFA). In a new @cplusc.bsky.social report with @laramerling.bsky.social, we explain... 1/4
climateandcommunity.org/research/gre...
climateandcommunity.org/research/gre...
September 22, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Transformative visions for green industrial policy in the Global South are, unfortunately, impossible without a redesign of today's international financial architecture (IFA). In a new @cplusc.bsky.social report with @laramerling.bsky.social, we explain... 1/4
climateandcommunity.org/research/gre...
climateandcommunity.org/research/gre...
Reposted by Lara Merling
We don't just need conferences, more 'blah blah blah'—we need connected, joined-up action written into the operating system of our multilateral order. My latest, reflecting on #FfD4, on building a multilateralism that's greater than the sum of its parts, from Seville to Belém to Johannesburg. Link ⬇️
July 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM
We don't just need conferences, more 'blah blah blah'—we need connected, joined-up action written into the operating system of our multilateral order. My latest, reflecting on #FfD4, on building a multilateralism that's greater than the sum of its parts, from Seville to Belém to Johannesburg. Link ⬇️
Reposted by Lara Merling
Excellent piece in @the-breakdown.bsky.social by @laramerling.bsky.social on reframing the issue of the climate finance gap. Lots I agree with but I still wonder how we can move beyond the status quo in time to avoid climate breakdown
www.break-down.org/post/real-co...
www.break-down.org/post/real-co...
Real Constraints
The Global North talk constantly about the
www.break-down.org
May 21, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Excellent piece in @the-breakdown.bsky.social by @laramerling.bsky.social on reframing the issue of the climate finance gap. Lots I agree with but I still wonder how we can move beyond the status quo in time to avoid climate breakdown
www.break-down.org/post/real-co...
www.break-down.org/post/real-co...
Reposted by Lara Merling
Framing climate policy as a finance issue obscures the real stakes. We need to refocus debates on mobilizing real resources, challenging economic orthodoxies, and building a more just financial system.
My latest for @the-breakdown.bsky.social
www.break-down.org/post/real-co...
My latest for @the-breakdown.bsky.social
www.break-down.org/post/real-co...
Real Constraints
The Global North talk constantly about the
www.break-down.org
May 16, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Framing climate policy as a finance issue obscures the real stakes. We need to refocus debates on mobilizing real resources, challenging economic orthodoxies, and building a more just financial system.
My latest for @the-breakdown.bsky.social
www.break-down.org/post/real-co...
My latest for @the-breakdown.bsky.social
www.break-down.org/post/real-co...
Framing climate policy as a finance issue obscures the real stakes. We need to refocus debates on mobilizing real resources, challenging economic orthodoxies, and building a more just financial system.
My latest for @the-breakdown.bsky.social
www.break-down.org/post/real-co...
My latest for @the-breakdown.bsky.social
www.break-down.org/post/real-co...
Real Constraints
The Global North talk constantly about the
www.break-down.org
May 16, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Framing climate policy as a finance issue obscures the real stakes. We need to refocus debates on mobilizing real resources, challenging economic orthodoxies, and building a more just financial system.
My latest for @the-breakdown.bsky.social
www.break-down.org/post/real-co...
My latest for @the-breakdown.bsky.social
www.break-down.org/post/real-co...
Reposted by Lara Merling
"Economics treats a lack of public finance as a natural constraint, obscuring how money is actually created. In reality, the only true constraints lie in the availability of real resources... to meet our needs."
- @laramerling.bsky.social, now free to read online
www.break-down.org/post/real-co...
- @laramerling.bsky.social, now free to read online
www.break-down.org/post/real-co...
Real Constraints
The Global North talk constantly about the
www.break-down.org
May 15, 2025 at 10:22 AM
"Economics treats a lack of public finance as a natural constraint, obscuring how money is actually created. In reality, the only true constraints lie in the availability of real resources... to meet our needs."
