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mark4harrison.bsky.social
Mark Harrison
@mark4harrison.bsky.social
780 followers 150 following 46 posts

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/ .. more

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Political science 63%
Economics 21%
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mark4harrison.bsky.social
Mark Harrison @mark4harrison.bsky.social · 2d
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
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Reposted by Mark Harrison

hgwdavie.bsky.social
H.G.W. Davie @hgwdavie.bsky.social · 12d
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
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Reposted by Mark Harrison

profpaulpoast.bsky.social
Paul Poast @profpaulpoast.bsky.social · 17d
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
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Reposted by Mark Harrison

economist.com
The Economist @economist.com · 29d
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
2 9 21

Reposted by Mark Harrison, Nicolai von Ondarza

Martin Sandbu @martinsandbu.ft.com · Sep 10
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
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Reposted by Mark Harrison, Steve Peers

kyivindependent.com
The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · Sep 10
⚡️ 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.
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
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Reposted by Anna O. Law, Will Jennings, Gavin A. Schmidt , and 12 more

usapolling.bsky.social
Polling USA @usapolling.bsky.social · Sep 7
New high of Americans saying immigration is good for the US
38 390 1.6K

Reposted by Mark Harrison, Tom Shakespeare, Leigh Sparks , and 1 more

ptomj.bsky.social
P. Thomas Johnson 🇬🇧🇨🇦 🤝 🇺🇦 @ptomj.bsky.social · Aug 24
"I was Keir Starmer's political prisoner?"

"Really? And what politics got you imprisoned?"

"I publicly advocated for vulnerable people to be burned alive"
rolandmcs.bsky.social
Roland Smith @rolandmcs.bsky.social · Aug 23
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.
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Reposted by Mark Harrison, Simon Wren‐Lewis, Colm O’Cinneíde

samfr.bsky.social
Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · Aug 22
Farage is content with allowing people to be murdered and tortured. I'm not on that side and never will be.
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Reposted by Elizabeth Saunders, Mark Harrison

rgoodlaw.bsky.social
Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · Aug 21
"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...
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
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Reposted by Mark Harrison

ilarimakela.bsky.social
On Humans Podcast @ilarimakela.bsky.social · Aug 21
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
The Great Question of History: India, Britain, and the Fates of Nations | Live at the British Academy
On Humans · Episode
open.spotify.com
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Reposted by Mark Harrison, Patrick Dunleavy, Ian Hall , and 4 more

shashj.bsky.social
Shashank Joshi @shashj.bsky.social · Aug 21
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
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Reposted by Mark Harrison

shashj.bsky.social
Shashank Joshi @shashj.bsky.social · Aug 20
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
19 120 240

Reposted by Mark Harrison, Steve Peers, Peter Walkenhorst , and 2 more

timothysnyder.bsky.social
Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · Aug 17
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.
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Reposted by Mark Harrison, Aaron Sojourner, Tommaso Reggiani

fabiosabatini.bsky.social
Fabio Sabatini @fabiosabatini.bsky.social · Aug 12
🧵 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
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
1 9 18

mark4harrison.bsky.social
Mark Harrison @mark4harrison.bsky.social · Aug 8
"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
hetanshah.bsky.social
Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · Jul 10
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...
• Discontinue the idea of introducing a levy on higher education provider income from international students. • Reduce visa costs to ensure they are at least as competitive in cost as other leading science nations, and preferably have a target to become the mos competitive in the G7. • Provide immediate clarity that the current time length for Indefinite Leave to Remain is kept in place for current and future Global Talent visa holders and their dependents.
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Reposted by Mark Harrison

prune602.bsky.social
Prune60 @prune602.bsky.social · Aug 2
‼️ 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
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Reposted by Mark Harrison, Paul Poast

profpaulpoast.bsky.social
Paul Poast @profpaulpoast.bsky.social · Aug 2
Why does sovereign recognition matter?

Because it is foundational to the current international system.

