But Can We Afford It?

Economic Priorities for the Next Administration

Overview

Following one of the most polarizing and contentious electoral cycles in modern memory, two former D.C. insiders will interrogate the public understanding of the federal budgeting process.

THAT’S A GOOD IDEABUT HOW WILL YOU PAY FOR IT?”

This is the question posed to every candidate who has ever had an idea for any program ever. Following one of the most polarizing and contentious electoral cycles in modern memory, it’s time to discuss what that question really means. Together, two former D.C. insiders will interrogate the public understanding of the federal budgeting process.

In discussion:

Stephanie Kelton - former Chief Economist, U.S. Senate Budget Committee; economic advisor to Bernie Sanders 2016 Presidential Campaign; recognized as a member of the 2016 Politico 50

Amar Reganti - former Deputy Director of the Office of Debt Management, U.S. Treasury; Strategist, GMOLLC.

Topics to be covered:

  • The relationship between federal government taxes and outlays
  • The function of the market for U.S. Treasuries and the meaning of “national debt”
  • The legal constraints of the U.S debt ceiling
  • The relationships between government spending, the “money supply”, and inflation
  • The status of the U.S. dollar as a global reserve currency

Co-sponsored by the Harvard Law School Forum and the Harvard Law School Tax Law and Financial Regulation Students Association. HLS’s own Daniel Sufranski, ‘18, to moderate.

Participants

Speaker
Stephanie Kelton
Professor of Economics
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Speaker
Amar Reganti
Strategist
Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC
Moderator
Daniel Sufranski
MMN Chapter President
Harvard Law School

Core Resources

What If They’re Both Wrong? An Insider’s Look At Washington’s Battle Over Debt And Deficits

Kelton, Stephanie What if They’re Both Wrong? An Insider’s Look at Washington’s Battle Over Debt and Deficits., 2016.

 kelton_s4.pdf

The Reserve: The Dollar, The Renminbi, And Status Of Reserve

Reganti, Amar The Reserve: The Dollar, the Renminbi, and Status of Reserve.

 The Reserve – Reganti.pdf

Former Deputy Secretary Of The U.S. Treasury Department Endorses Modern Monetary Theory (MMT)

Kelton, Stephanie Former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Department Endorses Modern Monetary Theory (MMT). New Economic Perspectives, 2013.

Taxes For Revenue Are Obsolete

Ruml, Beardsley. “Taxes for Revenue Are Obsolete.” American Affairs. VIII.I (1946): 35-39.

 BeardsleyRuml.pdf