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Fe Balata

@febalata.bsky.social
431 followers 603 following 123 posts

Political economist and writer. fernandabalata.substack.com Associate Fellow (honorary) with @neweconomics.bsky.social but views here are my own. 🌎🌍🌏

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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Taxing the wealthiest is not just a question of tax design, but also of institutional capacity: whether states can see wealth, reach it, tax it, and withstand the backlash that follows. The new @neweconomics.bsky.social @cesr.bsky.social report: From Design to Capacity. cesr.org/institutiona...
cesr.org
New resource: Ensuring institutional capacity for taxing wealth
A CESR and New Economics Foundation report argues taxing the wealthy depends not just on policy design, but on governments’ institutional capacity to implement and enforce it effectively.
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
The UK helped build the global infrastructure that enables offshore wealth, secrecy and elite impunity. Addressing the harms of #extremewealth - including its role as a structural constraint on democracy and climate justice - means confronting the UK’s own role in enabling these systems.
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
So proud to be @ilo.org Geneva to help launch the Roadmap to Eradicate Poverty Beyond Growth www.neep-poverty.org. Congratulations to @deschuttero.bsky.social and the entire team who led this timely and urgent initiative @neweconomics.bsky.social
neep-poverty.org
New Economies for Eradicating Poverty (NEEP)
New Economies for Eradicating Poverty (NEEP) is an initiative led by the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Olivier De Schutter, to move the world away from destructive economi...
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
I’ve been trying to make sense of why everything feels so unstable right now. Most explanations point to geopolitics - multipolarity, fragmentation, rivalry. That all feels true. But also incomplete.
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Danny Sriskandarajah @dhnnjyn.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Another insightful observation from @deschuttero.bsky.social from the @theguardian.com You know there is a problem when the UN Special Rapporteur on *Extreme Poverty* thinks Extreme Wealth is the real issue. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Global economy must stop pandering to ‘frivolous desires of ultra-rich’, says UN expert
Olivier De Schutter says new economic agenda needed to tackle crises of rising inequality and ecological collapse
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
“we now have the clear understanding of why tech does not work for learning. And it is all biological…we've evolved biologically to learn from other human beings, not from screens. And screens circumvent that process.” Amazing intervention by neuroscientist Dr Jared Horvath youtu.be/Fd-_VDYit3U?...
youtu.be
Doctor on How Screen Time Hurts Kids' Cognitive Development
YouTube video by C-SPAN
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Suzanne Bold @suzannebold.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
There's some wonderful writing from @febalata.bsky.social in this edition of Renewal, on how extreme wealth undermines democracy, blocks attempts at justice, and on how the fight against it has got to be a core priority of modern progressive politics.
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
New briefing out on “invisible wealth”: UK wealth has surged through asset price inflation, but the tax system still struggles to see it, let alone tax it fairly. The report digs into why that gap matters and what it would take to close it. #extremewealth 🔗 neweconomics.org/2026/01/taxi...
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
The Epstein archive, taken seriously, is not a morality play. It is an exposure of how harm emerges from ordinary incentives interacting with extraordinary insulation. Have a read of my latest essay here: open.substack.com/pub/fernanda... #extremewealth
open.substack.com
Systemic Colour: on discomfort, vulnerability, and structural change
There is a moment, often brief, when the world stops settling easily.
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Lise Butler @lisebutler.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Absolute blockbuster of a new issue of @renewaljournal.bsky.social, edited by @morganj0nes.bsky.social @neilwarner.bsky.social and @beccagold.bsky.social which takes a big picture view of the past year and a half of Labour government.
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
Tune in to understand how international solidarity and concrete action to fight harms of extreme wealth and imperialism is happening in the Americas #nuestraamerica @progintl.bsky.social youtube.com/live/B01iBwh...
youtube.com
LIVE from Bogotá — POR NUESTRA AMÉRICA
YouTube video by Progressive International
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
Don't miss this webinar on the role of local currency financing in reframing global economic governance and delivering debt, and climate justice. Excited to be speaking alongside these amazing people! Sign up 👇 @neweconomics.bsky.social
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Great job opportunity to join the amazing NEF team in the UK 👇
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
South America knows this feeling. Not shock but recognition. I wrote a long piece about Venezuela, Gaza, and what happens when rules keep speaking but stop intervening. open.substack.com/pub/fernanda... #PoliticalEconomy #LatinAmerica
open.substack.com
South American Déjà Vu
Venezuela, Gaza, and when the rules stop speaking
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Sarah Anderson @sarahanderson.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
We're really proud to be part of this joint report with ‬ ‪@neweconomics.bsky.social‬, @cesr.bsky.social, Institute for Econ Justice in South Africa and Transforma in Brazil. With so much global upheaval, the world needs strong civil society solutions and solidarity.
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Great discussion today with my co-authors of The G20 at a Crossroads. @sarahanderson.bsky.social @reyannaj.bsky.social @ips-dc.org Shikwane and Gilad at the Institute for Economic Justice, Marco at Transforma. TU @civicusalliance.bsky.social for hosting us! neweconomics.org/2025/11/the-...
