Oct 24 This is why the recession still hurts By Simone Pathe The American economy is still feeling the effects of the 2008 financial crisis. A new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research analyzes the largest components of America's declined output -- from lost investment to lower labor force participation… Continue reading
Oct 23 Earning more? Thank immigrant STEM workers By Simone Pathe Even opponents of open immigration often support temporary guest workers entering the U.S. on the H1-B visa program. But do immigrants skilled in science and technology undercut wages for U.S. workers? Quite the contrary, according to a new paper from… Continue reading
Oct 20 After medical legalization, what are the costs of getting high? By Simone Pathe The legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes has increased its abuse and dependence, as well as binge drinking, in Americans over 21, according to a study from the National Bureau of Economic Research. Why do economists care? Productivity loss. Continue reading
Sep 26 So you want a job? You’d better be in the right neighborhood By Making Sen$e Editor There's a spatial mismatch between the availability of jobs and the people who need them most. There are various ways to close that physical distance, from the individual to public policy level. A new paper from the National Bureau of… Continue reading
Sep 19 When will your prescriptions be cheaper? By Making Sen$e Editor We all know generics are cheaper. But how much cheaper? Economists find a 38 to 48 percent decline in the prices of physician-administered drugs after the drugs' patents have expired. The decline is slightly lower for oral drugs. Continue reading
Sep 19 Benefit hikes hike spending — but not for long By Making Sen$e Editor Washington is forever arguing over benefit increases versus tax cuts to stimulate the economy. In a paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research, former Obama economic adviser Christina Romer and her husband show that tax cuts deliver a more… Continue reading
Sep 18 Why sell your mansion for less than $1M? By Making Sen$e Editor Mansions, especially in New York City and New Jersey, are often worth more than $1 million. But they're not always being sold for that much. Economists from the National Bureau of Economic Research explain why. Continue reading
Sep 12 Why is Wall Street becoming more bipolar? By Making Sen$e Editor There's something increasing volatility on securities markets. Researchers from the National Bureau of Economic Research take a closer look at Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), whose rapid rise over recent decades seems to be having a big impact on the stocks… Continue reading
Aug 08 Getting lucky: Why the economy has grown faster under Democratic presidents By Simone Pathe Over the past 64 years, from Harry Truman's first elected term through Barack Obama's first term, the economy has grown faster when Democrats are in the White House. How much of that is good policy versus good luck?… Continue reading
Jul 24 Why regulators should go to work on Wall Street By Simone Pathe The revolving door is a popular scapegoat for regulatory inefficiency, but new research from the National Bureau of Economic Research suggests it shouldn't be blamed. Furthermore, locking the doors between the private and public sectors could actually make regulatory agencies… Continue reading