The Economics of Destruction
September 1, 2026
In this 1980 talk by Joan Robinson, first published in MR in 1983, the economist painted a stark picture of global arms race fueled by military capitalism and imperialism. The important question," she urged, "is not whether the rate of inflation is high or low or can be brought under control but whether our generation will succeed in destroying the world…. Economics should begin to address the important issue of our impending doom."