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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. sierakowski103_WOJTEK RADWANSKIAFP via Getty Images_pis WOJTEK RADWANSKI/AFP via Getty Images

    Poland’s Democratic Rebirth Pains

    Sławomir Sierakowski describes the rapid marginalization of the recently defeated Law and Justice party and its autocratic leader.
  2. mateen1_Robert CianfloneGetty Images_facebook news Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

    What Google and Facebook Owe News Publishers

    Haaris Mateen, et al. support laws requiring Big Tech to pay media companies for the content featured on their digital platforms.
  3. haass162_BettmannContributorGetty Images kissinger Bettmann / Contributor Getty Images

    The Legacy of Henry Kissinger

    Richard Haass

    The passing of America’s preeminent foreign-policy thinker and practitioner marks the end of an era. Throughout his long and extraordinarily influential career, Henry Kissinger built a legacy that Americans would be wise to heed in this new era of great-power politics and global disarray.

    reviews the life and career of America’s preeminent foreign-policy scholar-practitioner.
  4. yu74_JOHANNES EISELEAFP via Getty Images_ china real estate JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images)

    Fixing China’s Real-Estate Sector

    Yu Yongding suggests three measures the government can take to address property developers’ deteriorating finances.
  5. zizek25_MAHMUD HAMSAFP via Getty Images_israel palestine MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images

    The New Roots of Anti-Semitism

    Slavoj Žižek worries that Zionist fundamentalism is exacerbating the problem it purports to solve.
  6. ghosh71_Seth Sidney BerrySOPA ImagesLightRocket via Getty Images_honduras Seth Sidney Berry/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

    When Investors Subvert States

    Jayati Ghosh urges policymakers to end the undemocratic practice of allowing multinationals to sue sovereign countries.
  7. espinosa5_Joe RaedleGetty Images_solar panels Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

    Accelerating Latin America’s Clean-Energy Revolution

    Patricia Espinosa & Lourdes Melgar tout the huge opportunities and identify the main challenges of the transition to renewables in the region.
  8. acemoglu66_Michael M. SantiagoGetty Images_trump protest Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

    What Anti-Trumpism Is Missing

    Daron Acemoglu urges Democrats to support working-class interests and priorities after many years of neglect.
  9. elerian161_Getty Images_global economy Getty Images

    Beware the New Consensus on the Global Economy

    Mohamed A. El-Erian worries that domestic political divisions and market volatility could exacerbate financial vulnerabilities.

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