- @laramerling.bsky.social, now free to read online
www.break-down.org/post/real-co...
- @laramerling.bsky.social, now free to read online
www.break-down.org/post/real-co...
Reposted by Lara Merling
Must read.
The Global North talk constantly about the "Finance Gap", but finance for climate is limited by orthodoxy, not reality.
@laramerling.bsky.social writes for RIGHT TURN (ISSUE #1)
@laramerling.bsky.social writes for RIGHT TURN (ISSUE #1)
Real Constraints
The Global North talk constantly about the "Finance Gap", but finance for climate is limited by orthodoxy, not reality.
www.break-down.org
May 14, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Must read.
Reposted by Lara Merling
The Global North talk constantly about the "Finance Gap", but finance for climate is limited by orthodoxy, not reality.
@laramerling.bsky.social writes for RIGHT TURN (ISSUE #1)
@laramerling.bsky.social writes for RIGHT TURN (ISSUE #1)
Real Constraints
The Global North talk constantly about the "Finance Gap", but finance for climate is limited by orthodoxy, not reality.
www.break-down.org
May 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM
The Global North talk constantly about the "Finance Gap", but finance for climate is limited by orthodoxy, not reality.
@laramerling.bsky.social writes for RIGHT TURN (ISSUE #1)
@laramerling.bsky.social writes for RIGHT TURN (ISSUE #1)
Reposted by Lara Merling
“it’s baffling to argue China’s success in building out critical infrastructure is simply a result of a combination of power abuses and the absence of regulations and “debating with judges.””
It is indeed. Great review.
It is indeed. Great review.
A book with just the right ambition to provide a vision for a different future that yet misses the moment.
My review of Abundance for Foreign Policy.
My review of Abundance for Foreign Policy.
May 10, 2025 at 7:16 AM
“it’s baffling to argue China’s success in building out critical infrastructure is simply a result of a combination of power abuses and the absence of regulations and “debating with judges.””
It is indeed. Great review.
It is indeed. Great review.
Reposted by Lara Merling
A book with just the right ambition to provide a vision for a different future that yet misses the moment.
My review of Abundance for Foreign Policy.
My review of Abundance for Foreign Policy.
May 9, 2025 at 11:51 PM
A book with just the right ambition to provide a vision for a different future that yet misses the moment.
My review of Abundance for Foreign Policy.
My review of Abundance for Foreign Policy.
Reposted by Lara Merling
Had a great time launching Issue I of @the-breakdown.bsky.social last night with the exceptional @geoffmann.bsky.social and Quinn Slobodian.
Thanks to everyone who turned out, asked great questions and supported new climate writing.
Issue I here: www.break-down.org/issues/1
Thanks to everyone who turned out, asked great questions and supported new climate writing.
Issue I here: www.break-down.org/issues/1
May 8, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Had a great time launching Issue I of @the-breakdown.bsky.social last night with the exceptional @geoffmann.bsky.social and Quinn Slobodian.
Thanks to everyone who turned out, asked great questions and supported new climate writing.
Issue I here: www.break-down.org/issues/1
Thanks to everyone who turned out, asked great questions and supported new climate writing.
Issue I here: www.break-down.org/issues/1
Reposted by Lara Merling
Health is not just human capital or a byproduct of economic growth—it's a fundamental human right. Today I share insights from our WHO Council on Health For All at G20 Health Working Group on why health spending is an investment in economic resilience.
Final report ➡️ www.who.int/publications...
Final report ➡️ www.who.int/publications...
May 8, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Health is not just human capital or a byproduct of economic growth—it's a fundamental human right. Today I share insights from our WHO Council on Health For All at G20 Health Working Group on why health spending is an investment in economic resilience.
Final report ➡️ www.who.int/publications...
Final report ➡️ www.who.int/publications...
