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

Digital Euro

Question A:

Without a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC), Europe risks a further loss of control over its monetary system to foreign payment service providers, including US Big Tech platforms and US stablecoin issuers.

Responses

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

Without a credible, modern wholesale settlement solution in central bank money - whether via a wholesale CBDC or equivalent infrastructure - Europe risks a further erosion of payments autonomy.

Responses

Source: European Clark Center Economic Experts Panel
Methodology
 
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Financial Markets & Banking
Finance

Housing Affordability

Question A:

Having the government-sponsored housing agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac buy $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities would reduce mortgage rates by more than 25 basis points.

Responses

Source: Clark Center Economic Experts Panel
Methodology
Question B:

Having the government-sponsored housing agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac buy $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities would measurably improve the affordability of home ownership.

Responses

Source: Clark Center Economic Experts Panel
Methodology
Question C:

Restrictions on large institutional investors buying single-family homes would measurably improve the affordability of home ownership.

Responses

Source: Clark Center Economic Experts Panel
Methodology
 
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Finance and the Economy
US

ACA Subsidies

This US survey examines (a) Without extension of the expanded public subsidies for Affordable Care Act healthcare plans, there would be a substantial rise in the number of Americans without health insurance; (b) Losses in the health and well-being of Americans who could no longer afford health insurance in the absence of the subsidies would exceed the savings from the expiration; (c) The possible need for subsidies substantially in excess of those initially provided by the ACA indicates that other changes in the healthcare system are needed to enable broad-based access 
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Healthcare & Wellbeing
US

Venezuela

This US survey examines (a) The US intervention in Venezuela will have no measurable impact on the world oil price over the next 12 months; (b) The US intervention will lead to a substantial increase in the profitability of US energy companies over the next five years; (c) The US intervention will lead to a substantial increase in economic growth in Venezuela over the next five years 
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Democracy, Government, & Public Policy
Europe

Venezuela

This European survey examines (a) The US intervention in Venezuela will have no measurable impact on the world oil price over the next 12 months; (b) The US intervention will lead to a substantial increase in the profitability of US energy companies over the next five years; (c) The US intervention will lead to a substantial increase in economic growth in Venezuela over the next five years 
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Democracy, Government, & Public Policy
On Global Markets

Is AI Different?

Over the past two months, alongside the regular coverage of the Clark Center’s polls and other news, On Global Markets has been reporting on the discussions held at the Economic Experts Conference 9/10 October. Most of those sessions were held under the Chatham House Rule. The development of artificial intelligence (AI), in its various guises, […] 
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Articles
On Global Markets

Is GDPR Working?

The regulation of Big Tech, the internet, and digital markets in general is a realm of transatlantic diversion. The last decade has seen the European Union (EU) press ahead with its General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – which brought about strict laws on data handling – and enact the Digital Markets Act, which designated some […] 
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Articles
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Topics

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Recent Polls

AI and Stock Prices

AI and Stock Prices

March 6th, 2026
Emissions Regulation

Emissions Regulation

February 26th, 2026
Emissions Regulation

Emissions Regulation

February 26th, 2026
Interest-Bearing Stablecoins

Interest-Bearing Stablecoins

February 17th, 2026
Housing Affordability

Housing Affordability

February 11th, 2026

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FTxBooth: Fed Chair Nominee

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The Digital Euro

The Digital Euro

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