Thea Riofrancos
@triofrancos.bsky.social
Political Scientist, Providence College
Strategic Co-Director, Climate and Community Institute
Author / Resource Radicals (Duke UP 2020)
Co-Author / A Planet to Win (Verso 2019)
Forthcoming / Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism (WW Norton)
Strategic Co-Director, Climate and Community Institute
Author / Resource Radicals (Duke UP 2020)
Co-Author / A Planet to Win (Verso 2019)
Forthcoming / Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism (WW Norton)
Pinned
Why are minerals so central to geopolitics? How green are electric cars? Why is anti-mining protest increasing? Can the inequalities of the global economy be transformed?
I tackle these topics in my book EXTRACTION: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism
👀 September 2025 @wwnorton.bsky.social
I tackle these topics in my book EXTRACTION: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism
👀 September 2025 @wwnorton.bsky.social
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
🚨New piece in Politics & Society! w/ @maxkiefel.bsky.social @mathiaslarsen.bsky.social
Internationalizing Industrial Policy: How China and the United States Use State Capacity to Secure Critical Minerals for Electric Vehicles 🇨🇳 🇺🇸
doi.org/10.1177/0032...
Internationalizing Industrial Policy: How China and the United States Use State Capacity to Secure Critical Minerals for Electric Vehicles 🇨🇳 🇺🇸
doi.org/10.1177/0032...
February 5, 2026 at 1:26 PM
🚨New piece in Politics & Society! w/ @maxkiefel.bsky.social @mathiaslarsen.bsky.social
Internationalizing Industrial Policy: How China and the United States Use State Capacity to Secure Critical Minerals for Electric Vehicles 🇨🇳 🇺🇸
doi.org/10.1177/0032...
Internationalizing Industrial Policy: How China and the United States Use State Capacity to Secure Critical Minerals for Electric Vehicles 🇨🇳 🇺🇸
doi.org/10.1177/0032...
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Demand for lithium and other minerals is booming — reshaping landscapes, supply chains, and geopolitics.
On this episode of Terra Verde @kpfa.org, political scientist and author @triofrancos.bsky.social talks about the hidden costs of "clean energy."
www.earthisland.org/journal/inde...
On this episode of Terra Verde @kpfa.org, political scientist and author @triofrancos.bsky.social talks about the hidden costs of "clean energy."
www.earthisland.org/journal/inde...
February 2, 2026 at 11:35 PM
Demand for lithium and other minerals is booming — reshaping landscapes, supply chains, and geopolitics.
On this episode of Terra Verde @kpfa.org, political scientist and author @triofrancos.bsky.social talks about the hidden costs of "clean energy."
www.earthisland.org/journal/inde...
On this episode of Terra Verde @kpfa.org, political scientist and author @triofrancos.bsky.social talks about the hidden costs of "clean energy."
www.earthisland.org/journal/inde...
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
It took a minute, but I am finally all caught up on @thedigradio.bsky.social. Aside from the extraordinary Thawra, this is my favourite of the year. Best analysis of the United Healthcare CEO assassination, plus so much more.
thedigradio.com/podcast/assa...
thedigradio.com/podcast/assa...
Assassin Nation w/ Patrick Blanchfield
Featuring Patrick Blanchfield on assassination and political violence: from the routine to the extraordinary; authored by the state, capital, the left, the right, the unwell and alienated; as an anxie...
thedigradio.com
February 2, 2026 at 2:16 PM
It took a minute, but I am finally all caught up on @thedigradio.bsky.social. Aside from the extraordinary Thawra, this is my favourite of the year. Best analysis of the United Healthcare CEO assassination, plus so much more.
thedigradio.com/podcast/assa...
thedigradio.com/podcast/assa...
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
if you haven't listened to this yet, please do
New Dig: interview w/ organizers Emilia González Avalos, Greg Nammacher, and JaNaé Bates Imari on the Minneapolis fight back against ICE/Border Patrol occupation. Critical lessons on the importance of structure-based orgs/mass base plus flexibility amid crisis www.thedigradio.com/podcast/minn...
Minneapolis Fight Back w/ Emilia González Avalos, Greg Nammacher, JaNaé Bates Imari
Featuring Emilia González Avalos, Greg Nammacher, and JaNaé Bates Imari on how Minneapolis achieved its fight back against ICE/Border Patrol occupation. A decade building aligned mass movements has ma...
www.thedigradio.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:31 PM
if you haven't listened to this yet, please do
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
This is what democracy sounds like: three Minneapolis organizers chart the process that built an effective multiracial fight back against federal occupation. Moving beyond a brave and nimble minority to a "popular front" majority to beat back fascism and win democratic victories for all
New Dig: interview w/ organizers Emilia González Avalos, Greg Nammacher, and JaNaé Bates Imari on the Minneapolis fight back against ICE/Border Patrol occupation. Critical lessons on the importance of structure-based orgs/mass base plus flexibility amid crisis www.thedigradio.com/podcast/minn...
