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Harold James

Harold James

Writing for PS since 2001
218 commentaries
2 videos & podcasts

Harold James is Professor of History and International Affairs at Princeton University. A specialist on German economic history and on globalization, he is a co-author of The Euro and The Battle of Ideas, and the author of The Creation and Destruction of Value: The Globalization Cycle, Krupp: A History of the Legendary German Firm, Making the European Monetary Union, and The War of Words.

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  1. Europe’s High Noon
    james216_Dave Tschorn Dave Tschorn

    Europe’s High Noon

    Mar 26, 2024 Harold James worries that Western political leaders lack the will to take the risky decisions that security demands.

  2. The Financial March to War
    james215_Irina Gutyryak Getty Images_currencies Irina Gutyryak Getty Images

    The Financial March to War

    Feb 27, 2024 Harold James explains how currency wars and speculation could feature in today’s great-power conflicts.

  3. The Politics of Despair
    james214_Sean RayfordGetty Images_trump Sean Rayford/Getty Images

    The Politics of Despair

    Jan 30, 2024 Harold James explores the yawning gap between positive economic developments and dour public sentiment.

  4. A Year of Political Chicken
    james213_ (Photos by Brendan Smialowski and JIM WATSON AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI,JIM WATSONAFP via Getty Images)_biden trump (Photos by Brendan Smialowski and JIM WATSON / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI,JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

    A Year of Political Chicken

    Jan 2, 2024 Harold James considers the US presidential race and its global implications through the lens of game theory.

  5. Inflation Destroys Rotten Governments
    james212_Sven Hoppepicture alliance via Getty Images_rubles Sven Hoppe/picture alliance via Getty Images

    Inflation Destroys Rotten Governments

    Nov 23, 2023 Harold James explains why price instability poses such an acute threat to authoritarian and incompetent regimes.

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  1. nishtar8_AMAURY HAUCHARDAFP via Getty Images_africavaccine Amaury Hauchard/AFP via Getty Images
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    Fifty Years of Immunization Success Call for 50 More

    Sania Nishtar touts the remarkable results of global collaboration on routine vaccination and foresees continued progress.
  2. GettyImages-2149550584 Photo by MARK PETERSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
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    Trump on Trial

    From a long list of criminal indictments to unfavorable voter demographics, there is plenty standing between presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump and a second term in the White House. But a Trump victory in the November election remains a distinct possibility – and a cause for serious economic concern.

  3. woods56_Alex WongGetty Images_georgieva Alex Wong/Getty Images
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    The IMF Chose the Right Leader the Wrong Way

    Ngaire Woods thinks the Fund’s process for selecting its managing director is woefully out of step with today’s world.
  4. bildt122_Mikhail SvetlovGetty Images_trumpputin Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images
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    Trump Is Putin’s Only Hope Now

    Carl Bildt considers the implications of Ukraine finally receiving the Western military aid it has been waiting for.
  5. frankel159_Getty Images_customer service Getty Images
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    How to Rebuild Trust in Public Institutions

    Eleanor Carter & Carolyn J. Heinrich highlight the value of face-to-face interactions at a time when governments are phasing out in-person services.
  6. isenberg1_TIMOTHY A. CLARYPOOLAFP via Getty Images_trumptrial Timothy A. Clary/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
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    Is Trump Above the Law?

    Nancy Isenberg

    Contrary to what former US President Donald Trump would have the American public believe, no president enjoys absolute immunity from criminal prosecution. To suggest otherwise is to reject a bedrock principle of American democracy: the president is not a monarch.

     explains why the US Supreme Court must reject the former president's claim to immunity from prosecution.
  7. deryugina1_BEN BIRCHALLPOOLAFP via Getty Images_ukraineflagsoldier Ben Birchall/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
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    Ukraine Is Far From Doomed

    Tatyana Deryugina & Anastassia Fedyk

    When comparing Ukraine’s situation in 2024 to Europe’s in 1941, Russia’s defeat seems entirely possible. But it will require the West, and the US in particular, to put aside domestic political squabbles and muster the political will to provide Ukraine with consistent and robust military and financial assistance.

     compare Russia's full-scale invasion to World War II and see reason to hope – as long as aid keeps flowing.
  8. glennerster2_Scott OlsonGetty Images)_vaccines Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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    The Pandemic Financing Developing Countries Need

    Rachel Glennerster urges multilateral development banks to establish mechanisms that enable at-risk vaccine purchases.
  9. krueger74_AFP via Getty Images_nigercoup AFP via Getty Images
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    The Geopolitics of Africa’s Debt Crisis

    Anne O. Krueger urges developed countries to back efforts by the IMF and the World Bank to promote growth-enhancing reforms.

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