Three Charts That Explain the TPP Free Trade Deal

Although pacts like the TPP are politically controversial, economists have supported free trade since David Ricardo explained comparative advantage,

Weekly Roundup: From Desirable Currency to Rejected Coins

Our everyday economics includes gender gap, human capital, competition, regulation, opportunity cost, money supply, currency and conspicuous consumption.

When Cities Ban Chain Stores

Relating to prices, a local multiplier and vacancies, there are tradeoffs if municipalities change the competitive market structure by banning chain stores.

The Unexpected Cost of An Almond

Allocating water to California almond growers that could be used elsewhere in the state represents tradeoffs and considerable cost during the drought.

The Surprising Reason Your Car Was Made in Mexico

More than its low labor costs, Mexico is attracting car manufacturers away from the U.S. because it has free trade agreements with more than 40 countries.

Weekly Roundup: From Shopping More to Driving Less

Our everyday economics includes tradeoffs, debt ceiling, fiscal policy, GDP, productivity, entitlements, regulation, autonomous vehicles, and innovation.

3 Myths About Flight Cancellations

Looking at routes, aircraft size and the types of travelers, you can see the tradeoffs airlines make when they decide which flights will be canceled.

Weekly Roundup: 6 Mysteries

Our everyday economic stories involve participation rates, human capital, signaling, ROI, money, price, austerity, personal income, monopoly and bubbles.

The Mystery of the $300 Textbook

Because the college textbook market is a monopoly for each book in which the instructor selects the books and students buy it, prices have skyrocketed.

How the EU is Like a Dysfunctional Family

Like a dysfunctional family with members who dislike each other, the EU stays together because of the benefits of David Ricardo’s comparative advantage.