Tom Hart
@thrh.bsky.social
Public finance, global development, health @odi-global.bsky.social.
Reposted by Tom Hart
For this week's @theobserveruk.bsky.social I've written about one of my favourite topics: the productivity of the public sector, how it's measured, why it tends to grow less quickly than productivity in the private sector, and what it means for policy.
observer.co.uk/news/busines...
observer.co.uk/news/busines...
November 9, 2025 at 10:11 AM
For this week's @theobserveruk.bsky.social I've written about one of my favourite topics: the productivity of the public sector, how it's measured, why it tends to grow less quickly than productivity in the private sector, and what it means for policy.
observer.co.uk/news/busines...
observer.co.uk/news/busines...
Reposted by Tom Hart
Liberia / IMF program 2nd review staff report. In-depth discussion of impact of USAID cuts (paragraph 3): "The permanent cancelation of USAID projects will have considerable economic and social effects. In February 2025, nearly all active USAID projects—totaling US$434 million (about 7% of GDP) ..."
November 7, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Liberia / IMF program 2nd review staff report. In-depth discussion of impact of USAID cuts (paragraph 3): "The permanent cancelation of USAID projects will have considerable economic and social effects. In February 2025, nearly all active USAID projects—totaling US$434 million (about 7% of GDP) ..."
Reposted by Tom Hart
Zohran Mamdani's New York City win inspires people in Uganda, ruled by an authoritarian president for nearly 40 years.
‘I can also make it’: Mamdani’s NYC win inspires hopes of change in Uganda
Zohran Mamdani's New York City win inspires people in Uganda, ruled by an authoritarian president for nearly 40 years.
bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Zohran Mamdani's New York City win inspires people in Uganda, ruled by an authoritarian president for nearly 40 years.
Reposted by Tom Hart
Internet shutdown in Tanzania as protests erupt over the suppression of opposition politicians challenging President Samia Suluhu.
October 29, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Internet shutdown in Tanzania as protests erupt over the suppression of opposition politicians challenging President Samia Suluhu.
Reposted by Tom Hart
Huge, unprecedented protests in Tanzania yesterday. I've found literally one post on bluesky. This is why some of us can't fully shut our twitter accounts, much as we might wish to.
October 30, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Huge, unprecedented protests in Tanzania yesterday. I've found literally one post on bluesky. This is why some of us can't fully shut our twitter accounts, much as we might wish to.
Reposted by Tom Hart
Literally one of the greatest soft power brands on planet earth driven into the ground by successive British governments that embrace failure, decline and irrelevance.
on.ft.com/3Wq1XIT
on.ft.com/3Wq1XIT
British Council ‘selling everything it can’ to survive
Cultural body plans more job cuts, sale of assets and closure in 35 countries to stave off ‘financial peril’
on.ft.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Literally one of the greatest soft power brands on planet earth driven into the ground by successive British governments that embrace failure, decline and irrelevance.
on.ft.com/3Wq1XIT
on.ft.com/3Wq1XIT
Reposted by Tom Hart
Herbert Simon on the internet and attention, 1996
October 28, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Herbert Simon on the internet and attention, 1996
With the death of Raila Odinga yesterday, Kenyan politics has entered a new era. Ken's brilliant post discusses his contributions and contradictions.
October 16, 2025 at 9:31 AM
With the death of Raila Odinga yesterday, Kenyan politics has entered a new era. Ken's brilliant post discusses his contributions and contradictions.
Reposted by Tom Hart
There is no need for a moral panic about the UK's welfare system.
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
October 15, 2025 at 12:35 PM
There is no need for a moral panic about the UK's welfare system.
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Reposted by Tom Hart
Gold prices: also a factor in Ethiopia's debt restructuring. In return for a haircut, bondholders want a warrant that would be linked to export growth. Talks on that have just stalled but there is clearly one export in particular that stands out. And it's not coffee.
October 14, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Gold prices: also a factor in Ethiopia's debt restructuring. In return for a haircut, bondholders want a warrant that would be linked to export growth. Talks on that have just stalled but there is clearly one export in particular that stands out. And it's not coffee.
Reposted by Tom Hart
I am delighted to share that Nobel laureates Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee will join our Department of Economics @econ.uzh.ch at the University of Zurich on July 1, 2026, as Lemann Foundation Professors of Economics.
🧵 1/7
🧵 1/7
October 10, 2025 at 9:01 AM
I am delighted to share that Nobel laureates Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee will join our Department of Economics @econ.uzh.ch at the University of Zurich on July 1, 2026, as Lemann Foundation Professors of Economics.
🧵 1/7
🧵 1/7
Reposted by Tom Hart
On Yom Kippur many Jewish people in Britain have their phones off to mark the holy day.
As it ends at 723pm, some will hear the tragic Manchester news for the first time.
At that time, please join many of us to send a message of solidarity to British Jews.Thanks Together coalition for proposing.
