Sunday February 12, 2012

Welcome   |   Register   |   Log in

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioWill China's Yuan Rival the Dollar?

Eswar Prasad, February 08, 2012, The Wall Street Journal

Chinese one yuan coins on 100 yuan banknotes While some claim that the yuan will bypass the dollar as the dominant global reserve currency, Eswar Prasad argues that although the yuan’s role in global trade and finance will expand, the currency currently poses little threat to the U.S. dollar's status. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe Role of the Renminbi in the Global Monetary System

Eswar Prasad and Lei (Sandy) Ye, February 2012, The Brookings Institution

Customer holds Renminbi banknotes in BeijingEswar Prasad and Lei Ye examine the role of China's renminbi currency in the global monetary system as it relates to internationalization, capital account convertibility and reserve currency. Prasad and Ye argue that the renminbi will play an increasingly significant role in global trade and finance. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioWhat Have I Done to Deserve This? Global Winds and Latin American Growth

Eduardo Levy-Yeyati and Luciano Cohan, January 27, 2012, Voxeu.org

Eduardo Levy Yeyati and Luciano Cohan examine the implications of the global financial crisis in Latin America, arguing that this crisis may force these economies to reassess their growth strategies. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioMaintaining Financial Stability in an Open Economy: Sweden in the Global Crisis and Beyond

Ralph C. Bryant, Dale Henderson and Torbjörn Becker, January 20, 2012, SNS Förlag

Swedish kronor notes in the 500 denominationDuring the global financial crisis, Swedish policymakers took extraordinary measures to prevent a catastrophic financial meltdown. Ralph Bryant and co-authors evaluate Sweden’s measures and place them in the context of major financial issues facing all countries, emphasizing the openness of Sweden’s financial system, their vulnerabilities to shocks abroad, and policy actions that, looking ahead, can mitigate crisis strains and improve financial stability. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioHousehold Deleveraging in 2011: Progress, but More to Come

Karen Dynan, December 19, 2011, The Brookings Institution

Household Deleveraging in 2011: Progress, but More to Come Karen Dynan discusses consumer deleveraging in 2011, analyzing what happened over the year and how it will effect household borrowing and consumer spending in 2012. Dynan notes, though, that important household debt-related headwinds remain and are likely to continue to hold back the economic recovery in 2012. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioMonetary Policy in 2011: Unconventional and Necessary

Donald Kohn, December 14, 2011, The Brookings Institution

Monetary Policy in 2011: Unconventional and NecessaryDonald Kohn summarizes the unconventional actions that the Federal Reserve had to rely on in 2011 to boost growth in an economy hampered by world events including the uncertainty in the eurozone and the earthquake in Japan. Kohn notes what may happen in the coming months that would lead to a return to more conventional monetary policy. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe Economy in 2011 and Beyond: Bright Spots Amid Dark Clouds

George L. Perry, December 14, 2011, The Brookings Institution

The Economy in 2011 and Beyond: Bright Spots Amid Dark CloudsGeorge Perry gives an economic outlook for 2012 by examining the past year's macroeconomic bright spots. Perry explains recent developments in the jobs market, construction and real estate indicators, and trade, but also notes that uncertainty in global markets could throw off a wider recovery in the U.S. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioDevelopments in the Housing Market: 2011

Ted Gayer, December 12, 2011, The Brookings Institution

a couple in their new houseTed Gayer examines why the house market weakened in 2011, looking to causes such as excess inventories of homes and the continuing problem of underwater borrowers who owe more than their houses are worth. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioHousing Snapshot: Geographical Differences in Price Changes and Negative Equity

Ted Gayer, November 29, 2011, The Brookings Institution

Housing Snapshot: Geographical Differences in Price Changes and Negative EquityTed Gayer explains the latest housing-related data reports from S&P/Case-Shiller and CoreLogic, noting that while the housing market remains weak throughout much of the country, the distribution of underwater borrowers is concentrated in relatively few states. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe Job Market Ekes Out Small Gains

