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Author

Uwe Bott

Uwe Bott is Chief Economist of The Global Ideas Center and Senior Editor at The Globalist. [New York/United States]

Mr. Bott is a risk management specialist. In that capacity, he has helped large financial institutions, corporations and governments improve their political, economic and financial risk management techniques and practices. He continues to provide related consulting, research and thought leadership services.

Among other roles, Uwe served as managing director and head of country risk at the Structured Finance Group (SFG), a unit of GE Capital Services. As senior analyst at Moody’s Investors Service, he covered the creditworthiness of more than 30 countries and a number of financial institutions.

Mr. Bott has also advised clients in the financial services industry on critical infrastructure and vulnerability issues, including as senior advisor for CLS Bank, the institution which operates the largest payment system in the world. He also served as Managing Director for Systemic Risk at the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, which settles all equities and fixed-income transactions in the United States.

Throughout his career, Uwe has worked with political and corporate leaders, central bank governors, financial institutions and think tanks in altogether more than 60 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

He has been a contributor and editor of several books dealing with issues covering the global economy and international finance.

He received degrees in law and economics from the Albert-Ludwigs-University in Freiburg, Germany. He was a Fulbright Scholar at Georgetown University. He is based in New York.

Articles by Uwe Bott

Tennis Balls Against the Future

How the closed-mindedness of German soccer fans explains the country’s great reluctance to accept change of any kind.

February 26, 2024

China and the End of the American Dream

Why Donald Trump might get elected President again in 2024.

February 12, 2024

The Fragmentation of Nations? Our Stage-Setter for 2024

Is the world moving into an age of economic stagnation and price inflation?

January 2, 2024

A New “Washington Consensus”: A Holy Grail?

Despite the attempt by the U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to come up with a new “Washington Consensus,” the very real question is this: Can one even imagine a new consensus?

May 17, 2023

Olaf Scholz: A Man of His Word?

Why Chancellor Scholz might have difficulty to deliver his own promises of a truly mature Germany.

July 3, 2022

Needed: A Second Earth-Shaking Scholz Speech

To provide Germany with proper orientation in times of historic misses, the German Chancellor has to show a lot more courage. All parties have a lot of explaining to do.

May 4, 2022

The World and Russia After Putin

Even if Russia were to still “win” the war, it will lose the peace. Regime change in Russia is not on the official agenda of the Western Alliance, but it seems a likely result.

March 2, 2022

German Chancellor Scholz´s Churchill Moment?

Reflections on a speech by Olaf Scholz that might have moved Germany from a Putin enabler to a leading democratic force in Europe.

February 28, 2022

Europe’s New Hitler: Another Psychopath at Work

Vladimir Putin is a murderous despot: Why the West’s response to Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine matters. And why we must deal firmly with his European enablers.

February 24, 2022

Klaus Schwab and the World Economic Forum Run Away from Their Past

We are no fans of neo-liberalism. But look who is now suddenly disavowing it.

January 26, 2021

Merkel’s EU China Policy: Double Crossing Joe Biden

Surprisingly, Germany’s veteran Chancellor is replicating Gerhard Schröder’s moves to poison the transatlantic relationship -- in her case by eagerly doing China’s bidding inside the EU.

January 13, 2021

Mark Zuckerberg: Lindsey Graham’s Improbable Twin

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is spineless and acts irresponsible for commercial reasons, except for brief moments.

January 11, 2021

2021: The Year of the Great Appreciation

Not a New Year’s prediction, but looking at the rays of hope that could re-energize us all.

January 1, 2021

Joe Biden and His Inner FDR

Before the election, Joe Biden was probably inclined to morph into a modern-day Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Can he still?

December 6, 2020

The Rise and Fall of Diego Maradona: A True Symbol of Argentina

Why Maradona’s life and death has reverberated throughout the world.

November 28, 2020

Who Needs to Be President to Dominate the US Political Debate?

No rejoicing for the Democrats: Even after a sound defeat, Donald Trump will not go away. In fact, he will immediately launch his 2024 campaign.

October 29, 2020

Susan Rice?

Why Susan Rice, the former U.S. National Security Advisor, might be a good Vice President for Biden and good enough for his voter base.