Minneapolis Fight Back w/ Emilia González Avalos, Greg Nammacher, JaNaé Bates Imari
Featuring Emilia González Avalos, Greg Nammacher, and JaNaé Bates Imari on how Minneapolis achieved its fight back against ICE/Border Patrol occupation. A decade building aligned mass movements has ma...
www.thedigradio.com
January 31, 2026 at 7:59 PM
This is what democracy sounds like: three Minneapolis organizers chart the process that built an effective multiracial fight back against federal occupation. Moving beyond a brave and nimble minority to a "popular front" majority to beat back fascism and win democratic victories for all
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Anybody looking to defeat ICE needs to listen to the extremely good new @thedigradio.bsky.social episode on lessons from Minnesota's key organizers
thedigradio.com/podcast/minn...
thedigradio.com/podcast/minn...
Minneapolis Fight Back w/ Emilia González Avalos, Greg Nammacher, JaNaé Bates Imari
Featuring Emilia González Avalos, Greg Nammacher, and JaNaé Bates Imari on how Minneapolis achieved its fight back against ICE/Border Patrol occupation. A decade building aligned mass movements has ma...
thedigradio.com
January 31, 2026 at 7:11 PM
Anybody looking to defeat ICE needs to listen to the extremely good new @thedigradio.bsky.social episode on lessons from Minnesota's key organizers
thedigradio.com/podcast/minn...
thedigradio.com/podcast/minn...
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Asli is on fire here. 1.5 hours in is a bracing series of points about how much precedent there is for Trump’s lawlessness. If we’re going to rebuild we need to confront the long pattern and not just Trump’s insane variations
thedigradio.com/podcast/maga...
thedigradio.com/podcast/maga...
MAGA Empire w/ Aslı Bâli and Greg Grandin
Featuring Aslı Bâli and Greg Grandin on the MAGA model of US imperialism.
thedigradio.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Asli is on fire here. 1.5 hours in is a bracing series of points about how much precedent there is for Trump’s lawlessness. If we’re going to rebuild we need to confront the long pattern and not just Trump’s insane variations
thedigradio.com/podcast/maga...
thedigradio.com/podcast/maga...
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
One of the best things about this episode is the attention to fractions of capital which are—and have to be—in tension with each other. There is no capital “T” Tech as there is no capital “C” Capital... Mapping the fissures, finding present and coming contradictions is critical work.
The Dig you’ve been waiting for to understand the political economy of AI as it becomes fulcrum of global contests and conflicts over economic and military dominance. My interview w/ @nsrnicek.bsky.social on his book Silicon Empires: The Fight for the Future of AI www.thedigradio.com/podcast/sili...
Silicon Empires w/ Nick Srnicek
Nick Srnicek on Silicon Empires: The Fight for the Future of AI. A deep exploration of the political economy of AI: the fulcrum of the authoritarian tech oligarchy—and of global contests for economic ...
www.thedigradio.com
January 31, 2026 at 12:31 AM
One of the best things about this episode is the attention to fractions of capital which are—and have to be—in tension with each other. There is no capital “T” Tech as there is no capital “C” Capital... Mapping the fissures, finding present and coming contradictions is critical work.
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Consistently one of the best podcasts out there!
The Dig you’ve been waiting for to understand the political economy of AI as it becomes fulcrum of global contests and conflicts over economic and military dominance. My interview w/ @nsrnicek.bsky.social on his book Silicon Empires: The Fight for the Future of AI www.thedigradio.com/podcast/sili...
Silicon Empires w/ Nick Srnicek
Nick Srnicek on Silicon Empires: The Fight for the Future of AI. A deep exploration of the political economy of AI: the fulcrum of the authoritarian tech oligarchy—and of global contests for economic ...
www.thedigradio.com
January 28, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Consistently one of the best podcasts out there!
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
This is excellent. On the full force of what we’re up against. For the AI haters and aspiring Luddites like me, a reminder to guard against armchair contempt for the bubbling slop machine.
The Dig you’ve been waiting for to understand the political economy of AI as it becomes fulcrum of global contests and conflicts over economic and military dominance. My interview w/ @nsrnicek.bsky.social on his book Silicon Empires: The Fight for the Future of AI www.thedigradio.com/podcast/sili...
