Brookings Institution （6do encyclopedia）

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The Brookings Institution is a non-profit, public policy think tank based in Washington, D.C. Brookings is a globally recognized institution that has been influential in shaping public policy debates and has played a key role in shaping many of the key policy decisions in the United States over the past century.

Founded in 1916 by philanthropist Robert S. Brookings, the institution’s mission is to conduct research, provide policy recommendations, and promote new ideas and innovative solutions to some of the toughest societal problems facing America and the world. It is non-partisan and supported by donations and endowments from individuals, foundations, and corporations.

The scholars at Brookings investigate a wide range of topics including economics, foreign policy, governance, technology, and climate change. They regularly publish papers, books, and opinion pieces on critical policy issues and present them to policymakers, officials, journalists, and the general public.

History

Brookings was founded in 1916 by businessman and philanthropist Robert S. Brookings. Brookings’ idea was to create an institution that would research and analyze public policies and provide evidence-based recommendations to policymakers. Brookings’ aim was to apply the principles of scientific research to the realm of policy analysis, a novel approach at the time.

Initially, Brookings was located in St. Louis, Missouri, and focused on issues related to social welfare. However, in the early 1920s, the institution moved to Washington, D.C. to be closer to the center of policy-making. Since then, the Brookings Institution has grown to become one of the most influential think tanks globally.

Presidents

The Brookings Institution has had eight presidents since its inception, each of whom has contributed to the institution’s growth and development.

1. Robert S. Brookings (1916-1928) – Brookings’ founder was instrumental in setting up the institutional framework, focusing on the scientific research-driven approach to problem-solving.

2. Harold Moulton (1928-1948) – Moulton expanded Brookings’ scope, taking on research in areas such as education and government reform.

3. Arthur F. Burns (1948-1953) – Burns, an economist and former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, emphasized macroeconomic issues.

4. Kermit Gordon (1953-1967) – Gordon continued the institution’s growth, expanding the institution’s research into areas such as foreign policy and national security.

5. Bruce MacLaury (1967-1982) – MacLaury emphasized international economics and politics, culminating in Brookings’ establishment of the Center for the Study of Democracy.

6. Michael Armacost (1982-1995) – Armacost prioritized the role of technology in public policy, environmental studies, and international relations.

7. Strobe Talbott (1995-2002) – Talbott focused Brookings’ research on globalization, energy policy, and the future of democracy.

8. John R. Allen (2017-present) – Allen has emphasized Brookings’ commitment to provide evidence-based solutions to the most critical problems facing society, such as climate change, economic inequality, and health care.

Organization and Programs

The Brookings Institution is a large organization comprising numerous research programs and initiatives, including the Global China, Foreign Policy, Governance Studies, and Economic Studies programs. Each of the programs has a team of experts who conduct research, produce reports, and engage with policymakers on the issues related to their specific area of focus.

The Foreign Policy program specializes in the study of international relations, diplomacy, and security. It offers insights on foreign policy challenges, terrorism, and ideological extremism, and is a key source of data and analysis for policymakers.

The Global China program is tasked with analyzing China’s growing influence on global politics, economics, and society. Its research focuses on Beijing’s domestic political environment and foreign policy, the Belt and Road Initiative, and other significant developments in China.

The Governance Studies program covers issues such as government reform, health policy, and institutional design. It conducts research on voting rights, bureaucracy, campaign finance, and many other related issues of governance.

The Economic Studies program emphasizes examination of the U.S. labor market, financial regulation, and budget and taxation policies. Its reports offer insights into income inequality, macroeconomic trends, and international trade and competitiveness.

In addition to these core research programs, Brookings has several specialized initiatives, including the Metropolitan Policy Program, the Center for Technology Innovation, and the Africa Growth Initiative, among others.

Impact and Legacy

Brookings has been an influential institution in shaping public policy decisions in the United States. It has provided research and analysis to inform policy decisions on issues such as Social Security, the Marshall Plan, education reform, and many other topics. The institution has been instrumental in shaping foreign policy decisions, the growth of the federal government, and the expansion of civil rights in the United States.

