Economic Ideas

January 2, 2018

The Easiest Way to Keep a New Year’s Resolution

Combining our "wants"and "shoulds" into temptation bundling, we wind up with a commitment device that helps us keep our New Year's resolutions.

December 31, 2017

A Banana, a Billionaire, and a Tesla Tax Follow-Up

Our banana, $450 million painting, and Tesla tax stories were just so interesting that they deserved fascinating follow-ups.

December 29, 2017

Imagining a Marijuana Starbucks

With eight states having legalized recreational marijuana, new businesses are multiplying. One ad person even asked if there could be “a Starbucks equivalent in the world of […]

December 21, 2017

Why We Give The Wrong Gifts

When we receive presents that disappoint us, gift giving creates deadweight loss that diminishes the economic boost from holiday spending.

December 20, 2017

How to Make Kids Smarter (And Also Help the GDP)

While superstition tells us that babies born during the Year of the Dragon will have more success and power, economists look at human capital investment.

December 18, 2017

Why China Wants To Be Called a Market Economy

A year ago, China filed a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO). Targeting the European Union and the United States, China’s goal was to […]