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Nancy Birdsall

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Nancy Birdsall is an American economist, the founding president of the Center for Global Development (CGD) in Washington, DC, USA,… more

Nancy Birdsall
H-index: 51
Economics 57%
Sociology 17%
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by Nancy Birdsall

nbirdsall.bsky.social
The charts are terrifying. I hope someone is showing them to Rubio.
cgdev.org
Center for Global Development @cgdev.org · 5d
To provide real-world evidence of aid cuts, CGD experts are using data on reported cholera deaths and US spending responses.

They find elevated cholera mortality across Africa in 2025, but no corresponding aid response from the US:
https://bit.ly/4hmWV9L
Cholera in Africa: Rising Deaths, Shrinking US Aid
The United States—long the world’s largest provider of lifesaving assistance and the largest humanitarian donor to many countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa—saw a sharp reversal in early 2025. ...
www.cgdev.org
1

by Nancy Birdsall

nbirdsall.bsky.social
"No other country has true lifetime tenure for its justices, and for good reason". Too bad we do as the Roberts Court is "out of control". contrarian.substack.com/p/even-feder...
Even Federal Court Judges Know the MAGA Justices are Out of Control
The Roberts Court makes obvious the need for serious reform
contrarian.substack.com

Reposted by Nancy Birdsall

cgdev.org
To provide real-world evidence of aid cuts, CGD experts are using data on reported cholera deaths and US spending responses.

They find elevated cholera mortality across Africa in 2025, but no corresponding aid response from the US:
https://bit.ly/4hmWV9L
Cholera in Africa: Rising Deaths, Shrinking US Aid
The United States—long the world’s largest provider of lifesaving assistance and the largest humanitarian donor to many countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa—saw a sharp reversal in early 2025. ...
www.cgdev.org
2 1

by Nancy Birdsall

nbirdsall.bsky.social
See what countries are most affected (negatively) by recent US policy changes. Impressive analysis with depressing result -- poorer countries lose out most. www.cgdev.org/blog/who-bea...
Who Bears the Burden? Tracking the Global Impact of Recent US Foreign Policy Shifts
Since January, the United States has adopted a range of foreign economic policies with negative impacts on the rest of the world, including higher tariffs on exports, taxes on remittances, and reducti...
www.cgdev.org

by Nancy Birdsall

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Better go see coral reefs soon. Take photos for your children Oceans are failing. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
World’s oceans fail key health check as acidity crosses critical threshold for marine life
Scientists call for renewed global effort to curb fossil fuels as seven of nine planetary boundaries now transgressed
www.theguardian.com

by Nancy Birdsall — Reposted by David K. Evans

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Please Pope Leo: speak to this foolish meanness. Sometimes it's embarrassing (and maddening) to be even a "fallen-away" Catholic: www.cgdev.org/blog/catholi...
Catholic Schools in the Congo Ban Pregnant Girls
Almost everywhere, girls who get pregnant in school are allowed to finish their education. Only five countries still have explicit bans or restrictions: Afghanistan, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Kuwait, a...
www.cgdev.org
5 7

by Nancy Birdsall

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Bill McKibben on Trump at the UN manages to be funny, sort of:https://billmckibben.substack.com/p/the-stupidest-speech-in-un-history?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=438146&post_id=174385635&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=false&r=jub32&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

by Nancy Birdsall

nbirdsall.bsky.social
I like this representation of headwinds!
cgdev.org
Center for Global Development @cgdev.org · Aug 27
The Kuznets Curve assumed falling inequality once structural transformation has peaked. But today, unforeseen headwinds—populism, climate damage, and more—complicate that path, especially for developing economies.

