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Speech Topics

Six Economic Themes for the Decade Ahead

There were six main drivers for the U.S. economy over the past quarter century—technology, globalization, credit, consumerism, inflation, and government. How will these drivers compare going forward and what are the implications for growth and investment? Make no mistake—2010-20 is a very different decade. Preparation for the road ahead is only possible if you know where the economy is going, which I focus squarely upon herein. Investment opportunities are there in any economy and this one is no exception—if you know what to expect. This talk provides the closest, clearest look into an economic crystal ball that you’ll ever get.

The Imagination Age: Third Wave of American Progress

America has left The Information Age and moved on—but to what? The answer is “The Imagination Age.” Ages are defined by what is dear—possible to have but expensive—and Ages end when what was once dear becomes commoditized. As food became commoditized we moved out of the Agrarian Age, as it happened with manufactured goods we moved out of The Industrial Age and now it is happening with information. Knowledge is cheap. What’s the next dear thing? The answers is Imagination—our ability to see what can be done with all the technology that’s around us. This talk focuses on America’s progression through the Ages and on what that means for us as American entrepreneurs, managers and workers. How can America stay on top in an expanding global economy? How can you make yourself more valuable? The title of this speech is also the title of my next book, in process.

Myths of Rich and Poor: Why We’re Better Off Than We Think

This speech follows up on my Pulitzer Prize nominated book of the same name, with updated data showing the state of living standards in America. I review five areas of American economic progress—1. consumption and wealth, 2. leisure time and recreation, 3. variety and choice, 4. working conditions, and 5. health, safety and security … showing how far we’ve come in each area and what’s to credit. It’s a good news, optimistic message at a time when otherwise it’s hard to find.

Looking for the New ‘New World’

This talk focuses on the monumental state-to-state migration that’s going on inside America (of both people and income), shows which states are gaining and which are losing, and WHY. The American yearning and quest for self determination is still alive and well. Although more Americans than ever are taking the drastic step of moving outside America, still most people move inside the country in search of something, and this talk shows what precisely what they’re looking for. This talk has implications for which states are attractive for relocating company headquarters, which are likely to be America’s growth engines of the future, and which are prime for real estate and other types of investment (as well as which to avoid). The secret to getting states back on track economically also applies to America as a nation.

Outsource or Die

The question is not is America outsourcing too many jobs, the question is are we creating enough global entrepreneurs. The advent of the internet and other new technologies have enabled most businesses—big and little alike—to improve their business model, not just by selling to a growing number of foreign customers but by incorporating foreign labor into production. Hardly any ways of doing things which were optimal in the early 1990s remain so today, especially in the service sector. The combination of American ownership, management and sales together with foreign labor is the signature new business model going forward. Don’t think you can’t do it.

Waiting for the Next Big Thing

This talk focuses on technology, and where we are now on the latest Kondratief Wave—the so-called “long wave” of economic activity. The growth tsunami of 1982-2007 was driven by the microchip and it’s numerous technology spillovers—computers, smart products, software, the Internet, etc. But many people are worried that the technology boom over. Is it, or are there other new big technology spillovers in play right now … and perhaps even the Next Big Thing?

Articles & Press

The New York Times Op Ed “An Order of Prosperity to Go”

The New York Times Op Ed “You Are What You Spend”

Wall Street Journal Op Ed “The New Inflation Equation” (this was touted by CNBC’s Squawk Box as “the greatest op ed article ever.”)

W. Michael Cox recently published six back-to-back articles at Investor’s Business Daily. The links are:

Longer Wait for Next Big Thing Will Slow Growth and Innovation

Today’s New Capitalists Promise 3 Billion New Consumers Tomorrow

Wave Goodbye to Easy Credit<

Caution Suddenly Back in Style for Once-Compulsive Consumers

A Different Mind Set for the Fed-More Inflation Not So Bad After All

Another Hurdle for the Economy-Bigger Government Like it or Not

Extended Biography

Dr. Cox is former Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, where he served for 25 years advising the bank’s presidents on monetary and other economic policies. He holds the distinction of being the Federal Reserve System’s only Chief Economist in history.  In 2009, Dr. Cox retired from the Fed and became director of the O’Neil Center, which focuses on the study and teaching of how competitive market forces impact freedom and prosperity in the global economy.

A native of Little Rock, Ark., Dr. Cox earned his doctorate at Tulane University. His thirty-five years of college teaching experience include stints at Virginia Tech, the University of Rochester and Southern Methodist University. He is Past President of the Association of Private Enterprise Education, a CATO Institute Adjunct Scholar, Senior Fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis, Senior Fellow at the Dallas Fed’s Globalization and Monetary Policy Institute and a Distinguished Scholar of Hendrix College, his undergraduate alma mater. Dr. Cox is also President and CEO of W. Michael Cox and Associates, LLP, a Dallas-based private consulting group.

Cox is author of Myths of Rich and Poor, a book nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.  He’s currently working on a book titled The Imagination Age, which will explore the next phase of America’s economic evolution. In addition to his publications in scholarly journals, Cox has written a series of 17 “annual report” essays that explain the inner workings of American capitalism. Cox has written numerous articles for The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, Financial Times, Investor’s Business Daily, Leadership Excellence magazine and D CEO magazine.

The media rely on Dr. Cox's ability to make plain sense out of difficult economic issues. He is a frequent guest on national radio, television and Internet programs, including Fox News, PBS’ Ideas in Action, ABC’s John Stossel program, CNN, C-SPAN, ReasonTV, Voice of America, and numerous talk-radio programs. He and his works have appeared in virtually every major newspaper and magazine worldwide.