Economic History

April 20, 2014
everyday economics and the birth rate
Published by Elaine Schwartz at April 20, 2014
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Which Countries Want You to Have a Baby?

It is a recipe for demographic disaster when you have too many old people and not enough babies. The problem is the size of the working […]

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April 16, 2014
economic news roundup and water shortages
Published by Elaine Schwartz at April 16, 2014
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How To Cope With (Water) Stress

Being water stressed means you are unusually vulnerable to a water shortage. Sort of like a household where one emergency can push it over the edge because it […]

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April 14, 2014
Published by Elaine Schwartz at April 14, 2014
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Gender Issues: What If We No Longer Said “He” and “She”?

Our Monday Gender Issue: In the February 10th issue of the New Yorker, I read “Pronoun Envy” by Anne Carson. Here is the beginning: Pronoun Envy […]

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April 13, 2014
Published by Elaine Schwartz at April 13, 2014
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One Reason That Quitting is Good

I have read that Fed Chair Janet Yellen is particularly interested in JOLTS. Representing Job Openings and Labor market Turnover Survey, JOLTS data tell an interesting […]

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April 11, 2014
Detroit Bankruptcy Requires Life Support
Published by Elaine Schwartz at April 11, 2014
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Should Detroit Sell Its Art?

During 2009, a still life painted by Henri Matisse was sold at a Christie’s auction for $46 million. The Detroit Institute of Arts owns Poppies, also a […]

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April 10, 2014
Weekly Economic News Roundup and economic growth and uncertainty
Published by Elaine Schwartz at April 10, 2014
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Why Would the Nigerian GDP Double Overnight?

We might have to say BRINC rather than BRICS. As a developing nation with the highest GDP in Africa, South Africa has been the “S” in […]

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April 8, 2014
everyday economics and tax impact
Published by Elaine Schwartz at April 8, 2014
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Unusual Ways to Achieve Deficit Reduction

Hoping to diminish their country’s deficit, last year, Malta’s President and Parliament decided to sell citizenship. The price tag is $891,000 and the perk is that […]

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April 7, 2014
gender pay gap
Published by Elaine Schwartz at April 7, 2014
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Does It Matter That Men Boast?

Our Monday Gender Issue: Teaching at a girls’ school, I continually run into the problem of modesty. My women know the answers and yet go to […]

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April 1, 2014
Grade Incentives
Published by Elaine Schwartz at April 1, 2014
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Should Kids Get Paid for Grades?

What happens when you combine a $100 student payment with a teacher bonus for high A.P. grades, better lab equipment, free tutoring, Saturday classes and extra […]

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March 22, 2014
avocados and elephants
Published by Elaine Schwartz at March 22, 2014
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The Unintended Consequences of Banning Ivory Sales

New US ivory regulations have had unintended consequences. During November 2013, the US government “pulverized” nearly 6 tons of elephant ivory from Asia and Africa. Intending to […]

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March 21, 2014
Weekly Economic News Roundup and federal spending
Published by Elaine Schwartz at March 21, 2014
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The One Big Reason We Can’t Really Cut the Federal Deficit

It is tough to be a deficit hawk.   Rather than our typical spike in wartime spending, we have a peacetime deficit. (Please note that the federal […]

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March 16, 2014
Opportunity Cost Tradeoffs Pothole Cost
Published by Elaine Schwartz at March 16, 2014
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What We Sacrifice for Pothole Patches

With 150,000 more potholes than last year and $12 for each temporary patch, Chicago has spent close to $3 million on pothole repair and the end […]

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