George Will
George Will
George Frederick Willis an American newspaper columnist and political commentator. He is a Pulitzer Prize–winner known for his conservative commentary on politics. In 1986, The Wall Street Journal called him "perhaps the most powerful journalist in America," in a league with Walter Lippmann...
ProfessionJournalist
Date of Birth4 May 1941
pain suffering nightmare
The eurozone status quo is neither tolerable nor stable. Mainstream economists would call it an inferior equilibrium; I call it a nightmare - one that is inflicting tremendous pain and suffering that could be easily avoided if the misconceptions and taboos that sustain it were dispelled.
differences decision tests
Making an investment decision is like formulating a scientific hypothesis and submitting it to a practical test. The main difference is that the hypothesis that underlies an investment decision is intended to make money and not to establish a universally valid generalization.
running government over-you
At times of recession, running a budget deficit is highly desirable. Once the economy begins to recover, you have to balance the budget. But it will also need additional revenues. Should the government not receive them, we will all get punished with higher interest rates.
events influence anticipate
Markets can influence the events that they anticipate.
views always-wrong biased
Market prices are always wrong in the sense that they present a biased view of the future.
hurt omnipotence long
The only thing that could hurt me is if my success encouraged me to return to my childhood fantasies of omnipotence - but that is not likely to happen as long as I remain engaged in the financial markets, because they constantly remind me of my limitations.
marijuana enforcement cost
Regulating and taxing marijuana would simultaneously save taxpayers billions of dollars in enforcement and incarceration costs, while providing many billions of dollars in revenue annually.
expectations study theory
I am not well qualified to criticize the theory of rational expectations and the efficient market hypothesis because as a market participant I considered them so unrealistic that I never bothered to study them.
ideas important movement
A global economy is characterized not only by the free movement of goods and services but, more important, by the free movement of ideas and of capital.
punishment government would-be
You could adjust the punishment to fit the infraction. Even a small fine would be enough to bring an errant government to heel.
trying world problem
We are trying to make the world a better place, but that is not necessarily what we accomplish. Many of the problems which preoccupy us are basically insoluble.
business wells humans
Well, you know, I was a human being before I became a businessman.
knowing regulation needs
Markets are imperfect. So you do need regulation, knowing that the regulators are also human.
world globalization economy
Globalization has rendered the world increasingly interdependent, but international politics is still based on the sovereignty of states.