LPE Blog
@lpeblog.bsky.social
A blog that explores the co-constitution of law and political economy. Part of the @lpeproject.bsky.social. Subscribe to our newsletter: http://lpeproject.org/subscribe/
Today, Mason Kortz explains how FOIA’s Exemption 4 has evolved into a powerful tool for corporate secrecy, allowing government agencies and private firms to thwart transparency through confidentiality pacts.
lpeproject.org/blog/public-...
lpeproject.org/blog/public-...
Public Money, Private Secrets: Rethinking FOIA in the Age of Public-Private Governance
As public-private partnerships become central to modern governance, FOIA’s Exemption 4 has evolved into a powerful tool for corporate secrecy. After Argus Leader, government agencies and private firms...
lpeproject.org
November 25, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Today, Mason Kortz explains how FOIA’s Exemption 4 has evolved into a powerful tool for corporate secrecy, allowing government agencies and private firms to thwart transparency through confidentiality pacts.
lpeproject.org/blog/public-...
lpeproject.org/blog/public-...
Reposted by LPE Blog
Today, Jed Britton-Purdy continues our symposium on @alybatt.bsky.social's *Free Gifts.*
To what extent, he asks, can a turn to politics make space for the ecological values that many of us want to take seriously?
To what extent, he asks, can a turn to politics make space for the ecological values that many of us want to take seriously?
What Can Politics Make of Nature?
Alyssa Battistoni’s Free Gifts argues that capitalism limits our freedom to decide how to value the nonhuman world. Politics, as the domain in which we choose the terms of our collective life…
lpeproject.org
November 24, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Today, Jed Britton-Purdy continues our symposium on @alybatt.bsky.social's *Free Gifts.*
To what extent, he asks, can a turn to politics make space for the ecological values that many of us want to take seriously?
To what extent, he asks, can a turn to politics make space for the ecological values that many of us want to take seriously?
Today, Jed Britton-Purdy continues our symposium on @alybatt.bsky.social's *Free Gifts.*
To what extent, he asks, can a turn to politics make space for the ecological values that many of us want to take seriously?
To what extent, he asks, can a turn to politics make space for the ecological values that many of us want to take seriously?
What Can Politics Make of Nature?
Alyssa Battistoni’s Free Gifts argues that capitalism limits our freedom to decide how to value the nonhuman world. Politics, as the domain in which we choose the terms of our collective life…
lpeproject.org
November 24, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Today, Jed Britton-Purdy continues our symposium on @alybatt.bsky.social's *Free Gifts.*
To what extent, he asks, can a turn to politics make space for the ecological values that many of us want to take seriously?
To what extent, he asks, can a turn to politics make space for the ecological values that many of us want to take seriously?
Reposted by LPE Blog
🚨We analyzed 138 million geocoded property tax records to quantify how municipal boundaries spatially overlap onto economic segregation in every US metro area—creating disparities in localities’ ability to fund public goods. And we made an interactive map of our results! [1/16]
November 24, 2025 at 4:31 PM
🚨We analyzed 138 million geocoded property tax records to quantify how municipal boundaries spatially overlap onto economic segregation in every US metro area—creating disparities in localities’ ability to fund public goods. And we made an interactive map of our results! [1/16]
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Teaching a class this week on CBA and I have to say, this lovely symposium by @lpeblog.bsky.social is excellent. Particularly loved @marksilverman1.bsky.social's take. lpeproject.org/blog/the-val...
The “Value of a Statistical Life”: Reflections from the Pandemic
Economists who insist that the "value of a statistical life" can be determined solely by looking at the preferences of individual economic agents in a market overstate their case and miss crucial…
lpeproject.org
November 24, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Teaching a class this week on CBA and I have to say, this lovely symposium by @lpeblog.bsky.social is excellent. Particularly loved @marksilverman1.bsky.social's take. lpeproject.org/blog/the-val...
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"Climate change’s cause is truly social, and so the response to it must be as well. Struggling to avert climate catastrophe is one and the same with struggling to overcome capitalism...." lpeproject.org/blog/when-na...
When Nature is Worthless
Under capitalism, the social domination of nature occurs through and is mediated by the commodity form. Certain portions of non-human nature can be valued, but only when they are transformed into…
lpeproject.org
November 23, 2025 at 6:12 PM
"Climate change’s cause is truly social, and so the response to it must be as well. Struggling to avert climate catastrophe is one and the same with struggling to overcome capitalism...." lpeproject.org/blog/when-na...