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
If you are in Joburg / Johannesburg this Tuesday 18th November, please join for the launch of the report, we are being hosted by @civicusalliance.bsky.social and it will be a good time to think together about our global economic future. Sign up here docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com
Report Launch | G20 at a Crossroads: Lessons for an equitable global economic future
We are delighted to invite you to the Johannesburg launch of a new major report, The G20 at a Crossroads: Lessons for an equitable global economic future, produced by five leading think tanks from aro...
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
Billie Eilish posed an important question more public figures should: “Why are you a billionaire?” It matters because it’s not just about lifestyle choices. Extreme wealth results from political choices, dominant social norms - we can change them. @neweconomics.bsky.social @patrioticmillionaires.org
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
Kamal Ramburuth from the Institute for Economic Justice in South Africa, introducing the issue of debt repayments in Africa at the T20 Summit. See @neweconomics.bsky.social report with IEJ and other international partners neweconomics.org/2025/11/the-...
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New Economics Foundation @neweconomics.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
The private sector has let our public services down again and again. So why do we assume the private sector is always the best person for the job? Because we don't value the expertise and competency of communities, says @francesnorthrop.bsky.social on the latest New Economics Podcast 🎙️
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New Economics Foundation @neweconomics.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
NEW REPORT: As the G20 approaches its 20th summit, a new independent assessment finds it has failed to tackle inequality and deliver economic justice. The report warns that the forum must do more than fight fires - it needs to reform a broken international system. 🧵1/7
Text: The G20 at a crossroads. An independent assessment of the G20's impact, and lessons for an equitable economic future. 

With logos along the bottom of the image from the New Economics Foundation, Institute for Economic Justice, Institute for Policy Studies, Center for Economic and Social Rights, and Transforma.
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
Im so excited to put out this analysis done in true collaborative spirit with amazing colleagues across orgs. On my way to Joburg to launch the report and hoping to find hope by surrounding myself with those who refuse to give in or give up the fight. 👊🏽
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Oxfam IFIs team @oxfamifis.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
Kick-starting #WBGMeetings w our @patrioticmillionaires.org CSPF event: Extreme wealth - How much is too much? A new measure for better economies, democracies and societies. 👉Wednesday, October 15th, 2025 @ 11-12:30pm DC in World Bank I Building 2-250 🖥️ Livestream: www.worldbank.org/en/events/20...
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Patriotic Millionaires UK @patmillsuk.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
5⃣ At the World Bank Annuals, @patrioticmillionaires.org member @abigaildisney.bsky.social joined a panel including @neweconomics.bsky.social's Fernanda Balata to discuss how we can measure extreme wealth.
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Patriotic Millionaires @patrioticmillionaires.org · 19/10/2025
In this week’s Closer Look, we explore how timely and dangerous that threat has become and what world leaders must do to confront it. patrioticmillionaires.org/perspectives...
patrioticmillionaires.org
Extreme wealth is a global problem. We have global solutions.
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Patriotic Millionaires @patrioticmillionaires.org · 15/10/2025
When we talk about extreme wealth inequality, we need to recognize that historically, great wealth has caused great pain in this country. Massive wealth accumulation seems to be unable to separate itself from cruelty. @abigaildisney.bsky.social
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ICRICT @icrict.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
“I was born into wealth, and wealth just became more wealth. There is a thing as too much wealth, it’s bad for the world and it’s bad for those who own it, it’s alienating and morally corrosive." Abigail Disney at #IMFMeetings. @patrioticmillionaires.org @patmillsuk.bsky.social
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ICRICT @icrict.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
"Extreme wealth has been driving inflation in housing prices, distorting democracy, locking in carbon, and fueling cross border tax abuse. There are many negative spillovers of high wealth inequality" - Political Economist Fernanda Balata at #IMFMeetings.
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Patriotic Millionaires @patrioticmillionaires.org · 15/10/2025
We are so grateful for members like @abigaildisney.bsky.social who are willing to share their experiences AND speak out about the extreme dangers extreme wealth poses to any society 💕
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ICRICT @icrict.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
"One ethical reason for acknowledging that there is excessive wealth, is that its existence is starkly contrasted with the significant levels of poverty. As long as people live in extreme poverty, the presence of extreme wealth is morally unacceptable." - Nora Lustig at #IMFMeetings.
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Ingrid Robeyns @ingridrobeyns.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
@febalata.bsky.social is now stressing the heuristic value of the Extreme Wealth Line and the importance of maximally opening up the debate on this topic.
