Econ Blog

your daily dose of economic commentary

A movement is calling for an 'economic blackout' on Friday. Here's what to know

5261. A movement is calling for an 'economic blackout' on Friday. Here's what to know

Chandelis Duster discusses a national boycott organized by the People's Union USA, urging Americans to refrain from shopping for 24 hours.

What money?

5262. What money?

Scott Sumner argues that proposed government savings from DOGE would not result in actual money to distribute, highlighting misconceptions about budget deficits and spending.

The CFPB drops its lawsuit against Capital One, marking a major reversal

5263. The CFPB drops its lawsuit against Capital One, marking a major reversal

Laurel Wamsley discusses the CFPB's decision to drop its lawsuit against Capital One and other companies, indicating a significant policy shift.

Defending American arts, culture, and democracy

5264. Defending American arts, culture, and democracy

Samara Angel and Jonathan Katz discuss the threats to cultural freedoms in the U.S. under Trump, highlighting censorship and its implications for democracy and the arts.

How unchecked AI could trigger a nuclear war

5265. How unchecked AI could trigger a nuclear war

Michael E. O’Hanlon discusses the risks of AI in nuclear decision-making, emphasizing the importance of human judgment in avoiding catastrophic outcomes.

Data show Tesla sales declined sharply in Europe

5266. Data show Tesla sales declined sharply in Europe

Camila Domonoske discusses a significant drop in Tesla sales in Europe, attributing it partly to consumer backlash against Elon Musk's political shift.

Court will consider halting Trump's mass firings of federal employees

5267. Court will consider halting Trump's mass firings of federal employees

Andrea Hsu discusses a federal judge's consideration of a case challenging the Trump administration's mass firings of probationary federal employees.

Realtor.com Reports Active Inventory Up 27.6% YoY

5268. Realtor.com Reports Active Inventory Up 27.6% YoY

Bill McBride discusses the significant year-over-year increase in active housing inventory and its implications for buyers and sellers in the real estate market.

5269. The 2023 Merger Guidelines Will Remain: What Does That Mean?

Timothy Taylor discusses the implications of the 2023 Merger Guidelines and their impact on antitrust enforcement in the U.S. economy.

Big Government on the Cheap: A Possible Lesson from the DCA Tragedy

5270. Big Government on the Cheap: A Possible Lesson from the DCA Tragedy

Thomas Firey discusses the implications of air traffic control staffing issues at DCA, highlighting the dangers of underfunded government services and political accountability.

Many Analyst Designs, Data Preparation and the Sources of Non Standard Errors

5271. Many Analyst Designs, Data Preparation and the Sources of Non Standard Errors

Scott Cunningham discusses biases and uncertainties in empirical research, particularly in economics, referencing a paper by Nick Huntington-Klein and coauthors.

Inflation Adjusted House Prices 1.0% Below 2022 Peak; Price-to-rent index is 7.7% below 2022 peak

5272. Inflation Adjusted House Prices 1.0% Below 2022 Peak; Price-to-rent index is 7.7% below 2022 peak

Bill McBride discusses the current state of inflation-adjusted house prices and their relation to historical peaks in the housing market.

The Trump Administration’s Attack on Science Will Backfire

5273. The Trump Administration’s Attack on Science Will Backfire

Alex Tabarrok argues that the Trump administration's cuts to science funding will harm research and innovation rather than effectively targeting ideological issues in universities.

Cruel and Usual: Republicans Prepare to Gut Medicaid

5274. Cruel and Usual: Republicans Prepare to Gut Medicaid

Paul Krugman discusses the potential cuts to Medicaid by Republicans and the implications for low-income Americans, particularly in states like West Virginia.

The FDIC's goal is to prevent another banking crisis. It's now also a Trump target

5275. The FDIC's goal is to prevent another banking crisis. It's now also a Trump target

Maria Aspan discusses how President Trump's budget cuts are impacting the FDIC's ability to prevent banking crises.

Trump shifts date for Canada and Mexico tariffs -- again

5276. Trump shifts date for Canada and Mexico tariffs -- again

Danielle Kurtzleben discusses Trump's repeated delays in implementing tariffs on Canada and Mexico, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding his trade policies.

Popular econ books: What to read, what not to read

5277. Popular econ books: What to read, what not to read

Noah Smith provides a list of recommended and discouraged popular economics books for laypeople, emphasizing the importance of critical reading in economics.

Europe's NATO members take an economic hit

5278. Europe's NATO members take an economic hit

Paddy Hirsch discusses the economic challenges faced by European NATO members in funding their defense needs amid financial struggles.

What I’ve been reading

5279. What I’ve been reading

Tyler Cowen shares insights on various books he has read, highlighting their themes and personal connections to the content.

The controversy over Tyson Foods' hiring of asylum seekers

5280. The controversy over Tyson Foods' hiring of asylum seekers

Amanda Aronczyk discusses the controversy surrounding Tyson Foods' closure of a plant and its subsequent hiring of asylum seekers, impacting local workers in Perry, Iowa.