Tag Archives: Government debt

10Sep/26

Trump Midterm Dividend Promise or Federal Bribe

September 10, 2026PoliticsAlexander Sittenfeld, Brown, Businesspeople, Dallas, Donald Trump, Economic policy of Donald Trump, Economy of the United States, Fiscal policy, Government debt, Hartlage, Heidi Heitkamp, Iran, J.D. Vance, Joe Gruters, John Fetterman, SNAP, U.S.C., United Statesadmin

Populist Promise vs. Fiscal Deficit: Unpacking the 2026 Midterm Cash Transfer Strategy

Thu Sep 10 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — Amidst rising domestic energy inflation, record-setting August fuel prices, and mounting geopolitical tensions surrounding the military conflict in Iran, President Donald Trump unveiled an extraordinary campaign proposal known as the “Trump Dividend”. Delivered during a primary address at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas—informally dubbed “Trumpapalooza”—the policy promises a $5,000 direct cash payout to every adult American citizen on the strict condition that the Republican Party retains or secures control of both chambers of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections. Designed to counter historic electoral trends in which the sitting president’s party traditionally suffers congressional losses, the proposal seeks to directly incentivize voters amidst declining presidential approval ratings and widespread economic anxiety. Continue reading →

29Nov/23

The Zambian debt restructuring impasse has got the international community riled

November 29, 2023EconomyBankruptcy, China, Debt, Debt restructuring, Debt-trap diplomacy, Default, Economy of Zambia, Government debt, Insolvency, Paris Club, United States, Zambiaadmin

Nov. 29, 2023 /IEconomy/ — Zambia is a country in southern Africa that has been struggling with a heavy debt burden for many years. In 2020, the country became the first African nation to default on its sovereign debt during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to get its finances back on track, Zambia has been seeking to restructure its debt with its creditors. Continue reading →

28Nov/23

Zambia’s foreign debt tragedy – what needs to happen to resolve the crisis

November 28, 2023EconomyBankruptcy, China, Creative Commons, Creditor, Danny Bradlow, Debt, Debt crisis, Debt restructuring, France, Government debt, Hakainde Hichilema, Insolvency, International Monetary Fund, Paris Club, Zambiaadmin

Danny Bradlow, University of Pretoria

Three years after defaulting on its foreign debt, Zambia is still trying to reach agreement with all its creditors on how to manage this situation. This has left the southern African country in a state of development finance limbo. It is handicapped in raising the funds needed to generate jobs, build infrastructure, provide health, education and social services and deal with climate change. Its president, Hakainde Hichilema, has warned that the situation threatens to undermine its democracy.

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18Apr/23

Debt dangers in Africa: how defaults hurt people, and why forgiveness isn’t the answer

April 18, 2023EconomyAngola, Austerity, Cabo Verde, Caroline Southey, Creative Commons, Debt, Debt of developing countries, Debt relief, Economy, Egypt, Eritrea, Finance, Fiscal policy, Ghana, Ghanaian Cedi, Government debt, International Monetary Fund, Malawi, Money, Namibia, Philippe Burger, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, United Kingdom national debt, United States, Zambia, Zambian Kwacha (Rebased Jan 2013), Zimbabweadmin

Philippe Burger, University of the Free State

Public debt repayments in some African countries are at their highest levels since 1998. The Conversation Africa’s founding editor Caroline Southey talks to dean and economics professor Philippe Burger about the danger of debt problems some African countries face.

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