Reposted by Lara Merling
Issue 1 is HERE! 📖
Our first print issue launches on May 7 - join us for a LIVE podcast & party 🎉
Join @adriennebuller.bsky.social, @geoffmann.bsky.social & @quinnslobodian.com to discuss RIGHT TURN — on the afterlives of neoliberalism & climate politics in the age of the new right...
Our first print issue launches on May 7 - join us for a LIVE podcast & party 🎉
Join @adriennebuller.bsky.social, @geoffmann.bsky.social & @quinnslobodian.com to discuss RIGHT TURN — on the afterlives of neoliberalism & climate politics in the age of the new right...
April 16, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Issue 1 is HERE! 📖
Our first print issue launches on May 7 - join us for a LIVE podcast & party 🎉
Join @adriennebuller.bsky.social, @geoffmann.bsky.social & @quinnslobodian.com to discuss RIGHT TURN — on the afterlives of neoliberalism & climate politics in the age of the new right...
Our first print issue launches on May 7 - join us for a LIVE podcast & party 🎉
Join @adriennebuller.bsky.social, @geoffmann.bsky.social & @quinnslobodian.com to discuss RIGHT TURN — on the afterlives of neoliberalism & climate politics in the age of the new right...
Reposted by Lara Merling
📢 In DC for the Spring Meetings?
Join us for an event on real economy approaches to financing sustainable development and climate action.
🗓️ April 24 | 🕐 1–4 PM | 📍 ActionAid USA
🍽️ Light lunch provided
🧭 Organized by the G-24 and IDEAs
🔗 Registration info in comments
#SDGs #ClimateFinance
Join us for an event on real economy approaches to financing sustainable development and climate action.
🗓️ April 24 | 🕐 1–4 PM | 📍 ActionAid USA
🍽️ Light lunch provided
🧭 Organized by the G-24 and IDEAs
🔗 Registration info in comments
#SDGs #ClimateFinance
April 14, 2025 at 5:29 PM
📢 In DC for the Spring Meetings?
Join us for an event on real economy approaches to financing sustainable development and climate action.
🗓️ April 24 | 🕐 1–4 PM | 📍 ActionAid USA
🍽️ Light lunch provided
🧭 Organized by the G-24 and IDEAs
🔗 Registration info in comments
#SDGs #ClimateFinance
Join us for an event on real economy approaches to financing sustainable development and climate action.
🗓️ April 24 | 🕐 1–4 PM | 📍 ActionAid USA
🍽️ Light lunch provided
🧭 Organized by the G-24 and IDEAs
🔗 Registration info in comments
#SDGs #ClimateFinance
Reposted by Lara Merling
Very excited to share that we've put together our first print issue of @the-breakdown.bsky.social feat. some incredible contributors 🥲
Join us 7 May in London where I'll be in conversation w/the excellent @quinnslobodian.com and @geoffmann.bsky.social
Tix @ the link
Join us 7 May in London where I'll be in conversation w/the excellent @quinnslobodian.com and @geoffmann.bsky.social
Tix @ the link
Issue 1 is HERE! 📖
Our first print issue launches on May 7 - join us for a LIVE podcast & party 🎉
Join @adriennebuller.bsky.social, @geoffmann.bsky.social & @quinnslobodian.com to discuss RIGHT TURN — on the afterlives of neoliberalism & climate politics in the age of the new right...
Our first print issue launches on May 7 - join us for a LIVE podcast & party 🎉
Join @adriennebuller.bsky.social, @geoffmann.bsky.social & @quinnslobodian.com to discuss RIGHT TURN — on the afterlives of neoliberalism & climate politics in the age of the new right...
April 16, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Very excited to share that we've put together our first print issue of @the-breakdown.bsky.social feat. some incredible contributors 🥲
Join us 7 May in London where I'll be in conversation w/the excellent @quinnslobodian.com and @geoffmann.bsky.social
Tix @ the link
Join us 7 May in London where I'll be in conversation w/the excellent @quinnslobodian.com and @geoffmann.bsky.social
Tix @ the link
📢 In DC for the Spring Meetings?
