What the US Owes Puerto Rico
As historian Déborah Berman Santana writes, the US is very much responsible for molding Puerto Rico’s economy to begin with.
Luxury: Enemy of Virtue, or Economic Engine?
Today, economists tend to see anything that boosts consumption and production as a good thing. But that was decidedly not the case in earlier centuries.
Is it Smart To Cut Foreign Aid Because of Human Rights Abuses?
Recently, the US denied Egypt nearly $96 million in international aid, as chastisement for the country's abysmal human rights record.
The Case for Open Borders
Is a world without borders an idea so crazy it just might work? Scholars weigh in on how open borders might solve the world's immigration problem.
The Real Reason Why NYC’s Skyscrapers Are Where They Are
Why does Manhattan have two business separate districts? Turns out that it's not because of the usual story about bedrock depth.
What Kind of Work is “Masculine”?
What's the fate of "masculinity" in a world where it’s hard for many men to achieve personal success? It's a question we asked in the 1930s, too.
What’s So Bad About A Monopoly?
Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods has drawn the ire of a new antitrust movement, which argues against the dangers of industry monopoly.
How Barbed Wire Changed Farming Forever
On June 25, 1867, Lucien B. Smith of Ohio received the first patent for barbed wire. Within a few decades, barbed wire transformed the American West.
Could Youth Unemployment in the Middle East Be Dangerous?
Nearly half the population in the Middle East is under 25 years old, and their unemployment rate hovers at a staggering 30%.
Should Citizenship Be For Sale?
Should you be able to buy your way to citizenship? Economic research reveals some merits behind the idea, but others see classism and discrimination.