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Robert J. Barro

Robert J. Barro

13 commentaries

Robert J. Barro, Professor of Economics at Harvard University, is a non-resident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research.

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  1. Understanding Recent US Inflation
    barro12_STEFANI REYNOLDSAFP via Getty Images_inflation STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

    Understanding Recent US Inflation

    Aug 30, 2022 Robert J. Barro sees the fiscal-policy response to the COVID recession as the main factor fueling faster price growth.

  2. Yes, the US Economy Is Likely in Recession
    barro11_Michael NagleXinhua via Getty Images_USstockmarketrecession Michael Nagle/Xinhua via Getty Images

    Yes, the US Economy Is Likely in Recession

    Aug 1, 2022 Robert J. Barro shows that two consecutive quarters of negative US growth have almost always preceded an official downturn designation.

  3. Big State Inflation
    barro10 Getty Images

    Big State Inflation

    Dec 4, 2021 Robert J. Barro worries that US monetary and fiscal policy is running off the rails and theatening future growth.

  4. An Interview with Robert J. Barro
    David Ricardo Economics for many decades has been dominated by journal articles, rather than books. But there are a few classics that are undoubtedly worth reading. Beyond the aforementioned Smith and Weber, this 1817 book by Ricardo is effectively the first work on macroeconomics, and thus essential reading.

    An Interview with Robert J. Barro

    Apr 20, 2021 Robert J. Barro warns that the anchor of long-term inflation expectations is being pulled up, advises the US on how to deal with China, and critiques Joe Biden’s proposed infrastructure package.

  5. Pulling Up the Inflation Anchor
    barro8_Win McNameeGetty Images_volcker Win McNamee/Getty Images

    Pulling Up the Inflation Anchor

    Feb 25, 2021 Robert J. Barro worries that reckless policies could undo decades of hard-won gains by monetary policymakers.

  1. nixonsaintil4_Anya BerkutGettyImages_ai_learning Anya Berkut/Getty Images

    Closing the AI Skills Gap in 2025

    Justina Nixon-Saintil explains what can be done to equip the workforce for an era of rapid technological change.
  2. ochieng2_Li YahuiXinhua via Getty Images_chinaafricahealth Li Yahui/Xinhua via Getty Images

    Investing in Global Health Enhances US National Security

    Walter O. Ochieng & Tom Achoki urge the incoming Trump administration to build on the success of Operation Warp Speed.
  3. norrlof8_DELIL SOULEIMANAFP via Getty Images_USsyria Delil Souleiman/AFP via Getty Images

    The Scramble for Syria

    Carla Norrlöf

    The United States and its allies have a unique opportunity to help Syria finally move away from foreign-sponsored proxy wars and toward a more balanced regional alignment. Engagement with Syria's new leadership offers leverage, whereas confrontation will merely perpetuate the old cycle of bloodshed.

    explains how America and its allies should respond to the demise of the country's longstanding dictatorship.
  4. slee1_ANTHONY WALLACEAFP via Getty Images_seoulapartments Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images

    The Bank of Korea Moves Beyond Monetary Policy

    Soohyung Lee highlights the efforts of central bankers to address structural challenges such as skyrocketing housing costs.
  5. Blackdovfx/Getty Images

    The AI Revolution Is at Home in Africa

    Cina Lawson explains how developing economies can use emerging technologies to improve a wide range of public services.
  6. sirleaf10_ SIMON MAINAAFP via Getty Images_Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Simon Maina/AFP via Getty Images

    Three Cheers for Namibia’s First Female President

    Ellen Johnson Sirleaf explains why Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s electoral victory is a defining moment for women’s leadership in Africa.
  7. ito42_Jeff GritchenMediaNews GroupOrange County Register via Getty Image_USshipping Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Image

    Trump’s Tariffs Will Backfire

    Takatoshi Ito warns that the US president-elect's plans will increase America's trade deficit and alienate its allies.
  8. haldar40_PoolGettyImages_trump_ny_trial Pool/Getty Images

    Trump’s Victory Over the Rule of Law

    Antara Haldar considers whether a defining component of American democracy has been lost for good.
  9. kupchan15_RAMI AL SAYEDAFP via Getty Images_syria Rami al-Sayed AFP via Getty Images

    Rebuilding Syria After Assad

    Charles A. Kupchan & Sinan Ülgen say that Syrians themselves must do the hard work, but multilateral assistance has an important role to play.

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