Intelligence Squared US Debates: Unresolved, The Economy

By most accounts, the American economy is booming—manufacturing is at a 13-year high, unemployment is at a 16-year low, and both the stock market and consumer confidence are soaring. But just what is driving this upturn? And can Americans trust that current economic conditions will hold up in the months ahead? In our season premiere, four of the nation’s most influential economists debate the state of the American economy, from tax cuts to trade policy.

Closing in on the Trump administration’s first year, we’ll ask: Is deregulation good for business? Can the Republican tax bill spur economic growth? Could Trump’s protectionist trade policy put the economy in jeopardy? And is the stock market too high?

Host and Debaters

Jason Furman

Fmr. Chairman, Council of Economic Advisers & Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute

Jason Furman joined the Peterson Institute for International Economics as a nonresident senior fellow in 2017 following his tenure as the 28th chair… Read More

Simon Johnson

Fmr. Chief Economist, International Monetary Fund

Simon Johnson, former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund, is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at the MIT Sloan… Read More

Stephen Moore

Senior Fellow, The Heritage Foundation & Fmr. Economic Advisor, Donald Trump

Stephen Moore is a prominent free-market economist and senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, where he works to advance public policies that increase… Read More

Dambisa Moyo

Global Economist & Best-Selling Author

Dambisa Moyo is a global economist and author who analyzes the macroeconomy and international affairs. She advises companies, corporate boards, CEOs… Read More

Gillian Tett

U.S. Managing Editor, Financial Times

Gillian Tett is an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and the U.S. managing editor of the Financial Times, where she oversees global coverage… Read More

John Donvan

Host and Moderator

John Donvan is the host of Intelligence Squared U.S., moderating our debates since 2008. An author, speaker and journalist, John has reported for… Read More

• Legal, Politics & Economics

By most accounts, the American economy is booming—manufacturing is at a 13-year high, unemployment is at a 16-year low, and both the stock market and consumer confidence are soaring. But just what is driving this upturn? And can Americans trust that current economic conditions will hold up in the months ahead? In our season premiere, four of the nation’s most influential economists debate the state of the American economy, from tax cuts to trade policy.

Closing in on the Trump administration’s first year, we’ll ask: Is deregulation good for business? Can the Republican tax bill spur economic growth? Could Trump’s protectionist trade policy put the economy in jeopardy? And is the stock market too high?

Host and Debaters

Jason Furman

Fmr. Chairman, Council of Economic Advisers & Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute

Jason Furman joined the Peterson Institute for International Economics as a nonresident senior fellow in 2017 following his tenure as the 28th chair… Read More

Simon Johnson

Fmr. Chief Economist, International Monetary Fund

Simon Johnson, former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund, is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at the MIT Sloan… Read More

Stephen Moore

Senior Fellow, The Heritage Foundation & Fmr. Economic Advisor, Donald Trump

Stephen Moore is a prominent free-market economist and senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, where he works to advance public policies that increase… Read More

Dambisa Moyo

Global Economist & Best-Selling Author

Dambisa Moyo is a global economist and author who analyzes the macroeconomy and international affairs. She advises companies, corporate boards, CEOs… Read More

Gillian Tett

U.S. Managing Editor, Financial Times

Gillian Tett is an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and the U.S. managing editor of the Financial Times, where she oversees global coverage… Read More

John Donvan

Host and Moderator

John Donvan is the host of Intelligence Squared U.S., moderating our debates since 2008. An author, speaker and journalist, John has reported for… Read More