Op-ed articles and commentaries from world's top economists

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The Threat of German Amnesia

Joschka Fischer May. 25, 2012

Europe is again learning the hard way that austerity applied in the teeth of a major financial crisis leads to depression. That was a key lesson of Herbert Hoover's policies in the US in the early 1930's – and of Heinrich Brüning's policies in Weimar Germany. Unfortunately, Germany, of all countries, insists on forgetting it.
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Threading the Fiscal Needle

Michael Boskin May. 24, 2012

With many citizens in the US and Europe now struggling, political leaders face a daunting task: adopt credible medium- and long-term reforms without derailing the economy in the short term. They have little economic – and perhaps even less political – margin for error.
Focal Points

Germany vs. Europe

The European project may be disintegrating. Increasingly, Germany's role as European leader is being challenged, and France's rejection of austerity will embolden opponents further. Is Germany jeopardizing the European Union? How should a post-crisis eurozone – if one emerges – be organized?
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Is the Euro Ending or Beginning?

Jean Pisani-Ferry May. 24, 2012

An environment of crisis is forcing Europeans to make choices that they did not want to envisage, much less confront, in quieter times. Depending on how they choose, recent developments could mark the beginning of the end for the euro – or the end of the beginning.
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A Global New Deal

Jomo Kwame Sundaram May. 22, 2012

Recent political developments, including the defeat of incumbent governments in France and Greece, suggest that the public’s tolerance for economic policies that do not reduce unemployment has fallen sharply. Indeed, further political turmoil is likely unless policymakers change course accordingly.
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China’s Expanding Core

Yuriko Koike May. 24, 2012

China is now engaged in bitter disputes with Vietnam, the Philippines, and Japan over islands in the South China Sea. China’s claims are so expansive that many Asians are wondering what will satisfy its desire to secure its growing array of "core interests.”
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Tea Party Victory, Global Defeat

Gareth Evans May. 23, 2012

The crushing defeat of US Senator Richard Lugar, in a Tea Party-supported campaign of shocking mindlessness, has set alarm bells ringing in capitals around the world. Perhaps most disturbingly, Lugar was mocked by his opponents for his foreign-policy expertise and reputation as an outstanding statesman.
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Why Do Economies Stop Growing?

Michael Spence May. 23, 2012

Many of the growth strategies tried around the world have turned out to have built-in limitations or decelerators – what one might call elements of unsustainability. Avoiding serious damage and difficult recoveries requires us to get a lot better at recognizing these self-limiting growth patterns early on.
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The Paradox of China’s Reform

Jamie F. Metzl May. 18, 2012

If China’s national imperative today is reform, the greatest threat to that goal is the massive influence and institutionalized corruption of the country’s entrenched elites. That is why the Chinese government’s dance around the Bo Xilai scandal has been so complicated.

Lucinda Creighton May. 25

Ireland’s Moment of Fiscal Decision

DUBLIN – “The construction of Europe is an art,” former French President Jacques Chirac once said. “It is the art of the poss…
Mahmoud Mohieldin May. 25

The Cooperative Alternative

WASHINGTON, DC – In an era in which conventional models of finance, corporate governance, and corporate responsibility are in…
Robert J. Shiller May. 22

My Speech to the Finance Graduates

NEW HAVEN – At this time of year, at graduation ceremonies in America and elsewhere, those about to leave university often he…
Peter Boone and… May. 22

The Euro Awaits Its Verdict

WASHINGTON, DC – The creation of the euro just over a decade ago was a courageous and unique experiment. Today, the outcome –…
Robert Skidelsky May. 21

Why China Won’t Rule

LONDON – Is China poised to become the world’s next superpower? This question is increasingly asked as China’s economic growt…
Joseph E. Stiglitz May. 18

A Breakthrough Opportunity for Global Health

NEW YORK – Every year, millions of people die from preventable and treatable diseases, especially in poor countries. In many …
Mohamed A. El-Erian May. 17

Who is Responsible for the Greek Tragedy?

SEATTLE – Greece is following the road taken by several other crisis-ridden emerging economies over the past 30 years. Indeed…
Nouriel Roubini May. 17

Greece Must Exit

NEW YORK – The Greek euro tragedy is reaching its final act: it is clear that either this year or next, Greece is highly like…
Jeffrey Frankel May. 16

The Death of Inflation Targeting

CAMBRIDGE – It is with regret that we announce the death of inflation targeting. The monetary-policy regime, known as IT to f…

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William H. Luers and… May. 22

The Nixon Option for Iran?

WASHINGTON, DC – Rearranging the deck chairs would not have saved the Titanic. Nor did the endl…
Esther Dyson May. 22

Tweeting to Havana

HAVANA – I was taking my usual morning swim, but this time on the roof of the Parque Central ho…
Abdullah Gul May. 22

Turkey’s New Course

CHICAGO – Turkey has recently been at the forefront of international economic and political deb…
Dominique Moisi May. 21

Ten Reasons for Europe

PARIS – The euro, many now believe, will not survive a failed political class in Greece or esca…
Anne-Marie Slaughter May. 19

Globalizing NATO

PRINCETON – Next week, NATO’s 28 members will meet in Chicago for their annual summit. Six…
Michael A. Fitts and… May. 18

China’s Misrule of Law

PHILADELPHIA – A last-minute deal between the United States and China may afford human-rights l…
Imants Liegis and… May. 17

Why Europe Still Needs Nuclear Deterrence

RIGA/VILNIUS/WARSAW – In recent months, we have joined di…
Javier Solana May. 17

Russia Stays Home

MADRID – Just three days before his return to the Kremlin as Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin…
Roland Kupers May. 17

A Green Alternative to Austerity?

OXFORD – While austerity in Europe faces increasing socia…

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Browse a selection of contributors:

Joschka Fischer May. 25, 2012

Michael Boskin May. 24, 2012

Jean Pisani-Ferry May. 24, 2012

Jomo Kwame Sundaram May. 22, 2012

Yuriko Koike May. 24, 2012

Gareth Evans May. 23, 2012

Michael Spence May. 23, 2012

Jamie F. Metzl May. 18, 2012

Lucinda Creighton May. 25

Mahmoud Mohieldin May. 25

Robert J. Shiller May. 22

Peter Boone and… May. 22

Robert Skidelsky May. 21

Joseph E. Stiglitz May. 18

Mohamed A. El-Erian May. 17

Nouriel Roubini May. 17

Jeffrey Frankel May. 16

William H. Luers and… May. 22

Esther Dyson May. 22

Abdullah Gul May. 22

Dominique Moisi May. 21

Anne-Marie Slaughter May. 19

Michael A. Fitts and… May. 18

Imants Liegis and… May. 17

Javier Solana May. 17

Roland Kupers May. 17

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