joseph francis
@joefrancis.bsky.social
Economic historian, writing a book on Argentina and another on slavery in the United States. Confined to a hill in Wales. https://thepoorrichworld.substack.com
Pinned
joseph francis
@joefrancis.bsky.social
· May 26
“Why the South Fought” is my latest paper on American economic history.
In it, I argue that white Southerners defended slavery because they had benefited from it. The idea that a mass of “poor whites” had been impoverished by slavery is a myth. 1/12
In it, I argue that white Southerners defended slavery because they had benefited from it. The idea that a mass of “poor whites” had been impoverished by slavery is a myth. 1/12
Reposted by joseph francis
Academia will form these little pockets -- people whose theorizing is outrageous & supported by methods outdated since the 90s -- but once it reaches a critical size those people just review each others papers & grants, form societies, hand out awards etc, like a self-contained parallel society.
June 3, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Academia will form these little pockets -- people whose theorizing is outrageous & supported by methods outdated since the 90s -- but once it reaches a critical size those people just review each others papers & grants, form societies, hand out awards etc, like a self-contained parallel society.
Abadie, Diamond, and Hainmueller (2015) is where the replication crisis comes to economics and political science.
Simply put, this chart is impossible. It implies that West Germany’s real GDP per capita grew by almost 8% per year from 1960 to 1990. But it clearly didn’t… 1/20
Simply put, this chart is impossible. It implies that West Germany’s real GDP per capita grew by almost 8% per year from 1960 to 1990. But it clearly didn’t… 1/20
June 3, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Abadie, Diamond, and Hainmueller (2015) is where the replication crisis comes to economics and political science.
Simply put, this chart is impossible. It implies that West Germany’s real GDP per capita grew by almost 8% per year from 1960 to 1990. But it clearly didn’t… 1/20
Simply put, this chart is impossible. It implies that West Germany’s real GDP per capita grew by almost 8% per year from 1960 to 1990. But it clearly didn’t… 1/20
“Why the South Fought” is my latest paper on American economic history.
In it, I argue that white Southerners defended slavery because they had benefited from it. The idea that a mass of “poor whites” had been impoverished by slavery is a myth. 1/12
In it, I argue that white Southerners defended slavery because they had benefited from it. The idea that a mass of “poor whites” had been impoverished by slavery is a myth. 1/12
May 26, 2025 at 3:03 PM
“Why the South Fought” is my latest paper on American economic history.
In it, I argue that white Southerners defended slavery because they had benefited from it. The idea that a mass of “poor whites” had been impoverished by slavery is a myth. 1/12
In it, I argue that white Southerners defended slavery because they had benefited from it. The idea that a mass of “poor whites” had been impoverished by slavery is a myth. 1/12
Logging out. Back to the manuscript.
May 9, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Logging out. Back to the manuscript.
The sad thing about historians being economically illiterate is that they either have to ignore what economic historians say or accept it on faith.
May 9, 2025 at 9:38 PM
The sad thing about historians being economically illiterate is that they either have to ignore what economic historians say or accept it on faith.
May 9, 2025 at 9:27 PM
I wrote a short essay reflecting on what “AI” means for academia. All my academic friends should probably now disown me. open.substack.com/pub/thepoorr...
Now Is Existential Question Time for Academia
The rise of the machines means that academics must ask themselves “Why Do I Exist?”
open.substack.com
May 8, 2025 at 9:51 AM
I wrote a short essay reflecting on what “AI” means for academia. All my academic friends should probably now disown me. open.substack.com/pub/thepoorr...
Reposted by joseph francis
Why are Homicides so High in Latin America?
This essay is a literature review of the intersecting drivers of violence, including @chrisblattman.bsky.social's new book which I strongly recommend! :-)
www.ggd.world/p/why-are-ho...
This essay is a literature review of the intersecting drivers of violence, including @chrisblattman.bsky.social's new book which I strongly recommend! :-)
www.ggd.world/p/why-are-ho...
May 1, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Why are Homicides so High in Latin America?
This essay is a literature review of the intersecting drivers of violence, including @chrisblattman.bsky.social's new book which I strongly recommend! :-)
www.ggd.world/p/why-are-ho...
