“With Lagarde taking over the helm of the IMF, the global financial system finally has a spokesperson with the intelligence and the communications skills to articulate the grave threats facing us. It could not have taken place at a more opportune time.

“To date, ideologues in the U.S. and Europe have waged their sophomoric battles — witness the Greek and U.S. debt crises — without adult supervision. I believe Ms. Lagarde is up to the task.”

Contact Hurley at ckhurley@bu.edu or 617-353-5427.