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Michael R. Strain

Michael R. Strain

Writing for PS since 2022
29 commentaries

Michael R. Strain, Director of Economic Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, is the author, most recently, of The American Dream Is Not Dead: (But Populism Could Kill It) (Templeton Press, 2020).

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  1. Encouraging Work Is the Right Policy Response to AI
    strain28_MIKE NELSONAFP via Getty Images_gregboyle Mike Nelson/AFP via Getty Images

    Encouraging Work Is the Right Policy Response to AI

    Jun 25, 2024 Michael R. Strain explains why the advent of highly capable machines cannot deliver human flourishing.

  2. The Economic World We’ve Lost
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    The Economic World We’ve Lost

    Jun 10, 2024 Michael R. Strain laments the declining support for policy principles that delivered decades of prosperity after World War II.

  3. What the AI Pessimists Are Missing
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    What the AI Pessimists Are Missing

    May 16, 2024 Michael R. Strain points out that the technology will help to address many of the risks it creates.

  4. America’s Frustrating Search for a Soft Economic Landing
    delong257_ Win McNameeGetty Images_fed Win McNamee/Getty Images

    America’s Frustrating Search for a Soft Economic Landing

    Apr 30, 2024 Michael R. Strain warns that beating inflation in the United States will likely require an increase in the unemployment rate.

  5. What Soft Landing?
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    What Soft Landing?

    Mar 11, 2024 Michael R. Strain warns that the US economy could still crash, given negative consumer sentiment and a hot labor market.

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    Supporting Sexual and Reproductive Health Is Good Business

    Natalia Kanem argues that investing in employees’ well-being will help companies attract and retain top talent.
  2. patten167_Ricky VigilGetty Images_keirstarmer Ricky Vigil/Getty Images

    Can Democracy Win in 2024?

    Chris Patten highlights the challenges mainstream parties face as they try to boost growth and improve public services.
  3. pisaniferry147_EMMANUEL DUNANDAFP via Getty Images_frenchelection Emmanual Dunand/AFP via Getty Images

    Finding a New French Majority

    Jean Pisani-Ferry assesses what must happen to form a stable government after an election that produced a hung parliament.
  4. rodrik211_Xu WeijieVCG via Getty Images_chinashipbuilding Xu Weijie/VCG via Getty Images

    Industrial Policy Is Back. Now What?

    How to design effective industrial policies has suddenly become a hot – and divisive – topic among economists and policymakers. Even those who agree that governments should intervene in the economy to bolster productivity, increase competitiveness, and tackle social and environmental challenges differ sharply on the details.

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    The Big Picture

  6. op_stiglitz7_Elizabeth ServatynskaSuspilne UkraineJSC UAPBCGlobal Images Ukraine via Getty Images_ukrainereconstruction Elizabeth Servatynska/Suspilne Ukraine/JSC/ UAPBC/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

    The Way Forward for Ukraine’s Economy

    Joseph E. Stiglitz & Andrew Kosenko

    With sufficient assistance from the West, Ukraine will prevail over its much larger and richer authoritarian neighbor. But to enjoy the fruits of victory, it will have to move faster in its transition from a post-communist oligarchy, while being careful to resist the siren call of free-market fundamentalism.

    offer a roadmap for guiding the country's recovery and reconstruction during and after the war.
  7. robinson18_Alexis RosenfeldGetty Images_biodiversity Alexis Rosenfeld/Getty Images

    Rich Countries Must Meet Their Biodiversity Financing Pledges

    Mary Robinson urges international policymakers to use the upcoming COP16 summit to close the nature-finance gap.
  8. sstokes4_Scott OlsonGetty Images_trump Scott Olson/Getty Images

    Inequality Spurs Democratic Backsliding

    Susan Stokes shows that countries with fairer economies are less likely to succumb to authoritarian populism.
  9. rajan93_cienpiesGetty Images_inflation cienpies/Getty Images

    Bracing for a More Inflationary World

    Raghuram G. Rajan thinks central banks will remain under pressure to maintain tighter policies over the medium term.

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