Oct 27 Column: Why do wealthy nations unravel? A lack of nationalism, says this economist By Todd G. Buchholz In "Price of Prosperity: Why Rich Nations Fail and How to Renew Them," Buchholz argues that as nations become more wealthy and more prosperous, they begin to unravel. He points to factor such as eroding nationalism and work ethic, a… Continue reading
Oct 27 Column: With its currency woes, will Nigeria let market forces do their job? By Vikram Mansharamani Nigerian President Muhammudu Buhari has tried to control the currency market rather than allowing market forces to fully determine foreign exchange rates. But there are also signs of market liberalization. Continue reading
Oct 26 Column: Questionable Social Security and Medicare policies put seniors in a bind By Philip Moeller Social Security announced last week that its annual cost of living adjustment would be a paltry three-tenths of 1 percent in 2017. This small increase is not only unfair to Social Security recipients, but will also trigger an absolute mess… Continue reading
Oct 25 How flipping a coin can actually help you change your life By Making Sen$e Editor When faced with deciding whether to make a change, people may be too cautious for their own good, a new study finds. Continue reading
Oct 24 Column: Do we need librarians now that we have the internet? By Robert Graboyes For better or worse, the digital age forces experts to make the case that a Google search doesn’t replace the librarian, and WebMD doesn’t replace the doctor. Continue reading
Oct 21 Column: What shadow economies cost us in dollars and lives By Vikram Mansharamani We tend to think of markets as the open, above-ground institutions described in economics classes. But we miss a lot by ignoring the shadow economies that exist all over the world. Continue reading
Oct 20 Why this conservative economist supports a carbon tax in Washington By Paul Solman Washington state's Initiative 732 proposes imposing a tax on carbon emissions. The initiative has gained support from unlikely places. Continue reading
Oct 20 Column: $15 minimum wage won’t hurt workers? Don’t take it seriously By Mark J. Perry Many of us in the economics profession recognize that the minimum wage is a terrible and cruel public policy, one that reduces employment opportunities for the most vulnerable Americans. Continue reading
Oct 19 Are you ready to navigate the overwhelming choices of Medicare? By Philip Moeller You need to learn enough to buy the right policies and then, of equal if not greater importance, how to best use them to get the best medical care you can at the lowest price. Do not expect Medicare or… Continue reading
Oct 18 Average senior’s Social Security check to increase a measly $4 in 2017 By Philip Moeller Social Security’s annual cost of living adjustment, or COLA, will be only 0.3 percent in 2017. Continue reading