June 25, 2020

Change Is Coming to America

Nearly four years after Barack Obama’s two-term presidency, the political promise he represented might finally be fulfilled.

June 16, 2020

Donald Trump’s Deadly Crowd Addiction

Why the renewal of campaign mass rallies may get the U.S. President sued, despite waivers being signed.

June 15, 2020

A Different Post-Corona US?

When public life in small U.S. towns suddenly feels liberating, with almost a Mediterranean feel.

June 14, 2020

Bobby Kennedy Vs. Trump’s No Show at Minneapolis

Robert F. Kennedy’s 1968 appearance in Indianapolis and the art of how to heal a nation.

June 5, 2020

Trump: The Eternal, Never-Presidential Campaigner

How Donald Trump has regulated the American public’s right to free speech: Every “Presidential” speech is a campaign event. Protest not allowed.

June 2, 2020

Beyond Trump: The US’s Wrong-Headed Priorities

Reflections on gargantuan levels of military spending, pseudo “efficiency”-minded corporate outsourcing and an ill-fated obsession with American exceptionalism.

April 2, 2020

COVID 19 and the US: What Lies Ahead

Way beyond the CARES Act, here are six concrete steps the U.S. federal government ought to mandate right now to protect people’s economic livelihood.

April 1, 2020

COVID 19: Six Concrete Steps to Mandate Right Now

The actions needed to prevent the coronavirus crisis from turning into a financial disaster for the U.S.

April 1, 2020

Social Distancing and the End of the Human Race

We were once concerned that robots might replace and displace humans. The much greater risk is that humans will become robots. No emotion. No love. No shared laughter. No shared tears.

March 24, 2020

Bernie’s Golden Medicare for All Moment

How the coronavirus and the astounding unpreparedness of the United States may change the momentum of the Democratic primaries and the essence of U.S. health insurance.

March 12, 2020

The Catastrophic Nevada Democratic Primary Debate

Why Hillary Clinton might still be nominated as presidential candidate by the Democratic Party.

February 20, 2020

Five Lessons for US Democrats from Boris Johnson’s Victory in the UK

What the Democrats must do to avoid Donald Trump’s reelection in 2020.

January 14, 2020

Finland, World Leader

What could the U.S. learn from Finland’s stellar example for its own many challenges?

December 15, 2019

In Defense of Democracy

Understanding the key reasons why everybody is now so frustrated with democracy and government.

December 8, 2019

Trump’s Missing Impeachment Clause

Should foolishness suffice as a sufficient cause for removing a U.S. President? Trump is not “Making America Great Again,” but a global laughingstock.

December 5, 2019

Needed: A Ukrainian-Style “Revolution of Dignity” for the US

While Republicans are the handmaiden of a deeply corrupt U.S. President, the Democrats unfortunately are failing to rescue the American Republic.

November 30, 2019

Donald Trump: The Desperate President

Donald Trump really does not want a second term. He is trying everything imaginable to avoid his reelection.

October 19, 2019

Draining the Swamp: Trump. Biden. Warren

Why the Democratic Party needs a course correction.

October 15, 2019

Don’t Impeach President Trump, Censure Him

How Democrats can hold Trump accountable and take the high road.

October 8, 2019

The Endless Gyrations of the US in the Middle East

Why the U.S. must fundamentally change its Middle East policy from false friendships to hard containment.

September 27, 2019

Tom Cruise, John McCain and Impeaching Donald Trump

Can the Republican Party save itself? The entire world is waiting for the Republicans’ Tom Cruise (aka Lt. Kaffee) moment.

September 22, 2019

Central Bank Bosses as Lackeys?

How Trump and Erdogan are like twin brothers.

August 26, 2019

2020 US Elections: Voter Turnout or Pelosi Turnoff?

Why the Democratic leadership must go.

July 18, 2019

Elizabeth Warren, Smart Populist

The erstwhile professor is a straight-talking populist focused on consumer issues and economic fairness. But she runs the risk of overshooting.

June 27, 2019

Disgruntled Democracies

Why the problem is far greater than nationalist resurgence.

