Skip to main content

Curated by Project Syndicate

Abenomics Goes to the Polls

14 commentaries

As the Japanese economy sinks back into recession, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called for increased monetary stimulus, a postponement of the next income-tax hike, and a general election to be held on December 14. But with opposition parties posing little threat to the ruling coalition's mandate, what's behind Abe's decision to hold a snap election?

Sort by: Show:
  1. China’s Asia?
    Tiananmen Square China_Markus Spiering_Flickr Markus Spiering/Flickr

    China’s Asia?

    Dec 3, 2014 Minxin Pei asks how serious the Chinese government is about realizing its new slogan "Asia for Asians."

  2. Can Japan Reboot?

    Can Japan Reboot?

    Dec 3, 2014 Kenneth Rogoff examines why Abenomics has so far failed to deliver sustained growth.

  3. The Return of Currency Wars
    currency wars The AutoMotovated Cyclist/Flickr

    The Return of Currency Wars

    Dec 1, 2014 Nouriel Roubini criticizes governments' over-reliance on monetary policy to support aggregate demand and growth.

  4. Abe’s Safe Bet
    Shinzo Abe Ma Ping/ZumaPress

    Abe’s Safe Bet

    Nov 26, 2014 Yuriko Koike weighs Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's decision to call a snap general election.

  5. The Return of the Dollar
    Origami Dollar airplane Dominik Meissner/Flickr

    The Return of the Dollar

    Nov 10, 2014 Mohamed A. El-Erian welcomes a strengthening US dollar, but warns that its global benefits are not guaranteed.

  6. Last Chance for Japan?
    japanese woman sidewalk Erik/Flickr

    Last Chance for Japan?

    Oct 28, 2014 Stephen S. Roach wonders whether the Japanese economy is prepared to benefit from US and Chinese external demand.

  1. mazzucato66_Soumyabrata RoyNurPhoto via Getty Images_IndiaUPI Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Central Banks in a Cashless World

    Mariana Mazzucato & David Eaves explain why policymakers should become more involved in shaping or creating digital-payments infrastructure.
  2. nsofor9_ Zhu Huanan  CFOTOFuture Publishing via Getty Images_hpv vaccine Zhu Huanan / CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images

    Governments Must Step Up to Prevent Cervical Cancer

    Ifeanyi M. Nsofor urges policymakers worldwide to commit to administering the HPV vaccine as widely as possible.
  3. op_ghilarducci1_Jeffrey GreenbergUniversal Images Group via Getty Images_USelderlyworker Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    The Perils of Retirement in America

    Teresa Ghilarducci

    The US retirement system is failing American workers. But after decades of pushing fake fixes – especially forcing people to work longer – US policymakers have an opportunity to make real progress in bolstering Americans' economic security in old age.

    proposes a Grey New Deal that would boost economic security for all US workers in old age.
  4. nishtar8_AMAURY HAUCHARDAFP via Getty Images_africavaccine Amaury Hauchard/AFP via Getty Images

    Fifty Years of Immunization Success Call for 50 More

    Sania Nishtar touts the remarkable results of global collaboration on routine vaccination and foresees continued progress.
  5. GettyImages-2149550584 Photo by MARK PETERSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

    Trump on Trial

    From a long list of criminal indictments to unfavorable voter demographics, there is plenty standing between presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump and a second term in the White House. But a Trump victory in the November election remains a distinct possibility – and a cause for serious economic concern.

  6. woods56_Alex WongGetty Images_georgieva Alex Wong/Getty Images

    The IMF Chose the Right Leader the Wrong Way

    Ngaire Woods thinks the Fund’s process for selecting its managing director is woefully out of step with today’s world.
  7. bildt122_Mikhail SvetlovGetty Images_trumpputin Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

    Trump Is Putin’s Only Hope Now

    Carl Bildt considers the implications of Ukraine finally receiving the Western military aid it has been waiting for.
  8. frankel159_Getty Images_customer service Getty Images

    How to Rebuild Trust in Public Institutions

    Eleanor Carter & Carolyn J. Heinrich highlight the value of face-to-face interactions at a time when governments are phasing out in-person services.
  9. isenberg1_TIMOTHY A. CLARYPOOLAFP via Getty Images_trumptrial Timothy A. Clary/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

    Is Trump Above the Law?

    Nancy Isenberg

    Contrary to what former US President Donald Trump would have the American public believe, no president enjoys absolute immunity from criminal prosecution. To suggest otherwise is to reject a bedrock principle of American democracy: the president is not a monarch.

    explains why the US Supreme Court must reject the former president's claim to immunity from prosecution.

Edit Newsletter Preferences

Set up Notification

To receive email updates regarding this {entity_type}, please enter your email below.

If you are not already registered, this will create a PS account for you. You should receive an activation email shortly.