Silicon Empires w/ Nick Srnicek
Nick Srnicek on Silicon Empires: The Fight for the Future of AI. A deep exploration of the political economy of AI: the fulcrum of the authoritarian tech oligarchy—and of global contests for economic ...
www.thedigradio.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:28 PM
This is excellent. On the full force of what we’re up against. For the AI haters and aspiring Luddites like me, a reminder to guard against armchair contempt for the bubbling slop machine.
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
extraction by @triofrancos.bsky.social
finished making it by norman podhoretz, which is bringing the whole bill kristol reversal full circle
finished making it by norman podhoretz, which is bringing the whole bill kristol reversal full circle
January 27, 2026 at 10:14 PM
extraction by @triofrancos.bsky.social
finished making it by norman podhoretz, which is bringing the whole bill kristol reversal full circle
finished making it by norman podhoretz, which is bringing the whole bill kristol reversal full circle
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
New paper in CNS:
'Cold War Ecology. Socialist Environmental Reflexivities from the “Club of Moscow” to Harich's “Degrowth Communism” in the GDR'
This link gives full access ⤵️
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/VNGYF...
An illustrated thread Part 1 ⬇️
'Cold War Ecology. Socialist Environmental Reflexivities from the “Club of Moscow” to Harich's “Degrowth Communism” in the GDR'
This link gives full access ⤵️
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/VNGYF...
An illustrated thread Part 1 ⬇️
January 27, 2026 at 5:19 PM
New paper in CNS:
'Cold War Ecology. Socialist Environmental Reflexivities from the “Club of Moscow” to Harich's “Degrowth Communism” in the GDR'
This link gives full access ⤵️
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/VNGYF...
An illustrated thread Part 1 ⬇️
'Cold War Ecology. Socialist Environmental Reflexivities from the “Club of Moscow” to Harich's “Degrowth Communism” in the GDR'
This link gives full access ⤵️
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/VNGYF...
An illustrated thread Part 1 ⬇️
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Very much looking forward to this - Silicon Empires by @nsrnicek.bsky.social is the best book I've read on the political economy of AI
The Dig you’ve been waiting for to understand the political economy of AI as it becomes fulcrum of global contests and conflicts over economic and military dominance. My interview w/ @nsrnicek.bsky.social on his book Silicon Empires: The Fight for the Future of AI www.thedigradio.com/podcast/sili...
Silicon Empires w/ Nick Srnicek
Nick Srnicek on Silicon Empires: The Fight for the Future of AI. A deep exploration of the political economy of AI: the fulcrum of the authoritarian tech oligarchy—and of global contests for economic ...
www.thedigradio.com
January 27, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Very much looking forward to this - Silicon Empires by @nsrnicek.bsky.social is the best book I've read on the political economy of AI
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
The Dig is one of my favourite podcasts, so it was a real honour to be able to chat with Daniel about all things AI
The Dig you’ve been waiting for to understand the political economy of AI as it becomes fulcrum of global contests and conflicts over economic and military dominance. My interview w/ @nsrnicek.bsky.social on his book Silicon Empires: The Fight for the Future of AI www.thedigradio.com/podcast/sili...
Silicon Empires w/ Nick Srnicek
Nick Srnicek on Silicon Empires: The Fight for the Future of AI. A deep exploration of the political economy of AI: the fulcrum of the authoritarian tech oligarchy—and of global contests for economic ...
www.thedigradio.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:18 AM
The Dig is one of my favourite podcasts, so it was a real honour to be able to chat with Daniel about all things AI
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Amidst political and environmental tumult in the US, 2025 showed growing desire for grassroots campaigns for public power, tenant movements for housing justice, union strikes for healthier schools, and successful elections of candidates championing affordability and public institutions.
January 27, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Amidst political and environmental tumult in the US, 2025 showed growing desire for grassroots campaigns for public power, tenant movements for housing justice, union strikes for healthier schools, and successful elections of candidates championing affordability and public institutions.
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
30m in, fantastic so far. it's everything the left needs to hear. taking notes, will have more to say later. I expected no less of @danieldenvir.bsky.social and @nsrnicek.bsky.social
Silicon Empires w/ Nick Srnicek
Featuring Nick Srnicek on Silicon Empires: The Fight for the Future of AI. A deep exploration of the political economy of AI: the fulcrum of the authoritarian tech oligarchy—and of global contests for...
thedigradio.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:57 AM
30m in, fantastic so far. it's everything the left needs to hear. taking notes, will have more to say later. I expected no less of @danieldenvir.bsky.social and @nsrnicek.bsky.social
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
The Dig you’ve been waiting for to understand the political economy of AI as it becomes fulcrum of global contests and conflicts over economic and military dominance. My interview w/ @nsrnicek.bsky.social on his book Silicon Empires: The Fight for the Future of AI www.thedigradio.com/podcast/sili...
