Mark Harrison
@mark4harrison.bsky.social
Emeritus Professor of Economics at the University of Warwick. History of Russia, communism, two world wars, and the cold war. Economics of fighting, stealing, cheating, lying, and spying. Home page at http://warwick.ac.uk/markharrison/
For Putin's birthday I was quoted in @thesun.co.uk about his methods of rule . . . www.thesun.co.uk/news/3693614... @warwickecon.bsky.social @cagewarwick.bsky.social @britishacademy.bsky.social @basees.bsky.social
How Vlad used sex tape to seize power... and spies use secrets to keep him there
RISING through the ranks of Russia’s elite and consolidating his power, Vladimir Putin weaponised sex and secrets to crush his political opponents. The former KGB officer used underhanded esp…
www.thesun.co.uk
October 7, 2025 at 4:01 PM
For Putin's birthday I was quoted in @thesun.co.uk about his methods of rule . . . www.thesun.co.uk/news/3693614... @warwickecon.bsky.social @cagewarwick.bsky.social @britishacademy.bsky.social @basees.bsky.social
Reposted by Mark Harrison
I was recommended this book by @mark4harrison.bsky.social and I am on my fourth time reading it Its a magestrial explanation of the creation of the Soviet Warfare State Do not agree with everything the connection with the American Civil War seems contrived but it is hudely challenging in its breadth
September 27, 2025 at 6:51 PM
I was recommended this book by @mark4harrison.bsky.social and I am on my fourth time reading it Its a magestrial explanation of the creation of the Soviet Warfare State Do not agree with everything the connection with the American Civil War seems contrived but it is hudely challenging in its breadth
Reposted by Mark Harrison
ICYMI: in my latest for @wpr.bsky.social, I discuss how an embrace and even enthusiasm for using violence abroad inevitably links back to violence at home.
The ‘World at War’ Is Becoming Increasingly Lawless
International and domestic violence, have long been seen as intrinsically linked, largely because they both can feed on one another.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
September 22, 2025 at 12:20 PM
ICYMI: in my latest for @wpr.bsky.social, I discuss how an embrace and even enthusiasm for using violence abroad inevitably links back to violence at home.
Reposted by Mark Harrison
Russia seems to be testing the willingness of Poland’s NATO allies to react collectively to a vivid provocation. How will the West respond?
Vladimir Putin’s dangerous drone probe is a moment of truth for NATO
Poland’s prime minister warns of “open conflict” with Russia
econ.st
September 11, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Russia seems to be testing the willingness of Poland’s NATO allies to react collectively to a vivid provocation. How will the West respond?
Reposted by Mark Harrison
⚡️ Poland asks NATO to activate Article 4 over Russian drone incursion.
Article 4 of the NATO treaty allows member states to request consultations with the allies if they believe their security has been threatened, without triggering a military response.
Article 4 of the NATO treaty allows member states to request consultations with the allies if they believe their security has been threatened, without triggering a military response.
Poland asks NATO to activate Article 4 over Russian drone incursion
Article 4 of the NATO treaty allows member states to request consultations with the allies if they believe their security has been threatened, without triggering a military response.
kyivindependent.com
September 10, 2025 at 9:14 AM
⚡️ Poland asks NATO to activate Article 4 over Russian drone incursion.
Article 4 of the NATO treaty allows member states to request consultations with the allies if they believe their security has been threatened, without triggering a military response.
Article 4 of the NATO treaty allows member states to request consultations with the allies if they believe their security has been threatened, without triggering a military response.
Reposted by Mark Harrison
A few quick impressions from @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu's State of the Union address: ec.europa.eu/commission/p... /
2025 State of the Union Address by President von der Leyen
President von der Leyen delivered the first State of the Union Address of the 2024-2029 Commission. \n
ec.europa.eu
September 10, 2025 at 9:31 AM
A few quick impressions from @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu's State of the Union address: ec.europa.eu/commission/p... /
Reposted by Mark Harrison
New high of Americans saying immigration is good for the US
September 7, 2025 at 6:19 PM
New high of Americans saying immigration is good for the US
Reposted by Mark Harrison
Enter a parallel universe where Lucy Connolly is a Bradford-based Muslim man called Usman Farooq who has tweeted that people should "set fire to all the f*cking churches full of the bastards", and the Telegraph would call him a terrorist who should be locked up immediately.
"I was Keir Starmer's political prisoner?"
"Really? And what politics got you imprisoned?"
"I publicly advocated for vulnerable people to be burned alive"
"Really? And what politics got you imprisoned?"
"I publicly advocated for vulnerable people to be burned alive"
This felt inevitable: an interview with Allison Pearson given top billing in the Telegraph.