As it ends at 723pm, some will hear the tragic Manchester news for the first time.
At that time, please join many of us to send a message of solidarity to British Jews.Thanks Together coalition for proposing.
October 2, 2025 at 4:06 PM
On Yom Kippur many Jewish people in Britain have their phones off to mark the holy day.
As it ends at 723pm, some will hear the tragic Manchester news for the first time.
At that time, please join many of us to send a message of solidarity to British Jews.Thanks Together coalition for proposing.
As it ends at 723pm, some will hear the tragic Manchester news for the first time.
At that time, please join many of us to send a message of solidarity to British Jews.Thanks Together coalition for proposing.
Reposted by Tom Hart
Some great charts in this report. This one is my favourite. The UK has signed up the new NATO commitment to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence. The scale of the increase is fiscally challenging, and we've given ourselves a decade. Poland, on the other hand, has done it in just two years.
September 26, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Some great charts in this report. This one is my favourite. The UK has signed up the new NATO commitment to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence. The scale of the increase is fiscally challenging, and we've given ourselves a decade. Poland, on the other hand, has done it in just two years.
Reposted by Tom Hart
It’s party conference season – and bombastic statements on immigration are at the top of playlists.
I for one am tired of hearing the same old emotionally charged promises that just don’t relate to reality. You too?
Here are five things you should be hearing about immigration, but won’t be.
I for one am tired of hearing the same old emotionally charged promises that just don’t relate to reality. You too?
Here are five things you should be hearing about immigration, but won’t be.
It's party conference season in the UK – and immigration will again be one of the big talking points.
In a new blog, @j-hagen-zanker.bsky.social highlights 5 realities about migration repeatedly evidenced by research which we won't be hearing from politicians.
In a new blog, @j-hagen-zanker.bsky.social highlights 5 realities about migration repeatedly evidenced by research which we won't be hearing from politicians.
Five things you should be hearing about immigration, but won’t be
Realities about migration and displacement that you won't hear from politicians during party conference season in the UK.
odi.org
September 26, 2025 at 8:43 AM
It’s party conference season – and bombastic statements on immigration are at the top of playlists.
I for one am tired of hearing the same old emotionally charged promises that just don’t relate to reality. You too?
Here are five things you should be hearing about immigration, but won’t be.
I for one am tired of hearing the same old emotionally charged promises that just don’t relate to reality. You too?
Here are five things you should be hearing about immigration, but won’t be.
Another incumbent loses amidst concerns over inflation
BBC News - Malawi's ex-president wins election in comeback at age 85
www.bbc.com/news/article...
BBC News - Malawi's ex-president wins election in comeback at age 85
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Peter Mutharika defeats Lazarus Chakwera in Malawi election, commission declares
Peter Mutharika defeated the incumbent, Lazarus Chakwera, the election commission announces.
www.bbc.com
September 24, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Another incumbent loses amidst concerns over inflation
BBC News - Malawi's ex-president wins election in comeback at age 85
www.bbc.com/news/article...
BBC News - Malawi's ex-president wins election in comeback at age 85
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Tom Hart
Under two new partnerships announced today, India-based generic manufacturers are expected to produce the highly effective Lenacapvir, a new 6-month injection that prevents HIV transmission, for $40 per patient per year — the same price as daily oral PrEP. www.devex.com/news/new-par...
New partnerships bring price parity between lenacapavir and oral PrEP
India-based generic manufacturers are expected to produce the highly effective new injection that prevents HIV transmission at $40 — the same price as daily oral PrEP.
www.devex.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Under two new partnerships announced today, India-based generic manufacturers are expected to produce the highly effective Lenacapvir, a new 6-month injection that prevents HIV transmission, for $40 per patient per year — the same price as daily oral PrEP. www.devex.com/news/new-par...
Reposted by Tom Hart
Trump's Argentine bail out could set up biggest sovereign story of the decade. If Argentina defaults despite the bail out, Trump will want seniority, but IMF cant give it. You can imagine how this descends into a colossal row between IMF and its biggest shareholder www.ft.com/content/4127...
Bessent says US in talks with Argentina over $20bn swap line
Proposed measure comes as Trump administration seeks to support Javier Milei’s libertarian government
www.ft.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Trump's Argentine bail out could set up biggest sovereign story of the decade. If Argentina defaults despite the bail out, Trump will want seniority, but IMF cant give it. You can imagine how this descends into a colossal row between IMF and its biggest shareholder www.ft.com/content/4127...
Reposted by Tom Hart
Winners of this year's Ig Nobel awards:
Inspired by the observation that zebras aren't plagued by biting flies, this group that found that painting zebra stripes on cattle reduced attacks by biting flies by 20%.
This reduced the no. of fly-repelling behaviors (tail flicks, skin twitches) needed.
Inspired by the observation that zebras aren't plagued by biting flies, this group that found that painting zebra stripes on cattle reduced attacks by biting flies by 20%.
