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Lawrence H. Summers

Lawrence H. Summers

15 commentaries
1 videos & podcasts

Lawrence H. Summers was US Secretary of the Treasury (1999-2001), Chief Economist of the World Bank (1991-93), Director of the US National Economic Council (2009-10), and President of Harvard University (2001-06), where he is currently University Professor.

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  1. The World Is Still on Fire
    summers14_TONY KARUMBAAFP via Getty Images_sudanfamine Tony Karumba/AFP via Getty Images

    The World Is Still on Fire

    Apr 15, 2024 Lawrence H. Summers & N.K. Singh think policymakers need to get four things right to shore up the credibility of the international system.

  2. The Multilateral Development Banks the World Needs
    summers13_Natali_MisGetty Images_worldconnections Natali_Mis/Getty Images

    The Multilateral Development Banks the World Needs

    Jul 24, 2023 Lawrence H. Summers & N.K. Singh offer a plan to ensure that these key institutions prove equal to challenges of the twenty-first century.

  3. A New Chance for the World Bank
    summers12_ STEFANI REYNOLDSAFP via Getty Images)_world bank ERIC BARADAT/AFP via Getty Images

    A New Chance for the World Bank

    Oct 10, 2022 Lawrence H. Summers calls for reforms focused on crisis response, post-conflict reconstruction, and the green transition.

  4. Debt Relief Is the Most Effective Pandemic Aid
    brown64_NICHOLAS KAMMAFP via Getty Images_georgievamalpassworldbankIMF Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images

    Debt Relief Is the Most Effective Pandemic Aid

    Apr 15, 2020 Gordon Brown & Lawrence H. Summers call for a two-year moratorium on payments for every emerging and developing economy that needs help.

  5. Can a Political-Economy Vicious Circle Be Avoided?
    summers10 Getty Images

    Can a Political-Economy Vicious Circle Be Avoided?

    Dec 26, 2019 Lawrence H. Summers sees the US presidential election in November as the year's most important decision worldwide.

  1. velasco154_ SAUL LOEBAFP via Getty Images_trump SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

    How Not to React to Donald Trump

    Andrés Velasco calls for more serious thinking by progressives and fewer knee-jerk calls to “abandon neoliberalism.”
  2. acemoglu81_Kent NishimuraGettyImages_capitol_post_protest Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

    The Fall and Rise of American Democracy

    Daron Acemoglu

    Over time, as American democracy has increasingly fallen short of delivering on its core promises, the Democratic Party has contributed to the problem by catering to a narrow, privileged elite. To restore its own prospects and America’s signature form of governance, it must return to its working-class roots.

    is not surprised that so many voters ignored warnings about the threat Donald Trump poses to US institutions.
  3. GettyImages-876226276

    Enrique Krauze on Baruch Spinoza, the US election, Mexican democracy, and more

    Enrique Krauze considers the responsibility of the state to guarantee freedom, heralds the demise of Mexico’s democracy, highlights flaws in higher-education systems, and more.
  4. khrushcheva188_Chris McGrathGetty Images_ukraine Chris McGrath/Getty Images

    Does a Savage War of Partition Await Ukraine?

    Nina L. Khrushcheva traces the grim history of territorial divisions like the one that Donald Trump seems to be envisioning.
  5. varoufakis121_Justin SullivanGettyImages_chinese_conainers_oakland Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

    America’s Trade Deficit Is Not Afraid of Donald Trump

    Yanis Varoufakis shows why the incoming US administration can’t eliminate the negative balance – and wouldn’t even if it could.
  6. kuttab60_CHANDAN KHANNAAFP via Getty Images_trumpisrael Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

    Trump’s Middle East Challenge

    Daoud Kuttab highlights the changes in the region that will complicate the US president-elect's peacemaking efforts.
  7. watkins30_ Stanislav KogikuSOPA ImagesLightRocket via Getty Images_sdgs Stanislav Kogiku/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

    Last Chance for the SDGs?

    Kevin Watkins thinks the fate of the 2030 targets hinges on the next International Development Association replenishment.
  8. sayang4_China News ServiceGettyImages_china_ai_exhibit China News Service/Getty Images

    America’s Tech Blind Spot

    S. Alex Yang & Angela Huyue Zhang

    In recent years, a growing chorus of academics and policymakers has sounded the alarm over the systemic dysfunction of the US tech sector. Yet, despite the high drama of congressional hearings with Big Tech CEOs and a cascade of bills promising comprehensive reforms, the results have been disappointing.

    worry that in its bid to outcompete China, the US risks stifling its own potential for innovation.
  9. kirchschlager3_JC MILHETHans LucasAFP via Getty Images_teenagersocialmediaphones J.C. Milhet/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

    Protecting Children from Anti-Social Media

    Peter G. Kirchschläger urges countries to emulate Australia and bar young people from addictive online platforms.

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