Scholar

Michael W. Klein

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Michael Klein is an author, and former World Bank official. Klein has published and co-authored several policy papers on the… more

H-index: 45
Economics 88%
Materials science 5%
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by Michael W. Klein

mwkleinphd.bsky.social
@billgale.bsky.social and Ian Berlin write “ The notion that the entire government should shut down because of a disagreement in one particular area – be it health care or clean water or whatever – defies logic and common sense.” @econofact.bsky.social

econofact.org/can-we-put-a...
Can We Put a Stop to the Recurrent Threat of Government Shutdowns? (Updated) | Econofact
Shutdowns can cost the government more than regular operations and can hurt the economy. There have been over 20 shutdowns in the past 50 years.
econofact.org

by Michael W. Klein

mwkleinphd.bsky.social
#Gold prices at an all time high! @charlescollymore.bsky.social and I explain the surge in @econofact.bsky.social - driven by uncertainty and Central Banks econofact.org/why-has-the-...
Why Has the Price of Gold Risen So Sharply? | Econofact
Gold has a long history of being held as a financial asset by private investors and central banks, which can be the source of large shifts in its price.
econofact.org

Reposted by: Michael W. Klein

econofact.bsky.social
@adamposen.bsky.social discusses how the pursuit of an America first policy could render the US, and much of the world, less economically stable.
econofact.org/podcast/a-ch...
A Changing Economic Geography | Econofact Chats
Adam Posen discusses his Foreign Affairs article 'The New Economic Geography: Who Profits in a Post-American World?'
econofact.org
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by Michael W. Klein

mwkleinphd.bsky.social
The impact of politics on the economy This @econofact.bsky.social memo by @wgale.bsky.social is relevant once again econofact.org/can-we-put-a...
Can We Put a Stop to the Recurrent Threat of Government Shutdowns? | Econofact
Shutdowns end up costing the government more than regular operations and can hurt the economy. There have been over 20 shutdowns in the past 50 years.
econofact.org
1

Reposted by: Michael W. Klein

econofact.bsky.social
What is the 10-year Treasury yield? What role does it play in the economy? What determines it? And what can the Treasury do to affect it?
econofact.org/the-10-year-...
The 10-Year Treasury Rate: Why Is It Important and What Can Policy Do About It? | Econofact
What is the 10-year Treasury yield? What role does it play in the economy? What determines it? And what (if anything) can the Treasury do to affect it?
econofact.org
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Reposted by: Michael W. Klein

econofact.bsky.social
Kenneth Kuttner analyzes the relationship between a country's inflation rate and the effectiveness of its institutions.
econofact.org/the-erosion-...
The Erosion of Central Bank Independence | Econofact
Legal independence for central banks has increased around the world. But it is not a one-way road. What conditions lead to an erosion of autonomy?
econofact.org
3 6

Reposted by: Michael W. Klein

econofact.bsky.social
The independence of the Federal Reserve helps ensure it can make politically difficult decisions that are in the long-run best interest of the economy. @mwkleinphd.bsky.social explains: econofact.org/leaning-on-t...
Leaning on the Fed (Updated) | Econofact
The independence of the Federal Reserve helps to ensure that it can make politically difficult decisions that are in the long-run best interest of the economy.
econofact.org
1

Reposted by: Michael W. Klein

Reposted by: Michael W. Klein

econofact.bsky.social
Charles Collyns and @mwkleinphd.bsky.social break down factors driving the recent increase in the price of gold.
econofact.org/why-has-the-...
Why Has the Price of Gold Risen So Sharply? | Econofact
Gold has a long history of being held as a financial asset by private investors and central banks, which can be the source of large shifts in its price.
econofact.org
1

Reposted by: Michael W. Klein

fletcherschool.bsky.social
“The [U.S. Federal Reserve] is in a very difficult position right now because there is both a weakening labour market and evidence of higher inflation," says Professor @mwkleinphd.bsky.social of @econofact.bsky.social. @aljazeera.com @andyreports.bsky.social

www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025...
US Fed expected to cut rates amid cooling labour market, surging inflation
Weakening labour market and higher inflation has put Fed in a ‘difficult’ position even as economists expect a rate cut.
www.aljazeera.com
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Reposted by: Michael W. Klein

fletcherschool.bsky.social
In an interview for Tufts Now, Professor @mwkleinphd.bsky.social of @econofact.bsky.social answered the question, "What's the Federal Reserve and why is its independence important?" @tufts.edu

