Why Welfare Reform Didn’t End Welfare Stigma
20 years after welfare reform, stigma surrounding cash benefits remains.
Should We Set a Speed Limit on High-Speed Trading?
Can slower financial traders find a haven in a world of high-speed algorithms?
What’s (Still) Wrong with Executive Compensation in America
Executive compensation reflects neither productivity nor demand for skills in a particular sector. Yet some CEOs are still receiving 881 percent raises.
How to Cut Smoking Rates
A working paper released the National Bureau of Economic Research suggests that lifting people out of poverty could cut smoking rates.
Has the Famous Populist “Cross of Gold” Speech Been Unfairly Tarred by Anti-Semitism?
July 9 marks the 120th anniversary of Populist leader William Jennings Bryan’s famous "Cross of Gold" speech at the 1896 Democratic National Convention.
Why Does the IMF Care if Britain Leaves the EU?
The IMF is warning against a "Brexit." But what's the history behind the organization that has such an influence in world financial affairs?
What the Titanic Reveals About Class and Life Expectancy
The recent anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic reminds us of the serious and often-roundabout influence socioeconomic status can ...
A Brief History of the Income Tax
The significance of the date April 15 is not lost on anyone in the modern United States. But ...
Do National Parks and Monuments Make Economic Sense?
National parks and monuments can harm local economies in some situations, but in other situations they can substantially boost local economies.
Jackpot: For Colonial Slaves, Playing the Lottery Was a Chance at Freedom
Complaints that the lottery is a regressive tax on the poor have been around since the beginning of the lottery in America.