BOOK
Ron Haskins and Isabel V. Sawhill, September 15, 2009
Creating an Opportunity Society examines economic opportunity in the United States and explores how to create more of it, particularly for those on the bottom rungs of the economic ladder. Read More
UPCOMING EVENT
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Washington, DC
On July 8, the Budgeting for National Priorities Project, the Center on Children and Families, and the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center will host a forum on the delicate balancing act between economic recovery and fiscal sustainability, featuring a presentation by Brookings Vice President and Director of Economic Studies William Gale. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Kevin Casas-Zamora, June 25, 2009, Center for Hemispheric Policy at the University of Miami
Kevin Casas-Zamora analyzes what is known and unknown about the global financial crisis and its effects on Latin America. Casas-Zamora explores four main issues regarding the political ramifications of the crisis and offers suggestions on how governments in the region should respond. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Alice M. Rivlin, June 25, 2009, House Committee on the Budget
Testifying before the House Budget Committee, Alice Rivlin urged enforcement of the statutory pay-as-you-go budget rules to rein in the long-term deficit. She endorsed the recent actions taken to stimulate the economy and rescue the financial sector, but said the costly measures further obligate Congress and the administration to control deficits. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Mauricio Cárdenas, June 25, 2009, The Brooking Institution
Mauricio Cárdenas critiques the conventional wisdom that economic contractions are a thing of the past in Latin America and a growing belief the region will soon be out of the recession. He concludes that any recovery will be slow and there may be periods of sharp adjustment during the process. Read More
PAST EVENT
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
10:00 AM to 11:50 AM
Washington, DC
On June 23, the Brookings Institution hosted Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet, president of the Republic of Chile, for a discussion of the Latin American countries and the economic measures they are taking to cope with the global financial crisis. Read More
VIDEO
William G. Gale, June 22, 2009
While many steps have been taken to help shore up the floundering U.S. economy, William Gale says that the long-term fiscal situation is still very dire.
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
William G. Gale and Alan J. Auerbach, June 2009, The Brookings Institution
William Gale and Alan Auerbach share increasing public concerns about the deficit. Their research shows that as bad as the $1.7 trillion deficit looks for this year, the medium term and long-term numbers are of much greater concern. Our fiscal house of cards has dire implications for the American economy.
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RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Douglas J. Elliott, June 17, 2009, The Brookings Institution
President Obama’s financial reform proposals are all sensible, necessary reforms. Unfortunately, some bolder steps have been left out due to the expectation of intense opposition from entrenched interests, says Douglas Elliott. He analyzes the administration’s plan, including parts that he believes did not go far enough. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Henry J. Aaron, June 15, 2009, The Brookings Institution
Henry Aaron recently spoke about the budget, health care and entitlements at the Youth Action Conference. The conference, hosted by the Concord Coalition in conjunction with the Youth Entitlements Summit highlighted grassroots efforts and policy perspectives of youth organizations in addressing America's long-term fiscal challenge. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Isabel V. Sawhill, June 11, 2009, McClatchy Tribune
While the government has been busy with bailouts, who is going to bail out the U.S. government when our creditors tire of lending to us? And now, thanks to the stimulus, virtually all those over age of 65 are receiving $250 checks, regardless of whether or not they need it. Isabel Sawhill says it’s time for Congress and the administration to get serious about getting our fiscal house in order. Read More
VIDEO
William G. Gale, June 05, 2009
As the administration continues to wrangle with the floundering economy, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has advised that the growing budget deficits have to be cut. Economic Studies director William Gale agrees saying there needs to be a more comprehensive approach to stabilizing the economy.
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Eswar Prasad, May 28, 2009, The Brookings Institution
U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner's first trip to China will feature a range of discussions about global economic issues and the U.S.-China economic relationship. Eswar Prasad outlines some of the critical agenda items and the broader challenges facing these two closely intertwined economies. Read More
PAST EVENT
Friday, May 15, 2009
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Washington, DC
The economic well-being of the middle class can be crucial to the success of economic policies in both developed and developing countries. Yet many public policies are not aimed at the middle class. On May 15, Brookings hosted a discussion on the need to assess how fiscal policy affects the middle class around the world. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Henry J. Aaron, May 09, 2009, The New Republic
Behind closed doors all over Washington, serious people are working hard to design a major overhaul of the U.S. health care system. We should wish them well, but their chances of success are slim, says Henry Aaron. Since yet another complete failure would be catastrophic, some attention should be given now to policies that, he says, are politically palatable and would begin the evolution to a new and better health system. Read More