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The week in review: @alybatt.bsky.social on the free gifts of nature, @selfactingmule.bsky.social on value form theory and the accelerating climate crisis, and Reshard Kolabhai on what Africa might mean for thinking about LPE.
Plus, the best of LPE from around the web 🧵👇
Plus, the best of LPE from around the web 🧵👇
Weekly Roundup: Nov 21
Alyssa Battistoni on the free gifts of nature, Rob Hunter on value form theory and the accelerating climate crisis, and Reshard L. Kolabhai on what LPE can learn from the Global South. Plus…
lpeproject.org
November 21, 2025 at 7:25 PM
The week in review: @alybatt.bsky.social on the free gifts of nature, @selfactingmule.bsky.social on value form theory and the accelerating climate crisis, and Reshard Kolabhai on what Africa might mean for thinking about LPE.
Plus, the best of LPE from around the web 🧵👇
Plus, the best of LPE from around the web 🧵👇
The week in review: @alybatt.bsky.social on the free gifts of nature, @selfactingmule.bsky.social on value form theory and the accelerating climate crisis, and Reshard Kolabhai on what Africa might mean for thinking about LPE.
Plus, the best of LPE from around the web 🧵👇
Plus, the best of LPE from around the web 🧵👇
Weekly Roundup: Nov 21
Alyssa Battistoni on the free gifts of nature, Rob Hunter on value form theory and the accelerating climate crisis, and Reshard L. Kolabhai on what LPE can learn from the Global South. Plus…
lpeproject.org
November 21, 2025 at 7:25 PM
The week in review: @alybatt.bsky.social on the free gifts of nature, @selfactingmule.bsky.social on value form theory and the accelerating climate crisis, and Reshard Kolabhai on what Africa might mean for thinking about LPE.
Plus, the best of LPE from around the web 🧵👇
Plus, the best of LPE from around the web 🧵👇
Reposted by LPE Blog
Interesting. Need to ponder this more while reading the @lpeblog.bsky.social symposium on Free Gifts lpeproject.org/symposia/fre...
November 21, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Interesting. Need to ponder this more while reading the @lpeblog.bsky.social symposium on Free Gifts lpeproject.org/symposia/fre...
Reposted by LPE Blog
“Lawyering Without Law” — @knightcolumbia.org call for proposals. knightcolumbia.org/blog/call-fo...
November 12, 2025 at 1:19 PM
“Lawyering Without Law” — @knightcolumbia.org call for proposals. knightcolumbia.org/blog/call-fo...
Reposted by LPE Blog
A new piece for @thenation.com on everyone's favourite industry -- private equity; in conversation with one of the many new books on PE, by Megan Greenwell.
Here:
Here:
Can We Blame Private Equity for Everything?
Did PE firms make the world worse? Or was it something else?
www.thenation.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:32 AM
A new piece for @thenation.com on everyone's favourite industry -- private equity; in conversation with one of the many new books on PE, by Megan Greenwell.
Here:
Here:
Today, Reshard Kolabhai lays out some lessons for LPE from the Global South. A focus on Africa, he argues, could helpfully destabilize our narratives about capitalist periods, our assumptions about the links between law and capitalism, and our understanding of progressive development policy.
LPE Without Borders: Lessons from the Global South
Law and political economy scholarship, immersed in a particular history of Northern law and capitalism, has tended to focus on US law and policy, with occasional excursions into Europe. But in a world...
lpeproject.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Today, Reshard Kolabhai lays out some lessons for LPE from the Global South. A focus on Africa, he argues, could helpfully destabilize our narratives about capitalist periods, our assumptions about the links between law and capitalism, and our understanding of progressive development policy.
Reposted by LPE Blog
In a new post for the @lpeblog.bsky.social, @solomonctryls.bsky.social Deputy Director and Senior Research Fellow Elle Rothermich reflects on the potential limits of antitrust law as a tool to improve health care for terminally ill patients. lpeproject.org/blog/hospice...
Hospice Commodification and the Limits of Antitrust
As hospice care is increasingly dominated by private equity firms, an antitrust response, while necessary, has the potential to normalize the language of the market as the default mode for discussing…
lpeproject.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:33 PM
In a new post for the @lpeblog.bsky.social, @solomonctryls.bsky.social Deputy Director and Senior Research Fellow Elle Rothermich reflects on the potential limits of antitrust law as a tool to improve health care for terminally ill patients. lpeproject.org/blog/hospice...
Reposted by LPE Blog
I wrote for @lpeblog.bsky.social about @alybatt.bsky.social's new book—which, I argue, shows how the critique of political economy can allow us to clearly name the social cause of climate catastrophe: capital. lpeproject.org/blog/when-na...
