In The News

“Playing Baseball Without a Bat”

Thomas. L. Friedman November 9, 2011
In an interview with YaleGlobal editor Nayan Chanda, Thomas. L. Friedman talks about his book "That Used to Be Us: How America Fell Behind in the World It Invented and How We Can Come Back," co-written with Michael Mandelbaum. He explains the reasons for the slow decline of the United States, especially its failure to adapt to the hyper-connected world it helped to create, four...

Denying Imbalances, G20 Risks Chaos – Part II

David Dapice November 7, 2011
Once again, the leaders of the world’s most powerful economies have procrastinated in coming together on a viable global strategy to end unsustainable imbalances. Overshadowing the G20 summit was the threat of a disorderly Greek default; the Greek government’s scrambled response; and rising bond prices and trouble for Italy’s debt. Eurozone leaders agreed to set up a rescue fund of at least $1...

Economic Fixes Should Not Worsen Environmental Crisis

Dodo J. Thampapillai October 19, 2011
During economic crises, political leaders often urge suspension of environmental protections to save jobs. That is a mistake, argues economist Dodo J. Thampapillai, with the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, because the economy ultimately depends on a healthy environment and sustainable use of resources. The current financial crisis presents an opportunity...

So Many US Manufacturing Jobs, So Few Skilled Workers

Lucia Mutikani October 17, 2011
A disconnect hampers US economic recovery: Manufacturing plants based in the US struggle to fill jobs, even with 14 million Americans searching for work. American students prefer studies in the social sciences, arts and business. Math, engineering, technology and computer science degrees account for less than 10 percent of college diplomas. For jobs that don’t require degrees, vocational...

The Depression: If Only Things Were That Good

David Leonhardt October 14, 2011
In analyzing any economic period, one can focus on wages or employment levels – or delve deeper into a society’s potential, examining education and innovations. David Leonhardt takes the latter approach in comparing the current crisis with the Great Depression, when television, autos, aviation, nylon and other materials were under development. A lack of technological innovations that provide for...

The Four Horsemen of Economics

Stewart Wallis September 28, 2011
Humans are not necessarily stuck with the unsustainable, unstable economic constructs they have created. Political systems can shape local and global economies, either deliberately or by default. Stewart Wallis, executive director of the New Economics Foundation, urges nations to work in concert to address crises that promise to arise with greater frequency and severity – whether extreme weather...

Going... Going... Greece on the Brink

Maria Margaronis September 22, 2011
The social turmoil, bitterness and political infighting that accompany Greece’s debt crisis could offer a preview for other nations that fail to practice fiscal discipline. In exchange for loans, Greece’s creditors demand that the government cut spending, lay off public employees, reduce entitlements and raise taxes. A series of quick fixes and delays have given savviest creditors time to prepare...