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Lawrence H. Summers

Lawrence H. Summers

15 commentaries
1 videos & podcasts

Lawrence H. Summers was US Secretary of the Treasury (1999-2001), Chief Economist of the World Bank (1991-93), Director of the US National Economic Council (2009-10), and President of Harvard University (2001-06), where he is currently University Professor.

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  1. The World Is Still on Fire
    summers14_TONY KARUMBAAFP via Getty Images_sudanfamine Tony Karumba/AFP via Getty Images

    The World Is Still on Fire

    Apr 15, 2024 Lawrence H. Summers & N.K. Singh think policymakers need to get four things right to shore up the credibility of the international system.

  2. The Multilateral Development Banks the World Needs
    summers13_Natali_MisGetty Images_worldconnections Natali_Mis/Getty Images

    The Multilateral Development Banks the World Needs

    Jul 24, 2023 Lawrence H. Summers & N.K. Singh offer a plan to ensure that these key institutions prove equal to challenges of the twenty-first century.

  3. A New Chance for the World Bank
    summers12_ STEFANI REYNOLDSAFP via Getty Images)_world bank ERIC BARADAT/AFP via Getty Images

    A New Chance for the World Bank

    Oct 10, 2022 Lawrence H. Summers calls for reforms focused on crisis response, post-conflict reconstruction, and the green transition.

  4. Debt Relief Is the Most Effective Pandemic Aid
    brown64_NICHOLAS KAMMAFP via Getty Images_georgievamalpassworldbankIMF Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images

    Debt Relief Is the Most Effective Pandemic Aid

    Apr 15, 2020 Gordon Brown & Lawrence H. Summers call for a two-year moratorium on payments for every emerging and developing economy that needs help.

  5. Can a Political-Economy Vicious Circle Be Avoided?
    summers10 Getty Images

    Can a Political-Economy Vicious Circle Be Avoided?

    Dec 26, 2019 Lawrence H. Summers sees the US presidential election in November as the year's most important decision worldwide.

  1. posner33_David Dee DelgadoGetty Images_trump David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

    Rough Justice for Trump

    Eric Posner

    Following Donald Trump’s conviction in a Manhattan courtroom, the Wall Street Journal’s editorial board worries that the successful prosecution of a former president will usher in “a new and destabilizing era of American politics.” But that era already began in 2016, and the blame for it lies squarely with Trump himself.

    thinks the Manhattan jury’s guilty verdict is the best that can be hoped for, under the circumstances.
  2. haldar34_Alex WongGetty Images_imfworldbank Alex Wong/Getty Images

    Still Haunted by the Washington Consensus

    Antara Haldar thinks the old one-size-fits-all model is still causing problems, despite having been discredited.
  3. sayang2_ Frank Rumpenhorstpicture alliance via Getty Images_chatgpt Frank Rumpenhorst/picture alliance via Getty Images

    The Right Way to Regulate AI

    Joshua Gans argues that the key is to identify and reverse the technology’s unwelcome consequences soon after they appear.
  4. fofack24_KOLA SULAIMONAFP via Getty Images_repatriated art KOLA SULAIMON/AFP via Getty Images

    Restoring Africa’s Culture and Philosophy Is the Key to Development

    Hippolyte Fofack shows how the lack of a collective consciousness has reduced most governments to managing crisis after crisis.
  5. basu102_Jeff GritchenMediaNews GroupOrange County Register via Getty Images_shippingcontainers Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images

    A Plea for Political Economy

    Kaushik Basu thinks understanding recent technological advances requires economists to revive an old tradition.
  6. aweber7_DANIEL ROLANDAFP via Getty Images_ECB Daniel Roland/AFP via Getty Images

    The Danger of Premature ECB Rate Cuts

    Axel A. Weber warns that inviting renewed persistent inflation would be much worse than keeping monetary policy too tight.
  7. patten166_ Dan KitwoodGetty Images_uk election Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

    Britain’s Make-or-Break Election

    Chris Patten laments the absence of responsible leaders capable of addressing the country’s many daunting challenges.
  8. roach141_STRAFP via Getty Images_china trade STR/AFP via Getty Images

    China’s Economy Cannot Export Its Problems Away

    Alicia García-Herrero & Alessio Terzi explain why the current growth strategy will inevitably fail to address the roots of the economy’s problems.
  9. roethig1_THOMAS COEXAFP via Getty Images_trade union THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images

    Trade Unions Can Defeat Europe’s Far Right

    Oliver Roethig explains why stronger trade unions hold the key to countering the rise of extremist parties.

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