NDN Backgrounder: Looking Ahead to the G-20, the Long Road Back, Fixing Finance

Today, as Republicans release a manifesto labeled as an alternative budget and President Obama meets with CEOs of major banks, we're pleased to present you with some helpful thinking on these issues.

First, though, I'd like to draw your attention to an April 1 NDN event: The G-20 Summit and Beyond: Challenges Facing The Global Economy. This event, to be held at NDN and hosted by NDN President Simon Rosenberg, will feature NDN Globalization Initiative Chair Dr. Robert Shapiro and Dr. Moisés Naím, the Editor-in-Chief of Foreign Policy magazine. Click here to RSVP.

• The New Treasury Program: Sound Economics, Resting on Some Wishful Thinking by Dr. Robert Shapiro, 3/25/2009 - Shapiro points out that, since we've never seen this kind of crisis before, there's little way to know what will work to fix the financial system, but that doing nothing is unacceptable.

• Hope and Optimisim II by Michael Moynihan, 3/16/2009 - Moynihan looks at some recent developments in the financial world and sees cause for cautious optimism. 

• Weekly Kos Poll, GOP Still at 16 Percent, Messaging the Economy by Simon Rosenberg, 3/14/2009 - The strongest argument for President Obama's economic plan is that, despite strong productivity and GDP growth over the last eight years, the typical American family saw its standard of living decline.

• How Long the Recession Could Last - and Why It Matters So Much by Dr. Robert Shapiro, 3/12/2009 - Shapiro arguest that the Great Recession is anything but traditional, so there's little reason to expect a traditional recovery.

• Sustainable Funding for Sustainable Infrastructure by Michael Moynihan, 3/9/2009 - The old system for infrstructure funding is inadequate for creating a robust, clean infrastructure driven future.

• GOP Economic Policy as an Exercise in Grief Management: Denial, Anger & Rush Limbaugh by Dr. Robert Shapiro, 3/5/2009 - Shapiro puts on his psychologist hat and argues that the only explanation for the current Republican thinking on the economy is that they are angry and in denial about losing.

• The Utter Bankruptcy of Today's Republican Party by Simon Rosenberg, 1/28/09 - Rosenberg argues that Republican opposition to the economic recovery package represents the ideological bankruptcy of the party.

• A Stimulus for the Long Run by Simon Rosenberg and Dr. Robert Shapiro, 11/14/2008 – This important essay lays out the now widely agreed-upon argument that the upcoming economic stimulus package must include investments in the basic elements of growth for the next decade, including elements that create a low-carbon, energy-efficient economy.

• Accelerating the Development of a 21st Century Economy: Investing in Clean Infrastructure by Michael Moynihan, 10/18/2008 – NDN Green Project Director Michael Moynihan outlines a strategy for investing in clean infrastructure that will help create long-term prosperity.

• Back to Basics: The Treasury Plan Won't Work by Dr. Robert Shapiro, 9/24/2008 - As the financial crisis unfolded and the Bush Administration offered its response, Shapiro argued that, while major action was needed, the Treasury's plan would be ineffective.

• Keep People in Their Homes by Simon Rosenberg and Dr. Robert Shapiro, 9/23/2008 – At the beginning of the financial collapse, NDN offered this narrative-shaping essay and campaign on the economic need to stabilize the housing market.

• Making the Struggle of Every Day People the Central Focus of the National Debate by Simon Rosenberg, 8/17/2008 - As the 2008 presidential campaign entered a crucial phase, Rosenberg argued that political leaders must focus on raising the wages and incomes of Americans.