Connolly suggests Starmer should relearn what freedom of speech means and "what the laws are in this country".
I think he knows but Connolly/Pearson clearly don't. No lessons have been learned in prison.
Connolly suggests Starmer should relearn what freedom of speech means and "what the laws are in this country".
I think he knows but Connolly/Pearson clearly don't. No lessons have been learned in prison.
August 24, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Enter a parallel universe where Lucy Connolly is a Bradford-based Muslim man called Usman Farooq who has tweeted that people should "set fire to all the f*cking churches full of the bastards", and the Telegraph would call him a terrorist who should be locked up immediately.
Reposted by Mark Harrison
Farage is content with allowing people to be murdered and tortured. I'm not on that side and never will be.
August 22, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Farage is content with allowing people to be murdered and tortured. I'm not on that side and never will be.
Reposted by Mark Harrison
What does the story of India reveal about the big questions of world history?
I got to talk about this at the British Academy. What an honour! Recording out now.
This was at the book launch of B. Gupta's "Economic History of India", hosted by the always-inspiring @cagewarwick.bsky.social.
1/3
I got to talk about this at the British Academy. What an honour! Recording out now.
This was at the book launch of B. Gupta's "Economic History of India", hosted by the always-inspiring @cagewarwick.bsky.social.
1/3
The Great Question of History: India, Britain, and the Fates of Nations | Live at the British Academy
On Humans · Episode
open.spotify.com
August 21, 2025 at 12:45 PM
What does the story of India reveal about the big questions of world history?
I got to talk about this at the British Academy. What an honour! Recording out now.
This was at the book launch of B. Gupta's "Economic History of India", hosted by the always-inspiring @cagewarwick.bsky.social.
1/3
I got to talk about this at the British Academy. What an honour! Recording out now.
This was at the book launch of B. Gupta's "Economic History of India", hosted by the always-inspiring @cagewarwick.bsky.social.
1/3
Reposted by Mark Harrison
Gonna need some foreign help with those midterms, I guess.
"Among other changes announced by Gabbard, the restructuring eliminates the Foreign Malign Influence Center, which monitors foreign efforts to influence the US public."
ODNI Fact Sheet here: www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/d...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
ODNI Fact Sheet here: www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/d...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Tulsi Gabbard announces plans to cut intelligence staff by half
The director of national intelligence will also revoke the security clearances for 37 US intelligence officials who served under Biden and Obama.
www.bbc.com
August 21, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Gonna need some foreign help with those midterms, I guess.
Reposted by Mark Harrison
My understanding is that the list of people whose clearances have been revoked by Gabbard includes a career civil servant who was until recently the most senior Russia analyst in the CIA & remains senior there. (NYT previously reported it included a snr CIA analyst: www.nytimes.com/2025/08/19/u...)
Trump Revokes Security Clearances of 37 Former and Current Officials
www.nytimes.com
August 20, 2025 at 6:48 PM
My understanding is that the list of people whose clearances have been revoked by Gabbard includes a career civil servant who was until recently the most senior Russia analyst in the CIA & remains senior there. (NYT previously reported it included a snr CIA analyst: www.nytimes.com/2025/08/19/u...)
Reposted by Mark Harrison
Remarkable open letter from Bill Burns. "If intelligence analysts at the CIA saw our rivals engage in this kind of great-power suicide, we would break out the bourbon. Instead, the sound we hear is of champagne glasses clinking in the Kremlin and Zhongnanhai." theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
A Letter to America’s Discarded Public Servants
You all deserved better.
theatlantic.com
August 21, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Remarkable open letter from Bill Burns. "If intelligence analysts at the CIA saw our rivals engage in this kind of great-power suicide, we would break out the bourbon. Instead, the sound we hear is of champagne glasses clinking in the Kremlin and Zhongnanhai." theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
Reposted by Mark Harrison
1/2. The phrase "land swap" is being used to mean "Ukraine concedes land illegally occupied by Russia and also concedes territory that is not even occupied." That is not a swap.
August 17, 2025 at 8:01 PM
1/2. The phrase "land swap" is being used to mean "Ukraine concedes land illegally occupied by Russia and also concedes territory that is not even occupied." That is not a swap.
Reposted by Mark Harrison
🧵 In a recent IZA Discussion Paper, @stepanmikula.bsky.social, @tommasoreggiani.bsky.social, and I study how civic culture can persist—or even emerge—under authoritarian rule.
In the IZA World of Labor commentary linked below, you can also find a short non-technical summary.
#EconSky
1/3
In the IZA World of Labor commentary linked below, you can also find a short non-technical summary.
