N. Gregory Mankiw: On the Economic Ideas of the Right and the Left Today

Harvard's Greg Mankiw assess some prominent economic proposals. Click "Show more" to view chapters. For more conversations, visit

Chapter 1 (00:15 - 31:33): The American Economy Today

Chapter 2 (31:33 - 1:09:19): The Economy, The Left, and The Right

How is the US economy performing today? How should we think about the turn against free markets by prominent figures of the Left and the Right? What economic policies might spur innovation and growth in the future? In this Conversation, Harvard economist N. Gregory Mankiw analyzes the current moment and shares his perspective on the major economic policies and ideas of the Left and the Right. According to Mankiw, the American economy remains robust and dynamic, despite only good (rather than excellent) economic growth in recent years and increased consternation about the rise of inequality. As Mankiw puts it, “The median American is better off materially than 99 percent of people that were ever born on this planet.” Criticizing policies that rely excessively on central planning, Mankiw calls for high-skilled immigration, innovative approaches to education, and maintaining incentives that yield investment in research and development. He also suggests some alterations in tax and welfare policies that might help ameliorate problems we face in the short and long term.