Martin Wolf argues that the Cameron government's reluctance to take advantage of extraordinarily cheap borrowing costs risks permanent damage to the British economy and society.

This was a meeting of the Roundtable Series on America's Governability Crisis.

New electoral currents in Europe are threatening the German-backed fiscal responsibility pact and sparking fresh fears of debt contagion, says CFR's Sebastian Mallaby.

Martin Wolf argues that François Hollande can put the eurozone back on a path to prosperity by shifting German leaders' focus away from austerity and toward reforms coupled with symmetric adjustment of the monetary union's internal imbalances.

Peter Orszag discusses the strengthening link between high incomes and macroeconomic activity.

Martin Wolf surveys the future of central banking in a world transformed both practically and theoretically by the financial crisis.

Sebastian Mallaby explains how post-election gridlock could either send the U.S. economy over the edge of a "fiscal cliff" into recession or lead it down a risky road of more debt and downgrades.

Four global experts assess Dr. Jim Yong Kim's appointment as World Bank president and whether the institution needs governance reform.

Since its founding in 1944, the World Bank has evolved from a lender focused on European reconstruction into the preeminent international institution for economic development and poverty reduction. This Backgrounder examines the Bank's history and role.

International trade and finance analyst Rebecca M. Nelson offers an overview of multilateral development banks and outlines the issues they present for the United States Congress in this Congressional Research Service report.

Sebastian Mallaby argues that, by focusing on a "Buffett rule," President Obama is squandering his chance to sell voters on meaningful tax reform.

Post-crisis pledges by world leaders to work toward harmony in regulating banks and markets are in danger of coming to naught, writes Brooke Masters for the Financial Times.

Benn Steil's New York Times op-ed reveals the spy-thriller history of America's claim on the World Bank's top job.

Addressing Egypt's economically debilitating subsidy system will be hard amid political transition, but with the country's social contract under review, the time is ripe for reform needed to put the country on a more viable economic path, says CFR's Isobel Coleman.

Jagdish Bhagwati criticizes President Obama for nominating Jim Yong Kim to the World Bank presidency over candidates who would pursue pro-reform, pro-growth policies.

Lewis Alexander, Joyce Chang, and Vincent Reinhart discuss the world economy with CFR Senior Fellow Sebastian Mallaby.

This series is presented by the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies.

Benn Steil's Financial Times op-ed shows that whereas the impact of the "Buffett Rule" on Warren Buffett's tax liability is trivial, the political capital he has accrued appears to be leveraging his investments.

Robert E. Rubin and Vin Weber argue that the Export-Import Bank is a government agency that increases U.S. jobs and earns money for the Treasury--and deserves bipartisan support.

Sebastian Mallaby asks whether the Fed might fall behind its Continental counterpart in exercising bold economic leadership.

In 2007, the World Bank was in crisis. Some saw conflicts over its leadership. Others blamed the institution itself.