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Robert J. Barro

Robert J. Barro

13 commentaries

Robert J. Barro, Professor of Economics at Harvard University, is a non-resident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research.

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  1. Understanding Recent US Inflation
    barro12_STEFANI REYNOLDSAFP via Getty Images_inflation STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

    Understanding Recent US Inflation

    Aug 30, 2022 Robert J. Barro sees the fiscal-policy response to the COVID recession as the main factor fueling faster price growth.

  2. Yes, the US Economy Is Likely in Recession
    barro11_Michael NagleXinhua via Getty Images_USstockmarketrecession Michael Nagle/Xinhua via Getty Images

    Yes, the US Economy Is Likely in Recession

    Aug 1, 2022 Robert J. Barro shows that two consecutive quarters of negative US growth have almost always preceded an official downturn designation.

  3. Big State Inflation
    barro10 Getty Images

    Big State Inflation

    Dec 4, 2021 Robert J. Barro worries that US monetary and fiscal policy is running off the rails and theatening future growth.

  4. An Interview with Robert J. Barro
    David Ricardo Economics for many decades has been dominated by journal articles, rather than books. But there are a few classics that are undoubtedly worth reading. Beyond the aforementioned Smith and Weber, this 1817 book by Ricardo is effectively the first work on macroeconomics, and thus essential reading.

    An Interview with Robert J. Barro

    Apr 20, 2021 Robert J. Barro warns that the anchor of long-term inflation expectations is being pulled up, advises the US on how to deal with China, and critiques Joe Biden’s proposed infrastructure package.

  5. Pulling Up the Inflation Anchor
    barro8_Win McNameeGetty Images_volcker Win McNamee/Getty Images

    Pulling Up the Inflation Anchor

    Feb 25, 2021 Robert J. Barro worries that reckless policies could undo decades of hard-won gains by monetary policymakers.

  1. mazzucato76_PEDRO PARDOAFP via Getty Images_rainforestindigenous Pedro Pardo/AFP via Getty Images

    Global Freshwater Supplies in the Balance

    Mariana Mazzucato & Johan Rockström warn that governments are doing too little too slowly about the breakdown of critical natural systems.
  2. stanley5_Mindy SchauerMediaNews GroupOrange County Register via Getty Images_trump Mindy Schauer/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images
    Free to read

    The End of US Democracy Was All Too Predictable

    Jason Stanley

    Since Plato’s Republic 2,300 years ago, philosophers have understood the process by which demagogues come to power in free and fair elections, only to overthrow democracy and establish tyrannical rule. The process is straightforward, and we have now just watched it play out.

    observes that philosophers since Plato have understood how tyrants come to power in free elections.
  3. khrushcheva187_Chip SomodevillaGetty Images_trumpmcconnell Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

    How Trump Won

    Nina L. Khrushcheva

    Despite being a criminal, a charlatan, and an aspiring dictator, Donald Trump has won not only the Electoral College, but also the popular vote – a feat he did not achieve in 2016 or 2020. A nihilistic voter base, profit-hungry business leaders, and craven Republican politicians are to blame.

    points the finger at a nihilistic voter base, profit-hungry business leaders, and craven Republican politicians.
  4. woo7_Getty Images_ us china Getty Images

    Trump vs. China, Round Two

    Angela Huyue Zhang warns that if the US doubles down on aggressive policies, it risks becoming defined by what it opposes.
  5. legrain39_AntonioMasielloGettyImages_meloni_rutte Antonio Masiello/Getty Images

    How Europe Should Woo Trump

    Philippe Legrain outlines a strategy for EU leaders to win over the next US president and mitigate the threat he represents.
  6. spence178_NurPhotoGettyImages_china_deflation_supermarket1 NurPhoto/Getty Images

    China Can Beat Back Deflation

    Michael Spence predicts that, with the right policies, the economy’s growth momentum can be restored within 2-3 years.
  7. hamada67_KIM KYUNG-HOONPOOLAFP via Getty Images_ishiba Kim Kyung-Hoon/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

    Japan Needs Tighter Monetary Policy

    Koichi Hamada hopes that Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba recognizes the risks raised by an undervalued yen in today's economy.
  8. mahajan1_MONEYSHARMAGettyImages_female_train_driver MONEY SHARMA/Getty Images

    To Prosper, India Must Close Its Gender Employment Gap

    Kanika Mahajan urges policymakers to create an inclusive labor market by implementing business-friendly measures.
  9. bleicher1_Getty Images_digital dollar Getty Images

    Stablecoins Can Defend the Dollar’s Global Status

    Paul Ryan prefers a payments system built by private industry in the US to one built by the People’s Bank of China.

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