This essay is a literature review of the intersecting drivers of violence, including @chrisblattman.bsky.social's new book which I strongly recommend! :-)
www.ggd.world/p/why-are-ho...
Reposted by joseph francis
The man at left separated the mother and baby at right. The mother is now in Venezuela. Baby daughter, in foster care in the US, exact location unknown.
Dad? He's in CECOT prison without trial — because he had tattoos.
Dad? He's in CECOT prison without trial — because he had tattoos.
April 29, 2025 at 8:02 PM
The man at left separated the mother and baby at right. The mother is now in Venezuela. Baby daughter, in foster care in the US, exact location unknown.
Dad? He's in CECOT prison without trial — because he had tattoos.
Dad? He's in CECOT prison without trial — because he had tattoos.
This should be obvious, but my research on slavery is not “policy oriented.” Even if slavery contributed to growth in the US, it does not mean that it would contribute to growth anywhere today. And even it did, it is still an abomination and should be abolished for all time.
In my new paper, I argue that slavery facilitated the growth of cotton exports in the 19th-century United States.
To see why this is controversial, we must enter the rabbit hole of how economic history is currently taught in American universities… 1/20
To see why this is controversial, we must enter the rabbit hole of how economic history is currently taught in American universities… 1/20
April 29, 2025 at 4:19 PM
This should be obvious, but my research on slavery is not “policy oriented.” Even if slavery contributed to growth in the US, it does not mean that it would contribute to growth anywhere today. And even it did, it is still an abomination and should be abolished for all time.
Reposted by joseph francis
In my new paper, I argue that slavery facilitated the growth of cotton exports in the 19th-century United States.
To see why this is controversial, we must enter the rabbit hole of how economic history is currently taught in American universities… 1/20
To see why this is controversial, we must enter the rabbit hole of how economic history is currently taught in American universities… 1/20
April 28, 2025 at 11:57 AM
In my new paper, I argue that slavery facilitated the growth of cotton exports in the 19th-century United States.
To see why this is controversial, we must enter the rabbit hole of how economic history is currently taught in American universities… 1/20
To see why this is controversial, we must enter the rabbit hole of how economic history is currently taught in American universities… 1/20
In my new paper, I argue that slavery facilitated the growth of cotton exports in the 19th-century United States.
To see why this is controversial, we must enter the rabbit hole of how economic history is currently taught in American universities… 1/20
To see why this is controversial, we must enter the rabbit hole of how economic history is currently taught in American universities… 1/20
April 28, 2025 at 11:57 AM
In my new paper, I argue that slavery facilitated the growth of cotton exports in the 19th-century United States.
To see why this is controversial, we must enter the rabbit hole of how economic history is currently taught in American universities… 1/20
To see why this is controversial, we must enter the rabbit hole of how economic history is currently taught in American universities… 1/20
Everyone has to make the difficult choice between cheap, high-quality electronics or… corn syrup?
> Japan says they won't join a US-led anti China trade bloc
It's a nice century I just didn't expect it to be Chinese
It's a nice century I just didn't expect it to be Chinese
April 24, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Everyone has to make the difficult choice between cheap, high-quality electronics or… corn syrup?
Reviewer 2 says that I completely ignore the role of institutions. I say, “hold my beer.”🤣
April 24, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Reviewer 2 says that I completely ignore the role of institutions. I say, “hold my beer.”🤣
Reposted by joseph francis
"An Israeli attack on [a] freed Palestinian prisoner killed him, his wife & 4 children... the blast was so violent paramedics were unable to recover a single body from the family of 6, but were left to collect shredded flesh and body parts from the street outside the residence"
April 24, 2025 at 6:52 AM
"An Israeli attack on [a] freed Palestinian prisoner killed him, his wife & 4 children... the blast was so violent paramedics were unable to recover a single body from the family of 6, but were left to collect shredded flesh and body parts from the street outside the residence"
Reposted by joseph francis
"The soldiers reloaded their magazines and kept shooting even after it was clear that no return fire was coming from the other side – and despite the cries of the aid workers who tried to identify themselves."
