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Policy & the Economy

Economics Healthcare Policy Politics & Elections

Shadow of judges over tennis court
April 1, 2024

AI Has Entered the Court. Is This Changing Umpires’ Calls?

The Hawk-Eye review system in professional tennis has made umpires more accurate in many cases—but not all.

Immigrants spread across America
March 26, 2024

The Truth about U.S. Immigration

It is possible both to maximize the benefits of immigration and still maintain border security and support workers in sectors that immigrants may enter.

robot greeting new employees at an office
March 5, 2024

When New Technology Arrives, Who Wins and Who Loses?

For tools that assist but don’t replace workers, novices benefit, while experienced employees take a hit.

online users reading extreme content in vortex
March 1, 2024

How Trolls Poison Political Discussions for Everyone Else

Online political debate isn’t inherently toxic, a new study of Reddit commenters finds. Instead, it becomes toxic because of the kind of commenters who opt in.

Car at ribbon cutting for road opening
March 1, 2024

How to Award Contracts When You’re Concerned about Quality

You want a good price, but you don’t want lousy workmanship. What’s a buyer to do?

A customer uses a prescription drug copay coupon.
March 1, 2024

Video: Understanding America’s Prescription Drug Market

A healthcare economist answers questions about pharmaceutical innovation, costs, and more.

robot being fenced in by humans
February 23, 2024

The Dos and Don’ts of Regulating AI

How can governments capitalize on AI’s benefits while minimizing its dangers? New research examines several policies—and identifies a promising approach.

two lawyer stand in an MMA octagon
February 23, 2024

What’s at Stake in the UFC Antitrust Case?

The outcome of the mixed-martial-arts saga could have wide-ranging implications for the future of global sports entertainment.

Dermatologist and robot look at patient's head
February 5, 2024

What Happens When We Give Doctors an AI Assistant?

Machine-learning systems can improve physicians’ accuracy at diagnosing dermatological diseases. But even with AI assistance, physicians struggle to close the accuracy gap between light- and dark-skinned patients.

Gilded age bureaucrat holding items on his desk as train passes outside window
February 1, 2024

How the Railroad Laid the Tracks for Modern Government

Technologies that allowed federal officials to monitor workers from afar played a key role in the emergence of the bureaucratic state.

Man sitting thinking
January 4, 2024

Why Are So Many Young Chinese Depressed?

It’s not just the economic slowdown. The country’s education system and social policies have created a disillusioned generation.

people walking through a lively urban shopping district
January 2, 2024

Community Revitalization Is Hard to Get Right. Here’s How It Can Succeed.

“The basic amenities people want are pretty universal, but every community has its own priorities and ideals.”

apartment building with national flags displayed
January 1, 2024

How Should Global Cities Manage an Influx of Wealthy Foreign Residents?

In an age of remote work, the trend will only continue. So how can governments take advantage of the benefits while mitigating the harms?

figure under streetlight
December 11, 2023

Investing Over-the-Counter—and Under the Radar

In most markets, buyers and sellers benefit from soliciting many offers. New research shows why the opposite is true for OTC traders.

woman crossing rope bridge
November 28, 2023

The Long Tail of China’s Zero-Covid Policy

As the costs of China’s pandemic experience are tallied, younger generations are confronting a disconcerting new reality.

two factories in the heat, with the smaller one melting
November 1, 2023

In a Warming U.S., Smaller Manufacturers Are Feeling the Heat

Smaller firms struggle in the face of temperature shocks, while larger ones are less affected—a trend that is driving industry consolidation.

November 1, 2023

When Your Savings Account Is Also a Lottery Ticket

Prize-linked savings accounts can be more enticing to customers than interest rates—and banks like them, too.

group of younger employees waits outside older employees' offices
October 18, 2023

Why Younger Workers Just Can’t Get Ahead

In wealthy countries, the wage gap between older and younger workers is growing. A crowded promotion pathway could be to blame.

three people in line at a pharmacy with the same prescription and different priced receipts
October 6, 2023

Can We Build a Better Prescription Drug Market?

Medicare will soon be able to negotiate directly with drug makers. But one economist explains why “the goal should be to increase value, not just lower prices.”

smartphone on witness stand being questioned by lawyer while judge watches.
October 5, 2023

Big Tech Takes the Stand

Google may look like a monopoly, but is its power actually hurting consumers? A legal expert weighs in.

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