Join us for an event on real economy approaches to financing sustainable development and climate action.
🗓️ April 24 | 🕐 1–4 PM | 📍 ActionAid USA
🍽️ Light lunch provided
🧭 Organized by the G-24 and IDEAs
🔗 Registration info in comments
#SDGs #ClimateFinance
Join us for an event on real economy approaches to financing sustainable development and climate action.
🗓️ April 24 | 🕐 1–4 PM | 📍 ActionAid USA
🍽️ Light lunch provided
🧭 Organized by the G-24 and IDEAs
🔗 Registration info in comments
#SDGs #ClimateFinance
April 14, 2025 at 5:29 PM
📢 In DC for the Spring Meetings?
Join us for an event on real economy approaches to financing sustainable development and climate action.
🗓️ April 24 | 🕐 1–4 PM | 📍 ActionAid USA
🍽️ Light lunch provided
🧭 Organized by the G-24 and IDEAs
🔗 Registration info in comments
#SDGs #ClimateFinance
Join us for an event on real economy approaches to financing sustainable development and climate action.
🗓️ April 24 | 🕐 1–4 PM | 📍 ActionAid USA
🍽️ Light lunch provided
🧭 Organized by the G-24 and IDEAs
🔗 Registration info in comments
#SDGs #ClimateFinance
Reposted by Lara Merling
Interest spending ⬆️ because central banks ⬆️ rates. OECD countries mostly get to create their own conditions. Higher rates resulting in more government $ going toward interest simply illustrates another consequence of a blunt & ineffective approach to monetary policy
www.ft.com/content/d69a...
www.ft.com/content/d69a...
Government debt interest costs hit highest level since 2007
Payments surpass defence spending and have risen to 3.3% of GDP for richest countries, says OECD
www.ft.com
March 21, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Interest spending ⬆️ because central banks ⬆️ rates. OECD countries mostly get to create their own conditions. Higher rates resulting in more government $ going toward interest simply illustrates another consequence of a blunt & ineffective approach to monetary policy
www.ft.com/content/d69a...
www.ft.com/content/d69a...
Interest spending ⬆️ because central banks ⬆️ rates. OECD countries mostly get to create their own conditions. Higher rates resulting in more government $ going toward interest simply illustrates another consequence of a blunt & ineffective approach to monetary policy
www.ft.com/content/d69a...
www.ft.com/content/d69a...
Government debt interest costs hit highest level since 2007
Payments surpass defence spending and have risen to 3.3% of GDP for richest countries, says OECD
www.ft.com
March 21, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Interest spending ⬆️ because central banks ⬆️ rates. OECD countries mostly get to create their own conditions. Higher rates resulting in more government $ going toward interest simply illustrates another consequence of a blunt & ineffective approach to monetary policy
www.ft.com/content/d69a...
www.ft.com/content/d69a...
There was always an alternative to austerity and austerity was always a choice
Germany just entered the age of military Keynesianism.
Defense spending above 1% of GDP will no longer be subject to fiscal rules. The debt brake remains in place but the tap for rearmament is open. Deficit spending on infrastructure is capped at 0.6% of GDP and climate at 0.4%.
Defense spending above 1% of GDP will no longer be subject to fiscal rules. The debt brake remains in place but the tap for rearmament is open. Deficit spending on infrastructure is capped at 0.6% of GDP and climate at 0.4%.
March 19, 2025 at 5:51 PM
There was always an alternative to austerity and austerity was always a choice
Reposted by Lara Merling
"Climate change cannot be addressed as a siloed policy area. Questions of mining & energy, finance & development, migration & tech, cannot be separated out from the vast changes occurring in the world’s climate. No crisis is an island"
@polycrisis.bsky.social
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/pol...
@polycrisis.bsky.social
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/pol...
