Author
Bernard Wasow

Economist
Bernard Wasow is an economist who has been a member of the faculties at the University of British Columbia, the University of Nairobi and New York University. He has been a visiting professor at Columbia University, Monash University and the Central European University, in Prague.
Mr. Wasow has also worked in the research department of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and as a program officer at the Ford Foundation. He has also been a senior fellow at the Century Foundation.
Beyond teaching, his extensive overseas experience includes a year each in Puerto Rico, with the Committee to Study Puerto Rico’s Finances, and in Bangladesh, with the Harvard Institute for International Development. He also participated in World Bank missions to Kenya, Mongolia and Indonesia.
Mr. Wasow received his B.A. degree from Reed College and a Ph.D. in economics from Stanford University. He spent a year as a DAAD Fellow at the Free University of Berlin. His publications are primarily in the fields of international economics and development.
Articles by Bernard Wasow
Vaccination Rejection in Historical Context
Why do so many people still oppose vaccination for COVID?
September 8, 2021
Karl Marx and Milton Friedman: What They Got Right
People on the left and the right view Marx and Friedman as true icons of their causes. The two men are rarely mentioned for their similarities.
May 23, 2021
Fixing the US Immigration System: Back to the Future
The US needs to return to stop discriminating against those with little education. Let’s set up an immigration lottery to make it work.
September 8, 2017
Qatar: A Pariah?
Unlike its neighbors, Qatar has continued to do well ranked by perceived corruption.
July 8, 2017
Five Ways to Fight Populism
The best response to populism is active government policy. We need more and better smart liberalism.
May 14, 2017
US Expats in Mexico: Will We Be Thrown Out?
What will happen to Americans living in Mexico if the hostility toward Mexican-Americans is put into action?
December 3, 2016
Thriving on Immigration
The U.S. experience offers Europe hope that the process of cultural digestion is manageable.
September 8, 2015
The World Bank: The Data Gatherer That Did Not Gather Data
The World Bank subtly dodges debate about income inequality in rich countries.
July 23, 2014
Bridging the Gender Gap
Does Islam really limit the opportunities and achievements of women?
February 16, 2014
East Africa: Left Behind
Why have fertility rates in East Africa bucked the global trend — and what does this mean for the region's future?
December 26, 2011
How Europe and the U.S. Dropped the Baton
What does the end of U.S. and European global dominance mean for the world economy?
August 18, 2011
Freedom and Corruption
Do the data suggest that there is any stable relationship between democracy and corruption?
May 17, 2011
A (Very) Brief History of Corruption
What trends in the prevalence of corruption has the world experienced in recent years?
March 10, 2011
Who Should Be in the World Cup?
Which regions are overrepresented — and which are underrepresented — in the 2010 World Cup?
July 6, 2010
Europe’s Fiscal Crisis and U.S. States
Should Europe's struggles to solve Greece's financial mess sound familiar to Americans?
May 28, 2010
No Time to Waste
Why has the international debate over stimulus packages veered off course?
December 19, 2008
Taming Wild Markets (Part II)
How should financial instruments be regulated to prevent future market meltdowns?
October 22, 2008
Taming Wild Markets (Part I)
How did risky, complicated financial instruments lead to the U.S. mortgage meltdown?
October 21, 2008
Little Giants
Based on medals per capita, who is the real winner of the 2008 Beijing Olympics?
September 2, 2008
Don’t Cry for Me, Doha Trade Round
Is the Doha Round dead — or is it enduring yet another near-death experience?
August 4, 2008
The School of Hard Energy Knocks
Which countries make the grade when it comes to energy efficiency — and which earn failing marks?
June 24, 2008
Dateline Kenya: Democracy as a Nation Breaker?
Has the West's insistence on democracy contributed to the current turmoil in Kenya?
January 29, 2008
U.S. Immigration Reform: It’s Cheaper to Keep Her
When it comes to immigration reform, why has the U.S. Congress decided to stay with the status quo?
July 5, 2007
Out of Africa, Once More
Why will those least responsible for global warming be forced to migrate because of climate change?
May 28, 2007
Airline Ticket Taxes and Development Aid
Is this new idea just a gimmick — or a case of real European leadership?
