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Geoeconomics

The AGI Geoeconomics Program promotes original thinking and debate on U.S., German, and EU global economic strategy with a focus on ways that trade, climate, financial, and technology policies can advance their shared interests, prosperity, and values.
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Structure of the U.S. Health Care System

Insurance The United States has had a more privatized system than most European countries, with a relatively low proportion of health insurance provided by public programs. According to the Commonwealth …

Structure of the German Health Care System

Insurance In Germany, individuals purchase insurance through a system characterized by public-private partnership. Federal law requires all Germans to hold health insurance, but does not provide coverage directly. In the …

The Master Tactician

Facing increasing headwinds within her coalition, Merkel has decided to ask for a constitutional majority of two thirds of lawmakers to endorse the European fiscal pact, arguably her main personal achievement since the beginning of the crisis. It was a bold tactical move that could have far reaching consequences.

The ‘Good’ Week

In spite of some cautionary words from Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke on the economic recovery, this past week was a relatively good one for the financial markets. However, according to AICGS Senior Fellow Alexander Privitera, the mood could soon be changing.

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Buying Time, Building Firewalls

European leaders have finally agreed to a deal that will send the next tranche of financial aid to embattled Greece in exchange for further austerity measures in Athens. According to Senior Fellow Alexander Privitera, while the deal will help Greece stay afloat in the short term, it increasingly signals that politicians in Europe may simply be buying time for an eventual Greek default.

Unwarranted Schadenfreude (or Why the Survival of the Euro Matters to Americans)

Schadenfreude [shahd-n-froi-duh] noun: satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else’s misfortune  It’s very tempting for Americans to roll their eyes about the debt crisis in Greece, and to treat the …

The Moral Dilemma

While promoting the work of his government to U.S. President Barack Obama, Italian Prime minister Mario Monti was suddenly asked by his host how he dealt with German Chancellor Angela …

Italian Lessons for Bernanke

Looking at Europe, FED Chairman Ben Bernanke has drawn some hard lessons that the U.S should be aware of. In fact, with the most acute phase of the Euro crisis somewhat abating, Bernanke feels compelled to issue a stern warning to U.S. politicians not to make the same mistakes made by some European countries, which have made them vulnerable to fiscal crisis. What happened to Europe could very well happen to the US, and more suddenly and sooner than many today think is possible.

Germany’s Hidden Weaknesses

Dr. Norbert Walter is the former Chief Economist of Deutsche Bank. Dr. Walter is currently head of Walter & Töchter Consult. In this essay, which originally appeared in the New …

Triple U (UUU) – The Way the Global Economy Goes!

Dr. Norbert Walter offers an assessment of the global economy’s path in light of the eurozone crisis and upcoming election in the United States.

European Visions in Davos

Alexander Privitera examines Chancellor Merkel’s speech at the World Economic Forum, in which she strongly defended the euro and laid out a plan for further European integration. According to Mr. Privitera, her words will not be enough to solve the euro crisis in the near future. However, the speech should help assure financial markets of Germany’s continued commitment to the euro and the project of European integration.