Reposted by Ben WoodJason Hickel @jasonhickel.bsky.social · 11/09/2025This 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. 211752
Reposted by Ben WoodDaniela Gabor @danielagabor.bsky.social · 25/07/2025this 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. 313539
Reposted by Ben WoodJason Hickel @jasonhickel.bsky.social · 23/07/2025New 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...thelancet.comThe health toll of economic sanctionsFinancing 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... 217795
Reposted by Ben WoodJosh Ryan-Collins @jryancollins.bsky.social · 23/07/2025The 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....tandfonline.comCarrots with(out) sticks: credit policy and the limits of green central bankingThis 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... 044
Reposted by Ben WoodCritical Takes on Corporate Power @criticaltakes.bsky.social · 10/07/2025It'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... 001
Reposted by Ben WoodDaniela Gabor @danielagabor.bsky.social · 10/07/2025last 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. 22717
Reposted by Ben WoodMike McCarthy @itsmccarthy.bsky.social · 06/07/2025We 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. 1103
Reposted by Ben WoodFood Equity Centre @foodequitycentre.bsky.social · 11/06/2025What 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 #foodsystemsyoutube.comTransforming food systems: tackling inequality and redistributing resourcesYouTube video by Institute of Development Studies 0106
Reposted by Ben WoodBen Wood @benjaminmwood.bsky.social · 09/06/2025Another 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 0114
Ben Wood @benjaminmwood.bsky.social · 09/06/2025Another 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 0114
Reposted by Ben WoodViaCampesina@mastodon.social @viacampesina.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 05/06/2025🇺🇳 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 ✊🏽 www.stopcorporateimpunity.org #BindingTreaty #StopCorporateImpunity #StopTNCimpunity 113
Reposted by Ben WoodIPES-Food @ipes-food.org · 04/06/2025What 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_2g0Iyoutu.beTHE NEW GEOPOLITICS OF FOOD | IPES-Food webinarYouTube video by IPES-Food 1125
Reposted by Ben WoodJason Hickel @jasonhickel.bsky.social · 02/06/2025This 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. 37890339
Reposted by Ben WoodJennifer Clapp 🇨🇦 @jennifer-clapp.bsky.social · 31/05/2025UN: “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...ft.comEntire Gaza population at risk of famine, says UNLatest warning on starving population comes as Hamas considers ceasefire proposal 01613
Reposted by Ben WoodUN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) @unctad.bsky.social · 31/05/20253.3 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 014
Reposted by Ben WoodCommon Wealth @cmmonwealth.bsky.social · 29/05/2025The 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...common-wealth.orgTo Unlock Pension Funds, We Need to Unlock the Pensions Review | Briefing | Common Wealth 258
Reposted by Ben WoodCommon Wealth @cmmonwealth.bsky.social · 29/05/2025Welcome and overdue. But it isn't just the planning system. Privatisation has led to under-investment and asset sweating of our water system. 0105
Reposted by Ben WoodDeSmog @desmog.com · 26/05/2025🔴 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/ZQ1IaRFdesmog.comREVEALED: Now There’s Proof That the Fossil Fuel Industry Uses Cultural Sponsorships to Block Climate ActionBP, Chevron, Shell, and other oil majors back arts and community groups to protect their business models, subpoenaed documents show. 01714
Reposted by Ben WoodIPES-Food @ipes-food.org · 26/05/2025☠️"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 #junkfoodtheguardian.comIt’s time to stop the great food heist powered by big business. That means taxation, regulation and healthy school meals | Stuart GillespieThe global food system has been captured by a few rapacious companies that profit from public ill-health. We need a radical overhaul 23512
Reposted by Ben WoodRob Percival @rob-percival.bsky.social · 22/05/2025"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...theguardian.comUK ban on junk food adverts targeting children is delayed until next yearExperts say delay from October to January after lobbying by food industry is huge setback for public health 0137
