In an age defined by "polycrisis"—where climate change, financial instability, and geopolitical war collide—one man has emerged as the global interpreter of our chaos. Adam Tooze, the British historian once known for niche economic tomes, has become the intellectual rock star of the 2020s, guiding policymakers and the public through the bewildering collapse of the old world order.

A new profile in The Guardian captures Tooze at the height of his influence. From his base at Columbia University, Tooze’s analysis transcends the traditional boundaries of history. He is as comfortable dissecting the Federal Reserve’s bond-buying program as he is explaining the supply chain implications of the war in Ukraine or the decarbonization of the German grid.

Connecting the Dots

What sets Tooze apart is his ability to synthesize. While economists look at charts and diplomats look at maps, Tooze sees the "macro-finance" wiring that connects them. His concept of the "polycrisis" argues that our current problems are not isolated events but interlocking failures of a single, fragile global system.

"He is the rare commentator who can speak credibly about the political economy of Europe, the US, and China," notes his editor. His daily newsletter, Chartbook, has become required reading for everyone from Larry Summers to climate activists in Nairobi. It is a daily briefing on the end of the world, delivered with data-driven precision.

• The Brussels Clash: The profile recounts a tense moment in Brussels where Tooze confronted officials from the outgoing Biden administration. While they spoke in the poetic language of "liberal values," Tooze bluntly pointed out their failure to prevent the return of Donald Trump, accusing them of a sentimental attachment to a world that no longer exists. "You don't get to come back and show off your wounds," he reportedly told a stunned trade representative.
• A Voice for the Global South: Tooze has increasingly turned his gaze to the developing world, arguing that the financial architecture of the West is rigging the game against countries like Kenya. He advocates for a radical restructuring of sovereign debt, warning that the current system forces nations to choose between paying creditors and feeding their people.

The Historian of the Now

Tooze’s rise signals a shift in how we consume expertise. We no longer look for specialists in one field; we crave generalists who can explain how a virus in Wuhan leads to inflation in London and a debt crisis in Lusaka. Adam Tooze does not offer comforting solutions, but he offers something perhaps more valuable: clarity. In a world spinning off its axis, he is the one checking the speedometer.