MARK THOMA is a macroeconomist and time-series econometrician at the University of Oregon. His research focuses on how monetary policy affects the economy, and he has also worked on political business cycle models. Mark is currently a fellow at The Century Foundation.
Posted: 5/22/2012 12:37:00 AM
There was a time when Republicans believed that both monetary and fiscal policy had a role to play in recessions, monetary policy in particular. Milton Friedman, for example, believed the Fed shou…
Posted: 5/8/2012 12:01:00 AM
At some point during the recovery, the Fed may face an important decision. If the inflation rate begins to rise above the Fed’s 2 percent target and the unemployment rate is still relatively high,…
Posted: 4/24/2012 12:27:00 AM
Those who favor a free market approach to managing the economy often compare the U.S. to Europe. Europe, it is argued, is much less flexible and dynamic than the U.S. because of its heavier relian…
Posted: 4/10/2012 12:07:00 AM
I recently discovered that a game I played as a child, Chutes and Ladders, is actually an ancient game from India known as Snakes and Ladders. The original game was interpreted by some as an illus…
Posted: 3/27/2012 12:08:00 AM
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men won’t be able to put the economy back together again. That was the belief after the 2001 recession. The stock market bubble had col…
Why Have Politicians Neglected the Unemployed?
May 22, 2012
Will Limiting Inflation Mean Limiting Growth?
May 8, 2012
The Choice: Dynamic Capitalism vs. the Welfare State
April 24, 2012
Rolling the Dice for the Haves and Have Nots
April 10, 2012
Jobs: A New Look at the 'New Normal'
March 27, 2012
Inflation Solution: Will the Fed Cage the Hawks?
March 13, 2012
Bringing Jobs to People Who Need Them Most
February 28, 2012
The Income Gap: Is the Distribution of Money Fair?
February 15, 2012
7 Ways to Secure our Economic Future
January 31, 2012
How the Fed Can Prevent the Next Financial Crisis
January 17, 2012
GOP Throws Low Blows at Dems over Free Markets
January 4, 2012
The Great Economic Divide Makes Everyone Poorer
December 20, 2011
Better than a Bank Bailout: A Federal Lottery
November 28, 2011
Where’s the Super Committee for Job Creation?
November 21, 2011
The Financial System Is Rigged in Favor of the Rich
November 8, 2011
Income Inequality Is Hobbling the Middle Class
October 25, 2011
Why America Should Spread the Wealth
October 11, 2011
How the GOP Assault on the Fed Could Backfire
September 27, 2011
Why a Working-Class Revolt Might Not Be Unthinkable
September 13, 2011
What Caused the Financial Crisis? Don’t Ask An Economist
August 30, 2011
Balance the Budget – but Tie It to the Business Cycle
August 15, 2011
The 4 Consequences of the S & P Downgrade
August 7, 2011
Congress: The Inmates Are Running the Asylum
August 2, 2011
Why Taxpayers Are So Angry—and So Wrong About Spending
July 20, 2011
How Republicans Stoked Economic Uncertainty
July 6, 2011
How the Fed Could Set Off a New Recession
June 20, 2011
Trading Tax Cuts for Working Class Misery
June 7, 2011
Unemployment: Why Stimulus Hasn’t Created More Jobs
May 25, 2011
The Job Delusion: Growth is Just Around the Corner
May 11, 2011
Health Care Vouchers vs. Program Cuts by Experts
April 26, 2011
Deficit Dilemma: Why Economists Can't Agree
April 12, 2011
Inflation vs. Jobs: The Fed’s Choice
March 29, 2011
Fed Confirmation Process: Broken
March 15, 2011
How Public Unions Became Targets
March 1, 2011
Reforming Fannie and Freddie
February 15, 2011
“Good” Deficit Spending
February 1, 2011
The Need for Social Insurance
January 17, 2011
Redistribute Income to Grow Economy
January 4, 2011
Targeting the Balance Sheet Recession
December 21, 2010
Belt-Tightening Isn’t the Answer
December 8, 2010
Fed’s QE2 Will Not Spur Inflation
November 23, 2010
GOP Win: A Laissez Faire Economy
November 9, 2010
State Infrastructure Stimulus Plan
October 26, 2010
Unlearned Economics Lessons
October 12, 2010
Shadow Banking System Still a Threat
September 28, 2010
A New and Improved New Deal
September 14, 2010
Putting Fiscal Policy on Autopilot
August 31, 2010
Fed Autonomy Threatened
August 17, 2010