February 3, 2025 at 4:29 PM
"Climate change cannot be addressed as a siloed policy area. Questions of mining & energy, finance & development, migration & tech, cannot be separated out from the vast changes occurring in the world’s climate. No crisis is an island"
@polycrisis.bsky.social
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/pol...
@polycrisis.bsky.social
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/pol...
Reposted by Lara Merling
What does Trump 2.0 mean for 2025?
Will tariffs escalate even further? Will sanctions impact $ dominance? Can the South successfully challenge a multilateral system long dominated by the North?
@katemac.bsky.social and I break down these questions:
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/ame...
Will tariffs escalate even further? Will sanctions impact $ dominance? Can the South successfully challenge a multilateral system long dominated by the North?
@katemac.bsky.social and I break down these questions:
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/ame...
America First? | Lara Merling & Kate Mackenzie
Escalations and reverberations in the trade war
www.phenomenalworld.org
January 2, 2025 at 3:27 AM
What does Trump 2.0 mean for 2025?
Will tariffs escalate even further? Will sanctions impact $ dominance? Can the South successfully challenge a multilateral system long dominated by the North?
@katemac.bsky.social and I break down these questions:
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/ame...
Will tariffs escalate even further? Will sanctions impact $ dominance? Can the South successfully challenge a multilateral system long dominated by the North?
@katemac.bsky.social and I break down these questions:
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/ame...
Reposted by Lara Merling
I keep thinking about this (of course). The post poses a question - not the one asked explicitly, but: at what point might climate change make those with power care enough to do something about it?
January 8, 2025 at 10:28 PM
I keep thinking about this (of course). The post poses a question - not the one asked explicitly, but: at what point might climate change make those with power care enough to do something about it?
What does Trump 2.0 mean for 2025?
Will tariffs escalate even further? Will sanctions impact $ dominance? Can the South successfully challenge a multilateral system long dominated by the North?
@katemac.bsky.social and I break down these questions:
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/ame...
Will tariffs escalate even further? Will sanctions impact $ dominance? Can the South successfully challenge a multilateral system long dominated by the North?
@katemac.bsky.social and I break down these questions:
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/ame...
America First? | Lara Merling & Kate Mackenzie
Escalations and reverberations in the trade war
www.phenomenalworld.org
January 2, 2025 at 3:27 AM
What does Trump 2.0 mean for 2025?
Will tariffs escalate even further? Will sanctions impact $ dominance? Can the South successfully challenge a multilateral system long dominated by the North?
@katemac.bsky.social and I break down these questions:
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/ame...
Will tariffs escalate even further? Will sanctions impact $ dominance? Can the South successfully challenge a multilateral system long dominated by the North?
@katemac.bsky.social and I break down these questions:
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/ame...
Reposted by Lara Merling
America First...and now America alone.
@katemac.bsky.social @laramerling.bsky.social take stock
phenomenalworld.org/analysis/ame...
America First? | Lara Merling & Kate Mackenzie
Escalations and reverberations in the trade war
www.phenomenalworld.org
December 18, 2024 at 9:38 PM
America First...and now America alone.
@katemac.bsky.social @laramerling.bsky.social take stock
phenomenalworld.org/analysis/ame...
Reposted by Lara Merling
This piece by @katemac.bsky.social and @laramerling.bsky.social is worth a read. Full of interesting information.
"Today over half the global economy is subject to some sort of US sanction."
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/ame...
"Today over half the global economy is subject to some sort of US sanction."
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/ame...
America First? | Lara Merling & Kate Mackenzie
Escalations and reverberations in the trade war
www.phenomenalworld.org
December 18, 2024 at 9:23 PM
This piece by @katemac.bsky.social and @laramerling.bsky.social is worth a read. Full of interesting information.
"Today over half the global economy is subject to some sort of US sanction."
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/ame...
"Today over half the global economy is subject to some sort of US sanction."
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/ame...