Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is arguing that a fractured democracy can have destructive effects on the economy — an indirect jab at Donald Trump. Yellen, in an address prepared for delivery Friday in Arizona, uses economic data to paint a picture of how disregard for America’s democratic processes and institutions can cause economic stagnation for decades.
Quick Read
- Yellen’s Warning: Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen highlights the negative impact of eroding democracy on economic growth, indirectly criticizing Donald Trump’s approach and actions.
- Speech Context: Scheduled to speak at the McCain Institute’s Sedona Forum in Arizona, Yellen uses economic studies to argue that democratic processes are essential for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
- Indirect Critique: Without directly naming Trump, Yellen addresses the risks associated with authoritarian governance, which promises economic gains at the cost of democratic integrity.
- Historical Reference: She references the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot as a significant threat to democracy, spurred by falsehoods about the electoral process.
- Global Perspective: Yellen also points to international scenarios, like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as examples of threats to democracy globally.
- Economic Stability and Law: She discusses the potential instability Trump’s governance style could reintroduce, such as undermining the rule of law, which is crucial for economic confidence and investment.
- China as a Cautionary Tale: Yellen uses China’s economic model as a warning, suggesting that the lack of democratic foundations could hinder its progress as an advanced economy.
- Federal Reserve Independence: Reflecting on her tenure as chair of the Federal Reserve, Yellen emphasizes the importance of maintaining the Fed’s independence for economic stability.
- Political Pressure on the Fed: Speculation exists that Trump might attempt to influence Federal Reserve policies if re-elected, contrasting with the Fed’s current stance on interest rates.
- Academic Support: Economists like Joseph Stiglitz and Vanessa Williamson reinforce Yellen’s points, discussing the broader economic risks associated with democratic backsliding and the importance of rule of law for business stability.
The Associated Press has the story:
Yellen: Threats to democracy risk US economic growth, an indirect jab at Trump
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP) —
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is arguing that a fractured democracy can have destructive effects on the economy — an indirect jab at Donald Trump. Yellen, in an address prepared for delivery Friday in Arizona, uses economic data to paint a picture of how disregard for America’s democratic processes and institutions can cause economic stagnation for decades.
Yellen, taking a rare step toward to the political arena, never mentions Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, by name in her speech for the McCain Institute’s Sedona Forum, but she hints at the former president’s potential impact if he regains the White House.
Her remarks serve as a sort of warning for business leaders who may overlook Trump’s disregard for modern democratic norms because they prefer the former president’s vision of achieving growth by slashing taxes and stripping away regulations.
Yellen acknowledges that democracy “doesn’t seem like typical terrain for a treasury secretary,” but she adds that “democracy is critical to building and sustaining a strong economy.” A copy of her speech was released in advance by her office.
“The argument made by authoritarians and their defenders that chipping away at democracy is a fair or even necessary trade for economic gains is deeply flawed,” she says. “Undercutting democracy undercuts a foundation of sustainable and inclusive growth.” She points to a study suggesting that democratization increases gross domestic product per capita by around 20% in the long run.
Yellen cites the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, as a day when democracy came under threat as “rioters, spurred on by a lie, stormed the Capitol.” Trump, who made false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him, has been charged with conspiring to overturn the election, among four criminal cases he is facing. He denies any wrongdoing.
And though Yellen didn’t specifically cite Trump’s comments, he again undermined the tradition of a peaceful transfer of power this week when he refused to commit to accepting this year’s presidential results in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Farther from home, Yellen cited other global threats to democracy such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Trump and those associated with him say they want to centralize the government’s powers within the Oval Office, such that he might subject people or companies that cross him to investigations, lawsuits and other penalties. That approach could undermine the rule of law that has enabled America’s market-based economy to thrive.
In her speech, Yellen points to China as a cautionary example and warns that its future growth is “far from certain.” She says that the absence of some democratic pillars will “continue to pose challenges as China navigates the transition to an advanced economy.”
Yellen’s speech comes when there is speculation that if Trump regains the White House he may put political pressure on the Federal Reserve to lower its benchmark interest rate, which stands at a two-decade high of roughly 5.3%. Fed Chair Jerome Powell this week said gaining confidence to lower rates “will take longer than previously expected.”
“As chair of the Federal Reserve, I insisted on the Fed’s independence and transparency because I believe it matters for financial stability and economic growth,” Yellen says in her speech. “Recent research has been consistent with my belief: It has shown that greater central bank independence is associated with greater price stability, which contributes significantly to long-term growth.”
A representative from the Trump campaign did not respond to an Associated Press request for comment.
Other leading economists and academics are challenging the right’s claims to the mantles of economic growth and liberty.
The Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, a friend of Yellen’s, last month published a book entitled “The Road to Freedom.” Stiglitz, in an interview, said Trump has preyed on people’s economic insecurities after decades of inequality and the erosion of the middle class.
“The economic state is what creates the fertile field for these demagogues,” Stiglitz said. “If they were feeling their incomes were going up rather than down, I don’t think they would find Trump attractive.”
In a paper released this week, Vanessa Williamson, a senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, said that businesses should be more concerned about the rule of law and democratic values.
She argues that there need to be stronger nonpartisan business associations and that CEOs and executives need to be fully aware of how a move away from democracy could hurt their bottom lines.
There is “indisputable evidence of the economic costs of democratic decline,” she said. “These costs include stagnation, policy instability, cronyism, brain drain, and violence.”
