Paul Craig Roberts

Paul Craig Roberts is an American economist, journalist, and former government official who served as the United States Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy under President Ronald Reagan in 1981. He is known for his role in developing and implementing supply-side economic policies during the Reagan administration. As a journalist and author, Roberts has written extensively about economic policy, geopolitics, and social issues for numerous publications including The Wall Street Journal, where he served as an editor. His published works include "The Supply-Side Revolution" (1984), "The New Color Line" (1995), and "How the Economy Was Lost" (2010). In recent decades, Roberts has become known for his criticism of U.S. foreign policy, mainstream media, and economic policies. He maintains a regular column on his website and has contributed to various alternative media outlets. His economic theories and political commentary have often challenged mainstream perspectives, particularly regarding monetary policy, globalization, and international relations. Roberts holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Virginia and has taught at several academic institutions including Stanford University and Georgetown University.

Readers consistently note Roberts' shift from mainstream conservative economics to more controversial political commentary. Amazon reviewers cite his detailed analysis of economic policies, though many question his later perspectives on Russia, Ukraine, and US politics. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of complex economic concepts - First-hand insights into Reagan-era policies - Independent thinking that challenges conventional narratives - Direct writing style without academic jargon What readers disliked: - Perceived bias in coverage of Russia/Ukraine conflict - Repetitive themes across multiple books - Limited sourcing for controversial claims - Combative tone in recent works Ratings across platforms: - Amazon: 4.2/5 average (across major titles) - Goodreads: 3.8/5 average - "The Supply-Side Revolution" rates highest at 4.4/5 - Recent political works average 3.5/5 One reader noted: "Strong economic analysis undermined by increasing political partisanship." Another wrote: "Essential perspective on Reagan economics, but recent work needs more rigorous fact-checking."

The Tyranny of Good Intentions (2000) An examination of how the US legal system has shifted from protecting individual rights to expanding government power.

How the Economy Was Lost (2010) Analysis of the 2008 financial crisis and its relationship to offshoring, trade policies, and federal economic management.

Chile: Two Visions - The Allende-Pinochet Era (1978) Historical account of Chile's economic and political transformation during the 1970s.

The Supply-Side Revolution (1984) Documentation of Reagan-era economic policies and their implementation during Roberts' time as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.

Alienation and the Soviet Economy (1971) Technical analysis of the Soviet economic system and its structural characteristics.

The New Color Line: How Quotas and Privilege Destroy Democracy (1995) Critique of affirmative action policies and their impact on American institutions.

The Capitalist Revolution in Latin America (1997) Study of market reforms and economic liberalization across Latin American countries during the 1980s and 1990s.

Marx's Theory of Exchange, Alienation, and Crisis (1973) Academic examination of Marxist economic theories and their interpretations.

Naomi Klein writes about economic policies, corporate globalization, and their societal impacts. Her investigative work examines similar themes to Roberts regarding neoliberalism and market deregulation.

Michael Hudson analyzes financial systems and economic policy through a critical lens. His work on debt, monetary policy, and financial capitalism aligns with Roberts' focus on economic power structures.

Chris Hedges reports on political institutions and corporate influence in America. His examination of power systems and decline of democracy covers territory parallel to Roberts' writings.

Dean Baker focuses on macroeconomics and critiques of mainstream economic policy. His analysis of financial markets and government economic decisions shares common ground with Roberts' economic perspectives.

William Engdahl investigates geopolitics and international financial systems. His work connects economic policies to global power dynamics in ways that complement Roberts' writings.