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Michael R. Strain

Michael R. Strain

Writing for PS since 2022
25 commentaries

Michael R. Strain, Director of Economic Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, is the author, most recently, of The American Dream Is Not Dead: (But Populism Could Kill It) (Templeton Press, 2020).

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  1. What Soft Landing?
    strain24_KevinDietsch via Getty Images_FED Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images

    What Soft Landing?

    Mar 11, 2024 Michael R. Strain warns that the US economy could still crash, given negative consumer sentiment and a hot labor market.

  2. Yes, Russian Reserves Should Be Seized
    strain23_Dmytro Smolienko  UkrinformFuture Publishing via Getty Images_ukraine damage Dmytro Smolienko / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images

    Yes, Russian Reserves Should Be Seized

    Feb 19, 2024 Michael R. Strain explains why the Kremlin’s frozen assets should be used for Ukraine’s reconstruction.

  3. Nikki Haley Should Stay in the GOP Race
    strain22_Joe RaedleGetty Images_nikki haley Joe Raedle/Getty Images

    Nikki Haley Should Stay in the GOP Race

    Feb 12, 2024 Michael R. Strain explains why the candidate would be infinitely better than Donald Trump for US democracy and global stability.

  4. In Defense of Billionaires
    strain21_Mark RALSTON  AFP) (Photo by MARK RALSTONAFP via Getty Images_billionairs Photo by MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images

    In Defense of Billionaires

    Jan 9, 2024 Michael R. Strain argues that wildly successful people create trillions of dollars of value for society.

  5. The Myth of the 1%
    strain20_Matthew WestMediaNews GroupBoston Herald via Getty Images_wages Matthew West/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images

    The Myth of the 1%

    Dec 14, 2023 Michael R. Strain urges US policymakers to focus more on the wages of the bottom half of workers, rather than the top earners.

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  1. goldberg28_DENIS BALIBOUSEPOOLAFP via Getty Images_wto Denis Balibouse/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

    Why Have Developing Countries Soured on Multilateralism?

    Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg traces the roots of dissatisfaction to advanced economies' use of bodies like the World Trade Organization.
  2. stiglitz331_serggnGetty Images_techregulation serggn/Getty Images

    A Big Defeat for Big Tech

    Joseph E. Stiglitz

    Tech companies know that if there is an open, democratic debate about data security, consumers’ concerns about digital safeguards will win out. And while the industry's lobbyists tried to ensure that no such debate could ever occur, one of their more cynical moves has now been exposed and thwarted.

    details how the industry tried to slip extraordinary protections against regulation into US trade agreements.
  3. zizek27_Giles ClarkeGetty Images_jimmycherizier Giles Clarke/Getty Images

    Haiti’s Proud Boys

    Slavoj Žižek

    If we measure a failed state by the cracks in the edifice of its power, reflected in brewing ideological civil wars, deadlocked assemblies, and increasingly insecure public spaces, we must recognize that the United States is not so unlike Haiti. Both have given rise to violent gangs with political ambitions.

    warns that rich Western democracies are not immune to politically motivated gang violence.
  4. hedegaard11_y Dursun AydemirAnadolu via Getty Images_parliament elections Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu via Getty Images

    Unity Is Europe’s Greatest Asset

    Connie Hedegaard emphasizes the importance of stability amid persistent economic and geopolitical crises.
  5. qian34_PEDRO PARDOAFP via Getty Images_immigration PEDRO PARDO/AFP via Getty Images

    The Truth About US Immigration

    Nancy Qian warns that overheated campaign-season rhetoric is dangerously polarizing and ultimately self-defeating.
  6. mueller51_ David McNewGetty Images_gop trump David McNew/Getty Images

    The Zombification of Political Parties

    Jan-Werner Mueller argues that Donald Trump’s capture of the GOP’s organizational machinery recalls authoritarian tactics elsewhere.
  7. basu100_David Dee DelgadoGetty Images_newyork David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

    The Economic Consequences of Legal Behavior

    Kaushik Basu highlights the potential benefits of emphasizing adherence to the spirit of laws, if not their letter.
  8. brown106_KOLA SULAIMONAFP via Getty Images_nigeriaschool Kola Sulaimon/AFP via Getty Images

    For Nigeria’s Schools, Safety Must Come First

    Gordon Brown writes that the latest mass abduction of students underscores the dilemma facing parents throughout the country.
  9. owoo1_disabled iStock / Getty Images Plus

    Give Women with Disabilities a Chance

    Nkechi S. Owoo explains what is needed to protect and empower one of the world’s most vulnerable demographic groups.

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