Economics

We're All State Capitalists Now

The debate about whether America or China will ultimately triumph is a red herring that distracts us from the real contest of our time.

BY NIALL FERGUSON | FEBRUARY 9, 2012

Embarrassment of Riches

Natural resources would seem to promise easy money. Welcome to the dark side.

BY PETER PASSELL | FEBRUARY 9, 2012

Why It Won't Be a Tragedy if Greece Defaults

European leaders are working around the clock to prevent a Greek default -- as if they had a choice.

BY MARK S. SHEETZ | FEBRUARY 6, 2012

The Revenge of Montozy

Is Italy's "Super Mario" prime minister poisoning the love affair between Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy?

BY AARON WIENER | FEBRUARY 2, 2012

The Little Economy That Could

If you're looking for an unlikely economic success story, you can hardly do better than Mauritius.

BY JEFFREY FRANKEL | FEBRUARY 2, 2012

The Georgian Paradox

As Georgia's recent experience demonstrates, fighting corruption and building democracy are two different things.

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | JANUARY 31, 2012

On a Knife's Edge

The global economy is balanced precariously between total collapse and salvation. Here are four tipping points toward disaster and four things that could get it back on track.

BY MOHAMED EL-ERIAN | JANUARY 30, 2012

Why Putinomics Isn't Worth Emulating

Don't let the Russian economy fool you: It's still all about oil.

BY PETER PASSELL | JANUARY 27, 2012

The Battle for Bihar

Sleaze still plagues India. But one place is fighting back.

BY SUDIP MAZUMDAR | JANUARY 25, 2012

The End of the Win-Win World

Why China’s rise really is bad for America -- and other dark forces at work.

BY GIDEON RACHMAN | JANUARY 24, 2012

Guns and Butter

Countries around the world are finding that military involvement in private business is a major barrier to reform. But pensioning off CEOs in uniform is easier said than done.

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | JANUARY 24, 2012

Forest Bump

The global economic crisis is good news for trees, but how can we make sure the gains keep coming?

BY CHARLES KENNY | JANUARY 23, 2012

Girl Power and the Fragility Trap

Academic economists usually air their new ideas first in working papers. Here, before the work gets dusty, a quick look at transition policy research in progress.

BY PETER PASSELL | JANUARY 20, 2012

Best Friends with Benefits

How Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy got their groove on.

BY KAREN LEIGH | JANUARY 19, 2012

Why the Chinese Save

Contrary to conventional wisdom, China's high savings rate has everything to do with policy and institutions. Culture, not so much.

BY SHELDON GARON | JANUARY 19, 2012

The Slow Death of 'Asian Values'

Why the latest news from Malaysia helps to undermine authoritarianism throughout the region.

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | JANUARY 18, 2012

How China's Boom Caused the Financial Crisis

And why it matters today.

BY HELEEN MEES | JANUARY 17, 2012

Down to a Trickle

The revolution in Egypt can’t succeed unless someone manages to revive the economy. Good luck with that.

BY PETER PASSELL | JANUARY 12, 2012

Food Aid: Stuff People Need

Ambassador Ertharin Cousin and Nancy Lindborg say U.S. food aid has come a long way since serving as a means of donating surplus commodities.

JAN/FEB 2012

Nothing to Celebrate

Think 2011 was a bad year for Europe? 2012 could be a whole lot worse -- if EU leaders don't get serious and deal with these 6 problems.

BY CHARLES GRANT | JANUARY 4, 2012

A Watchful Eye

Promises of fiscal discipline by European countries could prove empty without effective surveillance from the International Monetary Fund. Here's how to make sure they don't slip.

BY MARTIN S. EDWARDS | JANUARY 4, 2012

Epiphanies from Austan Goolsbee

President Obama's former economic advisor speaks out.

INTERVIEW BY BENJAMIN PAUKER | JAN/FEB 2012