Macroeconomic Measurement

July 28, 2014
Calculating the GDP involves many decisions and using it can be controversial as in Greece.
Published by Elaine Schwartz at July 28, 2014
Categories

Why the GDP is Much More Than a Number

Seemingly just a statistic, how we calculate the GDP and how it is used can be controversial and affect the lives of millions of people.

Do you like it?
Read more
July 27, 2014
Everyday Economics — Oil stories
Published by Elaine Schwartz at July 27, 2014
Categories

Three "Tear-Water" Graphs

The U.S. has had an economic recovery from the Great Recession with sluggish GDP growth, a worrisome output gap and slowly diminishing unemployment.

Do you like it?
Read more
July 16, 2014
Weekly Economic News Roundup and federal spending
Published by Elaine Schwartz at July 16, 2014
Categories

John Maynard Keynes and the Generational Impact of Entitlements

Before seeing how we are benefiting unequally from entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare, let’s start with some history. During 1934, with unemployment high and production low, […]

Do you like it?
Read more
July 6, 2014
Federal Budget spending categories
Published by Elaine Schwartz at July 6, 2014
Categories

A Speedy Summary of Spending in the US Federal Budget

Right now, the Congress is supposedly debating the 2015 federal budget. Because the new fiscal year begins October 1, their deadline is September 30. But not […]

Do you like it?
Read more
July 4, 2014
Weekly Economic News Roundup and economic independence from Alexander Hamilton
Published by Elaine Schwartz at July 4, 2014
Categories

Celebrating Economic Independence

Yes, the United States declared independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776 and won the American Revolutionary War. But still, we were not truly independent. George Washington’s Secretary of […]

Do you like it?
Read more
June 17, 2014
Looking at Australia, the area where she is #1 or #2 display why she is a developed nation.
Published by Elaine Schwartz at June 17, 2014
Categories

Six Facts About Australia From The "World Cup of Everything Else"

In a long list of categories that they called, “The World Cup of Everything Else,” WSJ created brackets from the 32 World Cup teams and determined the winners. […]

Do you like it?
Read more
June 13, 2014
CEO performance and golf
Published by Elaine Schwartz at June 13, 2014
Categories

What Golf in China Shows About Economic Development

On a ladder of spending in developing economies, growing affluence first means wheat and meat. Then, climbing somewhat higher, people can afford consumer durables like a washing machine and […]

Do you like it?
Read more
June 1, 2014
Italy's and the UK will add marijuana and prostitution to improve GDP accuracy...but will it?
Published by Elaine Schwartz at June 1, 2014
Categories

Should GDP Include Illegal Drug Deals?

In 1987, Italy decided to include its “off-the-books” economy in its GDP. The result was an 18% boost. Now, further complying with EU accounting regulations, Italy […]

Do you like it?
Read more
May 31, 2014
Charts and graphs tell stories
Published by Elaine Schwartz at May 31, 2014
Categories

An Amazing Story From a Graph

Sometimes one graph can tell a whole story:   A 4-minute animation can also convey a much bigger story. Looking at the same time period as our […]

Do you like it?
Read more
May 30, 2014
What's Communicated by a College Degree?
Published by Elaine Schwartz at May 30, 2014
Categories

What Signals Does a College Degree Really Send?

Some economists have an unexpected reason for the college earnings premium. First, the premium… In 2011, a diploma from a 4-year college meant you would earn 83% more than your […]

Do you like it?
Read more