Barry Eichengreen

The writer is a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Cambridge. His latest book is Hall of Mirrors: The Great Depression, the Great Recession, and the Uses – and Misuses – of History.

Emerging risks for emerging economies

Suddenly it seems that emerging-market economies have gained a respite. Capital flows to these economies dried up in the second half of last year as the US Federal Reserve raised its policy rate for five consecutive quarters and shrank its balance sheet.

5y ago

Shelter from the storm in 2019

What would have to happen for this to be a tranquil year economically, financially, and politically? Answer: a short list of threats to stability would have to be averted.

5y ago

Globalisation with Chinese characteristics

US President Donald Trump's erratic unilateralism represents nothing less than abdication of global economic and political leadership.

6y ago

Can a trade war be averted?

Probably the question most frequently asked of international economists these days is: “Are we seeing the start of a trade war?” This is not a question that admits of a simple yes-or-no answer. In contrast to a shooting war, there's no government declaration to mark the official outbreak of hostilities. Tariffs have been raised and lowered throughout history, for reasons both good and bad.

6y ago

Ready or not for the next recession?

A sunny day is the best time to check whether the roof is watertight. For economic policymakers, the proverbial sunny day has arrived:

6y ago

Two myths about automation

Robots, machine learning, and artificial intelligence promise to change fundamentally the nature of work. Everyone knows this.

7y ago

Central Banks in the dock

On November 11, 1997, the Bank of England took a big step toward independence, courtesy of the second reading in the House of Commons of a bill amending the Bank Act of 1946. The bill gave legislative affirmation to the decision,

7y ago

Revenge of the experts

The Brexit debate is an endless source of mirth for anyone with a dark sense of humour. My own favourite quote is from Michael Gove, currently Britain's environment secretary.

7y ago
May 9, 2019
May 9, 2019

Emerging risks for emerging economies

Suddenly it seems that emerging-market economies have gained a respite. Capital flows to these economies dried up in the second half of last year as the US Federal Reserve raised its policy rate for five consecutive quarters and shrank its balance sheet.

January 23, 2019
January 23, 2019

Shelter from the storm in 2019

What would have to happen for this to be a tranquil year economically, financially, and politically? Answer: a short list of threats to stability would have to be averted.

August 18, 2018
August 18, 2018

Globalisation with Chinese characteristics

US President Donald Trump's erratic unilateralism represents nothing less than abdication of global economic and political leadership.

April 12, 2018
April 12, 2018

Can a trade war be averted?

Probably the question most frequently asked of international economists these days is: “Are we seeing the start of a trade war?” This is not a question that admits of a simple yes-or-no answer. In contrast to a shooting war, there's no government declaration to mark the official outbreak of hostilities. Tariffs have been raised and lowered throughout history, for reasons both good and bad.

January 14, 2018
January 14, 2018

Ready or not for the next recession?

A sunny day is the best time to check whether the roof is watertight. For economic policymakers, the proverbial sunny day has arrived:

December 15, 2017
December 15, 2017

Two myths about automation

Robots, machine learning, and artificial intelligence promise to change fundamentally the nature of work. Everyone knows this.

November 16, 2017
November 16, 2017

Central Banks in the dock

On November 11, 1997, the Bank of England took a big step toward independence, courtesy of the second reading in the House of Commons of a bill amending the Bank Act of 1946. The bill gave legislative affirmation to the decision,

August 23, 2017
August 23, 2017

Revenge of the experts

The Brexit debate is an endless source of mirth for anyone with a dark sense of humour. My own favourite quote is from Michael Gove, currently Britain's environment secretary.

July 13, 2017
July 13, 2017

Asia's unhappy anniversary

This month marks the 20th anniversary of the Asian financial crisis—or, more precisely, of the event that triggered the crisis: the devaluation of Thailand's baht.

June 15, 2017
June 15, 2017

Can US states right Trump's wrongs?

US President Donald Trump, with the help of a Republican-controlled Congress, is undermining many of the fundamental values that Americans hold dear.