In 2014 Americans faced a broad array of issues at home and abroad. Perennials such as the listless economic recovery, healthcare reform, and turmoil in the Middle East remained in the forefront, to be joined by the crisis in Ukraine and immigration. Throughout it all, in publications across the country, Hoover fellows offered their unique brand of thoughtful and scholarly insight. A selection of those pieces follows:
The Economy
The Fed Needs to Return to Monetary Rules
By John Taylor
As the Federal Reserve's large-scale bond purchases wind down, financial markets and policy makers now are focused on when the Fed will move to increase interest rates. There is a more fundamental question that needs to be answered: Will the central bank continue its highly interventionist and discretionary monetary policies, or will it move to a more rules-based approach?
By Michael J. Boskin
Economic news is grim all around the world. This year’s output growth has been disappointing, and the International Monetary Fund expects only a slight improvement in 2015. Europe may be sliding back into recession, with even the once-robust German economy teetering on the brink. China is downshifting, and Brazil, Russia, and India are struggling to avoid a stall.
Middle East
The Men Who Sealed Iraq’s Disaster with a Handshake
By Fouad Ajami
Two men bear direct responsibility for the mayhem engulfing Iraq: Barack Obama and Nouri al-Maliki. The US president and Iraqi prime minister stood shoulder to shoulder in a White House ceremony in December 2011 proclaiming victory. Mr. Obama was fulfilling a campaign pledge to end the Iraq war. There was a utopian tone to his pronouncement, suggesting that the conflicts that had been endemic to that region would be brought to an end. As for Mr. Maliki, there was the heady satisfaction, in his estimation, that Iraq would be sovereign and intact under his dominion.
Healthcare
It’s Time to Rethink Health Insurance
By George P. Shultz, Scott W. Atlas, and John F. Cogan
As the acute problems of the Affordable Care Act become increasingly apparent, it also has become clear that we need new ways of ensuring access to healthcare for all Americans. We should begin with an examination of health insurance.
Immigration
An Immigration Game Plan for the New Congress
By Edward Paul Lazear
President Obama’s unilateral action on immigration angered many in Congress and among the public. With Republicans taking control of Congress, it is tempting to respond aggressively. Instead, a more measured and constructive approach would move the country forward and address the concerns that the voters expressed in the recent election.
Ukraine Crisis
To Beat Putin, Support Ukraine
By Michael McFaul
In response to Russian support for Ukrainian rebels, and in coordination with European leaders, President Obama has instituted the most comprehensive set of economic sanctions ever against Russian officials and companies. Europe is considering alternate energy policies to reduce Russia’s economic leverage. NATO is re-energized. And moral, unified condemnation of Russia’s actions has damaged Russia’s international reputation.
US Politics
By Victor Davis Hanson
Political analysts still are arguing over why the Democratic Party was washed away in the midterm election. Since 2008, ascendant progressives had been crowing over a fresh mosaic of energized minorities, newly franchised immigrants, single young urban women, greens, gays, and — less often mentioned — upscale professionals and the 1-percenter super-wealthy.
Education
By Eric Hanushek
Public schools are constitutionally empowered to educate our next generation, but they often stray from that path to over-emphasize the rights, pay, and benefits of their employees. In a stunning decision, a judge in the California Superior Court has ruled that, because education is a fundamental right of California youth, the laws governing teacher tenure, teacher dismissal and rules for layoffs are unconstitutional. This ruling only applies to California – and surely will be appealed by the teachers union – but it could open up consideration of students' rights in a larger number of states.
Values
How to Get America Moving Again
By George P. Shultz
Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto, who led the Japanese fleet at Pearl Harbor, had spent some time before World War II in the United States. After the attack, he allegedly said, with a sense of foreboding, "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve." Well, the giant is sleeping again. What does it take to wake us up? How many times can we be kicked in the belly before we take notice?
On the Anniversary of 9/11, Committing to National Service as an American Value
By Condoleezza Rice
On 9/11, we are reminded of the dangers of the world, but also of the strength and mutual care exhibited by Americans in response to tragedy. It is appropriately both a day of remembrance and of service.
By Thomas Sowell
Some have said that we are living in a post-industrial era, while others have said that we are living in a post-racial era. But growing evidence suggests that we are living in a post-thinking era.
