Project Syndicate - the Smartest Op-Ed Articles from the World's Thought Leaders

Politics
Donald Trump and the Sense of Power
Robert J. Shiller

Politics
Donald Trump and the Sense of Power

Robert J. Shiller NOV 21, 2016 10

Robert J. Shiller does not see how the US president-elect can give his working-class voters what they most want.
Mark Makela/Stringer
US President-elect Donald Trump campaigned in part on a proposal to cut taxes dramatically for those with high incomes, a group whose members often have elite educations as well. So why did his most enthusiastic support tend to come from those with average and stagnating incomes and low levels of education? READ MORE
World Affairs
Donald Trump’s Choices in the Middle East
Shlomo Ben-Ami

World Affairs
Donald Trump’s Choices in the Middle East

Shlomo Ben-Ami NOV 21, 2016 4

Shlomo Ben-Ami considers the challenges facing a US president-elect who is uniquely unqualified to address them.
Anadolu Agency
The US president-elect's muddled statements offer little insight into what kind of foreign policy he will actually pursue, and there is not much reason to believe that, when his approach does become clear, it will be what the US – or the world – needs. That could have devastating consequences in the world's most tumultuous region. READ MORE
Business & Finance
Sanctions and the Risk to the Dollar
Christopher Smart

Business & Finance
Sanctions and the Risk to the Dollar

Christopher Smart NOV 21, 2016 2

Christopher Smart cautions the US against abusing its outsize influence in the global financial system.
Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Any US administration should pause before cutting off access to the dollar-trading system as a way to punish misbehavior by foreign governments. Over time, even legitimate actors will find alternative commercial and financial channels if they come to feel that dollar access is conditional on not running afoul of US interests. READ MORE
World Affairs
Uniting for an Asian Century
Lee Jong-Wha

World Affairs
Uniting for an Asian Century

Lee Jong-Wha NOV 21, 2016 1

Lee Jong-Wha advocates regional integration as the surest route to peace and prosperity in an unstable world.
Adam Pretty/Getty Images
There is no question that Asia’s standing in the global economy is stronger than ever. But the US and Europe maintain an advantage, in terms of global strategic influence, while Asian countries are facing major political, economic, and security challenges. READ MORE
Economics
Trump’s Monetary Conundrum
Nouriel Roubini

Economics
Trump’s Monetary Conundrum

Nouriel Roubini NOV 18, 2016 12

Nouriel Roubini says the president-elect should favor a dovish Fed if he wants his fiscal policies to work.
Jason Connolly/AFP/Getty Images
If the US Federal Reserve becomes too hawkish too soon, it will strengthen the US dollar, undermining Donald Trump’s stated goal of creating jobs and boosting incomes for his blue-collar base. Given his proposed fiscal expansion, Trump would be better off keeping Barack Obama's dovish appointees. READ MORE

Economics

Frankfurt stock market after Brexit vote

Thomas Lohnes/Stringer

EconomicsNOV 17, 2016 13

What Is the Pound Telling Us?

Jim O'Neill says sterling will likely continue its post-Brexit decline, and policymakers should take note.

EconomicsNOV 16, 2016 4

An Economic Ultimatum for the Arab World

Marwan Muasher says that unless Arab countries move away from rentierism, they risk another wave of uprisings.

EconomicsNOV 15, 2016 56

Straight Talk on Trade

Dani Rodrik thinks that economists are partly responsible for US President-elect Donald Trump's victory.

Business & Finance

Business & FinanceNOV 11, 2016 4

The Secret of Dubai’s Success

Yasser Al-Saleh explains how a city-state with limited resources became a global economic and cultural hub.

Business & FinanceNOV 8, 2016 3

The Evolving Independent Economy

Laura Tyson & Jacques Bughin consider the challenges and opportunities created by the rise of temporary, flexible, and "gig" work.

Politics

Drew Angerer/Getty images

PoliticsNOV 17, 2016 27

Europe Against the Ropes

Ana Palacio applies the late Václav Havel's values and perspective to the EU's current predicament.

PoliticsNOV 15, 2016 9

The Myth of the Women’s Vote

Heather Hurlburt shows that race and education levels were more decisive factors than gender in the 2016 election.

PoliticsNOV 12, 2016 15

Unchecked Trump?

Alfred Stepan argues that the system of constitutional checks and balances in the US has been gutted.

Innovation & Technology

Innovation & TechnologyOCT 29, 2016 1

Privacy for Refugees

Inga Kroener calls for privacy-impact assessments to ensure that sensitive personal data are protected.

Culture & Society

Culture & SocietyNOV 14, 2016 7

The Case for Legalizing Sex Work

Peter Singer argues that repealing laws criminalizing the industry would reduce harm and boost public welfare.

Culture & SocietyNOV 4, 2016 30

Populism for the Rich

Ian Buruma discerns in populism an amalgam of mass economic anxiety and the social rage of elite arrivistes.

Education

EducationOCT 14, 2016 0

Education Needs Social Enterprise

Gordon Brown calls for more entrepreneurship to bring schools and pedagogy into the twenty-first century.

EducationOCT 12, 2016 18

The Skills Delusion

Adair Turner rebuts the conventional belief that more education will boost productivity and reduce inequality.

Donald Trump and the Sense of Power

Donald Trump’s Choices in the Middle East

Sanctions and the Risk to the Dollar

Uniting for an Asian Century

Trump’s Monetary Conundrum

Sky-High Monetary Policy

Economist Stefan Gerlach examines the promise and limitations of “helicopter money,” and considers arguments for and against advanced by Adair Turner, Michael Heise, Laura Tyson, and other Project Syndicate commentators.

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