Article Archive
A Roundup: Myriad, Monsanto, and the Supreme Court
In recent rulings on patents, the Supreme Court spoke with a rare, single voice, devising a framework that encourages innovation while also ensuring that its fruits are enjoyed fairly by consumers.
‘Environmental Justice,’ EPA Style
If the EPA wants to help low-income and minority populations, it should stick to promoting technologies that reduce pollution for everyone, rather than making environmental issues about racial justice.
China and the Cyber Challenge
Cyber issues will likely determine the tenor of U.S.-China ties over the coming months, and how the United States addresses these problems will be a harbinger of its overall approach to the challenge China poses.
35 Years after Prop 13, Has It Worked?
Often described as the opening shot in the Reagan-era tax revolt, Prop 13 limited California’s property tax rates, but has it yielded greater fiscal discipline? What about tax and expenditure limits in other states?
Putin’s Petro State Approaching Empty
Russia faces two challenges that will affect its preeminence as an energy supplier and its ability to wield oil and gas as geostrategic tools. At stake are the stability of the regime — and perhaps even its survival.
Tribal Politics in the 21st Century
Progressives, conservatives, and libertarians each have a mythology in which they are the heroes and the other tribes are villains. Partisans of these three ideologies even speak different languages.
What to Do With Fannie and Freddie
The biggest question with the $10 trillion U.S. housing finance sector is what to do with the government-sponsored enterprises that have recently attained even greater monopoly power. Here’s a way to move beyond the political stalemate.
The Uses of Scandal
One of the greatest uses of scandal is to vividly demonstrate what new laws are needed and to create the political conditions to get them enacted.
Are American Voters Racist?
Racial prejudice plays a very small role in American politics, but a highly disciplined sense of self-interest on the part of one group may play a very large role in the way the federal government functions.
Nudging Conservatives to Harness Behavioral Science
While liberals are deploying behavioral science with stunning results, conservatives have failed to follow up on their success three decades ago with the psychology of ‘broken windows.’ Here are several policy initiatives with which to begin.
Still Waiting for Superman: The School Leaders We Need
It might seem like the primary ingredient for school improvement hinges on superhero principals, but a more promising approach starts by recognizing that there are two halves to the leadership challenge.
When Saving Is a Problem Not a Virtue
The Obama administration’s proposed limits on ‘reasonable’ retirement savings would penalize success and patience in favor of the nebulous concept of fairness.
Margaret Thatcher Showed the World What a Woman Can Do
Even after her death, critics revile Britain’s brilliant, trail-blazing leader and liberator as ‘unfeminine.’ Yet she reveled in her femininity throughout her career, charming men and women alike.
Why Expanding Social Security Is a Bad Idea
A New America Foundation proposal would cost 3.7 percent of GDP and crowd out the private saving that drives our economy.
The Penalties of Our Tax Code
Our tax system’s unnecessary complexity creates unfairness and uncertainty. With a few reforms, it could be more growth-friendly, simple, and fair.
Confusing Cause and Effect in the Fiscal Policy Debate
Our debate should not be about income redistribution or debt reduction but rather about how to achieve broadly shared growth — because when we achieve that, history shows that the deficit and the middle class will benefit.
Cuba Sees an Opening
The State Department is reportedly considering dropping Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. Doing so would hand Havana a major – and unmerited – diplomatic victory.
Latins Rally to Restore Human Rights Panel
Latin American countries have finally rallied and rejected a bid by leftist regimes to silence the region’s human rights watchdog. Now regional democracies must restore the organization’s credibility after years of yielding to Chavistas.
Two Budgets, One Point of Agreement, and a Third Way
The Senate and House budgets agree that this economy needs more growth and both predict the same growth levels — yet the Senate budget proposes higher spending, taxes, and debt than the House budget. Therein lies an opportunity for the GOP.