Global economic crisis

Explained: Defining recessionsIt’s not what conventional wisdom holds, as an MIT economist — who heads the bureau charged with identifying U.S. downturns — makes clear.

Explained: Quantitative easingAn unconventional financial tool is getting more attention as the Fed tries to jump-start the U.S. economy

Nobody’s homeMIT economist measures how much foreclosures lower housing prices.

Explained: Knightian uncertaintyThe economic crisis has revived an old philosophical idea about risk and uncertainty. But what is it, exactly?

Firms with strong intellectual property strategies fare better in raising capitalPatents alone not enough, says MIT Sloan School of Management senior lecturer

3 Questions: The euro messMIT Sloan economist Kristin Forbes on the recent troubles roiling the international financial markets

Pattern seen in governments’ currency policiesSmall-time money transfers from migrants shape key decisions on foreign exchange, research shows.

‘Failure is good’In a talk to promote his new book, MIT’s Simon Johnson lambastes a finance industry he sees as lacking a healthy fear of losing money.

Nobel laureate Krugman: ‘Dark age of macroeconomics’ is upon usIn Stata Center lecture, the Nobel Prize-winning former MIT professor warns that America is replaying its past economic policy mistakes.

Q&A with Simon JohnsonMIT’s outspoken bank critic on the state of the financial industry, the need for reform, and the performance of the White House

Said and Done: humanities, arts, and social sciences digest for January 2010

Temporary gainsMIT economist finds temporary jobs may actually reduce workers’ income and employment prospects

3 Questions: Making unemployment workWith large numbers of Americans out of work, economist Ivan Werning suggests some better ways to make unemployment insurance operate

The Tough Get Growing: how to succeed in a down economyPresented by the MIT Enterprise Forum

Moderated by Bo Fishback

Panelists:
Eugene Fitzgerald '85
Daphne Zohar
Helen Greiner '89, SM '90

Creating a game plan for transition to a sustainable economyJeffrey Hollender enumerates the many reasons he’s feeling bleak these days.

3 Questions: Robert Solow on the struggle aheadThe MIT Nobel laureate explains why we need more economic stimulus — and more innovation.

3 Questions: Vincent Lépinay on bankers unleashedAn MIT anthropologist, who studies financial practices, discusses how ever-changing banking tools baffle regulators.

State of the Institute forum looks at financesAt annual event, President Hockfield and senior administrators discuss progress in meeting targets and challenges ahead.