Reply to Larry Summers
An ‘Either-Or’ approach to fiscal and monetary policy is mistaken
Larry Summers has delivered a pointed and sweeping critique of the prevailing consensus among central bankers. He rightly asserts that relian...
The Prudence Principle: a new rule for fiscal policy
Should the government run a budget deficit or a budget surplus? What size should the deficit or surplus be?
Devising a rule which allows the public to assess the integrity of government is a major challenge...
Cyclical sovereignty
Only two of the world’s major economic blocks appear to have cyclical autonomy - China and the United States. For many decades now, Japan’s ability to stimulate domestic demand has been trivial relative to cycl...
The most important social scientist since Keynes
Three validity claims
The German social scientist, Jürgen Habermas, has just turned ninety. It is an odd reflection on our times that he is not renowned. In an age of academic specialisation this may reflect o...
Dual interest rates always work
The future of monetary policy - Dual interest rates
The significance of dual interest rates remains under-appreciated. The European Central Bank, Bank of Japan, and the Bank of England’s facilities are by fa...
Presentation on dual interest rates
PM Europe roundtable...
It’s time for the ECB to use its monetary power
Eurozone growth has stalled and inflation is below the ECB’s definition of price stability. As the recent actions of ECB make clear, further monetary easing is necessary for the ECB to fulfil its mandate.
Un...
A reply to Stephanie Kelton
The crux of the MMT debate
This recent article by Stephanie Kelton is crystal clear and reveals the crux of the ‘MMT debate’. It’s all about central bank independence.
Also listen to this INET interview wi...
Redesigning monetary policy
We need a modern monetary policy (MMP). Policy needs redesigning for three fundamental reasons:
Firstly, the mental models for thinking about how the macro-economy in the developed world works have been brok...