Economy

Donald Trump Is Redefining the Role of "Big Government" in America

by Amitai Etzioni

Donald Trump's response to the COVID-19 pandemic has not renewed "big government." Trump has channeled public funds to private enterprises and left state and local governments responsible for providing services without the resources or power to do the job effectively.

USPS Warns it Might Have to Shutter by June as $2 Trillion Coronavirus Stimulus Package Provides No Funding

The USPS is the federal government’s most favorably viewed agency, with an approval rating of 90%.

Under Trump, the deficit has ballooned, exploding a GOP myth

by Julian Zelizer

Once again, President Trump has exposed a myth in American politics. That myth? That Republicans are the party of fiscal responsibility.

Trump Has Blocked Wage Gains for American Workers

by Lawrence Wittner

Although the pundits say the U.S. economy is booming―and it certainly is for the country’s billionaires―it’s not doing much for the incomes of American workers. 

The “Trump Economy”: Throwing the Grandkids under the Bus

by Walter G. Moss

The mismanagement of the environment, deficits, and debt will have an adverse effect on our children.

An Economist with a Heart

by Hedrick Smith

Alan Krueger, the Princeton professor and economic adviser to two presidents who died last weekend, was one of those rare economists who break out of the ivory tower and plunge restlessly into the real world

A wall can’t solve America’s addiction to undocumented immigration

by Julia G. Young

For more than 70 years, undocumented immigrants have shaped the U.S. economy.

Sure, the Economy’s Great Right Now, but that Doesn’t Mean Trump Deserves the Credit

by Robert Brent Toplin

Usually it takes four or five years for the effects of flawed policy-making to become broadly evident.

The Striking and Disturbing Parallel Between the 1930s and Our Own Time

by Tom Krentzin

In the wake of economic turmoil leaders exploited deep fears on their way to power.

The Ugly Side of Poland’s Booming Economy

“The problem is that young people get used to hate speech. Some people don’t like chips, some people hate Coca-Cola—and some people hate the Jews.”

Let’s Tax the Rich

by Lawrence Wittner

The public thinks they’re taxed too little and history shows the economy benefits when taxes are higher.

Are We Living in the Gilded Age 2.0 ?

by Edward T. O’Donnell

The original Gilded Age was followed by the Progressive Era.  Will ours?

Lessons From the Gilded Age

by Sarah Jones

America today has a lot in common with that bygone era of monopolies and gross inequality. But will the country respond similarly?

Trump Says 'This Is the Greatest Economy in the History of America.'

No, Eisenhower's probably was.

The Case for Massive Corporate Tax Cuts Is Flawed

by James Livingston

In theory, it makes perfect sense.  In practice, it’s made for disaster since 1983.

The Myth of Main Street

by Louis Hyman

Don’t listen to President Trump. Going back to the good old days will cost us.

Trump Is Right that Trade Has Cost Jobs. But His Solution Is Terrible.

by Louis Ferleger and Jay Mandle

What’s he’s done is pit low-wage workers in the USA against lower-wage workers in foreign countries. This is an old trick.

Our history shows there’s a dark side to ‘Buy American’

by Dana Frank

Campaigns urging us to buy U.S.-made products are as old as the republic, but they are often shrouded in racism.

Presidents Have Less Power Over the Economy Than You Might Think

We associate presidents with eras - and eras with strong or weak economies. But the reality is more complicated.

What History Has to Say About the Economy Trump Will Inherit

The economy was stronger in 2016 than several previous election years.