Aug 14 Social Security turns 80. Should we cheer or cry? By Laurence Kotlikoff On its 80th birthday, Larry Kotlikoff argues that Social Security needs to be replaced by a modern system. Continue reading
Aug 03 What do monkeys and humans have in common? An innate sense of economic justice By Ian Morris All primates value fairness of some kind. Ian Morris explains how our sense of fairness and economic justice have evolved to where they are today. Continue reading
Jul 31 Sour economy threatens the American Dream By John Komlos What does a stagnant economy mean for the pursuit of the American Dream? John Komlos warns that the golden days of growth are over. Continue reading
Jul 30 The hidden dangers of our robotic rivals By Jerry Kaplan New hazards arise as machines increasingly intrude into domains that were formerly the exclusive province of humans. Jerry Kaplan explains the hidden dangers of the human-machine competition. Continue reading
Jul 23 Why the Fed's policy on interest rates is key to fighting poverty By Dean Baker Rarely mentioned in discussions of poverty is the Federal Reserve Board’s policy on interest rates, which has an enormous impact on the rate of economic growth and the level of unemployment. Continue reading
Jul 22 The truth about Greek debt and German generosity By Laurence Kotlikoff What we're seeing is mostly theater — yes, a Greek tragedy starring supposedly evil Germans and supposedly defenseless Greeks, argues Laurence Kotlikoff. In the show, which is restaged every six months or so, the Germans force the Greeks to attend… Continue reading
Jul 21 Trade debate masks America's competitive disadvantage By George C. Lodge Lowering trade barriers through the Trans-Pacific Partnership will have little impact on the U.S.’s deteriorating ability to compete in the world economy. In the name of realism and the national interest, is it time for a national economic strategy?… Continue reading
Jul 17 What we know — and what we don't — about global warming By Gernot Wagner, Martin L. Weitzman With sea levels rising and global temperatures increasing, Gernot Wagner and Martin L. Weitzman, co-authors of “Climate Shock,” argue that we should insure ourselves against climate change. Continue reading
Jul 13 The problem with quick and easy Social Security calculators By Laurence Kotlikoff Larry Kotlikoff explains that quick and easy Social Security calculators are just that—quick. To get what's yours from Social Security, don't plan on cutting any corners. Continue reading
Jul 09 Creepy cyber coincidence? Probably not By Vikram Mansharamani United Airlines, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Stock Exchange all had to shut down their services for “technical reasons.” Although the Department of Homeland Security released a statement saying that there was “no sign of malicious activity”… Continue reading