Stephanie Kelton — MMT and the Deficit Myth

The Interview ·
Featuring Stephanie Kelton and Marshall Auerback

Published on: July 7th, 2020 • Duration: 59 minutes

By both surprise and necessity, Modern Monetary Theory is here at our doorstep. And with neither major party remaining as the party of 'fiscal responsibility', it seems there is little standing in the way of MMT becoming the premise for US government spending initiatives. That’s why it is more important than ever to understand the thinking behind MMT and the common misconceptions surrounding it -- and to prepare your portfolio for its increased acceptance by politicians who view it as an invitation to spend. In this interview with Marshall Auerback of the Levy Economics Institute, Stephanie Kelton breaks down the arguments put forward in her new book, "The Deficit Myth: Modern Monetary Theory and the Birth of the People's Economy". Together they discuss why MMT does not give governments carte blanche to spend indiscriminately. Kelton also articulates why comparing government debts to private debts is flawed. She explores the varying gradations of monetary sovereignty as it relates to constraints on countries potentially using MMT as an economic framework. Finally, Kelton touches on the 'job guarantee vs. UBI' debate and much more in this interview that is sure to be a learning experience for MMT skeptics and believers alike. Filmed on July 2, 2020.