US Economic Experts Panel

The Clark Center for Global Markets explores economists’ views on vital policy issues via our US and European Economic Experts Panels. We regularly poll over 80 economists on a range of timely and relevant topics. Panelists not only have the opportunity to respond to a poll’s statements, but an opportunity to comment and provide additional resources, if they wish. The Clark Center then shares the results with the public in a straightforward and concise format.

Please note that from September 2022, the language in our polls will use just two modifiers to refer to the size of an effect:

‘Substantial’: when an effect is large enough that it would make a difference that matters for the behavior involved.
‘Measurable’: when the direction of the effect is clear, but perhaps experts would differ as to whether it is substantial.

Electric Vehicles

Question A:

The current $7,500 tax credit for purchasing electric vehicles is regressive.

Responses

Source: Clark Center Economic Experts Panel
Methodology

Question B:

To encourage greater take-up of electric vehicles, public expenditure on infrastructure to support them (such as charging stations) is likely to be more cost-effective than providing equivalent amounts as tax credits/purchase rebates for buyers.

Responses

Source: Clark Center Economic Experts Panel
Methodology

Business, Management, & Corporate Performance

July 26, 2022

Roe V. Wade Reversal

Question A:

Laws restricting access to abortion are likely to have a negative impact on women's educational attainment, labor market participation, and earnings, particularly those in households of lower socio-economic status.

Responses

Source: Clark Center Economic Experts Panel
Methodology

Question B:

States that ban abortion are likely to suffer significant economic losses.

Responses

Source: Clark Center Economic Experts Panel
Methodology

Healthcare & Wellbeing

July 12, 2022

Labor Unions

Jobs, Pay, & Unemployment

June 29, 2022

Price Gouging

Business, Management, & Corporate Performance

June 7, 2022

Stablecoins

Business Cycles, Recessions, & Crises

May 25, 2022

Energy Sanctions

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues and many call for a strengthening of sanctions, an alternative to a full energy embargo has been discussed in the form of European Union tariffs on imports of Russian gas. We invited our European and US experts to express their views on this proposal, asking both panels whether they agree or disagree with the following statement, and, if so, how strongly and with what degree of confidence:

Environment, Climate Change, & Natural Resources

May 11, 2022

Inequality

In preparing for the IGM conference on THE ROLE OF ECONOMICS AND ECONOMISTS IN PUBLIC POLICY AND PUBLIC DEBATE, which was originally scheduled for April 2020, we asked the US economic experts panel these questions in February 2020. When the conference was delayed by the pandemic, we deferred releasing the results. Now that the conference is approaching (it takes place on 28-29 April 2022), we are reporting the findings.

Poverty, Inequality, & Social Mobility

April 19, 2022

Oil Industry Taxes

Clark Center Economic Experts Panel

March 30, 2022

Ukraine

What are the likely economic consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the responses by the international community? We invited our US and European experts to express their views on the potential fallout for the Russian economy, the European economy, the US dollar’s role as an international currency, and global growth and inflation. We asked both panels whether they agreed or disagreed with the following statements, and, if so, how strongly and with what degree of confidence:

Business Cycles, Recessions, & Crises

March 8, 2022

Crypto Assets

Business Cycles, Recessions, & Crises

February 28, 2022