Brookings scholars are often called upon by government officials, news media, and business leaders to provide insights on policy issues. Many of the authors of Brookings’ research papers have gone on to influential careers in academia, advocacy, government, and business. The institution’s reports and analyses are widely cited by policymakers, journalists, and researchers worldwide.

The Brookings Institution has become a beacon of public policy research, advancing the principles of rigorous scholarship in pursuit of a better world. Its pioneering work in evidence-based research has contributed to the growth of policy analysis as a field, influencing the way policymakers evaluate and address public issues.

Endowed with a vast body of intellectual resources and a meticulously researched perspective that resonates with global leaders and informed citizens alike, the Brookings Institution remains a strong voice in the global public policy arena.

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Erdogan’s political path from mayor to one-man rule of Turkey

Washington Post

23-05-13 06:00

Turkey's political future is to be decided on Sunday as the country goes to the polls in an election that could determine the fate of its long-serving President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. First elected as mayor of Istanbul in 1994, Erdogan founded the conservative, Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2001 and became prime minister after his party's victory in 2003. When the AKP won Turkey's first presidential election based on a national vote in 2014, Erdogan became president. Following a failed military coup in 2016, Erdogan's power has become ever more concentrated, with strict controls on the media and the abolition of the role of prime minister. An opposition leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, has promised voters an alternative by vowing, “nothing will never, ever happen to you because you criticise me". As we noted in February, concerns have been raised over free and fair conduct of the vote.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/05/13/president-erdogan-career-turkey-election/

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Wendy Sherman, No 2 US diplomat and China point person, to retire

South China Morning Post

23-05-12 17:47

Wendy Sherman, an important member of the Biden Administration developing an Indo-Pacific strategy to respond to China, is retiring from her position as Deputy Secretary of State. Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, thanked her in a statement for overseeing efforts to strengthen the country’s bonds with Japan, South Korea and the European Union, and for managing relations with China. Sherman is the highest-ranking State Department official from the Biden administration to have travelled to China. Beijing gave her two lists earlier this year, one outlining remedial action for the US to take towards China, and the other stating Beijing’s key concerns.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3220420/us-deputy-secretary-state-wendy-sherman-top-china-negotiator-biden-administration-retire

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In Xi’s China, Economic Needs May Take a Back Seat to Security

NY Times

23-05-12 14:43

China's pursuit of economic growth and political security abroad is proving contradictory, with Beijing’s attempts to attract foreign investors and stabilise relations with the West facing collision with President Xi Jinping’s priority of boosting national security. Xi has warned that foreign rivals are using spies to weaken China’s economy, as well as encouraging countries under sanctions like Russia and Iran to adopt Chinese technology and innovate in closed technology systems. The worldwide clampdown of the COVID-19 pandemic also enabled the re-balancing of the Chinese economy towards exports, fuelling accusations of pandemic-protectionism. Domestically, Chinese authorities have become more hostile to consulting firms with international ties, stating they breach national security for accessing data about Chinese industries. This has placed China in opposition with the West, with the recent expelling of a Canadian diplomat in response to Ottawa’s decision to ask a Chinese official to leave after being accused of intimidating and gathering family information on a Canadian parliamentarian.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/12/world/asia/china-xi-security-economy.html?searchResultPosition=6

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In polarized Turkey, not even an earthquake can shake deep ideological divisions

CNN

23-05-12 04:46

Three months since a devastating earthquake struck southeast Turkey, killing over 50,000 people and displacing more than 6 million, survivors are preparing to cast their vote in the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections. For many survivors, anger at the botched earthquake response by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has intensified existing divisions leading up to the election. Critics argue that an ushering in of relaxed building regulations have contributed to a lax approach to building control, leading to worse impact of the quake, and putting an indictment on Erdogan’s leadership. Polls suggest the opposition coalition candidate, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu may be ahead across the country; however, little polling data is available from the earthquake zone. Despite criticisms, Erdogan’s supporters in the area remain confident of his success, often citing his committed Muslim faith and elevation of millions out of poverty in the first half of his rule. However, the veneer of normality in some Erdogan strongholds masks an underlying tension, as merchants return to tents following the earthquake and pollsters point to possible post-election riots.