now.tufts.edu/2025/09/11/w...
What’s the Federal Reserve and Why Is Its Independence Important?
Tufts economist Michael Klein explains the dangers for the economy if the president takes control of the Federal Reserve Bank.
now.tufts.edu
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Reposted by: Michael W. Klein, Aaron Sojourner

econofact.bsky.social
@mwkleinphd.bsky.social explains why the Federal Reserve's independence is essential for making politically difficult decisions that are in the long-run best interest of the economy.
econofact.org/leaning-on-t...
Leaning on the Fed (Updated) | Econofact
The independence of the Federal Reserve helps to ensure that it can make politically difficult decisions that are in the long-run best interest of the economy.
econofact.org
3 19

by Michael W. Klein

mwkleinphd.bsky.social
@markzandi.bsky.social discusses the state of the economy (worrying), threats to the Fed (chilling), the national debt (rising) and AI (promising) in the new @econofact.bsky.social podcast. econofact.org/podcast/the-...
The U.S. Economy: Still the “Envy of the World”? | Econofact Chats
A discussion with Mark Zandi on the impact of tariffs and a restrictive immigration policy on U.S. economic growth and inflation.
econofact.org
2 1 3

Reposted by: Michael W. Klein, Jeffrey Clemens

by Michael W. Klein

by Michael W. Klein

mwkleinphd.bsky.social
This @econofact.bsky.social podcast episode is an interview with Federal Reserve Governor @drlisadcook.bsky.social on intimidation and racism. econofact.org/podcast/the-...
The Long Shadows Cast By Racism | Econofact Chats
The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre destroyed an area known as “Black Wall Street,” but its effects were felt more widely than in just Oklahoma. In this episode of EconoFact Chats, Lisa D. Cook of Michigan S...
econofact.org
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Reposted by: Michael W. Klein

Reposted by: Michael W. Klein, Christian Odendahl, Margaret Mitchell , and 46 more

dynarski.bsky.social
Statement from the largest economics association about the BLS firing

As context: AEA approximately never makes such public statements

This is a big deal
August 1, 2025 AMERICAN ECONOMIC ASSOCIATION Committee on Economic Statistics and Committee on Government Relations Statement from the American Economic Association on the Dismissal of the BLS Commissioner Leaders of the American Economic Association express their grave concern over the dismissal of the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) earlier today. The independence of the federal statistical agencies is essential to the proper functioning of a modern economy. Accurate, timely, and impartial statistics are the foundation upon which households, businesses, and policymakers make critical decisions. Undermining the independence or credibility of these agencies threatens the integrity of the information that markets, institutions, and the public rely on every day. Measuring the vast and dynamic U.S. economy in real time is inherently challenging. It is standard practice for statistical estimates to be revised as more complete and higher-quality data become available. These revisions reflect the commitment of statistical agencies to accuracy, transparency, and methodological rigor-not failure or bias. The BLS has long had a well-deserved reputation for professional excellence and nonpartisan integrity. Safeguarding this tradition is vital for the continued health of the U.S. economy and public trust in our institutions. We call upon elected officials to respect and preserve the independence of the nation's statistical infrastructure. Lawrence Katz President, American Economic Association Katharine Abraham President-Elect, American Economic Association Karen Dynan Chair, American Economic Association Committee on Economic Statistics Kenneth Troske Chair, American Economic Association Committee on Government Relations
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Reposted by: Michael W. Klein

fletcherschool.bsky.social
Professor @mwkleinphd.bsky.social of @econofact.bsky.social highlights six key truths about tariffs and trade deficits. @marketwatch.com

www.marketwatch.com/story/does-i...
Are Trump’s tariffs helping or hurting the economy? 6 key facts about U.S. trade.
There’s no connection between bigger trade deficits and slower economic growth.
www.marketwatch.com
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by Michael W. Klein

mwkleinphd.bsky.social
Trump fires the BLS Commissioner because of bad jobs report. @ericagroshen.bsky.social warns of this autocratic move in this @econofact.bsky.social podcast econofact.org/podcast/the-...
The Vital Importance of Good Economic Statistics | Chats
A discussion with Erica Groshen on the role of the BLS, the importance of good data for decision-making, and concerns about political interference degrading the integrity of government statistics.
econofact.org
1 1

