Published by De Gruyter

Volume 8 Issue 1

January 2011

Issue of The Economists’ Voice

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Contents
Journal Overview

Column

February 7, 2011

Deflation Dread Disorder "The CPI is Falling!"

Edward E Leamer

Abstract

Were suffering an epidemic of deflation dread disorder, according to Edward Leamer of UCLA who takes on the New York Times and leading talking heads. Leamer's contention is that deflation is not so bad and maybe not coming.

February 14, 2011

Why Official Bailouts Tend Not To Work: An Example Motivated by Greece 2010

Christophe P Chamley, Brian Pinto

Abstract

Christophe Chamley of Boston University and Brian Pinto of the World Bank use recent events in Greece to illustrate that official bailouts tend not to work when countries have fundamental fiscal (insolvency) problems and construct a two-period numerical example to explain why this should not come as a surprise.

March 2, 2011

Pain without Purpose

J. Bradford DeLong

Abstract

J. Bradford DeLong, of UC Berkeley, is baffled by the presidents and prime ministers in the North Atlantic. Why, he wonders, do the powers that be insist on inflicting further economic misery?

April 11, 2011

The Path to Universal Broadband: Why We Should Grant Low-Income Subsidies and Use Experiments and Auctions to Determine the Specifics

Gregory L. Rosston, Scott J. Wallsten

Abstract

Gregory Rosston of Stanford University and Scott Wallsten of the Technology Policy Institute argue that the switch from voice to broadband services provides a rare opportunity to reform universal service programs. Rossten and Wallsten offer an alternative design to deliver services in an efficient and politically-palatable manner.

April 14, 2011

Tracking the Sputnik Economy

Edward B Barbier

Abstract

In his 2011 State of the Union address, President Obama stressed investment in infrastructure, education and clean energy in the U.S. economy to "win the future." Edward Barbier of the University of Wyoming argues that to track the progress of such an investment strategy will require replacing GDP per capita as the main economic indicator with a Net Domestic Product (NDP) measure that is "adjusted" for real depreciation or appreciation in the reproducible, human and natural capital stock.

Letter

February 9, 2011

Comment on Pauly: The Constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act--Comparisons with the Home Mortgage Deduction

Edward Song

Abstract

No one calls the home mortgage deduction an "individual mandate" to buy a home, so why should Obama's "mandate" to obtain health care under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) be unconstitutional, asks Edward Song of The Song Law PC.

March 10, 2011

Comment on Kamstra: Reasons for Developing Countries to Be Thrilled about Trills

Hammad A Siddiqi

Abstract

Shillers trills might prevent the flight of capital from developing to developed countries, according to Hammad Siddiqi of Lahore University of Management Sciences, who suggests they could be used to realign the objectives of developing nations and international lending agencies such the World Bank and the IMF.

March 30, 2011

Comment on DeLong: The Pain Has a Purpose, Namely, Higher Profits

Barbara R. Bergmann

Abstract

Barbara Bergmann of the University of Maryland and American University provides a political economy hypothesis to explain Brad Delong's mystery: The pain has a purpose, namely, higher profits.

April 5, 2011

Comment on Song: Mortgage Interest Deduction

Richard K Gordon

Abstract

A proper income tax base should allow a deduction for mortgage interest expense, according to Richard Gordon of Case Western Reserve University.

About this journal

Objective
The Economists' Voice (EV) is a non-partisan forum for economists to present innovative policy ideas.

Economists have much to contribute to the public debate on a wide range of policy issues. Anyone concerned about the economic policy challenges of today, whether they are students, policymakers, or other citizens, would benefit from being involved in economists’ policy-oriented debate. Monetary policy, fiscal policy, trade, exchange rate policy, development policy, labor market policy, and regulation as well as health care and pension reform are among the most important fields of economic policy discussions.　

The Economists' Voice creates a forum for readable analysis by leading economists on vital economic policy issues of our day. The focus is on the clear verbal presentation of important evidence-based arguments for a broad readership. Empirical papers on policy-relevant issues are also welcome.

The Economists’ Voice was shortlisted for Best New Journal in the 2007 ALPSP/Charlesworth Awards. Its focused policy articles fill a gap between the op-ed pages of the newspaper and journal articles in theoretical journals. Contributors include seven Nobel Prize winners, five past chairs of the President's Council of Economic Advisors, public intellectuals like Paul Krugman and Richard Posner, and a veritable "Who's Who" of modern economic theory and policy.　

Topics

Monetary policy
Fiscal policy
Trade policy
Exchange rate policy
Development policy
Labor market policy
Regulation
Health care and pension reform
and all other economic policy relevant issues

Article formats
Two types of articles are accepted. First, policy papers up to 10,000 words, which are subject to a double-blind referee process and contribute to the scientific debate on important policy issues. Second, short articles for our policy forum, between 600 – 3000 words. They contain a deeper analysis than a newspaper article/comment but are of comparable general interest.

Information on Submission Process