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/12/europe/erdogan-earthquake-election-intl/index.html

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Turkey’s Erdogan, master campaigner, faces toughest contest yet

Japan Times

23-05-12 02:34

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is in a battle with opposing challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu in the presidential elections to be held this coming Sunday. Though Kilicdaroglu currently features an edge over Erdogan, the Turkish president may still win the election. The country has been gripped by rising inflation, a crumbling lira, and a redction in the living standards of its population. Many Turks are hoping for change at a time of uncertainty, anxiety, anticipation and tension in the country. Erdogan has been increasing his grip on power, marginalising critics and opponents, the media and judiciary and firing the last three central bank governors in two years. If the election is lost, an official has said that Erdogan will “completely meaningless and baseless” to suggest he would refuse to leave office; although his opponents argue that his accumulation of power, and the disarray caused thereof, constitutes a crisis in itself.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/05/12/world/turkey-erdogan-election-challenge-analysis/

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G7 host Japan seeks unity on threat from China

Financial Times

23-05-16 01:23

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s key aim during the annual G7 summit this weekend is to establish a united G7 response to China's military ambitions and "economic coercion," as the country continues to seek closer ties with NATO and imposes sanctions against Moscow as a result of the ongoing war in Ukraine. China’s interventionism has driven Japan to adopt a very cautious approach, revamping its military organisation and increasing security cooperation with nations in Southeast Asia and Europe. However, it is anticipated that the G7 will not agree on any specific new economic tools of security, and crucially, China will not be named in the statement. This widespread caucus approach aims to support countries being bullied by China rather than being completely focused on an offensive strategy. The EU, as well as other G7 members, remain very reluctant to adopt a more antagonistic stance, preferring to improve relations with emerging economies, particularly from Asia, Africa and South America.

https://www.ft.com/content/0998ac9a-58eb-44e2-b362-42cf5a0d468b

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America is hurt by its debt ceiling theatre of the absurd

Financial Times

23-05-16 13:19

The possibility of the US defaulting on its debts makes world leaders “look at the US and see a damning portrait. In this broken system, many elected officials do not respect the results of a presidential election and permit policy and ideological differences to stand in the way of honouring the government’s financial obligations”, warns an op-ed in The Financial Times. The editorial notes that the US needs a long-term solution where debt ceiling theatrics are replaced with coherent long-term budgeting. It highlights the fact that efforts by Democratic presidents to lower prospective deficits in the past have merely allowed Republicans to slash taxes when they returned to power; and that the Republicans are using threats of default to achieve cuts in spending and taxes rather than in deficits, for which they have been unable to secure decisive electoral victories. This in turn, makes it increasingly more likely that the crash will eventually happen.

https://www.ft.com/content/05c42080-e3d9-4d3c-8651-e40c548efaa3

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What Is the ‘Quad’ Alliance and Why Doesn’t China Like It?

Bloomberg

23-05-16 23:00

The Quad, an informal alliance of democracies consisting of the US, Japan, India and Australia, has been given new momentum under President Biden, who is set to visit Japan this month. The last summit of Quad leaders, held in Tokyo, led to a programme aimed at curbing illegal fishing across the Indo-Pacific. The group initially came together as a “core group” in response to the devastating Boxing Day tsunami in 2004, while its origins as a formal Quadrilateral Security Dialogue go back to a call by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007. The Quad essentially fell apart the following year, amid concerns that it would alienate China. However, nationalist governments in Japan and India have renewed interest in the group in recent times. China has dismissed the Quad as a means of undermining its interests, with Beijing warning that it contains the “obsolete Cold War and zero-sum mentality”.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-16/what-is-the-quad-alliance-and-why-doesn-t-china-like-it?srnd=next-china

