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Focuses on the future of the world in 2050, and the likely political and ideological alliances of West and East. The possibility of a NATO disintegration, which will mandate a huge increase in military spending for Europe; The rise of China, projected economic strength in 2020 as compared to the United States and Russia, and political alliances which will form around and against it; Eurasia as a politically instable region.

The article discusses the use of yield curves to predict gross domestic product (GDP) growth across rich countries. Topics addressed include instances of economic turmoil in the U.S. that have been foreshadowed by short-term interest rates exceeding long-term ones, evidence of a correlation between changes in spreads and changes in economic growth, and the possibility that U.S. economic growth will slow following the flattening of its yield curve in 2018.

The author offers opinions on U.S. economic policy. While acknowledging that divided government has resulted in a lack of coherent national policy, he argues that state and municipal governments are engaging in creative policies to generate economic development, particularly reforms in education. This is said to indicate that U.S. economic growth could be more robust than is commonly forecast.

The article considers U.S. economic conditions. The possibility that the economy could revert to recession in the second half of 2011 following two quarters of very slow growth is discussed. It is noted that economic indicators which typically precede recessions do not support that possibility. Monetary and fiscal policies which might increase growth are examined.

Focuses on the effects a stock market reversal in the United States could have for US banks. Comparison to Japan in the 1990's, and the economic suffering of their banks; Market capitalization of Citigroup; Stock shares in US banks lagging far behind the market average; Declining credit quality in the US; Deficit consumer spending in the US, which will prolong a recession.

Discusses the performance of the United States stock market as of March 20, 1999. Dow Jones Industrial Average passing the 10,000 mark on March 16th; Subsequent drop; How the profitability of American companies has increased during the past few years; Rise in the broad Standard & Poor's 500 index linked to increased profits; Predictions.

Argues that Internet stocks are overvalued. Inexperience of Internet traders, who do not know how to value stocks; Rapid change of the Internet; View that Internet companies are unlikely to earn profits to justify the price of their stocks; How a collapse of Internet shares could affect the United States economy.

Claims that the United States economy is vulnerable to recession. Prediction of the end of the high share prices in the stock market; Unreasonable spending of consumers and businesses; Wide availability of credit.

Questions whether a recession will occur in the United States. Predictions of economists that a recession will occur in 1999; Problem of international trade; Possible collapse in capital spending; Predictions of J.P. Morgan; Consumer's reaction to the growing world financial crisis.

Discusses the possible reasons for the decline in the American dollar in October of 1998. Fall in the dollar caused by the unwinding of positions by hedge funds that had borrowed in cheap yen to finance purchases in dollar assets; How the fall reflects optimism that Japan will cure its sick banking system; Concerns that the United States economy will slow markedly in 1999.

Reports that the economic expansion in Great Britain and the United States show signs of faltering. Length of growth in both countries; Indicators that suggest that the economies are slowing; Profits; Stockbuilding; The yield curve; Slowing economy and rising inflation faced by Britain; US optimism as a fault.

Questions whether the United States economy is going to boom for the next 20 years as of April 1998. The argument of Mort Zuckerman, chairman and editor-in-charge of `U.S. New & World Report' magazine; The suggestion that evidence of the old economic rules are working; Graph of earnings and unemployment and productivity; Economic conditions.

Ponders where the economy of the United States in headed in 1995. Revelation by the country's purchasing managers that their index of manufacturing activity had hit a four-year low in May; Decrease in non-farm employment; Critics of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy; Views of Michael Levy, the chief economist at NationsBank Capital Markets.

Looks at projections from the US Congressional Budget Office. The expectation of fiscal surpluses from 2002 to 2007; The meaning of the prediction for supply-side Republicans and liberal Democrats; The projections as doing little to change the United States' long-term fiscal prospects.

Argues that rumors of the death of inflation are exaggerated. Judging when to tighten policy to prevent inflation rising as the economy picks up steam; Growth in the American economy for the fourth quarter; Modest increase in American interest rates now would not stop the economy in its tracks; Central bankers view inflation as a vampire to be slain; Inflation can be useful lubricant that helps relative wages to adjust.

Reports that with President George Bush's hold on the White House grower weaker and weaker, many have started to speculate what President Bill Clinton's presidency may hold for the markets. Few big institutions are making sweeping changes to their portfolios; Why bonds tend to do less well over time under a Democratic president; Huge federal deficit prevents Clinton from spending more to boost the economy; Most of the reshuffling taking place in asset classes; What else to expect; More.

Considers the accuracy of economic forecasts and how they could be improved. Why economic forecasters' reputations have been severely dented of late; Studies conducted by economist Victor Zarnowitz of the University of Chicago; Reliance of conventional forecasting upon computer models.

States that in recent years the reputation of economic seers, from Wall Street gurus to government number-crunchers, has fallen lower than ever. Why much of the current criticism of their work is ill-informed; Assertion that investors cannot avoid using forecasts.

Reports on a `Bank Credit Analyst' report that concludes that businessmen, economists and journalists are typically still deeply gloomy as economic recovery gets underway. Example of 1975 article in `The Economist'; Examples of gloomy articles from `Business Week' in the early 1980s; Predictions.

Presents the latest economic forecasts from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Limited optimism; Outlook for the United States, Britain, Canada, Germany, and Japan; Details.