Voting for growth on October 3, 2016Voters must shake up Washington if they want a more prosperous future. Janet Yellen and the Federal Reserve have pronounced 2 percent annual economic growth — perhaps a bit less — the new normal. Factoring in labor force growth that implies 1 percent growth for productivity and pre-tax wages, hardly anyone is average these days. […]
Putting the brakes on globalisation on September 18, 2016It’s time to put the brakes on globalization, not shut it down. Freer movement of goods, technology, capital and people across borders offers enormous benefits but also imperils our civilization. Think of what Americans would be driving today if Toyota and Honda had not taken Chevrolet and Ford to school with the Camry and Accord. […]
Trumps economic prescription on August 15, 2016Donald Trump said much in his recent speech at the Detroit Economic Club to inspire confidence that he can resurrect the American economy and lead a great nation. Once again, he promised to renegotiate and if necessary, rip up trade agreements to give American workers a fairer shot at competing in global markets. He now […]
Trumps troubles with trade on July 10, 2016Running for president on a protectionist platform, Donald Trump confronts tough challenges. College educated voters – a demographic he must better attract to beat Hillary Clinton – generally believe that free trade promotes prosperity. He must explain to them how getting tough on trade will boost economic growth and raise wages – enough to justify […]
Britains economy, post-Brexit on July 3, 2016This is no time to sell the United Kingdom short. Its economic and political institutions remain among the strongest in the world and should afford it considerable opportunity to negotiate new arrangements with the European Union. In the early 1970s, the UK economy was struggling — hamstrung by nettlesome labor relations and too much government […]
Trumps superior plans on the economy on June 19, 2016Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton offer Americans a clear choice on the economy. On international trade, taxes and business regulation, he advocates radically different strategies to fire up growth, whereas she would build on President Obama’s agenda. Since ancient times, commerce has drawn nations closer together. The rise and fall of civilizations often has been […]
Learning to lift the economy again on May 8, 2016The most troubling aspect of the presidential campaign is that neither front-runner has focused on the most critical issue confronting America — learning to grow again. In this century, gross domestic product (GDP) has advanced a paltry 1.7 percent a year, and annual family incomes have fallen about $4,000, whereas during the Reagan-Clinton era, progress […]