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Policy Forum

The Problem with Europe’s Austerity Debate

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Date and Time
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Location
Policy Center with Foyer
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Featuring
Featuring Simeon Djankov, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Bulgaria, Creator and former lead author of Doing Business (World Bank); and Anders Aslund, Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics; moderated by Ian Vasquez, Director, Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity, Cato Institute.

Top officials in the U.S. government, the International Monetary Fund, and the European Union blame Europe’s ills on fiscal austerity and advise Europeans to pursue stimulus spending or delay spending cuts. Simeon Djankov and Anders Aslund will show how the evidence counters that prevailing view. Countries that have reined in their spending are growing briskly while the profligate founder. Aslund will discuss why the level of debt and access to international markets still matter to responsible fiscal policy; Djankov will explain why Europe badly needs a growth plan that includes reducing the burden of regulation. Both speakers will explain why Europeans should focus on policy reform rather than devaluation or exit from the Euro.

Download “The Problem with Europe’s Austerity Debate” from Anders Aslund (Powerpoint Presentation)
Download “Saving the Euro” by Simon Djankov (Powerpoint Presentation)