While growth in the advanced economies seems to have picked up, it remains weak. A more stable growth model will require less of the "wrong" debt – that is, debt that finances purchases of existing assets, supports consumption without addressing inequality, and arises from unsustainable global imbalances.
LONDON – Former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers recently caused a stir with his warning of sustained economic stagnation in the advanced economies. But, while many reject his suggestion of a secular trend, the data support him. Yes, economic growth has picked up in the United States and the United Kingdom, while the eurozone economy is no longer contracting and Japan shows some signs of responding to “Abenomics.” But the global recovery remains extremely weak, with most advanced economies still performing at 10-15% below pre-crisis growth trends.
LONDON – Former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers recently caused a stir with his warning of sustained economic stagnation in the advanced economies. But, while many reject his suggestion of a secular trend, the data support him. Yes, economic growth has picked up in the United States and the United Kingdom, while the eurozone economy is no longer contracting and Japan shows some signs of responding to “Abenomics.” But the global recovery remains extremely weak, with most advanced economies still performing at 10-15% below pre-crisis growth trends.