Jan 21, 2013

End the damaging obsession with deficit

America must not lose sight of infrastructure, jobs and growth

Dec 16, 2012

How to fix costly and unjust US tax system

Too many provisions favour a very small minority of fortunate taxpayers

Oct 28, 2012

Building blocks for America’s recovery

Agreement on the target is widespread, but getting there is another matter, writes Lawrence Summers

Illustrator Matt Kenyon ©Matt Kenyon Oct 14, 2012

The world is stuck in a vicious cycle

Without a full course of treatment, the economic patient risks relapse

UK U-turn Sep 16, 2012

Britain risks a lost decade unless it changes course

To increase its future potential output, the UK should raise its output today

Matt Kenyon illustration Aug 19, 2012

America’s state will expand whoever wins

Government spending will have to rise even to maintain current levels of services

Jul 15, 2012

Land of opportunity can fight inequality

The vital step is to strengthen public education

Jun 18, 2012

Time to act: euro collapse would define our era

Its prospect must focus the minds of all at the G20 summit on action

Jun 3, 2012

Look beyond interest rates to get out of the gloom

Countries that can borrow long-term at very low cost should be rushing to take advantage

From OPINION Apr 26, 2012

Romney must release a credible budget

Voters should have a chance to choose between clear alternatives

Mar 25, 2012

How to ensure stimulus today, austerity tomorrow

Contingent plans can state near-term expansion and medium-term prudence, writes Lawrence Summers

Jan 8, 2012

Current woes call for smart reinvention not destruction

How justified is disillusionment with market capitalism? asks Lawrence Summers

Dec 9, 2011

IMF must play its part in any euro solution

Banks must be recapped to save global economy, writes Lawrence Summers

From OPINION Nov 2, 2011

Five grim and essential lessons for world leaders

What can be learnt from the past three years as the G20 gathers in Cannes?

From OPINION Oct 23, 2011

Why the housing burden stalls America’s economic recovery

Allowing negotiation over the past to dominate present policy creates overhangs of much uncertainty, writes Lawrence Summers

From OPINION Aug 2, 2011

Relief at an agreement will give way to alarm

With growth less than 1%, economy is at stall speed, writes Lawrence Summers

From OPINION Jul 27, 2008

The way forward for Fannie and Freddie

The choices made in the coming months will bear on the housing market, future taxpayers and the integrity of the political system

ABOUT LAWRENCE

Lawrence Summers Lawrence H. Summers was director of the National Economic Council for President Barack Obama until November 2011. He is currently the Charles W. Eliot University Professor at Harvard University and Weil Director, Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business & Government at the Harvard Kennedy School. He served as 27th president of Harvard from July 2001 until June 2006 and has served in a series of senior public policy positions, including secretary of the treasury of the United States, political economist for the President’s Council of Economic Advisers and chief economist of the World Bank.

In 1993 he received the John Bates Clark Medal, given every two years to the outstanding American economist under the age of 40. Mr Summers received his BS from MIT and his PhD in economics from Harvard.