Silicon Empires w/ Nick Srnicek
Nick Srnicek on Silicon Empires: The Fight for the Future of AI. A deep exploration of the political economy of AI: the fulcrum of the authoritarian tech oligarchy—and of global contests for economic ...
www.thedigradio.com
January 26, 2026 at 11:43 PM
The Dig you’ve been waiting for to understand the political economy of AI as it becomes fulcrum of global contests and conflicts over economic and military dominance. My interview w/ @nsrnicek.bsky.social on his book Silicon Empires: The Fight for the Future of AI www.thedigradio.com/podcast/sili...
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
i'm ready for another 4 part series on @thedigradio.bsky.social with Aziz Rana tbh
January 20, 2026 at 7:17 PM
i'm ready for another 4 part series on @thedigradio.bsky.social with Aziz Rana tbh
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
This is good analysis, making sense out of chaos. Trumpism is both rupture from the neolib/neocon past, and continuation but without the pretenses. "America First" has always been internationalist.
Trump is clearly not the isolationist many believed he was. From the wreckage of bipartisan imperialist consensus, Trump's creating a new MAGA model empire. New Dig episode analyzing MAGA Empire and the history that made it with Aslı Bâli and Greg Grandin www.thedigradio.com/podcast/maga...
MAGA Empire w/ Aslı Bâli and Greg Grandin
Featuring Aslı Bâli and Greg Grandin on the MAGA model of US imperialism.
www.thedigradio.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:00 AM
This is good analysis, making sense out of chaos. Trumpism is both rupture from the neolib/neocon past, and continuation but without the pretenses. "America First" has always been internationalist.
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Showing cross-racial solidarity is a potential death sentence. There are few things white supremacists hate more.
37 year old white male citizen with a lawful permit to carry a firearm, says the Minneapolis Police Department.
January 24, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Showing cross-racial solidarity is a potential death sentence. There are few things white supremacists hate more.
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Recommended read: In a book review for @thebaffler.com, @triofrancos.bsky.social followed the “unexpected genealogy” of the “energy transition” outlined in Jean-Baptiste Fressoz’s More and More and More: An All-Consuming History.
Gimme More | Thea Riofrancos
The notion of any single “energy transition” masks the more complicated process of accumulation that undergirds capitalism.
buff.ly
January 24, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Recommended read: In a book review for @thebaffler.com, @triofrancos.bsky.social followed the “unexpected genealogy” of the “energy transition” outlined in Jean-Baptiste Fressoz’s More and More and More: An All-Consuming History.
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
NEW: India is avoiding the fossil fuel detour 🪝
Where China built first on coal and gas, India is taking a shortcut >>> read in 5 graphics🧵
Where China built first on coal and gas, India is taking a shortcut >>> read in 5 graphics🧵
January 23, 2026 at 10:51 AM
NEW: India is avoiding the fossil fuel detour 🪝
Where China built first on coal and gas, India is taking a shortcut >>> read in 5 graphics🧵
Where China built first on coal and gas, India is taking a shortcut >>> read in 5 graphics🧵
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
The Norwegian way, electrifying oil platforms with renewable power:
"Whereas the MAGA right rejects solar and wind altogether, reactionary liberals embrace energy triangulation—“all of the above” rather than a full-throated embrace of clean energy—dressed up as so-called climate realism."
"Whereas the MAGA right rejects solar and wind altogether, reactionary liberals embrace energy triangulation—“all of the above” rather than a full-throated embrace of clean energy—dressed up as so-called climate realism."
January 23, 2026 at 12:36 PM
The Norwegian way, electrifying oil platforms with renewable power:
"Whereas the MAGA right rejects solar and wind altogether, reactionary liberals embrace energy triangulation—“all of the above” rather than a full-throated embrace of clean energy—dressed up as so-called climate realism."
"Whereas the MAGA right rejects solar and wind altogether, reactionary liberals embrace energy triangulation—“all of the above” rather than a full-throated embrace of clean energy—dressed up as so-called climate realism."
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
“Fairy tale of human progress” is a phrase that’s going to haunt me through the day.
January 22, 2026 at 2:31 PM
“Fairy tale of human progress” is a phrase that’s going to haunt me through the day.