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Ingrid Robeyns @ingridrobeyns.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Now @febalata.bsky.social on the reasons to focus not just on inequality, but specifically on the concentration of assets at the top. Fernanda is sharing the work that she (also within @neweconomics.bsky.social) and others in the extremewealthline.com have been doing.
extremewealthline.com
Extreme Wealth Line
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
Here is the panel and link to tune in @neweconomics.bsky.social
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
Really excited to be in Campinas today for an important gathering of minds working for climate and tax justice. I will be moderating a panel later today on extreme wealth and equitable climate governance @neweconomics.bsky.social
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Naomi Klein @naomiaklein.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
Close to 65k watching the livefeed from the Global Sumud Flotilla off the coast of Gaza. Israel seems to be intercepting right now. All eyes needed. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEN2...
youtube.com
24/7 LIVESTREAM OF GLOBAL SUMUD FLOTILLA
YouTube video by Global Sumud Flotilla
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Naomi Klein @naomiaklein.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
Pls stop what you are doing and read this entire report on Israel's murder of journalist Anas al-Sharif and five colleagues in Gaza City. "He characterized Israel’s threats as 'Silence or Death,' and he vowed not to be silent." It ends with his final message. www.dropsitenews.com/p/anas-al-sh...
dropsitenews.com
The Israeli Assassination of Journalist Anas al-Sharif and Five Colleagues in Gaza City
“We understand these are our last days.”
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New Economics Foundation @neweconomics.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
Some important context to today's news of a "£40bn hole" in government finances. There are two questionable factors to this figure...
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
Here is another solution to stop the harms of extreme wealth in the UK. And with an upcoming Autumn Budget, Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer can put it to action. We need a problem solving approach to UK policy. #extremewealth
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
The 2025 UK Autumn Budget is the perfect opportunity to launch an urgent new political mandate to make our institutions fit for purpose to fairly tax extreme wealth. shorturl.at/g7Fmi @neweconomics.bsky.social @icrict.bsky.social @taxjusticeuk.bsky.social @prospectunion.bsky.social
theguardian.com
Starmer and Reeves should prepare UK for wealth tax, say top economists
PM could raise ‘tens of billions’ while positioning Britain as progressive, say Thomas Piketty and others
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
1/9 Democracy without justice is not democracy. My thread on Gaza, Santiago, Lula, global emergence - and why public pressure is working.
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
TU @zarahsultana.bsky.social. “I didn’t get into politics to make peoples lives worse. I didn’t get into politics to be complicit in genocide. Im going to do everything I can to stop those things.” The kind of moral compass that sets apart true progressive political leadership ❤️ shorturl.at/TlZfd
youtube.com
EXCLUSIVE: Zarah Sultana's First Interview Since Resigning From The Labour Party
YouTube video by Novara Media
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
My latest blog for @neweconomics.bsky.social on how a modern and fairer UK tax system must be directed at extreme wealth, not further squeeze workers’ salaries. neweconomics.org/2025/07/you-...
neweconomics.org
You can’t tax what you refuse to see
A modern and fairer tax system must be directed at extreme wealth, not further squeeze workers’ salaries
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
Brilliant piece by @hollies.bsky.social @neweconomics.bsky.social debunking the 'big fat myth' of millionaires leaving the UK if political leaders pursue a fairer tax system for us all! A better, fairer, more resilient UK would be a magnet, not a discouragement, for the (right kind of) wealthy.
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
New tariffs by the US come as Brazil tries to chart a fairer economic path. But the real threat isn’t a trade fight; it’s how extreme wealth is meddling in politics and undermining democratic principles to keep old elites in power (Trump using Bolsonaro’s legal battles as a trade negotiation card).
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
Not one but two incredible women I got to hang out with this week in Sevilla ❤️ some people can reach a certain level of fame and status and remain graceful, giving and kicking ass all at the same time. Thats @jayatighosh.bsky.social and @magdalenasepulveda.bsky.social
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
More tax justice and less inequality. Thats what it’s about. So proud to see my country’s leadership fighting for justice in the global stage and pushing to #taxtherich ❤️
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Brazil & South Africa with Spain for a fairer economy shorturl.at/fCTU3 whilst the G7 carries on holding us back, exempting US multinationals from the global minimum corporate tax shorturl.at/QCHYm time to follow the #magneticsouth @icrict.bsky.social @taxobservatory.bsky.social @oxfameu.bsky.social
hacienda.gob.es
Spain and Brazil present an initiative to promote a more ...
Spain and Brazil present an initiative to promote a more effective taxation of the super-rich worldwide
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Today, Spain and Brazil launched a plan here in Seville to supercharge global and national taxes on the super-rich. This is a bold move by progressive leaders not afraid to challenge extreme inequality and reclaim social cohesion. Is this the start of a new wealth era? #taxtherich #extremewealth
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Join us for the @neweconomics.bsky.social webinar later today with @policyalternatives.ca! We will be talking about how to bring together different actors fighting for #housingjustice You can still sign up to attend here: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
us06web.zoom.us
Join us for a timely NEF webinar on 'Addressing the housing crisis by supporting tenant-based movements: lessons from Canada and the UK'.
Join us for a dynamic conversation to exchange experiences from Canada and the UK in challenging conventional approaches to tackling the housing crisis. Learn from case studies where research and acti...
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Fe Balata @febalata.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
Webinar this week, 26 June, on Housing Justice: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... @acornunion.bsky.social @cmmonwealth.bsky.social @clesthinkdo.bsky.social @forhousingjustice.bsky.social ‬@coophousinguk.bsky.social‬ @jrf-uk.bsky.social ‬@sheltercharity.bsky.social @renterslondon.bsky.social
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