It is widely acknowledged that the United States Federal Reserve exerts significant influence over the economy and financial markets. The Federal Reserve is responsible for conducting monetary policy so as to promote the goals of achieving maximum employment, stable prices,…
This edition of Commentary offers reflections on the importance of the pivotal and potentially transformative times we are experiencing, from the perspective of the United States, with particular reference to social insurance and the work of the National Academy of…
As the United Nations celebrates the anniversary of the ratification of the UN Charter on October 24th each year, there is typically an increased focus on UN activities and new initiatives and programs at this time of year. The United…
As the 2021 year enters its fourth quarter, economists around the world are engaging in the annual ritual of developing forecasts of key economic indicators for 2022 and beyond. Concerns for financial stability are being reflected in the outlook for…
The 2021 Annual Report of the Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Funds presents information regarding the financial status of the U.S. Social Security system. At the end of 2020, the OASDI program…
The United States Social Security system is expected to release its 2021 Annual Trustees Report shortly. It is widely anticipated that the report will indicate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the system’s short-range and long-range financial condition and…
The World Economic Forum (WEF) adopted The Great Reset as the theme of its 50th annual meeting held in Davos, Switzerland in June 2020. This theme was also adopted for the 2021 WEF annual meeting. These WEF meetings provided opportunities…
In the United States, some of the nation’s most important social and economic programs are financed through dedicated revenue sources and are managed with supporting trust funds. Maintaining the solvency and sustainability of these programs requires the provision of adequate…
John Maynard Keynes expressed the view that a civil society should combine economic efficiency, social justice and individual liberty. Society today is full of promise and opportunity as world leaders consider the future direction of social and economic policy in…
The quest for diversity and inclusion gained worldwide attention when delegates from 186 countries and representatives from 811 non-governmental organizations participated in The Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development that was held in 1995. The Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of…