Stimulus | AEIdeas

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Credit: "Keynes: The Return of the Master" by Robert Skidelsky

Are we all Keynesians now — again?

James Pethokoukis | April 29, 2013, 9:41 am

Liberal thinkers, Paul Krugman most notably, realize that advanced economies are unlikely to undertake the massive fiscal stimulus they favor. That war is probably lost. But with a major policy victory out of reach, they are taking some comfort in … read more >

Pethokoukis, Economics, U.S. Economy

NY Fed study: Spending of stimulus funds had ‘little correlation’ with state unemployment rates

James Pethokoukis | February 27, 2013, 10:28 am

Honest proponents of the 2009 Obama stimulus will concede it failed to do what most Americans thought it was supposed to do — bring about a strong, sustainable economic recovery and dramatically lower unemployment. Most will then add, “It should … read more >

Economics, Pethokoukis

New study suggests U.S. fiscal stimulus generates less than $1 in GDP growth for every $1 spent

James Pethokoukis | January 4, 2013, 2:07 pm

The economic theory driving the $800 billion Obama stimulus holds that government spending has a multiplier, especially during tough economic times. For every $1 of spending, overall GDP increases by more than $1, maybe $1.50 or so. That is pretty … read more >

Image Credit: Action Sports Photography / Shutterstock.com

Economics

Stimulate the economy: Eliminate salary caps in pro sports

Andrew Biggs | December 7, 2012, 2:21 pm

Let’s get the economy moving by paying pro athletes more. Eliminate salary caps and let free agents get the best deal they can. That money will be coming back to you sooner than you think. read more >

Pethokoukis

Well, I think we have a final verdict on the Obama stimulus

James Pethokoukis | November 29, 2012, 10:23 am

The US economy grew at a revised 2.7% in the third quarter, according to the Commerce Department, vs. the 2.0% rate reported previously. Good news? Not really. RDQ Economics: The upward revision to GDP is less positive than it first … read more >

Politics and Public Opinion, Polls

What you may have missed in the polls this week: Reliance on government, paying taxes, and Christie v. Booker

Karlyn Bowman and Andrew Rugg | October 19, 2012, 9:45 am

Reliance on government: Sixty-five percent of likely voters in an early October Fox News poll said Americans rely too much on government and not enough on themselves, while 30% disagreed. In 2009, when Fox asked the question, 76% agreed with … read more >

Pethokoukis

Why it is hard to do fiscal stimulus

James Pethokoukis | August 10, 2012, 1:09 pm

Embedded in the Obama stimulus plan was this idea: Give people a temporary increase in their income and they will spend that money — at least some of it — boosting the economy. But as many predicted, the temporary tax … read more >

Economics, Pethokoukis

The anti-stimulus study that the Washington Post ignores

James Pethokoukis | August 8, 2012, 10:53 am

The WapPo’s Ezra Klein today, on Twitter, scolds the Romney campaign for ignoring pro-stimulus studies in its new economic policy white paper: And here is a bit from the WaPo story Klein refers to: “The negative effect of the administration’s … read more >

Pethokoukis

Did the 2009 stimulus really perform just as Team Obama expected?

James Pethokoukis | July 13, 2012, 11:29 am

I, and others, have given the Obama administration a lot of flak for its early 2009 prediction that its $800 billion stimulus plan would drive the unemployment rate to under 6% by 2012. The fact that unemployment is over 8% … read more >

Economics, Pethokoukis, Taxes and Spending

John Taylor: Yes, we can cut and grow

James Pethokoukis | June 19, 2012, 4:19 pm

I want to post this this ASAP, I may have more to say later. Economist John Taylor: Three and half years ago, in February 2009, John Cogan, Volker Wieland, Tobias Cwik and I estimated what the impact of the 2009 stimulus … read more >