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Harold James

Harold James

Writing for PS since 2001
198 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. Geopolitical Davids and Goliaths
    james196_Michael M. SantiagoGetty Images_unitednations Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

    Geopolitical Davids and Goliaths

    Sep 23, 2022 Harold James considers lessons from smaller countries about how to wield power and influence in the twenty-first century.

  2. Can Truss Be Trusted with the Bank of England?
    james195_Christopher FurlongGetty Images_liz truss Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

    Can Truss Be Trusted with the Bank of England?

    Sep 2, 2022 Harold James thinks Britain’s likely next prime minister has a point in her criticism of the UK’s monetary policymakers.

  3. A Decade of “Whatever It Takes”
    james194_Sean GallupGetty Images_draghi Sean Gallup/Getty Images

    A Decade of “Whatever It Takes”

    Jul 26, 2022 Harold James considers the implications of the European Central Bank's new Transmission Protection Instrument.

  4. All That Is Solid Melts into Inflation
    james193_Image SourceGetty Images_dollareuropound2 Image Source/Getty Images

    All That Is Solid Melts into Inflation

    Jul 5, 2022 Harold James shows how episodes of price instability can both reflect and accelerate broader systemic breakdowns.

  5. What If Ukraine Is a Forever Crisis?
    james192_ARIS MESSINISAFP via Getty Images_ukrainewar Aris Messinis/AFP via Getty Images

    What If Ukraine Is a Forever Crisis?

    May 31, 2022 Harold James thinks that a prolonged war of attrition will increasingly complicate matters for the West.

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  1. signe10_ISSOUF SANOGOAFP via Getty Images_africatextilemanufacturing Issouf Sanogo/AFP via Getty Images
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    The Key to Unlocking Africa’s Economic Potential

    Landry Signé explains why fostering trade integration and regional value chains is essential for the continent to prosper.
  2. james196_Michael M. SantiagoGetty Images_unitednations Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
    1

    Geopolitical Davids and Goliaths

    Harold James considers lessons from smaller countries about how to wield power and influence in the twenty-first century.
  3. barroso10_MAMYRAELAFP via Getty Images_covax MAMYRAEL/AFP via Getty Images
    1

    Preparing for the Next Global Catastrophe

    José Manuel Barroso explains why global leaders must focus on creating equitable response mechanisms ahead of the next crisis.
  4. bergamaschi2_ ALBERTO PIZZOLIAFP via Getty Images_heatwave italu ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images
    0

    Italy’s Next Government Must Tackle Climate Security

    Luca Bergamaschi shows why the country’s politicians can no longer afford to ignore a major threat to national security.
  5. Tubiana13_Getty Images Getty Images
    3

    Europe and the New Non-Alignment

    Laurence Tubiana

    Despite the massive civilian suffering in Ukraine, many countries have been wary of taking sides, owing both to a perception of European double standards and to Russia’s leverage over energy and commodity prices. But while new geopolitical dynamics have complicated climate advocacy, they certainly haven't derailed it.

     sees both challenges and opportunities for climate policy in an era of geopolitical fragmentation.
  6. cliffe7_ EDUARDO SOTERASAFP via Getty Images_drought eastern africa EDUARDO SOTERAS/AFP via Getty Images
    1

    The Sting of Climate Risk Is in the Tails

    Mark Cliffe thinks conventional models have overemphasized the long term at the expense of more immediate threats.
  7. agar7_Getty Images_ai teacher Getty Images
    3

    Should Humanities Professors Be Automated?

    Nicholas Agar considers the implications of recent successes with AI-generated academic research and writing.
  8. GettyImages-1242343947 SOPA Images / Contributor via Getty Images
    1

    Should Energy Companies’ Windfall Profits Be Taxed?

    Imposing a one-off tax on energy companies’ extraordinary profits might seem like a no-brainer at a time of soaring inflation, but the idea has more than a few detractors. As policymakers in a growing number of economies move ahead, we asked PS commentators whether they are right to do so.

  9. solana145_Nathan PosnerAnadolu Agency via Getty Images_biden Nathan Posner/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
    10

    The Global Necessity of American Democracy

    Javier Solana shows why the political health of the United States has become a matter of global concern.

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