This book reveals the authors' strong understanding of fiscal restraint. Calling for a return to historical and rational policies, the authors argue against the positions that today’s politicians and electorate favor. Beginning with the debt incurred when the US was newly founded and continuing through the COVID-19 crisis, Poulson and Merrifield uncover the shift from rational economic policies in the US to a form of economic reasoning that tries to do the right thing based on compassion toward others… This book provides insights into this subject matter that challenge and distinguish it from many college-level textbooks. It is written in a clear and concise manner, and the authors lucidly explain academic jargon, terms, formulas, and graphs, offering both lay readers and new students of economics a broad understanding of the subject matter. Recommended. Undergraduates through faculty and general readers.

Choice Reviews

Restoring Sustainable Macroeconomic Policies is an excellent primer on the state of America's fiscal woes. The book is especially useful for individuals who are relatively new to fiscal and monetary policy or do not regularly follow economic news. It can also serve as a great reference and historical timeline for individuals more knowledgeable about fiscal and monetary policy.

Nathan's Papers: Books for CONGRESS

Poulson and Merrifield illuminate the hidden, but exorbitant, social cost of current U.S fiscal policy and identify a sustainable, pro-growth, Federalist founders-inspired alternative. A must read for policy makers and staff.

Marvin Phaup, George Mason University

Most American voters, and most American policy makers, recognize that the federal government’s deficit spending is generating unsustainable growth in the national debt, yet deficit spending continues unchecked. Barry Poulson and John Merrifield explain why deficit spending continues, and offer commonsense policy recommendations to bring deficit spending under control.

Randall G. Holcombe, Florida State University

This is an excellent and timely book on the growing problem of U.S. government debt. Restoring Sustainable Macroeconomic Policies in the U.S. provides a wide-ranging and noteworthy discussion of the history of U.S. debt, the politics that drive it, and prospects for restraining it. Poulson and Merrifield make a compelling case for "rules-based" reform that constrains political dysfunction, while providing thoughtful and careful examples. A first-rate contribution.

John E. Garen, professor emeritus, University of Kentucky

Restoring Sustainable Macroeconomic Policies in the U.S. is a masterful indictment of the
United States’ delusions on deficits and debt. Poulson and Merrifield argue their case for fiscal sanity with such verve and lucidity that even politicians and journalists may follow with little difficulty and much profit.

Steve H. Hanke, The Johns Hopkins University