More from <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:epahg7qaiww4hby5eu3pmm2p" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@nbirdsall.bsky.social:
https://bit.ly/45DsCr4
Global Headwinds to Kuznets’ Low-Inequality Transformation: Plutocrats, Populism, and More
Kuznets’s prediction that inequality would fall after structural transformation faces major obstacles in today’s globalized economy, including tax evasion by elites, restrictions on labor migration, a...
www.cgdev.org

by Nancy Birdsall — Reposted by Michael A. Clemens

nbirdsall.bsky.social
This Admin fears experts. I have think of colleagues/friends, now US citizens with US-born children, who are here thanks to those H1B visas.
mclem.org
Michael Clemens @mclem.org · 25d
The White House has chosen a truly extremist step that will kneecap American research and innovation.

It is an additional bomb dropped on the US higher education system, illegally and recklessly, that will end up harming every Conservative and Liberal American.
ncweaver.skerry-tech.com
Nicholas Weaver @ncweaver.skerry-tech.com · 25d
Why is this horrible for Universities?

Just about everyone who isn't a citizen or green card holder already who's hired for a tenure track faculty position is hired through an H1B and then, after 3-5 years, applies for a green card.

This is literally "No more foreign professors can be hired"
2 11

by Nancy Birdsall

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Thank you to Bill Burns for his letter to US public servants in The Atlantic. Compelling on US best interests and full of the understanding and empathy the victims of Trump Admin/DOGE deserve. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
A Letter to America’s Discarded Public Servants
You all deserved better.
www.theatlantic.com
1 1

by Michael A. Clemens — Reposted by Nancy Birdsall, David R. Miller, Brian Weatherson , and 1 more

mclem.org
The White House has chosen a truly extremist step that will kneecap American research and innovation.

It is an additional bomb dropped on the US higher education system, illegally and recklessly, that will end up harming every Conservative and Liberal American.
ncweaver.skerry-tech.com
Nicholas Weaver @ncweaver.skerry-tech.com · 25d
Why is this horrible for Universities?

Just about everyone who isn't a citizen or green card holder already who's hired for a tenure track faculty position is hired through an H1B and then, after 3-5 years, applies for a green card.

This is literally "No more foreign professors can be hired"
gergely.pragmaticengineer.com
Gergely Orosz @gergely.pragmaticengineer.com · 25d
Those on an H1B cannot return to the US from tomorrow (Sunday) unless paying $100K. This is an out-of-the blue presidential action. We’ll see software engineers stranded abroad.

One easy to predict outcome: those on US visas will travel less… for work, for conferences etc.
20 56

Reposted by Nancy Birdsall

thetnholler.bsky.social
WGA WRITERS protest abc & disney : “Writers against fascism — this isn’t just about Kimmel, it’s about our ability to say what we want and not be punished by the state… a chilling effect… you don’t capitulate to bullies…”

(from @moreperfectunion.bsky.social )
39 680 2.1K

Reposted by Nancy Birdsall

cgdev.org
Can developing countries expect inequality to fall post-structural transformation, as predicted by the Kuznets Curve?

@nbirdsall.bsky.social highlights unforeseen headwinds—populism, climate damage, and more—that pose new challenges ⬇️
https://bit.ly/45DsCr4
https://bit.ly/45DsCr4
t.co
1

by Nancy Birdsall

nbirdsall.bsky.social
below, so well said: the government's "pitiful response to its own mistakes, which vary from simple ineptitude to willful noncompliance". Thank you to the "handful of federal judges"
newrepublic.com
The New Republic @newrepublic.com · Sep 13
Awful as things are under Trump 2.0, they’d be far worse still without the courage of a handful of federal judges willing to rule against him.

Paula Xinis of Maryland has been a key leader in defending the law from the administration's abuses. trib.al/OAhL2CT

by Nancy Birdsall

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Yes you wouldn't know Kirk's extremist views. . . .
jenrubin.bsky.social
Jen Rubin @jenrubin.bsky.social · Sep 15
Too many journalists seem to find it impossible to acknowledge that Kirks’s extremist views, conspiratorial rhetoric, overt racism, and election denial undermined democracy and that his assassination is abhorrent.
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
We Cannot Excuse Political Violence
And we must not whitewash abhorrent views
open.substack.com