Reposted by Ben WoodStuart Gillespie @stuartgillespie.bsky.social · 21/05/2025🔥Time to stop the great food heist And we know what to do.... my new article for @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/global-devel...theguardian.comIt’s time to stop the great food heist powered by big business. That means taxation, regulation and healthy school meals | Stuart GillespieThe global food system has been captured by a few rapacious companies that profit from public ill-health. We need a radical overhaul 13014
Reposted by Ben WoodIPES-Food @ipes-food.org · 20/05/2025📢 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... 13319
Reposted by Ben WoodJennifer Clapp 🇨🇦 @jennifer-clapp.bsky.social · 21/05/2025Looking 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 ⬇️ 0167
Reposted by Ben WoodRob Ralston @policyrelevant.bsky.social · 17/05/2025I 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...research.ed.ac.ukThe informal governance of public-private partnerships in UK obesity policy: Collaborating on calorie reduction or reducing effectiveness? 0125
Reposted by Ben WoodRob Percival @rob-percival.bsky.social · 17/05/2025I 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...theguardian.comUK government dropped health push after lobbying by ultra-processed food firmsExclusive: Guardian investigation reveals guidance for retailers in England changed after campaign by global food firms 1212573
Reposted by Ben WoodStuart Gillespie @stuartgillespie.bsky.social · 19/05/2025Great to see this get the attention it deserves @theguardian.com @thesoilassociation.bsky.social @rob-percival.bsky.social @andrewgregory.com 0165
Reposted by Ben WoodJim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 13/05/2025extraordinary that Thames Water executives are getting *new* bonuses, this time as a result of the £3bn rescue loan from the spring - which loads the company with interest rates of nearly 10% via me and Gill Plimmer www.ft.com/content/1f6d...ft.comThames Water executives to receive bonuses from £3bn emergency loanUtility’s chair tells MPs that retention payments are needed to prevent rivals ‘picking off’ staff 54466254
Reposted by Ben WoodDaniela Gabor @danielagabor.bsky.social · 09/05/2025Well well. More Labour warfare for welfare. 063
Reposted by Ben WoodGlobal Public Investment Network @globpubinvnet.bsky.social · 25/04/2025NEXT TUESDAY! Don't miss this online event with an elite lineup of speakers, as we explore the future of international cooperation. Register here: zoom.us/meeting/regi... 012
Reposted by Ben WoodBenjamin Braun @benbraun.social · 21/04/2025When you’re the apex predator in the global financial food chain but forget that half your bulk is foreign money & that your service export is not rocket science and is easily re-shored. Imho, private equity support for Trump bc of tax & dereg is a stunning case of elite delusion. on.ft.com/42l7J28 38613
Reposted by Ben WoodStuart Gillespie @stuartgillespie.bsky.social · 01/04/2025🔥new commentary in World Nutrition 'Use your Power' worldnutritionjournal.org/index.php/wn... 064
Reposted by Ben WoodKate Sievert @katesievert.bsky.social · 17/04/2025We wrote a piece on our national champions paper for Critical Takes! Check it out criticaltakes.org/society-and-... 🥩 @diarmidos.bsky.social @ipes-food.orgcriticaltakes.orgCritical Takes 051
Reposted by Ben WoodCritical Takes on Corporate Power @criticaltakes.bsky.social · 17/04/2025New on Critical Takes: How "national champions" from Brazil and China are becoming global giants in the meat industry. criticaltakes.org/society-and-... Fascinating take from @katesievert.bsky.social and co-authors on power shifts in an industry with huge effects on health, workers and nature. 045
Reposted by Ben WoodThe BREAK—DOWN @the-breakdown.bsky.social · 16/04/2025Issue 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... 26232
Reposted by Ben WoodFood Equity Centre @foodequitycentre.bsky.social · 15/04/2025We're delighted to host @stuartgillespie.bsky.social for a discussion on reimagining our global food system - putting people and planet above profits Join us: 29 April 16:00 UK time, online and in person at @ids.ac.uk www.ids.ac.uk/events/food-... 001
Reposted by Ben WoodCritical Takes on Corporate Power @criticaltakes.bsky.social · 15/04/2025The "Silicon Six" are still paying low tax rates on their profits. This report says they have a combined $82.5 *billion* in "uncertain tax positions" - tax they might have to pay, if tax authorities challenge them and win. 035
