Econ Blog

your daily dose of economic commentary

Trump tried to fire Corporation for Public Broadcasting board members. Then came DOGE

4101. Trump tried to fire Corporation for Public Broadcasting board members. Then came DOGE

Stephen Fowler discusses Trump's attempt to dismiss Corporation for Public Broadcasting board members and the subsequent involvement of DOGE staffers.

They Took Our Jobs: The Sequel

4102. They Took Our Jobs: The Sequel

Tyler Watts discusses job growth in the U.S., arguing that new service sector jobs often pay better than lost manufacturing jobs, countering common economic misconceptions.

They Took Our Jobs: The Sequel

4103. They Took Our Jobs: The Sequel

An argument that job growth in the U.S. has outpaced population growth, with many new jobs offering better wages than lost manufacturing positions, challenging common misconceptions about employment trends.

They Didn’t Take Our Jobs

4104. They Didn’t Take Our Jobs

An argument that job growth in the U.S. has outpaced population growth, with many new jobs paying better than lost manufacturing positions, challenging common misconceptions about employment trends.

Can Democrats really win the Senate in 2026?

4105. Can Democrats really win the Senate in 2026?

The post examines the challenges and potential strategies for Democrats to win the Senate in 2026, highlighting key races and the impact of candidate quality.

Fed April SLOOS Survey: Banks reported Weaker Demand for Residential Real Estate

4106. Fed April SLOOS Survey: Banks reported Weaker Demand for Residential Real Estate

The post discusses the April 2025 SLOOS survey findings, highlighting weaker demand for residential real estate loans and tighter lending standards by banks.

When an Arsonist Poses as a Firefighter

4107. When an Arsonist Poses as a Firefighter

Paul Krugman discusses Trump's recent tariff cuts on China, analyzing their implications for trade policy and economic uncertainty.

Why Picking a Pope Takes More Than a Majority

4108. Why Picking a Pope Takes More Than a Majority

Jadrian Wooten explores the complexities of the papal election process, emphasizing the economic implications of voting rules and decision-making trade-offs.

Stocks soar after U.S. and China agree to temporarily slash tariffs

4109. Stocks soar after U.S. and China agree to temporarily slash tariffs

The post discusses the positive market reaction following the U.S. and China’s agreement to temporarily reduce tariffs.

Housing May 12th Weekly Update: Inventory up 1.6% Week-over-week, Up 32.9% Year-over-year

4110. Housing May 12th Weekly Update: Inventory up 1.6% Week-over-week, Up 32.9% Year-over-year

Bill McBride discusses the increase in active single-family housing inventory, highlighting significant year-over-year growth and comparisons to previous years.

At least five interesting things: Requiem for capitalism edition (#63)

4111. At least five interesting things: Requiem for capitalism edition (#63)

Noah Smith discusses the decline of capitalism, highlighting political and economic challenges, including tariffs, the legacy of Warren Buffett, and broader market trends.

The U.S. and China cut tariffs. And, what's expected from Trump's Middle East trip

4112. The U.S. and China cut tariffs. And, what's expected from Trump's Middle East trip

Brittney Melton discusses the U.S. and China reducing tariffs and anticipates commerce and cultural exchanges during Trump's Middle East trip.

The future of student loan repayment, explained

4113. The future of student loan repayment, explained

The post discusses potential changes to student loan repayment options, highlighting a Republican proposal that limits borrowers to two repayment plans.

The U.S. and China announce a deal to cut tariffs, temporarily easing trade war

4114. The U.S. and China announce a deal to cut tariffs, temporarily easing trade war

Willem Marx discusses a temporary agreement between the U.S. and China to reduce tariffs, easing tensions in their trade war.

The Indicator: American science brain drain

4115. The Indicator: American science brain drain

The post discusses how federal cuts and scrutiny are prompting U.S. scientists to leave the country, impacting both science and the economy.

Can OnlyFans save the music industry?

4116. Can OnlyFans save the music industry?

An argument that explores how rising concert costs and economic pressures are pushing indie artists to use platforms like OnlyFans for financial support.

Escalation dominance?

4117. Escalation dominance?

Scott Sumner discusses the misconceptions surrounding trade war dynamics between the US and China, emphasizing the flawed perceptions of escalation dominance and economic pain tolerance.

U.S. and China cite progress in trade talks but release few details

4118. U.S. and China cite progress in trade talks but release few details

Progress in U.S.-China trade talks is noted, but specific details remain scarce following discussions in Switzerland.

4119. My Weekly Reading for May 11, 2025

David Henderson discusses various readings on Medicaid inefficiencies, individual rationality, and labor unions' impacts on worker outcomes.

Assessing the economics of AI class

4120. Assessing the economics of AI class

Scott Cunningham discusses the concept of "vibe coding" in an AI class, highlighting its democratizing effect on coding for students without programming backgrounds.