Murray Weidenbaum Publications

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  Dispelling the Myths About the Global Economy

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  January 2001

  Policy Brief 211

  Murray Weidenbaum attempts to clarify many of the myths involving globalization, such as job loss, do sanctions work, is the U.S. the only country that does not use protectionism, and whether American companies doing business overseas pollute their environments due to less strict regulations.

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  The Pros and Cons of Globalization

  Murray L. Weidenbaum and Robert Batterson

  January 2001

  Special 7

  This briefing book presents both sides of the globalization debate so that readers can draw their own conclusions. Although many of the factors are complex, this summary of the issues surrounding the conflict over globalization is meant to help people better understand the claims of both sides.

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  A Tax System for an E-Commerce Economy

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  June 2000

  Policy Brief 205

  Many state governments and federal policymakers view a new, special tax on electronic commerce to be a fresh and attractive revenue source. But whether implemented at the state or national level, this new tax would be highly undesirable, because it simply expands the shortcomings of the current revenue structure. Because of the flexibility of e-commerce, the attempt to collect such a tax would result in enforcement policies that would further complicate an already complex tax system. The way out of this conundrum is to see the shortcoming in current efforts to tax internet transactions as part of a broader need to overhaul and modernize the nation's tax structure.

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  A Trade Policy for the United States

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  December 2000

  Policy Brief 208

  The Trade Deficit Review Commission was established to study the nature, causes, and consequences of the U.S. trade deficits. This report discusses recommendations on how the nation can become more competitive in the global marketplace.

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  Key Challenges Facing President-Elect Bush

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  December 2000

  Policy Brief 210

  This paper focuses on the serious issues facing our nation during a difficult and perhaps dangerous period. Politically, Bush must work to restore the public's confidence in the presidency and develop a good working relationship with Congress. Bush will also have to deal with a slowing economy in which inflation is still rising. Domestically, fiscal policy and regulation will prove difficult issues to resolve. Finally, president-elect Bush must set a strong foreign policy agenda, as there are problem areas almost everywhere one looks around the globe.

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  Progress in Federal Regulatory Policy, 1980-2000

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  May 2000

  Contemporary Issues Series 100

  As the regulatory reform movement slows, a new strategy, focusing on the shortcomings of the basic regulatory statutes, is needed. Congress should establish an independent Congressional Office of Regulatory Analysis to credibly assess the costs and benefits of proposed congressional regulation legislation.

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  Promoting the Case for Free Trade

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  December 2000

  Policy Brief 209

  The final report of the Trade Deficit Review Commission focused on the numerous disagreements between the Republican and Democratic members. In this report, Murray Weidenbaum wants to highlight the strong free trade message supported by the Republican members.

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  Regulatory Reform: Progress and Unfinished Business

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  March 2000

  Policy Brief 204

  From 1980 to 2000, attitudes toward government regulation have shifted significantly. Terms like "command and control" have been replaced by "the magic of the marketplace." Yet as this statement before the Joint Economic Committee in March 2000 demonstrates, as the regulatory reform movement slows, a new strategy, focusing on the shortcomings of the basic regulatory statutes, is needed. Congress should establish an independent Congressional Office of Regulatory Analysis to credibly assess the costs and benefits of proposed Congressional regulation legislation.

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  United States, China, Taiwan: A Precarious Triangle

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  April 2000

  Contemporary Issues Series 99

  The economic, political, military, and environmental implications of a growing China are addressed.

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  How the States Can Do a Better Job Promoting Economic Development in the Twenty-First Century

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  August 1999

  Policy Brief 198

  In order for states to be able to compete in the global economy, government obstacles facing new enterprises need to be examined. States need to create a positive and competitive business climate for new and expanding companies.

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  Prospects for Success in the Global Marketplace

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  May 1999

  CSAB Forum 5

  This paper explains how Americans need to understand the complexities of the global marketplace in order for the U.S. to become more competitive.

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  Regulation: Benefit or Bane

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  July 1999

  CSAB Forum 6

  Murray Weidenbaum and Carol Tucker Foreman debate what are the best ways to improve government regulation.

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  The Assault on the Global Economy

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  December 1999

  Policy Brief 202

  The global economy is under assault by a strange alliance of radical groups and several mainstream environmental organizations. The outfits from the far left are long-term opponents of the capitalist system, both at home and abroad, so their opposition to trade between nations is neither new nor newsworthy. It is surprising, however, that organizations like the Sierra Club and Friends of the Earth have joined this effort to oppose the modern economy. This paper attempts to respond to these views. Isolationist policies are a foolhardy, futile pursuit in today's interconnected, globalized economy.

