Manoel Bittencourt
@manoel-bittencourt.bsky.social
730 followers 1.8K following 150 posts
Economist (macro & political economics) @ UPretoria | Ed board: Journal of Public Finance & Public Choice, & Journal of Development Perspectives | Views my own https://heterogeneousagents.substack.com/
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manoel-bittencourt.bsky.social
🚨A cool column by @BenitoSalomao on public goods & democratic stability. Link to the article in the comments.👉 #econsky👇
manoel-bittencourt.bsky.social
🚨 I wrote an article on economic growth in South Africa. I write about investment & inflation, two of the most popular drivers of growth, at least to those advocating growth policies in SA. I also explain what is that the same commentators get wrong. Link to the article in the comments. 👉 #econsky👇
manoel-bittencourt.bsky.social
Friday evening, in Brazil, visiting Mother..
manoel-bittencourt.bsky.social
📢Super useful insights by Douglas Elmauer on the Magnitsky Act and its effects on Brazilian banks, and institutional development as well. Link to the article in the comments below.👉#econsky👇
manoel-bittencourt.bsky.social
🚨 I wrote a short article on inequality persistence, education quantity and quality, state capacity and economic growth, in South Africa. Link to the article in the comments below. 👉 #econsky👇
manoel-bittencourt.bsky.social
📢Heterogeneous Agents have reached 100 subscribers in its first week!

Thanks so much!

🧵Let's keep growing, link in the comments below.👇👇
manoel-bittencourt.bsky.social
📢Monetary policy, coordination failures, institutions, Lucas critique & dynamic inconsistency in South Africa.

The @SAReserveBank has been rebuked by the @Treasury_RSA.

👉#econsky👇
manoel-bittencourt.bsky.social
🚨In times of central bank independence uncertainty,
@Elmauer1 makes a compelling case for central bank independence certainty. It's a "civilizational achievement".

🧵Link to the article in the comments below. 👉#econsky👇
manoel-bittencourt.bsky.social
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dynarski.bsky.social
Statement from the largest economics association about the BLS firing

As context: AEA approximately never makes such public statements

This is a big deal
August 1, 2025
AMERICAN ECONOMIC ASSOCIATION
Committee on Economic Statistics and Committee on Government Relations


Statement from the American Economic Association on the
Dismissal of the BLS Commissioner

Leaders of the American Economic Association express their grave concern over the dismissal of the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) earlier today.
The independence of the federal statistical agencies is essential to the proper functioning of a modern economy. Accurate, timely, and impartial statistics are the foundation upon which households, businesses, and policymakers make critical decisions. Undermining the independence or credibility of these agencies threatens the integrity of the information that markets, institutions, and the public rely on every day.
Measuring the vast and dynamic U.S. economy in real time is inherently challenging. It is standard practice for statistical estimates to be revised as more complete and higher-quality data become available. These revisions reflect the commitment of statistical agencies to accuracy, transparency, and methodological rigor-not failure or bias.
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
manoel-bittencourt.bsky.social
🚨it was bound to happen, the @TreasuryRSA has officially rebuked the @SAReserveBank for "unilateral announcements" on the 'new' inflation target.

the SARB ignored Lucas, & Kydland & Prescott, no small feat. #econsky
manoel-bittencourt.bsky.social
📈article by @BenitoSalomao on pros & cons of fiscal rules in Brazil

🚨fiscal rules should take in consideration public goods provision & redistribution in democracies

🧵link to article in comments👇

#econsky
manoel-bittencourt.bsky.social
📈Is the South African young democracy breeding its own support?

🚨To answer this question we need to stand on the shoulders of giants & look at the data.

🧵Link to the article is on the comments below. #econsky👇