Gary Burtless, November 04, 2011, The Brookings Institution

The Job Market Ekes Out Small GainsIn the October 2011 BLS jobs report, Gary Burtless finds that while the job market is improving faster than many thought early last summer, conditions are still improving too slowly to offer much relief to the long-term unemployed. However, Burtless also notes encouraging signs that employers may be ready to begin hiring more workers. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThink Tank 20: Beyond Macroeconomic Policy Coordination Discussions in the G-20

November 2011, The Brookings Institution

Think Tank 20: Beyond Macroeconomic Policy Coordination Discussions in the G-20

In light of the upcoming November G-20 summit in Cannes, a group of international experts from G-20 countries examine the future of the world economy, the unfolding of the global economic crisis and the challenges of structural measures and policymaking in this third issue of Think Tank 20.

Read More

VIDEO

Save to My PortfolioGood News On GDP, but Too Early to Celebrate

Ted Gayer, October 28, 2011

Despite positive GDP numbers, it is difficult to feel too confident about the economy overall, given the depressed housing market and high unemployment, notes Ted Gayer.

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioCan We Count on the Consumer to Lift Us Out of the Economic Doldrums?

Karen Dynan, October 28, 2011, The Brookings Institution

Can We Count on the Consumer to Lift Us Out of the Economic Doldrums?Karen Dynan writes that pent-up demand may best explain the rise in personal consumption expenditures found in the latest economic data on consumer spending. Dynan points to other numbers such as the savings rate to explain what this boost in spending might mean for an economic recovery. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioPlaying the HARP: A New Way Forward on Housing?

Karen Dynan, October 25, 2011, The Brookings Institution

Playing the HARP: A New Way Forward on Housing?Karen Dynan explains how the latest federal plan differs from past efforts to help homeowners whose homes are worth less than their mortgage. Dynan says the new plan reduces or removes major obstacles to acquiring new mortgage loans, but how much refinancing will occur remains unclear. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe Turtle Soup Economy: How Real Is America's Economic Expansion?

George L. Perry, October 24, 2011, Huffington Post

The Turtle Soup Economy: How Real Is America's Economic Expansion?George Perry looks at longer-term spending trends to determine whether a double dip recession is still a threat to the U.S. economy. While there is evidence that economic expansion has quickened, Perry says a real recovery will require above-trend growth for an extended period. Read More

In Brief

Macroeconomics focuses on the operation of the economy as a whole and major sectors within the economy, with attention to economic growth, unemployment, inflation, investment, consumer spending and international trade. Through this broad focus, economists seek to understand the causes and effects of cyclical and long-term trends and of government's fiscal and monetary policies.

My Portfolio

My New Content

View suggested content based on items you have saved to your Portfolio.
Log in or register now

Budgeting for National PrioritiesResearch ProjectBudgeting for National Priorities

The Budgeting for National Priorities project promotes greater fiscal responsibility by developing new ideas, educating the public and finding common ground among experts and policy-makers.

William G. GaleExpertWilliam G. Gale

Bill Gale, the Arjay and Frances Miller Chair in Federal Economic Policy in the Economic Studies Program at Brookings, is an expert on tax policy, fiscal issues, pensions, and saving behavior. He is also co-director of the Tax Policy Center and director of the Retirement Security Project.

Darrell M. WestExpertDarrell M. West

Darrell M. West is vice president and director of Governance Studies and founding director of the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings. His studies include technology policy, electronic government, and mass media.

Energy and ClimateTopicEnergy and Climate

What will it take to mitigate severe climate disruption? What should our priorities be in the relationship between fresh water and climate change? What will it take to help vulnerable countries and regions adapt to change already taking place?

Global ChangeTopicGlobal Change

How do we develop more realistic approaches and more effective means of ending intractable old conflicts and preventing new ones? How do we enhance measures to thwart nonstate actors—especially terrorists and illicit traffickers—and prevent the spread of nuclear weapons?

