15 October 2023 Once admired as Europe's growth engine, Germany is now being identified as the region's "sick economy". Indeed, Germany's post-Covid recovery has lagged far behind the world's other advanced countries (Chart below). And, the nation's underperformance pre-dates the pandemic. What lies behind Germany's growth malaise, and can Europe's "Sick Man" be cured? To … Continue reading Germany: Curing Europe’s Sick Man?
16 March 2021 In the past week, the Biden Adminstration passed its historic American Rescue Plan (ARP) and UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled his budgetary program for the coming years. The message from both is clear, the immediate priority is to provide Covid-related relief to household and businesses. Concerns about rising public sector debt would … Continue reading Global Fiscal Policy: Keep the Pedal to the Metal
20 March 2020 Initial data from China indicate the economic impact of the Coronavirus and efforts to prevent its spread will be significant. I will make some preliminary global economic projections, although they come with a greater degree of uncertainty than normal. Perhaps more importantly, I will set out some guideposts about how to assess … Continue reading Covid-19: Don’t Suffer a Lack of Imagination
The Trump agenda fiscal agenda has focused on tax reform, and especially the scope for cutting taxes. However, the esteemed Brookings Institute reminds us that despite the recent sharp declines in the US Federal government deficit, the USA confronts formidable fiscal challenges over the medium term. Eventually, the growth in American entitlement spending will … Continue reading US Fiscal Challenge: Entitlement Reform Key to Long Term Sustainability