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Tuesday May 13, 2008

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UPCOMING EVENT: The Great Credit Squeeze: How It Happened, How to Prevent Another


Reuters/Rebecca Cook - An auction lawn sign points to a foreclosed property to be auctioned off in Detroit

Save to My Portfolio The Great Credit Squeeze: How It Happened, How to Prevent Another

Friday, May 16, 2008
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Washington, DC

How could America's sophisticated financial system go so wrong and cause so much damage? Martin Baily, Douglas Elmendorf and Robert Litan answer that question in a new paper to be released at a May 16 forum. The authors, following opening remarks by FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair, will put forward a specific agenda of policy actions to reduce the chance that history repeats itself. Read More

Financial Services, Fiscal Policy, U.S. Economy, Financial Institutions, Financial Markets

SPOTLIGHT: Welfare


Reuters/Carlos Barria - A mother and her son travel on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama

Save to My Portfolio Helping Disconnected Single Mothers

Rebecca M. Blank and Brian Kovak, May 2008

There are a growing number of low-income single mothers who are long-term welfare recipients or are without steady employment. They tend to face more barriers to stable employment, with less education, younger children, higher rates of mental and physical health problems and substance abuse, and a history of domestic violence. This brief proposes a new program to link these mothers to medical and economic supports and give them greater assistance in securing employment. Read More

Welfare, U.S. Poverty, Unemployment, Children & Families, Working Poor

Spotlight: Iraq and The Economy


Reuters/Mario Anzuoni - Shopper Barbara Armour sits by her cart at a Wal-Mart store in Santa Clarita

Save to My Portfolio Don’t Blame the War for the Economy

Martin Neil Baily, April 20, 2008

Martin Baily says that while many voters view the war in Iraq and the poor state of the economy as a cause and effect relationship, they are, in fact, two very different messes. Read More

Iraq, U.S. Economy

SPOTLIGHT: Taxes


Reuters/Chip East - A man fills out tax forms to be mailed to the Internal Revenue Service, at the main post office in New York on tax day

Save to My Portfolio The Concept of Neutrality in Tax Policy

Jason Furman, April 15, 2008

Testifying before the Senate Finance Committee on Tax Day—April 15, Jason Furman described how policy-makers can make the tax code more efficient by following principles of "tax neutrality" so that individuals' decisions are made on economic merits and not for tax reasons. Further, Furman argues, non-tax neutral measures to encourage such goals as homeownership or childcare should be implemented through refundable tax credits rather than deductions. Read More

Taxes, Health Care, Corporate Taxes, U.S. Economy, Energy

SPOTLIGHT: U.S. Economy


Reuters/Shannon Stapleton - Demonstrators gather outside the Bear Stearns headquarters in New York

Save to My Portfolio The Bear Stearns Rescue: The Fed’s Money Well Spent

Alice M. Rivlin, April 11, 2008

Alice Rivlin discusses why the recent rescue of Bear Stearns by the Federal Reserve, was "money well spent." The Fed's actions, she says, were aimed at "protecting the rest of the country—and indeed the world—from the possibly devastating consequences of a financial meltdown." Read More

U.S. Economy, Monetary Policy, Federal Reserve, Global Economics

About Us

Economic Studies monitors the global economy and seeks answers to economic policy issues in the United States and worldwide. Our research aims to increase the public's understanding of how the economy works and how to make programs and policies better.

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Q&A with Isabel Sawhill

Economic Mobility

"If you're born into a poor family, it's very hard to escape.  And similarly, if you're born into a rich family, you're likely to stay there... The notion of rags to riches in a generation, in other words, is mostly a myth."

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ExpertRon Haskins

A former White House and congressional advisor on welfare issues, Ron Haskins co-directs the Brookings Center on Children and Families. He is an expert on preschool, foster care and poverty.

ProgramMetropolitan Policy Program

Redefining the challenges facing metropolitan America and promoting innovative solutions to help communities grow in more inclusive, competitive and sustainable ways.

ExpertIsabel V. Sawhill

A nationally known budget expert, Isabel Sawhill focuses on domestic poverty and federal fiscal policy. She is also co-director of the Center on Children and Families at Brookings.

Policy CenterEngelberg Center for Health Care Reform

The Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform provides practical solutions to achieve high-quality, innovative, affordable health care with particular emphasis on identifying opportunities on the national, state and local levels.

ExpertMartin S. Indyk

Ambassador to Israel and assistant secretary of state for near east affairs during the Clinton Administration, Martin Indyk directs the Saban Center for Middle East Policy. He currently focuses on the Clinton administration’s diplomacy and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

ExpertSuzanne Maloney

Suzanne Maloney studies Iran, the political economy of the Persian Gulf and Middle East energy policy. A former U.S. State Department policy advisor, she has also counseled private companies on Middle East issues.

Policy CenterSaban Center for Middle East Policy

The Saban Center conducts original research and develops innovative programs to promote a better understanding of the policy choices facing American decisionmakers in the Middle East.

Policy CenterJohn L. Thornton China Center

The John L. Thornton China Center develops analysis and policy recommendations to help address key long-term challenges, both in terms of U.S.-China relations and China's internal development.

ExpertLael Brainard

Lael Brainard is vice president and director of Global Economy and Development. She focuses on competitiveness, trade, international economics, U.S. foreign assistance and global poverty.

ProgramGlobal Economy and Development

Global Economy and Development advances research, dialogue, and innovative solutions to address the forces of globalization and the challenges of global poverty.

ExpertThomas Mann

A noted congressional scholar, Tom Mann writes and speaks widely on issues related to campaigns, elections and the effectiveness of Congress.

ProgramGovernance Studies

Governance Studies explores political institutions of the United States and other democracies to assess how they govern, how their practices compare, and how citizens and public servants can advance sound governance.

ExpertAlice M. Rivlin

Alice Rivlin, the first director of the Congressional Budget Office, is an expert on urban issues as well as fiscal, monetary and social policy. She directs the Greater Washington Research project.