Clark Center Forum

About the Clark Center Forum

The Forum for the Kent A. Clark Center for Global Markets is home to the European, Finance, and US Economic Experts Panels as well as a repository of thoughtful, current, and reliable information regarding topics of the day.
Europe

Populism and the Economy

Question A:

Economic insecurity is a more important driver of the recent rise of populist movements than voters’ concerns about national culture and identity.

Responses

Source: European Clark Center Economic Experts Panel
Methodology
Question B:

Populist movements that achieve electoral success lead to a substantial slowdown in economic growth.

Responses

Source: European Clark Center Economic Experts Panel
Methodology
Question C:

Some degree of potentially growth-constraining policies on trade, investment and/or migration is necessary to limit the further rise of populist movements in Europe.

Responses

Source: European Clark Center Economic Experts Panel
Methodology
 
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Democracy, Government, & Public Policy
US

Populism and the Economy

Question A:

Economic insecurity is a more important driver of the recent rise of populist movements than voters’ concerns about national culture and identity.

Responses

Source: Clark Center Economic Experts Panel
Methodology
Question B:

Populist movements that achieve electoral success lead to a substantial slowdown in economic growth.

Responses

Source: Clark Center Economic Experts Panel
Methodology
Question C:

Some degree of potentially growth-constraining policies on trade, investment and/or migration is necessary to limit the further rise of populist movements.

Responses

Source: Clark Center Economic Experts Panel
Methodology
 
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Democracy, Government, & Public Policy
US

Defense Procurement

This US survey examines (a) Defense procurement that invites potential suppliers to propose technologies with potential military benefits rather than requiring them to meet tightly specified government requirements would generate substantially stronger military capabilities; (b) Defense procurement that enables start-up firms and other new entrants to participate (either as sole contractors or jointly with others, including incumbents) would generate substantially more innovation in military capabilities than directing spending predominantly towards incumbent contractors 
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Regulation, Competition, & Market Power
On Global Markets

AI Risks

Over the last couple of weeks, AI risk seems to have gone mainstream. Social media was set abuzz when some current and former Anthropic employees noted that they genuinely believed that there was a real risk of an AI disaster wiping out the human race. That led, understandably enough, to all sorts of coverage across […] 
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Articles
Finance

AI and Financial Risks

This Finance survey examines (a) The AI-led boom in investment and growth has substantially increased the exposure of the economy and the stock market to a single concentrated source of tail risk; (b) The use of financing from technology suppliers such as Nvidia to support investments in AI infrastructure substantially increases the financial risks associated with the AI-led boom 
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Finance and the Economy
Europe

Defense Procurement

This European survey examines (a) Defense procurement that invites potential suppliers to propose technologies with potential military benefits rather than requiring them to meet tightly specified government requirements would generate substantially stronger military capabilities; (b) Defense procurement that enables start-up firms and other new entrants to participate (either as sole contractors or jointly with others, including incumbents) would generate substantially more innovation in military capabilities than directing spending predominantly towards incumbent contractors 
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Regulation, Competition, & Market Power
US

Extreme Weather

This US survey examines (a) Government restrictions on insurance premiums are preventing insurance prices from fully reflecting the increasing physical risks associated with climate change; (b) By preventing climate-related risks from being fully reflected in insurance prices, government interventions are encouraging economic activity in areas that are increasingly exposed to extreme weather 
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Democracy, Government, & Public Policy
On Global Markets

An Oracle or an Obstacle?

This week the Fed hiked rates. This was hardly unexpected given that inflation remains above target, that growth looks solid, and that continuing inflationary pressures are very apparent. In such circumstances, a hold – whatever the President might desire – would have been much more noteworthy. 75% of respondents to the latest FTxBooth US Macroeconomists […] 
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Articles
FT-Booth US Macroeconomists Survey

FTxBooth: Fed’s Next Steps?

In anticipation of today’s FOMC press conference, the FTxBooth US Macroeconomists Survey panel explores the possible next steps the Fed could take. The summary results are below and you can read the Financial Times article here, subscription required. View the results of this survey>> For social media: Please use the hashtag #FTxBooth when referring to […] 
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Articles
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Topics

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Recent Polls

Populism and the Economy

Populism and the Economy

October 6th, 2026
Populism and the Economy

Populism and the Economy

October 6th, 2026
Defense Procurement

Defense Procurement

September 30th, 2026
AI and Financial Risks

AI and Financial Risks

September 23rd, 2026
Defense Procurement

Defense Procurement

September 23rd, 2026

Recent Articles

Reforming Defense Procurement

Reforming Defense Procurement

October 5th, 2026
AI Risks

AI Risks

September 25th, 2026
An Oracle or an Obstacle?

An Oracle or an Obstacle?

September 18th, 2026
FTxBooth: Fed’s Next Steps?

FTxBooth: Fed’s Next Steps?

September 16th, 2026
Europe’s Extreme Weather

Europe’s Extreme Weather

September 11th, 2026