Thesis: 1990's economic boom derived from Carter's energy policy

[fsbooks]

Jimmy Carter's energy policy made great efforts to increase energy productivity and reduce use. I have this distinct gut instinct that these efforts greatly strengthened the longterm economic foundations of society. The consequences of these efforts were perhaps slow to realize, but did have their payoff. Now of course, totally underminded.

What do others think?

[Jackpine Radical]

1. Unfortunately, Reagan strangled most of Carter's policies in the crib.

I certainly agree that a sane energy policy (conservation, alternative sources, innovation, etc.) would launch an economic boom, but Reagan symbolically took Carter's solar panels off the White House as one of his first acts, and then went on to dismantle most of the Carter energy initiatives.

[ProfessorGAC]

2. I Need To See Some Modeling To Support It

It's possible. I've done lots of, and seen many more, econometric models and have never seen that thesis proferred. So, at the very least, it's a unique POV.

But, it would require some extensive review of the data over many years before and many years after to determine the causation of the energy policy toward the economic effects.

It's an interesting idea, though. I might have to explore that. I'll keep your screenname on a note and let you know if i end up doing anything with it.
The Professor

[coda]

3. Carter was the only President to reverse our dependency on foreign oil

in how many years? Maybe since we started importing oil(just a guess).

Not all of it was policy driven because the oil embargo did bring market forces to bear, but the fact that it spurred a lot of jobs and the dollars from our increased % stayed here was huge factor in recovery of '83.

I think the rig count as Carter left office was 4000+ and it's running around a thousand now.

The most glaring problem with all this of course, is this county's finite reserves. I always saw more promise in the policies of conservation, efficiency and the funding of alternative sources of energy. Reagan dumped all that with untold detriment to the country.

If only people were aware of the incredible level at which we subsidize petroleum and I'm excluding war. I just wish that enormous "hidden" tax could be paid at the pump.

[uptohere]

4. don't think so

the boom had everything to do with abundant venture capital and the internet. And Mr Carter did nothing to add to either one.

[Yupster]

5. I give the internet the most credit

Unfortuantely, the internet also allows information to flow so quickly that it is now possible to move information jobs to India, so in a way our great invention actually helps quicken the decline of our economy.