By Rachel Goldfarb, originally published on Next New Deal
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The Chinese Century (Vanity Fair)
Roosevelt Institute Chief Economist Joseph Stiglitz considers the implications of China becoming the world's largest economy, particularly as the U.S. system perpetuates so much inequality.
The rise of China also shines a harsh spotlight on the American model. That model has not been delivering for large portions of its own population. The typical American family is worse off than it was a quarter-century ago, adjusted for inflation; the proportion of people in poverty has increased. China, too, is marked by high levels of inequality, but its economy has been doing some good for most of its citizens. China moved some 500 million people out of poverty during the same period that saw America’s middle class enter a period of stagnation. An economic model that doesn’t serve a majority of its citizens is not going to provide a role model for others to emulate. America should see the rise of China as a wake-up call to put our own house in order.
Follow below the fold for more.
U.S. Jobs Report Beats Forecasts as 321,000 Positions Added in November (The Guardian)
Heidi Moore looks at the November jobs report, which surprised many economists with its strength. She emphasizes that many of the jobs created are low-wage.
Even at 321,000 Jobs a Month, It Will Be Nearly Two Years Before the Economy Looks Like 2007 (Working Economics)
Charting out scenarios for catching up with the jobs shortfall, Elise Gould points out that even a "good" jobs report like this one isn't indicative of a speedy recovery.
Recovery at Last? (NYT)
Paul Krugman considers what recent positive economic news means for our understanding of this recession. He thinks it's proof that government paralysis slowed the recovery.
Wall Street to Workers: Give Us Your Retirement Savings and Stop Asking Questions (In These Times)
David Sirota looks at current cases in which public officials have refused to release information about the fees paid to investment firms by public pension funds.
- Roosevelt Take: Roosevelt Institute Fellow Saqib Bhatti explains how predatory municipal finance deals are harming taxpayers in his recent report.
Labor's New Reality -- It's Easier to Raise Wages for 100,000 Than to Unionize 4,000 (LA Times)
Harold Meyerson looks at the labor movement's shift toward focusing on issues that impact many workers who are not members, a project in which Los Angeles is at the center.
Elizabeth Warren Doesn't Like This Treasury Nominee. Here's Why. (Mother Jones)
Erika Eichelberger explains Senator Warren's opposition to Antonio Weiss's nomination, which is based on his lack of experience in banking regulation and coziness with the financial sector.