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Begin New Search Topic International Relations Author Robert E. Litan

1. "Offshoring" Service Jobs: Bane or Boon and What to Do?

Author:
Lael Brainard and Robert E. Litan
Publication Date:
04-2004
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
The Brookings Institution
Abstract:
Americans worry the economy is permanently shedding jobs and compressing wages, not only in manufacturing but also now in services once assumed immune to foreign competition. The digitization of information and expanded bandwidth abroad are enabling companies to outsource to low-wage countries services ranging from routine call center work to higher-value software programming, medical diagnosis, and research and analytical activities.
Topic:
International Relations, Foreign Policy, Government, and Political Economy
Political Geography:
America

2. The Insurance Industry in America

Author:
Robert E. Litan and Richard J. Herring
Publication Date:
03-2004
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
The Brookings Institution
Abstract:
Economists and insurance experts have studied the industry for many years and have developed a series of theoretical concepts to explain how insurance markets function. The prevailing view of the demand for insurance was summed up by one conference participant who noted that an economically rational consumer would understand that apart from certain tax benefits, when you buy insurance, you're making a bet with an insurance company, which the insurance comp any wins on average because it must cover administrative costs and earn a competitive return for its shareholders. From this perspective it makes sense to insure only against potential losses so large as to affect your standard of living. But that is not always how consumers behave.
Topic:
International Relations, Foreign Policy, Government, and Political Economy
Political Geography:
America

3. The Uncertain Future of the Telecommunications Industry

Author:
Robert E. Litan and Roger G. Noll
Publication Date:
01-2004
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
The Brookings Institution
Abstract:
The U.S. telecommunications industry is riding a roller coaster. For most of the 1990s, the industry's future looked promising. The growth of Internet use, the promise of a broadband network, and a less restrictive regulatory environment that was expected following passage of the 1996 Telecommunications Act led industry experts to forecast rapidly growing demand for core network services along with high-margin business opportunities in an expanding array of new information services. The industry backed these expectations with massive investments to expand the capacity of both wireless and wire line networks as well as to facilitate the expected boom in high-speed data transmission.
Topic:
International Relations, Foreign Policy, Government, and Political Economy
Political Geography:
United States