June 8, 2019

US: The Futility of Democrats’ 2020 Dream

Why a Democratic President, if elected, will be able to change very little in the U.S.

May 21, 2019

UK: Exit from Brexit — and Think About Japan

Why Britain needs to pause Article 50, prepare a second referendum and think of Japan’s economic fate.

January 17, 2019

Trump and Russia: The Weasel-in-Chief

Why Donald Trump is likely to steer clear of espionage charges, despite his dealings with Russia.

January 15, 2019

How Is Trade Working Out for You, President Trump?

The fallacy of seeking to reduce the U.S. trade deficit without raising U.S. savings rates.

January 7, 2019

Stock Markets and the Trump Factor

While Trump says it’s all the Fed’s fault, this is why U.S. stock markets are really collapsing.

December 28, 2018

The Democrats Might Lose the US Midterm Elections

In the U.S., we have moved to event-driven elections. Republicans could very well hold on to both houses of Congress.

November 1, 2018

Donald Trump and How Fascism Takes Root

What a dead Swiss novelist teaches us about the everyday men and women who are the willing, but unwitting accomplices of Donald Trump.

October 28, 2018

The Need for a U.S. Policy Pivot Towards Iran

How the United States can once again become a Middle East power broker

October 24, 2018

The Urgent Need to Reshape America’s Middle East Policy

Saudi Arabia is the Western world’s greatest security threat.

October 23, 2018

How the US Fed Tries to Discipline Trump

The Fed’s current interest rate increases are to tamp down the possibly very dangerous effects of fiscal recklessness during a time of a booming U.S. economy.

September 26, 2018

The End of the Rule of Law in America?

How U.S. President Donald Trump plays Brett Kavanaugh, Rod Rosenstein and Robert Mueller to end having a U.S. government that is accountable to the American people.

September 26, 2018

Minimum Wage Clauses in Trade Agreements: Barking Up the Wrong Tree

It can feel very rewarding emotionally to blame Mexicans (and other foreigners) for one’s economic plight. It is far less satisfying to yell at robots.

September 14, 2018

Economic Reason Returning to Turkey?

The surprisingly strong interest rate hike in Turkey makes a recession even more likely.

September 13, 2018

The Only Way to Fix the US Trade Deficit

Solutions exist for Trump to address the U.S. trade deficit effectively. But he will never implement them.

August 28, 2018

US: The Incredible Cowardice of the Democrats

For over 30 years now, the Democrats have allowed the Republicans to define them. No wonder then that the Democrats often fall short during election times.

July 27, 2018

How Trump’s Trade War Triggers Global Economic Slowdown

Far from strengthening the U.S. economy, Trump’s punitive tariffs destroy global supply chains.

July 24, 2018

Boys in a Thai Cave: The Positive Power of Globalism

The events near Chang Rai powerfully underscore that a “global community” very much exists – and that it can have very positive effects on the lives and well-being of people.

July 11, 2018

A Rare Case: Trump Is Right

The German government should not need any exhortations from the U.S. President to raise its level of defense spending.

July 9, 2018

World Cup 2018: Why Germany Will Flame Out

German hopes for the football tournament in Russia appear way overblown.

June 28, 2018

Anthony Bourdain – An Icon Dies

Why food matters more than anything else in our lives.

June 9, 2018

Kate Spade’s Suicide: The Broader Context

The suicide of fashion designer Kate Spade highlights the rising trend of people taking their own life in the United States.

June 7, 2018

Is There Method to Trump’s Trade Madness?

Why are Republicans siding with Trump’s trade war? Is it because they are dead-set against the European economic model which seeks social balance?

June 5, 2018

Europe Needs to Take a Chill Pill

A controlled unwinding of the euro might offer material economic benefits to many members of the Eurozone.

May 29, 2018

Donald Trump: Co-President of The People’s Republic of China?

In wake of ZTE affair, U.S. President aims at uniting world government in his hands and his head.

May 15, 2018

The New Age of American Imperialism

The Trump version of the United States has relinquished its leadership. It is Europe’s responsibility to step in.

May 11, 2018

UK: Commonwealth Hype — A Reality Check

Probing the economic wisdom of the UK leaving the EU’s “Common Wealth” for former imperial shores.