When Nature is Worthless
Under capitalism, the social domination of nature occurs through and is mediated by the commodity form. Certain portions of non-human nature can be valued, but only when they are transformed into…
lpeproject.org
November 18, 2025 at 11:51 AM
I wrote for @lpeblog.bsky.social about @alybatt.bsky.social's new book—which, I argue, shows how the critique of political economy can allow us to clearly name the social cause of climate catastrophe: capital. lpeproject.org/blog/when-na...
"Free Gifts presents a profound challenge to reformist or legalistic approaches to understanding climate change that do not confront capital’s domination—namely, that capitalist society cannot regulate its way out of climate catastrophe."
I wrote for @lpeblog.bsky.social about @alybatt.bsky.social's new book—which, I argue, shows how the critique of political economy can allow us to clearly name the social cause of climate catastrophe: capital. lpeproject.org/blog/when-na...
When Nature is Worthless
Under capitalism, the social domination of nature occurs through and is mediated by the commodity form. Certain portions of non-human nature can be valued, but only when they are transformed into…
lpeproject.org
November 18, 2025 at 9:26 PM
"Free Gifts presents a profound challenge to reformist or legalistic approaches to understanding climate change that do not confront capital’s domination—namely, that capitalist society cannot regulate its way out of climate catastrophe."
Reposted by LPE Blog
This post is both a helpful primer for anyone who has ever wondered, "what, exactly, do Marxists mean by value form theory?" as well as an insightful analysis of why such theory can help us understand the accelerating climate catastrophe. Good stuff!
Today, Rob Hunter (@selfactingmule.bsky.social) continues our symposium on @alybatt.bsky.social *Free Gifts,* explaining why capitalist subjects are incapable of valuing the ecological systems on our which existence depends, even as they collapse around us.
When Nature is Worthless
Under capitalism, the social domination of nature occurs through and is mediated by the commodity form. Certain portions of non-human nature can be valued, but only when they are transformed into…
lpeproject.org
November 18, 2025 at 6:14 PM
This post is both a helpful primer for anyone who has ever wondered, "what, exactly, do Marxists mean by value form theory?" as well as an insightful analysis of why such theory can help us understand the accelerating climate catastrophe. Good stuff!
Today, Rob Hunter (@selfactingmule.bsky.social) continues our symposium on @alybatt.bsky.social *Free Gifts,* explaining why capitalist subjects are incapable of valuing the ecological systems on our which existence depends, even as they collapse around us.
When Nature is Worthless
Under capitalism, the social domination of nature occurs through and is mediated by the commodity form. Certain portions of non-human nature can be valued, but only when they are transformed into…
lpeproject.org
November 18, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Today, Rob Hunter (@selfactingmule.bsky.social) continues our symposium on @alybatt.bsky.social *Free Gifts,* explaining why capitalist subjects are incapable of valuing the ecological systems on our which existence depends, even as they collapse around us.
Reposted by LPE Blog
“_Free Gifts_ presents a profound challenge to reformist or legalistic approaches to understanding climate change that do not confront capital’s domination—namely, that capitalist society cannot regulate its way out of climate catastrophe.”
I wrote for @lpeblog.bsky.social about @alybatt.bsky.social's new book—which, I argue, shows how the critique of political economy can allow us to clearly name the social cause of climate catastrophe: capital. lpeproject.org/blog/when-na...
When Nature is Worthless
Under capitalism, the social domination of nature occurs through and is mediated by the commodity form. Certain portions of non-human nature can be valued, but only when they are transformed into…
lpeproject.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:02 PM
“_Free Gifts_ presents a profound challenge to reformist or legalistic approaches to understanding climate change that do not confront capital’s domination—namely, that capitalist society cannot regulate its way out of climate catastrophe.”
Reposted by LPE Blog
"although the scope of things that may be bought and sold is vast, the things that matter most have no value. Dignity, beauty, freedom, robust ecologies—none of these can be produced and exchanged as commodities... their production or preservation are matters of indifference to capital."
I wrote for @lpeblog.bsky.social about @alybatt.bsky.social's new book—which, I argue, shows how the critique of political economy can allow us to clearly name the social cause of climate catastrophe: capital. lpeproject.org/blog/when-na...
When Nature is Worthless
Under capitalism, the social domination of nature occurs through and is mediated by the commodity form. Certain portions of non-human nature can be valued, but only when they are transformed into…
lpeproject.org
November 18, 2025 at 2:40 PM
"although the scope of things that may be bought and sold is vast, the things that matter most have no value. Dignity, beauty, freedom, robust ecologies—none of these can be produced and exchanged as commodities... their production or preservation are matters of indifference to capital."