From Haaretz.
archive.ph/4vam4
From Haaretz.
archive.ph/4vam4
April 23, 2025 at 1:06 PM
"The soldiers reloaded their magazines and kept shooting even after it was clear that no return fire was coming from the other side – and despite the cries of the aid workers who tried to identify themselves."
From Haaretz.
archive.ph/4vam4
From Haaretz.
archive.ph/4vam4
Can any intrepid economist spot what was special about American cotton up to 1860?
April 19, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Can any intrepid economist spot what was special about American cotton up to 1860?
Reposted by joseph francis
I look at close to 100 stories a week and even more outside of work. I’ve done this ten years.
This is among the most horrific things I’ve ever read — testimony from dying children whose access to medicine has been cut off by the Trump administration.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
This is among the most horrific things I’ve ever read — testimony from dying children whose access to medicine has been cut off by the Trump administration.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Haunted by hopelessness: 12 Zambians share their stories as HIV drugs run out
Mothers and children, husbands and wives, doctors, truck drivers and religious leaders are all grappling with the fallout from the sudden U.S. cuts in aid.
www.npr.org
April 17, 2025 at 1:58 AM
I look at close to 100 stories a week and even more outside of work. I’ve done this ten years.
This is among the most horrific things I’ve ever read — testimony from dying children whose access to medicine has been cut off by the Trump administration.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
This is among the most horrific things I’ve ever read — testimony from dying children whose access to medicine has been cut off by the Trump administration.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Reposted by joseph francis
In São Paulo, I presented what I call “the Latin American paradox”
Why is it that Latin Americans are actually quite supportive of gender equality, and yet we see high femicides?
My answer: a weak state, drug wars & conflict give rise to generalized violence
Why is it that Latin Americans are actually quite supportive of gender equality, and yet we see high femicides?
My answer: a weak state, drug wars & conflict give rise to generalized violence
April 13, 2025 at 9:03 AM
In São Paulo, I presented what I call “the Latin American paradox”
Why is it that Latin Americans are actually quite supportive of gender equality, and yet we see high femicides?
My answer: a weak state, drug wars & conflict give rise to generalized violence
Why is it that Latin Americans are actually quite supportive of gender equality, and yet we see high femicides?
My answer: a weak state, drug wars & conflict give rise to generalized violence
Reposted by joseph francis
My parents worked in factories. Spark plugs, poultry, plastics, etc. They told me in no uncertain terms not to follow them. Their attitude was representative of an entire generation. America CHOSE to deindustrialize. In part because few people enjoy factory work, especially in non-union shops!
April 13, 2025 at 7:01 PM
My parents worked in factories. Spark plugs, poultry, plastics, etc. They told me in no uncertain terms not to follow them. Their attitude was representative of an entire generation. America CHOSE to deindustrialize. In part because few people enjoy factory work, especially in non-union shops!
Reposted by joseph francis
Video footage shows the moment an Israeli airstrike struck a UNRWA flour distribution center in Bani Suheila, east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, earlier today.
April 13, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Video footage shows the moment an Israeli airstrike struck a UNRWA flour distribution center in Bani Suheila, east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, earlier today.
“It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” (Acts 26:14)
April 12, 2025 at 11:22 PM
“It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” (Acts 26:14)
My paper “Accounting for Slavery” presents a new database of state-level GDP divided into 15 sectors for every census year in the US from 1839 to 1899.
I then use this new database to make a few gentle interventions in the slavery debates. 1/19
I then use this new database to make a few gentle interventions in the slavery debates. 1/19
April 12, 2025 at 11:09 PM
My paper “Accounting for Slavery” presents a new database of state-level GDP divided into 15 sectors for every census year in the US from 1839 to 1899.
I then use this new database to make a few gentle interventions in the slavery debates. 1/19
I then use this new database to make a few gentle interventions in the slavery debates. 1/19
Version 1 of “Accounting for Slavery” will be the real banger, but my wife wants me to cultivate the vegetable patch, so it will have to wait until Monday.
April 12, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Version 1 of “Accounting for Slavery” will be the real banger, but my wife wants me to cultivate the vegetable patch, so it will have to wait until Monday.