by Nancy Birdsall

nbirdsall.bsky.social
Good photo too @mclem.org
1

Reposted by Nancy Birdsall

jenrubin.bsky.social
Too many journalists seem to find it impossible to acknowledge that Kirks’s extremist views, conspiratorial rhetoric, overt racism, and election denial undermined democracy and that his assassination is abhorrent.
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
We Cannot Excuse Political Violence
And we must not whitewash abhorrent views
open.substack.com
33 170 690

by Michael A. Clemens — Reposted by Nancy Birdsall, Brendan Nyhan, Michael A. Clemens

mclem.org
America’s competitiveness and innovation capacity is being systematically eviscerated by the US Administration.

This will harm Conservative and Liberal Americans equally.
nytimes.com
The New York Times @nytimes.com · Sep 14
“It will take decades to recover from this, if we ever do.” America’s cancer research system, which has helped save millions of lives and is in one of its most productive moments, is under threat by the Trump administration.
Trump Is Shutting Down the War On Cancer
America’s cancer research system, which has helped save millions of lives, is under threat in one of its most productive moments.
nyti.ms
21 79

Reposted by Nancy Birdsall

newrepublic.com
Awful as things are under Trump 2.0, they’d be far worse still without the courage of a handful of federal judges willing to rule against him.

Paula Xinis of Maryland has been a key leader in defending the law from the administration's abuses. trib.al/OAhL2CT
6 73 240

Reposted by Nancy Birdsall

cgdev.org
The Kuznets Curve assumed falling inequality once structural transformation has peaked. But today, unforeseen headwinds—populism, climate damage, and more—complicate that path, especially for developing economies.

More from <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:epahg7qaiww4hby5eu3pmm2p" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@nbirdsall.bsky.social:
https://bit.ly/45DsCr4
Global Headwinds to Kuznets’ Low-Inequality Transformation: Plutocrats, Populism, and More
Kuznets’s prediction that inequality would fall after structural transformation faces major obstacles in today’s globalized economy, including tax evasion by elites, restrictions on labor migration, a...
www.cgdev.org
1 3

by Aaron Sojourner — Reposted by Nancy Birdsall, Jonathan Portes, Michael A. Clemens , and 1 more

aaronsojourner.org
Statement from the American Economics Association.

Signed by

AEA President & former USDOL Chief Economist @lkatz42.bsky.social

Former BLS Commissioner Abraham

Former Treasury DAS & Chief Economist Dynan, &

Chair of AEA Govt Relations Committee Ken Troske
bsky.app/profile/mart...
The BLS has long had a well-deserved reputation for professional excellence and nonpartisan integrity. Safeguarding this tradition is vital for the continued health of the U.S. economy and public trust in our institutions. We call upon elected officials to respect and preserve the independence of the nation’s statistical infrastructure. Lawrence Katz President, American Economic Association Katharine Abraham President-Elect, American Economic Association Karen Dynan Chair, American Economic Association Committee on Economic Statistics Kenneth Troske Chair, American Economic Association Committee on Government Relations
6 58 140

by Nancy Birdsall

nbirdsall.bsky.social
And now the Bur Labor Stats down the Trump data drain:
open.substack.com/pub/robertre... @robertreich.substack.com.web.brid.gy
Trump destroys our source of information about jobs. This is beyond irresponsible.
He hates facts. He rejects truth. He doesn't want the public to know what's really happening.
open.substack.com

by Aaron Sojourner — Reposted by Nancy Birdsall, Claudia Sahm, Stephen P. Jenkins , and 10 more

aaronsojourner.org
"...escalates the President’s unprecedented attacks on the independence & integrity of the federal statistical system.

"The president seeks to blame someone for unwelcome economic news.