Reposted by LPE Blog
Today, @alybatt.bsky.social kicks off a symposium on her book, *Free Gifts: Capitalism and the Politics of Nature*
The idea of the free gift, she argues, can give us a deeper understanding of the environmental problems that plague capitalism. It can also help us better understand capitalism itself.
The idea of the free gift, she argues, can give us a deeper understanding of the environmental problems that plague capitalism. It can also help us better understand capitalism itself.
In the Shadow of Commodification
While capitalism is typically said to commodify everything, much of what makes up our world isn’t commodified at all. It instead appears as a free gift: a social form that describes the condition of…
lpeproject.org
November 17, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Today, @alybatt.bsky.social kicks off a symposium on her book, *Free Gifts: Capitalism and the Politics of Nature*
The idea of the free gift, she argues, can give us a deeper understanding of the environmental problems that plague capitalism. It can also help us better understand capitalism itself.
The idea of the free gift, she argues, can give us a deeper understanding of the environmental problems that plague capitalism. It can also help us better understand capitalism itself.
Reposted by LPE Blog
Don't miss Alyssa Battistoni's post about her excellent new book!!
November 17, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Don't miss Alyssa Battistoni's post about her excellent new book!!
Today, @alybatt.bsky.social kicks off a symposium on her book, *Free Gifts: Capitalism and the Politics of Nature*
The idea of the free gift, she argues, can give us a deeper understanding of the environmental problems that plague capitalism. It can also help us better understand capitalism itself.
The idea of the free gift, she argues, can give us a deeper understanding of the environmental problems that plague capitalism. It can also help us better understand capitalism itself.
In the Shadow of Commodification
While capitalism is typically said to commodify everything, much of what makes up our world isn’t commodified at all. It instead appears as a free gift: a social form that describes the condition of…
lpeproject.org
November 17, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Today, @alybatt.bsky.social kicks off a symposium on her book, *Free Gifts: Capitalism and the Politics of Nature*
The idea of the free gift, she argues, can give us a deeper understanding of the environmental problems that plague capitalism. It can also help us better understand capitalism itself.
The idea of the free gift, she argues, can give us a deeper understanding of the environmental problems that plague capitalism. It can also help us better understand capitalism itself.
Reposted by LPE Blog
The week in review: @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social on oligarchy and taxation, and Elle Rothermich on private equity and the commodification of hospice care.
Plus, the best of Law and Political Economy from around the web, including new events, books, essays, and articles 🧵👇
Plus, the best of Law and Political Economy from around the web, including new events, books, essays, and articles 🧵👇
Weekly Roundup: Nov 14
Vanessa Williamson on oligarchy and taxation, and Elle Rothermich on the commodification of hospice care. Plus, Kate Redburn on Skrmetti, LPE Night School on municipal power, Claire Kelloway on public...
lpeproject.org
November 14, 2025 at 4:06 PM
The week in review: @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social on oligarchy and taxation, and Elle Rothermich on private equity and the commodification of hospice care.
Plus, the best of Law and Political Economy from around the web, including new events, books, essays, and articles 🧵👇
Plus, the best of Law and Political Economy from around the web, including new events, books, essays, and articles 🧵👇
The week in review: @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social on oligarchy and taxation, and Elle Rothermich on private equity and the commodification of hospice care.
Plus, the best of Law and Political Economy from around the web, including new events, books, essays, and articles 🧵👇
Plus, the best of Law and Political Economy from around the web, including new events, books, essays, and articles 🧵👇
Weekly Roundup: Nov 14
Vanessa Williamson on oligarchy and taxation, and Elle Rothermich on the commodification of hospice care. Plus, Kate Redburn on Skrmetti, LPE Night School on municipal power, Claire Kelloway on public...
lpeproject.org
November 14, 2025 at 4:06 PM
The week in review: @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social on oligarchy and taxation, and Elle Rothermich on private equity and the commodification of hospice care.
Plus, the best of Law and Political Economy from around the web, including new events, books, essays, and articles 🧵👇
Plus, the best of Law and Political Economy from around the web, including new events, books, essays, and articles 🧵👇
Reposted by LPE Blog
Excited to see more coverage of US municipal finance
Budget NYC | Andrew Perry
Image and reality of New York City’s finances
www.phenomenalworld.org
November 14, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Excited to see more coverage of US municipal finance