This reduced the no. of fly-repelling behaviors (tail flicks, skin twitches) needed.
September 20, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Winners of this year's Ig Nobel awards:
Inspired by the observation that zebras aren't plagued by biting flies, this group that found that painting zebra stripes on cattle reduced attacks by biting flies by 20%.
This reduced the no. of fly-repelling behaviors (tail flicks, skin twitches) needed.
Inspired by the observation that zebras aren't plagued by biting flies, this group that found that painting zebra stripes on cattle reduced attacks by biting flies by 20%.
This reduced the no. of fly-repelling behaviors (tail flicks, skin twitches) needed.
Reposted by Tom Hart
New note on the status of PEPFAR from Ramona Godbole, formerly of USAID, for @CGDev.
24% by value of USAID’s PEPFAR awards have been reported terminated, including 16% lifesaving HIV programming.
Thread and link below.
24% by value of USAID’s PEPFAR awards have been reported terminated, including 16% lifesaving HIV programming.
Thread and link below.
September 17, 2025 at 5:35 PM
New note on the status of PEPFAR from Ramona Godbole, formerly of USAID, for @CGDev.
24% by value of USAID’s PEPFAR awards have been reported terminated, including 16% lifesaving HIV programming.
Thread and link below.
24% by value of USAID’s PEPFAR awards have been reported terminated, including 16% lifesaving HIV programming.
Thread and link below.
Reposted by Tom Hart
I have a new article out in the Journal of Democracy comparing mass protests and government collapse in 2025 Nepal, 2024 Bangladesh, and 2022 Sri Lanka:
www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclu...
www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclu...
Why South Asia’s Regimes Keep Falling | Journal of Democracy
The government of Nepal has become the third South Asian government to collapse amid mass protests in three years. It will take more than elections to restore stability. Young protesters want to see…
www.journalofdemocracy.org
September 17, 2025 at 11:34 AM
I have a new article out in the Journal of Democracy comparing mass protests and government collapse in 2025 Nepal, 2024 Bangladesh, and 2022 Sri Lanka:
www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclu...
www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclu...
Reposted by Tom Hart
A majority of Ugandans say climatic changes have led them to change the crops they plant (60% of those with crops) and the food they eat (53%).
Head over to our website to read more: bit.ly/4ppbQng
#Uganda #ClimateChange #VoicesAfrica
Head over to our website to read more: bit.ly/4ppbQng
#Uganda #ClimateChange #VoicesAfrica
September 15, 2025 at 11:15 AM
A majority of Ugandans say climatic changes have led them to change the crops they plant (60% of those with crops) and the food they eat (53%).
Head over to our website to read more: bit.ly/4ppbQng
#Uganda #ClimateChange #VoicesAfrica
Head over to our website to read more: bit.ly/4ppbQng
#Uganda #ClimateChange #VoicesAfrica
Reposted by Tom Hart
The other September 11
Most of us remember exactly where we were on September 11, 2001.
My wife and I were teaching at the American University of Beirut at the time. I was in the economics department, she at the school of public health on the other side of campus.
1/
Most of us remember exactly where we were on September 11, 2001.
My wife and I were teaching at the American University of Beirut at the time. I was in the economics department, she at the school of public health on the other side of campus.
1/
September 11, 2025 at 11:04 AM
The other September 11
Most of us remember exactly where we were on September 11, 2001.
My wife and I were teaching at the American University of Beirut at the time. I was in the economics department, she at the school of public health on the other side of campus.
1/
Most of us remember exactly where we were on September 11, 2001.
My wife and I were teaching at the American University of Beirut at the time. I was in the economics department, she at the school of public health on the other side of campus.
1/
How to pay for the Bakerloo line extension, or why England needs more fiscal decentralisation
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/bakerloo-e...
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/bakerloo-e...
This is how we pay for the Bakerloo Line extension
One weird trick can extend the Tube, level up the north and make the Treasury happy.
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk
September 2, 2025 at 12:38 PM
How to pay for the Bakerloo line extension, or why England needs more fiscal decentralisation
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/bakerloo-e...
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/bakerloo-e...
Reposted by Tom Hart
RBM.. said the terms brought on board by IMF included restructuring the debt with the regional creditors with 17 years of moratorium and repayment over 13 years. In the new deal, some of the loans be repaid in local currency, other in USD .. and that payment has started. mwnation.com/rbm-makes-mo...
RBM makes move on debt restructuring - Nation Online
The Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) says it has negotiated better debt restructuring terms with Afreximbank and Trade and Development Bank (TDB) following a fall-out with the International Monetary Fund ...
mwnation.com
September 1, 2025 at 12:16 PM
RBM.. said the terms brought on board by IMF included restructuring the debt with the regional creditors with 17 years of moratorium and repayment over 13 years. In the new deal, some of the loans be repaid in local currency, other in USD .. and that payment has started. mwnation.com/rbm-makes-mo...