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G-7 leaders likely to focus on the war in Ukraine and tensions in Asia at summit in Hiroshima

The Toronto Star

23-05-17 06:54

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will host meetings with the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries from 3 to 5 December in Hiroshima, Japan,—a location that underscores the nation’s “commitment to world peace” just as China seeks a more assertive role in Asia. The meeting will take place amid rising tensions in the region which has been plagued with territorial disputes, nuclear threats by North Korea and growing concern over an increasingly powerful China. G7 leaders will address challenges such as escalating conflict between Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels, Japan's efforts to open up its own, heavily protected markets and revised global financial regulation. G7 countries comprising Germany, the US, Japan, the UK, France, Italy and Canada, will offer greater support to the Group of South to improve political and economic ties, and build further support to isolate Russia and stand up to China’s aggressive behaviour. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be attending. Ancillary to the meetings, US President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Moon Jae-in to discuss regional security.

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/asia/2023/05/17/g-7-leaders-likely-to-focus-on-the-war-in-ukraine-and-tensions-in-asia-at-summit-in-hiroshima.html

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Why a government default could be worse than a government shutdown

Associated Press

23-05-18 17:41

The US has never defaulted on debts, causing "massive uncertainty" to surround the possibility, according to Shai Akabas, director of economic policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center. The government would be forced to prioritise who gets paid and when in the event of a default, which would be a "very different situation" from a government shutdown, he said. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and economists have warned that a default would have "catastrophic" consequences, leading to job losses, unpaid federal government payments, "widespread suffering" and disruption to the air traffic control and law enforcement systems, among others.

https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-default-government-shutdown-explainer-b38474f210e519aeb3f48107ca2657ba

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Japan, South Korea, U.S. to tighten trade and defense ties

Nikkei Asia

23-05-19 03:07

https://s3-ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/psh-ex-ftnikkei-3937bb4/images/6/3/2/1/45651236-1-eng-GB/3leaders.jpg（图片大于 4 MB）

Japan, South Korea and the US will discuss the potential impact on supply chains and trade as well as ways to counter China in various sectors during talks at the Group of Seven summit. Andrew Yeo, senior fellow and the SK-Korea Foundation Chair in Korea Studies at the Brookings Institution's Center for East Asia Policy Studies said of the US's aims: "The US is trying to outcompete China, and that requires coordination with allies".

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/G-7-in-Japan/Japan-South-Korea-U.S.-to-tighten-trade-and-defense-ties

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Texas Must Enact School Choice To Remain Competitive

Heritage

23-05-19 02:34

Texas governor Greg Abbott has put forward a K–12 education savings account proposal for families to choose the best learning environments for their children but it is being met with opposition. Several rural Republican legislators have opposed the plan, arguing it would not benefit rural areas where families would have little option but to keep children in their local schools. However, private education options are more widespread in rural areas than anticipated, with the Brookings Institution finding that seven in 10 rural families live within 10 miles of a private elementary school. States such as Arizona and Florida offer expansive school-choice policies and have seen an increase in rural private school enrollment along with improvements to public school performance. Texas lawmakers should keep these factors in mind when making their decision on the proposal.

https://www.heritage.org/education/commentary/texas-must-enact-school-choice-remain-competitive

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This little-known rule shapes parking in America. Cities are reversing it

CNN

23-05-20 09:02

The policy of mandatory minimum parking requirements, which requires parking spaces for a large number of buildings, is starting to be scrutinized by cities and towns across the United States. Critics say that parking minimums reduce the supply of housing, making it more expensive for people who are looking for affordable housing. According to WGI, a construction engineering company, it costs around $28,000 to build a parking spot in the US, with construction costs highest in New York City, where a new parking spot costs up to $36,000. Mandatory parking requirements also have environmental consequences, such as increasing traffic congestion and carbon emissions because fewer people walk or cycle. A number of cities, both Republican-led and Democrat-led, are reforming parking rules, with California being the first state to pass legislation that ends parking minimums for new developments nearby to public transit. US Representative Robert Garcia, a Democrat from California, recently introduced a bill that would eliminate parking minimums for new affordable residential, retail, industrial, and commercial construction.