Growth through InnovationTopicGrowth through Innovation

What new practices and mechanisms will help prevent another economic downturn from turning into a financial panic that could become a truly global meltdown? What changes in the public and private sectors will build the workforce and infrastructure required for a global information-based economy?

Opportunity and Well-beingTopicOpportunity and Well-being

As they weather the current economic storm, will our governments and societies address the basic needs and aspirations of the least well-off? How can we better use education to raise individual aspirations? How should governments around the world accelerate preparations to provide social services for the billions moving from poverty into the middle class?

Center for Technology InnovationPolicy CenterCenter for Technology Innovation

The Center for Technology Innovation is at the forefront of shaping public debate on technology innovation and developing data-driven scholarship to enhance understanding of technology’s legal, economic, social, and governance ramifications.

Robert KaganExpertRobert Kagan

Robert Kagan is an expert and frequent commentator on Egypt, the Middle East, U.S. national security, and U.S.-European relations. He writes a monthly column on world affairs for the Washington Post and is a contributing editor at the Weekly Standard and the New Republic.

Daniel KaufmannExpertDaniel Kaufmann

Daniel Kaufmann was previously the director at the World Bank Institute, leading the work on governance and anti-corruption. His areas of expertise are public sector and regulatory reform, development, governance and anti-corruption.

Mwangi S. KimenyiExpertMwangi S. Kimenyi

Mwangi S. Kimenyi is senior fellow and director of the Africa Growth Initiative. The founding executive director of the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (1999-2005), he focuses on Africa's development including institutions for economic growth, political economy, and private sector development.

Donald KohnExpertDonald Kohn

Donald Kohn is a 40-year veteran of the Federal Reserve System and served as vice chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve from 2006 to 2010. He was recently appointed by the government of the United Kingdom and the Bank of England to serve on its interim Financial Policy Committee. Kohn focuses on issues of monetary policy, financial regulation and macroeconomics.

Brookings Mobile ApplicationsNEW FEATUREBrookings Mobile Applications

Stay up-to-date with our independent, high-quality research, learn about Brookings events and search our directory of experts all from your BlackBerry, iPad, iPhone or Android device.

Shadi HamidExpertShadi Hamid

Shadi Hamid focuses on Islamist political parties and democratic reform in the Middle East. Prior to joining Brookings, he was Director of Research at the Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) and a Hewlett Fellow at Stanford University’s Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law.

Katherine SierraExpertKatherine Sierra

Katherine Sierra is a senior fellow in the Global Economy and Development program. A former vice president for sustainable development at the World Bank, she focuses on climate change and energy.

State of Metropolitan AmericaMetropolitan Policy ProgramState of Metropolitan America

Foreshadowing 2010 Census results, this new Brookings report and interactive map defines who Americans are—and who they are becoming—in the face of continued growth, population aging and diversification, uneven educational attainment and income polarization.

Center on Children and FamiliesPolicy CenterCenter on Children and Families

The Center on Children and Families studies policies on the well-being of America's children and their parents and seeks a more effective means of addressing poverty, inequality and lack of opportunity in the United States.

Vanda Felbab-BrownExpertVanda Felbab-Brown

Vanda Felbab-Brown focuses on the national security implications of illicit economies and strategies for managing them. She is the author of Shooting Up: Counterinsurgency and the War on Drugs (Brookings Institution Press, 2009).

Suzanne MaloneyExpertSuzanne 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.

Africa Growth InitiativeResearch ProjectAfrica Growth Initiative

The Africa Growth Initiative conducts high-quality policy research and analysis focused on attaining sustainable economic development and prosperity in Africa, while amplifying the voice of African researchers in policy-making and planning.

Alice M. RivlinExpertAlice M. Rivlin

In February 1975, the Congressional Budget Office was established with Alice Rivlin as its first director. Rivlin is an expert on urban issues as well as fiscal, monetary and social policy and directs the Greater Washington Research project at Brookings.

Isabel V. SawhillExpertIsabel 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 and the Budgeting for National Priorities Project at Brookings.

John L. Thornton China CenterPolicy 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.