April 23, 2018

US: There Is Always Hope

An alternative view on the inevitability of a politically impotent America.

April 18, 2018

The War That Never Ended

The American Civil War – then and now: A reflection 50 years after Martin Luther King's death.

April 7, 2018

Trump’s Generals Await Their Coup de Grâce

Nobody sticks around long in the Trump Administration once they cross Trump on an issue that is meaningful to him.

March 15, 2018

Trump and the Exit of T-Rex

Trump gets ever closer to having a puppet cabinet. This is dangerous for the United States, but more importantly dangerous for the world.

March 14, 2018

Trump’s New World Order

Life in the age of Trump.

May 31, 2017

Europe Vs. US: Toward More (Im)Perfect Unions?

Macron's victory really is a positive signal for the European Union's future — especially viewed in context against the American union.

May 11, 2017

United Airlines and Borussia Dortmund: No Mere Accidents

Two tales, same story of corporate abuse and consumerism.

April 15, 2017

The U.S. Fed and the Seven-Year Itch

The peculiar logic of raising interest rates because you pre-announced it

December 21, 2015

Venezuela at a Crossroads?

The Venezuela opposition win is both astonishing & unsurprising. It’s not an unqualified good result.

December 10, 2015

Germany: From Villain to Exemplar

The power of history and the effort of preventing the European Dream from turning into European Nightmare.

September 15, 2015

Truly a New Economic Order

How to operate in a world shaped by a cost crash and a demand lull?

September 11, 2015

Britain: Well Done, Gordon Brown!

Britain outside the eurozone: Still the right call.

August 21, 2015

Now, Let’s Get To Work, Mr. Tsipras!

It is high time to combat tax evasion for real, Mr. Tsipras!

July 7, 2015

Independence Day for Greece

Should Greece follow the U.S. example – and issue its own Declaration of Independence?

July 5, 2015

When U.S. Hedge Funds Abuse the Rule of Law

In the battle of New York vs. Argentina, hedge funds plead innocence, while gaming the system.

July 29, 2014

Reining in Corporate Tax Evasion

A win-win for the U.S. economy.

July 25, 2014

Don’t Reverse Globalization. Refine It.

Globalization's positives can only be achieved if we correct the problems.

April 22, 2014

American Expressed: Life in a World of Oligopolies

How Amex does self-service, not customer service: U.S. corporate practices in the age of algorithms.

April 8, 2014

The Case Against Dr. Vivek Murthy for Surgeon General

Why the NRA should continue to dictate the U.S.'s medical priorities.

March 23, 2014

Cyber Warfare: The Real Cold War

A successful cyber-attack on a country's critical infrastructure is not a question of if, but when.

March 11, 2014

Chris Christie and Vladimir Putin: Two Bullies Separated at Birth

Should the world be afraid of bullies?

March 4, 2014

Don’t Worry, Germany: Export All the BMWs You Want!

A pathway to reducing Germany’s current account surplus.

January 3, 2014

Brazil: An Object of History — or a Subject?

Brazil must act decisively to become a leader or be relegated to an object of history.

November 14, 2013

My First Day as Chairwoman of The Fed

An imaginary journey through Janet Yellen’s mind.

October 29, 2013

The Cruz Missile

Is Canada responsible for Congressional Republicans driving the world economy to the edge of the abyss?

October 14, 2013

The Need for U.S. Constitutional Reform

A country that preaches modernization to other nations does anything but that at home.

October 10, 2013

Don’t Blame the Republicans for America’s Destruction

Why we need a Coffee Party movement.

October 3, 2013

U.S. Debt Ceiling and Default? Blame the Germans!

Why not use the historical roots of the debt ceiling to shift the blame?

September 30, 2013

Elon Musk: The Next Henry Ford?

Like Henry Ford, Elon Musk is not a tech genius or great inventor. But he is changing the future all the same.

September 29, 2013

Syria: Lessons from History

Two historic examples of U.S. action vs. inaction may be instructive for Syria now.

August 31, 2013

The Coming Global Economic Ice Age?