🧵
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Reposted by Mark Harrison, Paul Poast

wpr.bsky.social
World Politics Review @wpr.bsky.social · Aug 1
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:
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
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Reposted by Mark Harrison

alanallport.bsky.social
Alan Owlport 🦉 🎃 @alanallport.bsky.social · Jul 29
Alright then, before this totally runs out of steam/becomes too tedious even for me:

1 like = one opinion about the Second World War
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mark4harrison.bsky.social
Mark Harrison @mark4harrison.bsky.social · Jul 28
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
Why Russia’s Slow Collapse Is More Dangerous Than You Realise
YouTube video by Pyotr Kurzin | Geopolitics
www.youtube.com
4 8

Reposted by Ashish Arora, Mark Harrison, Paul Nightingale

carlbergstrom.com
Carl T. Bergstrom @carlbergstrom.com · Jul 26
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
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Reposted by Mark Harrison

jfb1066.bsky.social
Jonathan Boff @jfb1066.bsky.social · Jun 11
Reichstag Fire moment coming much sooner than I expected
shashj.bsky.social
Shashank Joshi @shashj.bsky.social · Jun 11
A shocking speech to deliver to troops.

“President Donald Trump called protesters in Los Angeles“animals” and “a foreign enemy” in a speech at Fort Bragg on Tuesday… ostensibly supposed to be used to recognize the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army”

apnews.com/article/dona...
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Reposted by Mark Harrison

france24.com
FRANCE 24 @france24.com · Jul 2
Livraisons d’armes et entorse aux sanctions : les discrets coups de pouce de Trump à la Russie
Livraisons d’armes et entorse aux sanctions : les discrets coups de pouce de Trump à la Russie
Deux décisions récentes du président américain Donald Trump démontrent à quel point sa politique sert les intérêts de la Russie, à la fois en Ukraine et contre l’Europe. Le président américain a décidé l'interruption d’une livraison d’armes destinée à Kiev et s'est permis une entorse délibérée aux régimes de sanctions, au bénéfice du géant russe du nucléaire Rosatom et de Viktor Orban.
f24.my
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Reposted by Mark Harrison

nixonsimon.bsky.social
Simon Nixon @nixonsimon.bsky.social · Jul 6
My latest with thoughts on what to watch out for on Liberation Day 2.0, why Elon Musk is right, Denmark’s surprising pro-European turn, Greece’s uncelebrated anniversary, and the cost of Trump’s breaking of the last taboo
Back to the Future
Thoughts on what to watch out for on Liberation Day 2.0, why Elon Musk is right, Denmark's pro-European turn, Greece's uncelebrated anniversary and the cost of Trump's breaking the last taboo
open.substack.com
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Reposted by Mark Harrison

ldfreedman.bsky.social
Lawrence Freedman @ldfreedman.bsky.social · Jul 24
Were they shopping or just browsing?
2 1 78

Reposted by Will Jennings, Mark Harrison, Tim Bale , and 2 more

sundersays.bsky.social
Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · Jul 24
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
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Reposted by Mark Harrison, Tim Bale

duncanweldon.bsky.social
Duncan Weldon @duncanweldon.bsky.social · Jul 22
Not doing the one like/one opinion thing.
But here are some opinions for free.
1. Life is too short and your time too precious to persistent with books/TV/films you are not enjoying. Just stop and read/watch something else.
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Reposted by Mark Harrison, Paul Poast

profpaulpoast.bsky.social
Paul Poast @profpaulpoast.bsky.social · Jul 21
The @thebulletin.org's Nobel Assembly on the Prevention of Nuclear War ended last week with the below Declaration.

Fully support the initiative. But I'm going to have my Intro to International Relations students dissect the statement...and explain why it won't work.

nobelassembly.org/declaration/
Declaration | Nobel Laureate Assembly for the Prevention of Nuclear War
nobelassembly.org
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Reposted by Stephan Lewandowsky, Mark Harrison, Raffaella Ravinetto , and 3 more

iandunt.bsky.social
Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · Jul 19
Difficult to conceive of a more ill-judged decision then the one the Home Office took here. It is an affront to free speech of a kind which is really indistinguishable from what you'd see in a police state.
reuters.com
Reuters @reuters.com · Jul 19
UK police arrest 55 at parliament rally for banned Palestine Action group reut.rs/4m0MWrx
UK police arrest 55 at parliament rally for banned Palestine Action group
The crowd in Parliament Square were waving placards supporting the group that was banned this month under anti-terrorism legislation.
reut.rs
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