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/20/business/parking-minimums-cars-transportation-urban-planning/index.html

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US cities with military bases risk economic damage in debt ceiling fight

CNN

23-05-20 14:00

US cities with large military bases could experience a significant economic fallout if the US defaults on its debt within two weeks, which would mean the government would be unable to meet its financial obligations. Over a sixth of government spending is dedicated to national defence, which encompasses salaries to federal workers and payments to social security recipients. If the country is unable to pay its national defence bills, cities with large military bases would potentially experience missed payments and rising debt, as well as a significant pullback in spending, which would cut local businesses’ bottom lines.

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/20/business/military-cities-debt-ceiling/index.html

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Will Biden's hard-hat environmentalism bridge the divide on clean energy future?

The Independent

23-05-20 12:49

John Podesta, adviser to President Joe Biden and ex-adviser to President Barack Obama, is tasked with unravelling an obstacle to the US's transition to carbon-free electricity – a bureaucratic permitting process for renewable energy projects. Podesta argues that environmentalists will have to accept the need for oil and gas production in the short term, or risk slowing the pace of change. A recent Brookings Institution analysis of federal data found that transmission lines can take up to seven years to be permitted, while natural gas pipelines can take less than half that time. Biden's proposed $1tn infrastructure bill, which has yet to pass through the Senate, includes measures to shorten federal permitting times.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/john-podesta-ap-republicans-joe-biden-white-house-b2342656.html

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When You're in a Cold War, Play for Time

Bloomberg

23-05-21 04:00

Detente seems to be in the air between China and America according to an opinion piece in Bloomberg. It describes several significant breakthroughs in meetings between Chinese and American officials, a far cry from the frosty silence of recent times. Perhaps most poignantly, President Joe Biden’s National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan recently gave a speech at The Brookings Institute where he appeared to be intent on making Cold War II less chilly. Moreover, the opinion piece argues that the Chinese economy may not live up to its great expectations, showing some signs of headwinds with China’s dire demographic prospects and over-leveraged and depressed real estate sector.

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-05-21/us-china-rivalry-economics-says-biden-s-new-de-risking-will-work?srnd=next-china

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US Congress: how investment funds became the new insider trading risk

Financial Times

23-05-23 04:20

US lawmakers are using investment funds to trade with little scrutiny, causing concerns over conflicts of interest according to reports. Whereas individual stock transactions must be reported within 45 days, senators purchases portfolio positions just once a year. At the end of 2021, almost 90% of senators sold investment funds worth $260m, dwarfing the scale of individual stock trading. Investors with around 50% of senators owning individual stocks with a cumulative value of over $60m, excepted investment funds are typically highly concentrated, prompting an analysis into how they are used. Democracy Forward, a non-profit progressive group is calling for the US securities regulator to expand the scope of stock-trading disclosures.

Concerns around conflicts of interest come particularly as high-ranking officials have been shown to have profited from using confidential briefings to trade stocks during the early stages of Covid-19. While some experts argue that rules have failed to keep up with the investment industry over recent decades, the suggested exemptions from reporting rules are based on the belief that funds are diversified and difficult to exploit. However, according to former chief ethics lawyer for the Bush administration, Richard Painter, industry and country-specific funds create the same issues with respect to conflicts of interest and criminal insider trading that individual stocks do.

Problems with Congress not keeping up-to-date with industry changes are highlighted, and the White House remains subject to tighter restrictions on funds that concentrate on country-specific or particular sectors. There are growing concerns, however, over members of Congress investing their funds heavily in countries that are trading with the US with a principal task to grow the US economy. The calls for greater transparency are likely to continue as the push towards ESG continues to enhance the scrutiny of investment practices across the board.

https://www.ft.com/content/e3ed73d1-c97c-41c6-9993-6c1023da418c