Reposted by Ben WoodNaomi Klein @naomiaklein.bsky.social · 13/04/2025THE RISE OF END TIMES FASCISM My first major piece of the new Trump era, co-written with @astra.bsky.social. The governing ideology of the far right has become a monstrous, supremacist survivalism. Our task is to build a movement strong enough to stop them. www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...theguardian.comThe rise of end times fascismThe governing ideology of the far right has become a monstrous, supremacist survivalism. Our task is to build a movement strong enough to stop them 21762262656
Reposted by Ben WoodAmy Carrad @amycarrad.bsky.social · 10/04/2025One week until this #SavingTheWorld webinar with guest Professor @jennifer-clapp.bsky.social, hosted by the Planetary Health Equity Hothouse. 📆17th April 🕥10:30am AEST 🔗Register for the Zoom link: hothouse.anu.edu.au/event/titans... @anuregnet.bsky.social @uwaterloo.ca @anuagrifood.bsky.social 1119
Reposted by Ben WoodCritical Takes on Corporate Power @criticaltakes.bsky.social · 22/03/2025Absolutely worth a read: taking on corporate power in global food chains. The abstract is basically a concept note for a global campaign. 152
Ben Wood @benjaminmwood.bsky.social · 22/03/2025🔈 Excited to share our new paper, led by the brilliant @katesievert.bsky.social, in which we encourage a common framing & approach for addressing unsustainable production & consumption of both ultra-processed foods 🍩🥤 & intensively produced animal-source foods 🥩 link.springer.com/article/10.1...link.springer.comCommon Leverage Points to Address the Health, Environmental Sustainability, and Justice Challenges of Financialised Food Systems - Food EthicsIssues with current food systems have been problematised through various lenses, including concerns about the dominance of intensively produced animal-source foods (ASFs) or ultra-processed foods (UPF... 083
Reposted by Ben WoodKate Sievert @katesievert.bsky.social · 20/03/2025A busy week with another newly published paper 📣 Our work in Food Ethics tackles the financialisation of food systems—showing how ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and intensively produced animal-source foods (ASFs) share common structural drivers. 🧵 link.springer.com/article/10.1... 1179
Reposted by Ben WoodKate Sievert @katesievert.bsky.social · 17/03/2025The rise of national champions is a key example of how corporate power in food systems isn’t just market-driven—it’s actively shaped by the state. Understanding these shifts is essential for addressing global food governance challenges. 102
Reposted by Ben WoodKate Sievert @katesievert.bsky.social · 17/03/2025Just published! 📢 Our new paper in The Journal of Peasant Studies examines how national champion policies have reshaped global meat supply chains—concentrating power, limiting competition, and benefiting transnational investors. 🧵 www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... 12210
Reposted by Ben WoodMelissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 17/03/2025theconversation.com/tonnes-of-mi...theconversation.comTonnes of microplastics infiltrate Australia’s agricultural soils each year, study showsWithout swift and effective action, composting may become an environmental crisis, rather than a solution. 062
Reposted by Ben WoodIlias Alami @iliasalami.bsky.social · 13/03/2025Great review of Shaina Pott's new book by Brett Christophers "Potts brings to light the crucial role of the law in fashioning and enforcing international financial subordination—that is, in demanding and securing the obedience of sovereign states." www.thenation.com/article/cult...thenation.comHow the US Courts Rewrote the Rules of International TradeShaina Potts’s Judicial Territory examines how the American legal system created an economic environment that subordinated the entire world to domestic business interests. 066
Reposted by Ben WoodJennifer Clapp 🇨🇦 @jennifer-clapp.bsky.social · 12/03/2025So nice to see this article with Eric Helleiner on history and theory of green finance finally published! It's part of a special issue in Competition and Change on the IPE of Green Finance edited by Sarah E. Sharma and @mbabic.bsky.social Abstract & link ⬇️ journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/... 02510
Reposted by Ben WoodJason Hickel @jasonhickel.bsky.social · 10/03/2025The European Commission has just made it clear that the rigid constraints they had placed on public finance were totally artificial. They have now lifted them to enable massive military production. 320781
Reposted by Ben WoodDaniela Gabor @danielagabor.bsky.social · 06/03/2025Amazing how war clarifies the macrofinancial mind 312649