On April 11, the International Monetary Fund published a staff discussion note on the relationship between inequality and economic growth.
Also on April 11, the IMF published the latest edition of its World Economic Outlook.
In an April 8 blog post, University of Wisconsin economist Menzie Chinn found serious problems in the Heritage Foundation’s estimate of the economic effects of Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget plan.
On April 7, the Census Bureau released new data on income mobility. About half of all households moved up or down at least one income quintile between 2004 and 2007.
In an April 7 commentary, economists Jean-Louis Arcand, Enrico Berkes, and Ugo Panizza argue that when credit to the financial sector of an economy exceeds 110 percent of GDP it has a negative effect on growth.
Also on April 7, the Center for American Progress published a report on the status of the manufacturing sector in America. It argues that this sector has an economic importance greater than its share of GDP or the labor force would indicate due to spillover effects.
On April 5, the IMF published a working paper reviewing the history of financial cycles over the last 50 years.
On April 4, Michael Mussa, former chief economist for the IMF, published a forecast for growth of the world economy.
In an April 4 commentary, Lebanese American University economist Saifedean Ammous argued that the best way for Arab countries to quell political unrest would be to adopt more growth-oriented economic policies.
Bruce Bartlett is an American historian and columnist who focuses on the intersection between politics and economics. He blogs daily and writes a weekly column at The Fiscal Times. Bartlett has written for Forbes Magazine and Creators Syndicate, and his work is informed by many years in government, including as a senior policy analyst in the Reagan White House. He is the author of seven books including the New York Times best-seller, Imposter: How George W. Bush Bankrupted America and Betrayed the Reagan Legacy (Doubleday, 2006).
