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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. posner26_Jaap ArriensNurPhoto via Getty Images_Google apple Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Is Antitrust Enforcement Broken?

    Though antitrust enforcement has been gaining momentum on both sides of the Atlantic, a handful of private actors still wield extraordinary market power – and thus power over ordinary people’s lives. With some calling for more radical action, and others warning that reining in firms’ market power would be unhelpful and even harmful, we asked PS commentators what needs to be done.

  2. buberl1_ Nicolas EconomouNurPhoto via Getty Images_european commission Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Europe and the Polycrisis

    Thomas Buberl argues that safeguarding the EU’s future demands a fundamental institutional transformation by 2045.
  3. rodrik227_Si WeiVCG via Getty Images_china solar panels Si Wei/VCG via Getty Images

    The Beggar-Thy-Neighbor Test

    Dani Rodrik explains how to steer international economic-policy debates toward what really matters.
  4. velasco152_Getty Images_economic paradign Getty Images

    Who Needs a New Economic Paradigm?

    Andrés Velasco asks what’s behind the ambition, on both the left and right, to promote a transformative vision of the field.
  5. rogoff254_Getty Images_inequality Getty Images

    Is Capitalism Really the Cause of Global Inequality?

    Kenneth Rogoff thinks greater economic openness is key to tackling cross-country disparities and achieving sustainability.
  6. pavlova2_andreswdGetty Images_EUsustainabilitymoney andreswd/Getty Images

    The Key That Unlocks Cleantech Financing in Europe

    Craig Douglas urges EU leaders to borrow against future Emissions Trading System revenues to finance higher investment now.
  7. bremmer35_ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDSAFP via Getty Images_biden zelensky ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

    Ukraine Needs Security Guarantees

    Ana Palacio views NATO as the only institution that can credibly safeguard the country’s sovereignty in the long term.
  8. bremmer35_getty images_ai governance Getty Images

    AI Is a Rare Bright Spot for Global Governance

    Ian Bremmer & Marietje Schaake

    A new Global Digital Compact rests on the insight that while AI can be a game-changing technology, managing its far-reaching potential requires a new global infrastructure and robust mechanisms to manage the risks. At a time when multilateralism is faltering, global cooperation remains possible.

    herald a new global compact that aims to manage the technology’s risks and unlock its potential.
  9. Renminbi bank notes Si Wei/Xinhua via ZUMA Wire

    What US Interest-Rate Cuts Mean for China

    Andrew Sheng & Xiao Geng point out that the Federal Reserve’s monetary easing gives Chinese policymakers room to fight deflation.

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