#EconSky
1/3
Seeds of trust: How churches helped sustain civic life behind the “iron curtain”
Safeguarding even small civic spaces can be crucial for strengthening democracy in the long run
wol.iza.org
August 12, 2025 at 10:06 AM
🧵 In a recent IZA Discussion Paper, @stepanmikula.bsky.social, @tommasoreggiani.bsky.social, and I study how civic culture can persist—or even emerge—under authoritarian rule.
In the IZA World of Labor commentary linked below, you can also find a short non-technical summary.
#EconSky
1/3
In the IZA World of Labor commentary linked below, you can also find a short non-technical summary.
#EconSky
1/3
"Growth is the number one priority" but the government needs money so let's stick a 6% tariff on one of our own more successful export industries
We are calling on the UK Government to not introduce a levy on higher education provider income from international students, reduce visa costs to attract global talent, and to review higher education funding to create a sustainable model
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/documents/58...
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/documents/58...
August 8, 2025 at 6:48 AM
"Growth is the number one priority" but the government needs money so let's stick a 6% tariff on one of our own more successful export industries
Reposted by Mark Harrison
Take it from a historian: it is worthwhile to keep an eye on Russia's agricultural performance
‼️ Russian Agricultural Update:
“Beet shipments down 51%”
*sugar beets
For January-June 2025.
This story might be more complex & more important than you might expect.
www.kommersant.ru/doc/7926448
“Beet shipments down 51%”
*sugar beets
For January-June 2025.
This story might be more complex & more important than you might expect.
www.kommersant.ru/doc/7926448
August 2, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Take it from a historian: it is worthwhile to keep an eye on Russia's agricultural performance
Reposted by Mark Harrison
Why does sovereign recognition matter?
Because it is foundational to the current international system.
🧵
Because it is foundational to the current international system.
🧵
August 2, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Why does sovereign recognition matter?
Because it is foundational to the current international system.
🧵
Because it is foundational to the current international system.
🧵
Reposted by Mark Harrison
Reposted by Mark Harrison
France, the U.K. and Canada are all prepared to recognize the state of Palestine. What does that actually mean in international relations?
@profpaulpoast.bsky.social explains:
@profpaulpoast.bsky.social explains:
Recognizing Palestinian Statehood Isn’t Just Political Theater
France, the U.K. and Canada are all prepared to recognize the state of Palestine. What does that actually mean in international relations?
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
August 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM
France, the U.K. and Canada are all prepared to recognize the state of Palestine. What does that actually mean in international relations?
@profpaulpoast.bsky.social explains:
@profpaulpoast.bsky.social explains:
Reposted by Mark Harrison
Alright then, before this totally runs out of steam/becomes too tedious even for me:
1 like = one opinion about the Second World War
1 like = one opinion about the Second World War
July 29, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Alright then, before this totally runs out of steam/becomes too tedious even for me:
1 like = one opinion about the Second World War
1 like = one opinion about the Second World War
In which Pyotr Kurzin and I have a pleasant chat on a gloomy subject -- sanctions, economic warfare, and Russia's war on Ukraine www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfjX...
@warwickecon.bsky.social @cagewarwick.bsky.social @britishacademy.bsky.social @cepr.org
@warwickecon.bsky.social @cagewarwick.bsky.social @britishacademy.bsky.social @cepr.org
Why Russia’s Slow Collapse Is More Dangerous Than You Realise
YouTube video by Pyotr Kurzin | Geopolitics
www.youtube.com
July 28, 2025 at 7:13 PM
In which Pyotr Kurzin and I have a pleasant chat on a gloomy subject -- sanctions, economic warfare, and Russia's war on Ukraine www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfjX...
@warwickecon.bsky.social @cagewarwick.bsky.social @britishacademy.bsky.social @cepr.org
@warwickecon.bsky.social @cagewarwick.bsky.social @britishacademy.bsky.social @cepr.org
Reposted by Mark Harrison
Lionel Shriver tells those of us who live here what our country looks like if you leave it + rely on the media ecosystem of the very online right as a proxy for reality
July 24, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Lionel Shriver tells those of us who live here what our country looks like if you leave it + rely on the media ecosystem of the very online right as a proxy for reality
Reposted by Mark Harrison
Good stuff: Paul Krugman's general theory of enshittification even includes a little dynamic programming model.
The General Theory of Enshittification
It isn’t a new phenomenon, but it seems to matter more
paulkrugman.substack.com
July 26, 2025 at 6:12 AM
Good stuff: Paul Krugman's general theory of enshittification even includes a little dynamic programming model.
Reposted by Mark Harrison
Were they shopping or just browsing?
July 24, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Were they shopping or just browsing?