Piketty Favors a Decrease in the VAT

Another economist in the news: Thomas Piketty argues for an immediate reduction of the VAT, as in the UK.

Blanchard Calls for More Vigorous Action

Olivier Blanchard, chief economist of the IMF, is calling for more vigorous action by states to stimulate their economies. "It is better for stimulus to proceed by increased public expenditure than by decreased public receipts," he insists (even though Greg Mankiw has cited a paper by Blanchard and Perotti in arguing for the opposite course). He also criticizes the confusion and lack of clarity of US stimulus measures to date.

Assessment of the Euro

From the OFCE, an interesting assessment of the euro and the Eurozone on the 10th anniversary of the Euro's creation.

Economic Patriotism: A Debate

Nicolas Véron and Alan Beattie debate the issue of "capital protectionism," a.k.a. "economic patriotism."