Reposted by: Michael W. Klein

fletcherschool.bsky.social
"Nixon famously put a lot of pressure on [then-Fed Chair] Arthur Burns to keep interest rates low... [resulting in] the high inflation that we had in the 1970s," says Professor @mwkleinphd.bsky.social of @econofact.bsky.social. @npr.org

www.npr.org/2025/07/30/n...
Trump keeps pressuring the Fed to cut rates. Here's why its independence matters
Trump has threatened to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell, challenging the Fed's independence. Experts say he's not the first president to target the central bank, but he's the most public and aggressive.
www.npr.org
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Reposted by: Michael W. Klein

fletcherschool.bsky.social
Professor @mwkleinphd.bsky.social interviews @byheatherlong.bsky.social on the importance of telling the stories of everyday people in economic journalism. @econofact.bsky.social

econofact.org/podcast/cove...
Covering What Matters in Economic Journalism | Econofact Chats
Heather Long reflects on her career as an economic journalist, highlighting her efforts to look beyond broad statistics to get deeper insights on the state of the economy.
econofact.org
1 1

Reposted by: Michael W. Klein

fletcherschool.bsky.social
Professor @mwkleinphd.bsky.social of @econofact.bsky.social quoted in a piece on the decreasing strength of the USD. @politifact.bsky.social

www.politifact.com/factchecks/2...
Has the dollar just had its biggest decline in 50 years?
In the first six months of his second term, has President Donald Trump presided over a historic decline in the value of the dollar? That’s close to accurate, and economists are expressing some concern...
www.politifact.com
1

by Michael W. Klein

mwkleinphd.bsky.social
Interest payments on the national debt are now bigger than spending on national defense. @dbergstresser.bsky.social in @econofact.bsky.social explains the sources of the increase in the interest burden of the debt & its maturity structure (and why that matters) econofact.org/the-cost-of-...
The Cost of Financing U.S. Government Debt | Econofact
The relatively short maturity structure of US government debt means that increases in interest rates translate rapidly into higher interest costs.
econofact.org
3 5

by Michael W. Klein

mwkleinphd.bsky.social
I interviewed @byheatherlong.bsky.social about her years of making economics accessible and compelling to her WaPo readers in this @econofact.bsky.social podcast econofact.org/podcast/cove...
Covering What Matters in Economic Journalism | Econofact Chats
Heather Long reflects on her career as an economic journalist, highlighting her efforts to look beyond broad statistics to get deeper insights on the state of the economy.
econofact.org
2 7

by Michael W. Klein

mwkleinphd.bsky.social
#Stablecoins - an emerging money or a risk to financial stability (or both)? Are they really different from #Bitcoin? Is the #GENIUS Act stupid? Udaibir Das discusses in this @econofact.bsky.social podcast econofact.org/podcast/unde...
Understanding the Rise and Risks of Stablecoins | Econofact Chats
A discussion with Udaibir Das on the potential benefits and risks of widespread adoption of stablecoins.
econofact.org
1

by Michael W. Klein

mwkleinphd.bsky.social
I’m quoted in this @nytimes.com editorial and my @econofact.bsky.social memo with Charles Collyns is cited and linked. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/o...
Opinion | The National Debt Is Already Causing Bigger Problems Than People Realize
www.nytimes.com
2 1

by Michael W. Klein

mwkleinphd.bsky.social
The National Debt Is Already Causing Bigger Problems Than People Realize www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/o...
Nice shout out to my @econofact.bsky.social memo with Charles Collyns.
Opinion | The National Debt Is Already Causing Bigger Problems Than People Realize
www.nytimes.com
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by Michael W. Klein — Reposted by: Jay Shambaugh

mwkleinphd.bsky.social
80:1 New #tariffs on steel and aluminum will destroy jobs. @kadeeruss.bsky.social & @lydiacox.bsky.social published original research in @econofact.bsky.social showing that the ratio of jobs that use steel in production to those that make steel is 80:1. econofact.org/will-steel-t...
Account - Bluesky Social
account.bsky.app
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by Michael W. Klein

mwkleinphd.bsky.social
Dollar securities have served as a safe haven. But with increased US policy uncertainty has that flipped? Charles Collyns and I confirm a shift in the relationship between policy uncertainty and the dollar with our analysis in @econofact.bsky.social .
Is the Dollar Losing Its Edge? | Econofact
Global investors typically flock to dollar-denominated assets when economic uncertainty spikes. That has not been the case lately.
econofact.org
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