As investors pull back and commodity prices fall, is a new crisis in emerging markets brewing?

August 12, 2013

Elections Do Not Make Democracy

Should the U.S. continue to support autocratic regimes, wherever they provide for a stable geopolitical situation?

July 9, 2013

Brazil and Turkey: The Global Middle Class Rises

Why are Brazil and Turkey both facing mass protests right now? What makes the two cases similar and what makes them different?

June 21, 2013

U.S. Housing Recovery: A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

Is the U.S. housing market finally in recovery or are investors manipulating it again?

June 11, 2013

The United States Vs. China: Investing in the Future Now

How do the Republican promoters of limited government get away with their myopia?

February 14, 2013

A Brief History of U.S. Defaults

Does the United States have a stellar credit record — or is it a nation of deadbeats?

January 16, 2013

Next Stop: The U.S. Debt Ceiling Debate

What's the historical background of Congressional negotiations over domestic debt?

January 8, 2013

Stop Wasting Time on Health Care

How much does it cost an individual to buy medical insurance on the U.S. private market?

July 28, 2009

Can Obama Save the U.S. Economy?

What measures will bring a lasting recovery to the U.S economy?

January 29, 2009

Can Obama Save U.S. Banks?

How should President Obama address the financial crisis?

January 28, 2009

Make Peace Now

What opportunities for peace in the Middle East did the United States miss after 9/11?

January 7, 2009

Turning Economic Crisis Into Opportunity

What are some ways to turn the economic collapse into an opportunity of a lifetime?

December 8, 2008

Bottling Up Mr. GINI — Or: Italy’s Wicked Statistician(s)

What does the "GINI" in the standard measurement for income inequality really stand for?

March 27, 2006

China’s Yuan: Beware What You Wish For

Should the U.S. Congress really be pushing China to revalue the yuan?

May 6, 2005

Euro 2004: Soccer and Economic Strategy

Can the EU learn a lesson from soccer strategies?

June 30, 2004

Is the Rule of Law an Endangered Species?

Why is a strict adherence to the law so important for a nation's well-being?

January 13, 2004

European Union — Is Bigger Really Better?

Was the euro intended to deflect attention from necessary reforms?

December 17, 2003

George Bush and the End of Globalization?

Will economic protection be the hot topic in the 2004 presidential election?

December 9, 2003

The Democrats’ Acceptance Speech in 2004

What will the U.S. Democratic presidential candidate have to say about the state of the nation?

October 30, 2003

Mr. Bush’s 2004 Acceptance Speech

What will a Republican victory mean for the future of the United States?

October 29, 2003

Scapegoating China

Why is the United States pressuring China to float its currency?

September 4, 2003

America's Mid-Life Crisis

What steps must the United States take to confront a crumbling infrastructure and growing self-doubts?

August 29, 2003

Global Health Care?

Is health care for all an unattainable goal for the developing world?

July 17, 2003

Britain and the Euro – Just Say No?

Should Great Britain remain outside the eurozone?

June 6, 2003

Bill Bennett’s Dry Tears

How do William Bennett's pronouncements on morality sound now that his gambling problem has come to light?

May 14, 2003

Uncertainty and U.S. Foreign Policy

Has "patriotic correctness" gone too far in the U.S. Democratic Presidential campaign?

May 7, 2003

Argentina’s Elections — Truth or Dare?

What is yet to be done to resolve Argentina's economic crisis?

April 25, 2003

Miss USA: A Convenient Change of Rules

Is a Texan contestant's indictment of war critics a sign of solidarity — or is there more at stake?

March 28, 2003

Bowling for Iraq?

What can be gleaned from a German poet on the eve of war with Iraq?

March 20, 2003

Give War a Chance?

What is the current reaction of the U.S. public towards the administration's drumbeats for war in Iraq?

February 27, 2003

Like 9-Year Olds

Has global diplomacy spiraled into infantile squabbling?

February 21, 2003

Opposite Day in Washington

Have U.S. politicians decided to declare an official "opposite day"?

July 1, 2002

Colombia: Between Violence and Forgiveness

Can free trade be a possible solution to Colombia's continuing economic and political woes?

April 14, 2001