Policy & the Economy
August 13, 2019
When People Think Their Neighbors Support Trump, They’re More Likely to Express Anti-immigrant Views
Social norms are powerful—but fluid. A study of the 2016 election shows how they can change.
Georgy Egorov, Leonardo Bursztyn and Stefano Fiorin
August 1, 2019
China Weathered the Global Recession with an Aggressive Stimulus Package. But Did It Prop Up the Wrong Firms?
A cautionary tale about the unintended consequences of credit expansion.
Lin William Cong, Haoyu Gao, Jacopo Ponticelli and Xiaoguang Yang
July 1, 2019
Do Soda Taxes Work? It’s Complicated.
A look at the Philadelphia soda tax shows that it had some benefits—but it didn’t stop people from buying sugary drinks.
Stephan Seiler, Anna Tuchman and Song Yao
July 1, 2019
We’re at a Data Privacy Crossroads. Where Do We Go From Here?
What individuals, regulators, and companies need to consider as we live more of our lives online.
Jennifer Cutler and Samuel Goldberg
June 26, 2019
Do High Local Taxes Really Hurt Economic Growth?
Corporate incentives and low tax rates are supposed to make a city more business-friendly. An economist explains why that’s often not the case.
Therese McGuire
June 3, 2019
A Nation’s Wealth May Depend on How Much Its Workers Can Learn on the Job
New research suggests that formal schooling is not the panacea to global inequality that many have long believed it to be.
David Lagakos, Benjamin Moll, Tommaso Porzio, Nancy Qian and Todd Schoellman
June 3, 2019
What Causes Stock Market Swings?
Tariffs? Job reports? Oil prices? A new volatility index pinpoints which factors make investors feel uncertain.
Scott R. Baker, Nicholas Bloom, Steven J. Davis and Kyle Kost
May 2, 2019
How Big Is the Gender Gap in Science Research Funding?
Two new studies look at who wins the prestigious grants and prizes that can make or break a scientist’s career.
Brian Uzzi, Diego FM Oliveira, Yifang Ma and Teresa Woodruff
May 1, 2019
Worried You’re Not Saving Enough for Retirement? Here’s What You Can Do.
An economist offers suggestions for individuals and policymakers to help make retirement more secure.
Benjamin Harris
April 4, 2019
Do Police Body Cameras Provide an Impartial Version of Events?
New research reveals that people assign blame differently after viewing body cam versus dash cam footage.
Broderick Turner, Eugene Caruso, Mike Dilich and Neal J. Roese
January 7, 2019
Which Voters Want to Expand Medicaid? Maybe Not the Ones You Think
4-year degree-holders tend to be big supporters—even though they are personally unlikely to benefit.
David A. Matsa and Amalia R. Miller
January 7, 2019
Not Everyone Benefited from Lower Interest Rates During the Great Recession
The Fed wanted to help struggling homeowners. But new lending rules undermined its efforts.
Anthony DeFusco and John Mondragon
January 7, 2019
How to Navigate a Vertical Merger after the AT&T and Time Warner Ruling
Here’s what companies can do to minimize antitrust concerns in an uncertain regulatory environment.
Mark McCareins
January 3, 2019
Politicians Vote Differently When Journalists Aren’t Watching
During natural disasters, the media spotlight shifts—and special interests benefit.
Ethan Kaplan, Jörg L. Spenkuch and Haishan Yuan
December 5, 2018
What Google Is Teaching Economists About Unemployment Insurance
Search data can tell policymakers whether extending unemployment benefits delays job-seeking.
Scott R. Baker and Andrey Fradkin
December 3, 2018
Organizational Change Is Often a Tough Sell, but Encouraging Peer Interactions Can Help
A study of teachers offers lessons on how to get employees on board with reforms.
James P. Spillane, Megan Hopkins and Tracy M. Sweet
September 13, 2018
Supreme Court Justices Become Less Impartial and More Ideological When Casting the Swing Vote
A new study suggests that justices may treat cases differently when given a chance to shape policy.
Tom Clark, B. Pablo Montagnes and Jörg L. Spenkuch
August 3, 2018
How Governments Can Better Defend Themselves Against Cyberattacks
The threat of retaliation can keep the peace. But that assumes you know who is attacking you.
Sandeep Baliga, Ethan Bueno de Mesquita and Alexander Wolizky
May 8, 2018
How to Make Economic Development More Inclusive
Two finance experts discuss the need to tailor strategies to specific underserved communities.
Janice C. Eberly and Don Graves
March 5, 2018
Does Lowering the Corporate Tax Rate Spur Economic Growth?
Results of a new study have implications for the recent U.S. tax overhaul.
Nir Jaimovich and Sergio Rebelo
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