An idea that has been around for hundreds of years, the universal basic income has only recently become an experiment in Stockton, California.
What Switzerland is Best At
When the Universal Postal Union used four Rs to rank postal services in 172 countries, the United States was in ninth place.
The Countries That Love Cash
High for the Swiss and low in Portugal, the average amount of money that we keep in our wallets for cash payments varies from country to country.
Should Everyone Get a Basic Income?
For different reasons, a guaranteed basic income appeals to liberals and conservatives but few people appear ready to vote for it.
The Unintended Consequences of NIRP
While illicit activities inspire people to fill suitcases with cash, negative interest rates also motivate businesses and households to demand big bills.
The Difference That a Sticker Makes
Because “I Voted” stickers indicate voting is a social norm, like paying taxes or saving electricity, people are more likely to act like their neighbors.
5 Best Places To Be Born
In 1988, the United States was ranked #1 as the best country in which to be born. The people who did the ranking for The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) selected criteria that you would expect. They included GDP per capita,…
How To Be Sure That Everyone Has a Minimum Income
Four decades ago, in a rural Manitoba community, Canada experimented with cash grants to low income families. Called MINCOME, the program provided for different cash payments based on the household’s proximity to the poverty level. The grant was conditional. Earning…
Appreciating the Market
In a recent WSJ interview, Nobel laureate Gary Becker tells us that, “Markets are tough to appreciate.” The reason, he says, is people feel government can better care for them than a profit seeking individual. Calling markets counterintuitive, Becker sees why people…