February 28, 2006
Shaping African Prosperity
Why will the G8's aid go to waste unless Africa helps secure its own future?
July 18, 2005
Greasing Palms: Corruption in Mexico
What effect does corruption have on Mexico's ability to lure important foreign investment?
June 27, 2005
The Streets of Nairobi
How is telecommunications shaping Nairobi's economy and consumer culture?
May 30, 2005
The Downsizing of the Dollar in Oil Prices
How are oil prices impacting the value of the dollar in relation to other foreign currencies?
April 26, 2005
World Leaders Spin the Olympic Medals
Which country did best at the Athens Olympics?
September 3, 2004
A Tourist in Morocco
A first-hand account of the thrills — and frustrations — of visiting Morocco.
July 19, 2004
Should We Trust China?
Should China's recent economic growth and moves toward banking reform concern or reassure Westerners?
March 30, 2004
“PDA” and Global Development
How will PDA affect economic development in poor countries in the coming years?
January 7, 2004
Getting Tough on Agricultural Subsidies
Is the era of agricultural subsidies coming to an end after key WTO negociations failed?
November 12, 2003
Is Manufacturing Disappearing?
Is the manufacturing industry in crisis — and what does it harbor for the future?
October 7, 2003
Regional Trading Blocs — Too Small To Matter?
How do regional trade agreements compare in terms of market size?
September 9, 2003
A Raisin in the Sun?
Why should politicians around the world make a real commitment to African development?
April 19, 2003
A Globalization Balance Sheet
How do countries benefit from an economy open to trade and a mindset open to the free exchange of ideas?
January 7, 2003
The U.S.-China Race
Are Japan and the United States ready for the rapid growth of China's economy?
January 1, 2003
California’s Investment Ethics Go Global
What standards should be used in making global investment decisions?
January 1, 2001
Vaccination Rejection in Historical Context
September 8, 2021
Karl Marx and Milton Friedman: What They Got Right
May 23, 2021
Fixing the US Immigration System: Back to the Future
September 8, 2017
Qatar: A Pariah?
July 8, 2017
Five Ways to Fight Populism
May 14, 2017
US Expats in Mexico: Will We Be Thrown Out?
December 3, 2016
Thriving on Immigration
September 8, 2015
The World Bank: The Data Gatherer That Did Not Gather Data
July 23, 2014
Bridging the Gender Gap
February 16, 2014
East Africa: Left Behind
December 26, 2011
How Europe and the U.S. Dropped the Baton
August 18, 2011
Freedom and Corruption
May 17, 2011
A (Very) Brief History of Corruption
March 10, 2011
Who Should Be in the World Cup?
July 6, 2010
Europe’s Fiscal Crisis and U.S. States
May 28, 2010
No Time to Waste
December 19, 2008
Taming Wild Markets (Part II)
October 22, 2008
Taming Wild Markets (Part I)
October 21, 2008
Little Giants
September 2, 2008
Don’t Cry for Me, Doha Trade Round
August 4, 2008
The School of Hard Energy Knocks
June 24, 2008
Dateline Kenya: Democracy as a Nation Breaker?
January 29, 2008
U.S. Immigration Reform: It’s Cheaper to Keep Her
July 5, 2007
Out of Africa, Once More
May 28, 2007
Airline Ticket Taxes and Development Aid
February 28, 2006
Shaping African Prosperity
July 18, 2005
Greasing Palms: Corruption in Mexico
June 27, 2005
The Streets of Nairobi
May 30, 2005
The Downsizing of the Dollar in Oil Prices
April 26, 2005
World Leaders Spin the Olympic Medals
September 3, 2004
A Tourist in Morocco
July 19, 2004
Should We Trust China?
March 30, 2004
“PDA” and Global Development
January 7, 2004
Getting Tough on Agricultural Subsidies
November 12, 2003
Is Manufacturing Disappearing?
October 7, 2003
Regional Trading Blocs — Too Small To Matter?
September 9, 2003
A Raisin in the Sun?
April 19, 2003
A Globalization Balance Sheet
January 7, 2003
The U.S.-China Race
January 1, 2003
California’s Investment Ethics Go Global
January 1, 2001