"...firing Dr. McEntarfer is without merit & undermines the credibility of federal economic statistics..."
President Trump called into question the integrity of the Employment Situation report that the BLS released this morning. He accused BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer of deliberately reporting false numbers to reflect poorly on this administration. This baseless, damaging claim undermines the valuable work and dedication of BLS staff who produce the reports each month. This escalates the President’s unprecedented attacks on the independence and integrity of the federal statistical system. The President seeks to blame someone for unwelcome economic news. The Commissioner does not determine what the numbers are but simply reports on what the data show. The process of obtaining the numbers is decentralized by design to avoid opportunities for interference. The BLS uses the same proven, transparent, reliable process to produce estimates every month. Every month, BLS revises the prior two months’ employment estimates to reflect slower-arriving, more-accurate information. This rationale for firing Dr. McEntarfer is without merit and undermines the credibility of federal economic statistics that are a cornerstone of intelligent economic decision-making by businesses, families, and policymakers. U.S. official statistics are the gold standard globally. When leaders of other nations have politicized economic data, it has destroyed public trust in all official statistics and in government science. We call on Congress to respond immediately, to investigate the factors that led to Commissioner McEntarfer’s removal, to strongly urge the Commissioner’s continued service, and ensure that the nonpartisan integrity of the position is retained. The statement from the President undermines these tenets and politicizes data which cannot and should not be used for political points.
11 160 410

by Justin Sandefur — Reposted by Nancy Birdsall

justsand.bsky.social
Lesotho was one of the biggest successes of AGOA -- which meant 'liberation day' hit particularly hard.

Little early to see this in the trade data, but doesn't look great.

NYT reporting factories shuttered. People going from $7/day factory jobs to $1/day hawking on the street.
1 4 7

Reposted by Nancy Birdsall

View post

Reposted by Nancy Birdsall

mclem.org
An important thread by the brilliant @charlesjkenny.bsky.social has wended its way to this platform 🦋 —>
charlesjkenny.bsky.social
Charles Kenny @charlesjkenny.bsky.social · Nov 11
I've had a long-running thread on twitter on the real migration crisis (not enough migrants). Will start posting here... but for the earlier 1,000-plus examples, see here:

x.com/charlesjkenn...
x.com
x.com
3 5

Reposted by Nancy Birdsall

fheisbourg.bsky.social
And so it goes. This isn't simply or primarily about Trump throwing Zelensky under the bus. This is about the future, if any, of the US as an alliance partner
martinmatishak.bsky.social
Martin Matishak @martinmatishak.bsky.social · Feb 28
EXCLUSIVE: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week ordered U.S. Cyber Command to stand down from all planning against Russia, including offensive digital actions.

On @therecordmedia.bsky.social

therecord.media/hegseth-orde...
Exclusive: Hegseth orders Cyber Command to stand down on Russia planning
The secretary of Defense has ordered U.S. Cyber Command to stand down from all planning against Russia, including offensive digital actions, sources tell Recorded Future News.
therecord.media
14 89 280

Reposted by Nancy Birdsall, Tim Krieger

mclem.org
In 15 years on social media I almost never ask my followers to do anything.

If you live in the United States, please stop now & call your representative. I just called. They answer and listen.

The phone numbers are here: www.usa.gov/elected-offi...

Demand action to stop this authoritarian threat:
2 61 140

Reposted by Nancy Birdsall

mclem.org
Clear, factual journalism is possible.
economist.com
The Economist @economist.com · Apr 3
Donald Trump has committed the most profound, harmful and unnecessary economic error in the modern era. Almost everything he said—on history, economics and the technicalities of trade—was utterly deluded econ.st/3YbbFjq
8 34

Reposted by Nancy Birdsall

cgdev.org
France & the US have scaled back aid to West Africa & the Sahel, threatening programs amid rising violence.

Mark Plant & Charley Ward argue lasting peace requires shifting from short-term security to inclusive fiscal growth—reducing reliance on aid:
bit.ly/3EU0Vj8
West Africa at a Crossroads: Fostering Stability After Aid Cuts
As rates of conflict and fragility rise across West Africa and the Sahel, aid flows from the largest donors, including France and the US, decline. These reductions threaten to eliminate life-saving…
bit.ly
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