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China's expanded monetary policy after the Great Recession helped support less productive companies.
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.

Philadelphia's soda tax did not work as intended.
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.

Data makes up a woman's profile
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.

A municipality grows within a piggy bank.
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.

A worker helps another worker learn at a computer.
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.

A trader looks at a volatile stock market chart made up of newspaper headlines.
June 3, 2019

What Causes Stock Market Swings?

Tariffs? Job reports? Oil prices? A new volatility index pinpoints which factors make investors feel uncertain.

A male scientist's lab is better funded than a female scientist's lab.
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.

Man reading financial literacy book in living room.
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.

An interaction is seen through a police dashboard camera and a police body camera.
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.

A person votes on Medicaid expansion.
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.

A home made of dollar bills blows away
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.

hands push a building-sized jenga.
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.

Lawmakers discuss legislation in the Capitol building as lightning and dark clouds gather outside.
January 3, 2019

Politicians Vote Differently When Journalists Aren’t Watching

During natural disasters, the media spotlight shifts—and special interests benefit.

A job hunter googles job information.
December 5, 2018

What Google Is Teaching Economists About Unemployment Insurance

Search data can tell policymakers whether extending unemployment benefits delays job-seeking.

a math teacher uses blocks to teach.
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.

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.

Militaries defend themselves against cyber attacks.
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.

People visit a bank
May 8, 2018

How to Make Economic Development More Inclusive

Two finance experts discuss the need to tailor strategies to specific underserved communities.

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.

Privatizing Medicaid drug benefits reduces spending
March 2, 2018

Privatizing Medicaid Drug Benefits Reduces Spending

The savings come without any decrease in quality of care, new research shows.

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