Peter Passell
Showing 1–7 of 7 transcripts.
- Milken Institute51 min
Beyond the Dollar
Peter Passell, Youssef Boutros-Ghali, Barry Eichengreen, Joaquim Levy, James McCormack, Nouriel Roubini, Ethan Penner, Rockwell, Gabriel
Panelists including Barry Eichengreen, James McCormick, and Nouriel Roubini analyze the potential erosion of U.S. dollar dominance through the lenses of fiscal dominance, geopolitical fragmentation, and the structural limitations of rival currencies like the Euro and Chinese Renminbi. While short-term policy contradictions may paradoxically strengthen the dollar, the experts project a gradual, multi-decade transition toward a multipolar currency system driven by China's trade integration and American retrenchment from global leadership roles. Ultimately, the discussion concludes that no single alternative currently offers a viable challenge to the dollar's entrenched network effects, though prudent diversification remains a key strategic consideration for central banks.
- Milken Institute58 min
Does Capitalism Need Saving?
Peter Passell, Tyler Cowen, Diana Farrell, Alan Krueger, John Taylor
Distinguished economists including Tyler Cowen, Alan Krueger, and Diana Farrell convened to address the U.S. stagnation in wage growth, rising inequality, and the structural vulnerabilities of the middle class. The panel debated critical policy levers such as education reform, universal basic income, and minimum wage adjustments, while highlighting how occupational licensing and reduced competition hinder labor mobility. Ultimately, the discussion emphasized that addressing a fifteen-year productivity slowdown and managing the disruptive effects of automation and immigration are essential for restoring long-term economic prosperity.
- Milken Institute1h 0m
Taxes, Philosophy and Reform: Two Conversations With Milken Institute Review Authors
Peter Passell, Reihan Salam, Len Burman, John Marish, David Mallitz, Ray Bishop, Female Presenter 1
At the Milken Institute Review Panel, Len Berman of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center and Reihan Salam of *National Review* delivered distinct analyses on US tax reform and conservative political strategy. Berman argued that structural polarization and a lack of bipartisan trust currently block comprehensive tax overhauls, proposing revenue-neutral shifts such as Value-Added Taxes and inheritance taxes to replace the current estate tax system. Simultaneously, Salam advocated for "reform conservatism" as a pragmatic framework that utilizes federalism, skills-based immigration, and market-based healthcare solutions to build coalitions rather than pursuing ideological purity.
- Milken Institute1h 0m
The Economic Implications of Climate Change
Susan Goldburg, Gérard Araud, Amy Christensen, John Cochran, Mark Tercik, John Holdren, Peter Passell, Matt Boghossian, Lawrence Bender, Mark Scotland, Michael Sterling
A diverse panel of policymakers, business leaders, and diplomats established a consensus that a uniform, revenue-neutral carbon price is the most efficient mechanism for global climate mitigation, surpassing current command-and-control regulations in promoting decentralized innovation. This framework aims to accelerate the transition to clean energy while managing security risks, with specific proposals suggesting a tax trajectory starting at $16 per ton to fund an 80% emissions reduction by 2050. The strategy leverages historical U.S.-China alignment and corporate commitments to drive the upcoming Paris Conference, emphasizing that economic incentives must be paired with nature-based adaptation and diplomatic flexibility to accommodate sovereign differences.
- Milken Institute57 min
Jobs in the Developed World
Peter Passell, Dean Baker, Bethann Bovino, Diana Farrell, Kevin Hassett, Stephen Ratner
Six economists convened to analyze the persistent divergence between U.S. economic recovery and historical norms, where unemployment remains high and labor force participation has hit a 35-year low. The panel debated causes ranging from aggregate demand failures and long-term unemployment stigma to structural skills mismatches, ultimately converging on the need for policy shifts such as federal work-sharing, immigration reform, and portable benefits. Speakers warned that without addressing these entrenched issues, the U.S. risks a permanently reduced productive capacity and deepening inequality.
- Milken Institute56 min
A Conversation with Edmund Phelps, Moderated by Peter Passell
Edmund Phelps, Peter Passell, Krishna Kumar
Co-hosted by RAND and the Milken Institute, this event featured Nobel Laureate Edmund Phelps arguing that a shift from individualism to corporatism since the 1930s has stifled indigenous innovation and halved US productivity growth rates. Phelps highlighted that while established corporations currently leverage regulatory protections to block startups, China is matching historical US innovation rates through technological diffusion and grassroots experimentation. He concluded that reversing the stagnation requires a fundamental cultural shift that prioritizes individual creativity and risk-taking over traditional conformism, as standard economic policies alone cannot restore economic dynamism.
- Milken Institute1h 0m
Climate Change: Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst
Nathaniel Keohane, Michael Levi, Molly Macauley, Richard Sandor, Sheldon Whitehouse, Peter Passell
A diverse panel of experts, including Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and industry leaders Richard Sanders and Molly McCauley, argues that climate adaptation has shifted from a supplementary tactic to an essential strategy necessitated by irreversible impacts like species loss and extreme weather. The discussion highlights critical challenges in financing through insurance sector vulnerabilities and updating building codes, while warning that political gridlock and fragmented data on migration obstruct effective implementation. Ultimately, the speakers emphasize that without aggressive carbon pricing and integrated global governance, reliance on reactive measures will fail to address the systemic security risks posed by a non-steady-state climate.