In 2013, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations on Japan’s plan to “refortify” its economy. “There is a…
QZ&A
“Ban the Box” policies hurt black applicants
Over the past decade, laws that limit the ability of employers to ask about a job applicant’s criminal record have become popular across the United…
MILK MONEY
The class dynamics of breastfeeding in the United States of America
In 1992, the New York Times published an editorial (paywall) on the importance of promoting breastfeeding in the developing world. A reader—and health care worker—responded…
HIGH SPEED EMPLOYMENT GROWTH
The internet has helped ease employment inequality in Africa
The Internet has been great for employment in Africa. Not only has fast Internet helped increase employment across the continent, but according to recently released…
UNPRECEDENTED
Greece is several economic tragedies rolled into one
Over the past decade, Greece has experienced an economic downturn unlike any other in recent history. The ugly combination of the global financial crisis, fiscal…
FAIR TRADE
A simple explanation of how free trade leads to populism
In a recent paper, Harvard economist and globalization skeptic Dani Rodrik argues that the increasingly integrated world economy has led to a rise in populism.…
FAMILY BUSINESS
Americans are most likely to follow their parents into these 20 professions
When it comes to our careers, we all have better-than-average odds of following in our parents’ footsteps. But depending on what mom or dad do…
REAGANOMICS 2.0
“MAGAnomics”: Making sense of Trump’s plan to return the US economy to its 1980s glory days
What does it mean to “Make America Great Again,” economically speaking? As investors, small businesses, and institutions like the IMF and Federal Reserve grow more…
TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT
Good news! Americans are quitting their jobs at a rapid rate
It’s good to have a job, but it’s even better to quit one. According to recently released data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics…
PROFESSOR ALGO
More economists should use machine learning to do their jobs better
Machine learning is reshaping nearly every aspect of our lives. From how we shop, to how we get places, to how we decide what TV…
REVERSAL OF FORTUNES
Five of history’s great economic rivalries, in centuries-long charts
The economist Angus Maddison spent his life quantifying the wealth of nations as far back in history as he could reasonably go. This obsession led…
ROBOPHOBIA
Will robots take our jobs? Perceptions matter as much as reality
Researchers and businesspeople are constantly guessing how many jobs robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) will destroy. Their prognostications range from the apocalyptic, to the mild,…