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  The Changing Economic Role of Defense

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  November 1999

  Contemporary Issues Series 36

  How much of the federal budget should be spent on national defense is discussed in this paper.

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  The Global Economic Outlook: Threats and Opportunities for the U.S. Mining Industry

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  October 1999

  Policy Brief 199

  The United States has built a unique service sector which is based on a unique industrial sector which is based on a unique mining sector. Harm any one of these three vital parts of our nation and you jeopardize the standard of living and future prospects of all our citizens. Now, the world economy is in the midst of a substantial and widespread upswing. In light of this positive outlook, the U.S. mining industry faces two primary threats: increased competition with international, overseas counterparts and the U.S. government's tendency to handicap American business via taxation, regulation, and intervention.

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  The Global Marketplace and Government Policy

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  August 1999

  Contemporary Issues Series 34

  Murray Weidenbaum points out how important it is for the United States to adapt to globalization.

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  The Great Confusion: A Conservative's Response to Pat Buchanan's "The Great Betrayal"

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  March 1999

  CSAB Forum 4

  This piece refutes statements made by Pat Buchanan in his book, The Great Betrayal.

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  The Public and the Congress Need to Know More About Government Regulation

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  April 1999

  Policy Brief 194

  The public and Congress both need to know more about the costs and benefits of government regulation. This testimony before the Senate Committee on Government affairs in April 1999 addresses the proposed S.59 bill, the Regulatory Right-to-Know Act of 1999, and the proposals for a Congressional Office of Regulatory Analysis. S.59 accomplishes the desirable objective of raising the level of public regulatory understanding in a straightforward and nonpartisan manner: providing consistent regulatory data. Likewise, a new Office of Regulatory Analysis would give Congress an independent source of information - provided its charter were broad enough for the task.

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  A New Approach to Regulatory Reform

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  August 1998

  Policy Study 147

  Even though there is a legitimate need for government regulation, it is still a blunt and imperfect tool, often imposing costs that greatly outweigh the benefits. This study presents the need for regulatory reform and suggests a few ways to do so.

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  Creating a Comprehensive Policy Toward China

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  September 1998

  CSAB Forum 2

  Murray Weidenbaum discusses the importance of establishing a relationship with China.

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  Economic Navigation in a Period of Great Uncertainty

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  January 1998

  Policy Brief 189

  1997 was a very good year economically, but 1998 is expected to bring a lower growth rate and a slowdown across a number of industries. But rather than a period of doom-and-gloom, 1998 will in fact be best defined as a time of economic uncertainty. In light of this, this paper attempts to provide an economic outlook for the year ahead by answering three key questions: first, how will the East Asian financial deterioration affect us? Second, will politicians try to spend the projected federal surplus before it materializes? Lastly, will the Federal Reserve continue to stay on the policy sidelines?

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  Government Regulation of the Automobile: Extensive and Growing

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  October 1998

  Special 6

  Automobile regulation is very burdensome and in many cases works at cross-purposes. By increasing safety features, fuel economy may be reduced.

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  Recasting the Role of Government to Promote Economic Prosperity

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  April 1998

  Policy Brief 190

  No government in the world has an agency with the mission of depressing the economy or accelerating the rate of inflation. Yet, many government actions - especially taxation, government spending, and regulation - have those undesirable effects. The paper focuses on government regulation of business, where the costs are especially insidious, and what can be done to reform this regulation. Government decision-makers often forget the fundamental fact that individuals and private organizations have tremendous capability to deal with the shortcomings of a modern economy on their own. Relying more heavily on private initiative moves us closer to a free society while simultaneously providing powerful incentives for improved economic performance.

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  The Case for America's Role in the Global Marketplace

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  March 1998

  Special 5

  This briefing book explains the need for "Fast Track" in considering new trade agreements.

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  The U.S. Trade Deficit: A Misleading Economic Indicator

  Murray L. Weidenbaum

  June 1998

  Policy Brief 191

  The U.S. trade deficit is the most misleading indicator of economic performance in our statistical tool kit. More often than not, bad news for the economy is good news for the trade deficit, and vice versa. In 1992, the economy was in recession and our trade deficit came down. One year later, the opposite was true. When we look beyond the short-run gyrations of the trade balance and the business cycle, more fundamental, longer-run problems do involve the trade deficit. Indeed, it is a symptom of a more basic economic imbalance.