Government could tell sharing economy firms like Uber, Lyft and Kitchensurfing if workers will be employees or independent contractors.
Why a Life Needs a Price Tag
Although it seems callous, for safety regulation like speed limits and for victims’ compensation like 9/11 we need to quantify the value of a life.
Weekly Roundup: From Data Spies to Ivory Trackers
Our economic news summary ranges from elasticity and a Berkeley soda tax to the minimum wage and the cost of living, to the power of the market and ivory.
Why the Same Minimum Wage is Really Different
Comparing median and minimum wage and looking at how the cost of living varies, we can see that the wisdom of a $15 minimum wage hike depends on location.
The Unintended Consequences of Parental Leave
Although firms and countries have family friendly policies with generous paternity and maternity leave, the impact has harmed women’s chances for promotion.
The Values That Make Us Spend More
For major OECD countries and the U.S., the source and destination for healthcare spending reflect national values about limited government.
Weekly Roundup: From Robot Servers to Shrimp Farmers
Our everyday economics includes wages, externalities, productivity, income, tradeoff, taxes, fiscal policy, gender, human capital and comparative advantage.
How Much Your Sleep Costs You
Personal income relates to how long we sleep. Less sleep can diminish the productivity that brings a higher wage. But also, less sleep means more work time.