From the Wells Fargo scandal to the British National Health Service and Chilean bus drivers, sometimes incentives can have unintended consequences.
Why It’s Tough to Demonetize Cash
A surprise announcement on 11/8/16, demonetizing India’s 500- and 1000-rupee notes meant most of the money in the country had to be swapped for new notes.
Why We Can Stop Worrying About Helium
The recent discovery of helium in Tanzania could be just in time to prevent a helium shortage that the U.S. government helped to create.
When Not to Build a Super Tall Skyscraper
From the Chrysler Building in NYC to Taipei 101 in Taiwan, the timing of super tall skyscraper construction provides clues about business cycles.
What Happens When You Pay What You Want?
Affecting a firm’s revenue, when consumers can determine price through pay-what-you-want, the amount they select depends on their unselfish self-signaling.
How a Soap Opera Affected Brazil’s Fertility Rate
During the past 40 years, Brazil’s fertility rates declined. One cause was the new values that soap operas conveyed to an uneducated rural population.
What Stock Market History Tells Us
U.S. stock market history from 1900-2015 shows how the diminishing dominance of industries like railroads reflects innovation and creative destruction.
The Disease That Alaska Might Have
Like Dutch Disease, Alaska’s oil industry dependence has eliminated other government revenue that might be necessary now that the price of oil has plunged.
Weekly Roundup: From Santa’s Salary to Holiday Spending
This week’s economic news summary includes Apple’s corporate taxes, Santa’s GDP connection, seasonal spending, the gender gap and the brain and shopping.
