Joe Biden’s choice of economic advisers signals his priorities

JOE BIDEN’S record as president may well hinge on his response to America’s economic woes. On December 1st the president-elect launched his effort to right the economy, when he formally unveiled his choices for top policy jobs. His economic team stands out for its diversity, its interest in climate change, and its emphasis on the welfare of working people, sending a clear signal of Mr Biden’s priorities. Its overriding challenge, though, will be to repair an economy battered by covid-19.

Many of the names on the slate are familiar. If confirmed by the Senate, Janet Yellen will become America’s first female treasury secretary. She is assembling one of the more impressive public-service careers in the economics profession, having led the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) during the Clinton administration, and the Federal Reserve from 2014 to 2018.

Experience aside, Ms Yellen’s broad acceptability across Democratic factions no doubt was a point in her favour. By contrast, Mr Biden’s CEA—an advisory body of wonks that aims to ground the president’s policies in sound economics—may be the most progressive in recent memory. It will be led by Cecilia Rouse, an economist at Princeton University, who if confirmed would be the first black woman to chair the council. Ms Rouse is no stranger to Washington, having advised both Bill...