Econ Blog

your daily dose of economic commentary

America’s National Parks Just Got More Expensive For Some Visitors

1501. America’s National Parks Just Got More Expensive For Some Visitors

The post discusses increased entry fees for international visitors to U.S. national parks, explaining the economic concept of price discrimination based on visitors' willingness to pay.

The Real Donroe Doctrine

1502. The Real Donroe Doctrine

Paul Krugman discusses Trump's misguided approach to Venezuela, comparing it to past U.S. interventions and highlighting the delusions driving his foreign policy decisions.

1503. Rent With Multiple Agricultural Commodities

An argument that explores the application of efficiency and rentability analysis to a model involving multiple agricultural commodities and their production processes.

Housing January 5th Weekly Update: Inventory Down 2.2% Week-over-week

1504. Housing January 5th Weekly Update: Inventory Down 2.2% Week-over-week

The post discusses a 2.2% week-over-week decline in active single-family housing inventory, highlighting seasonal trends and comparisons to previous years.

New redesigned coins marking nation's 250th birthday begin circulating today

1505. New redesigned coins marking nation's 250th birthday begin circulating today

Scott Horsley discusses the introduction of redesigned coins to commemorate the nation's 250th birthday, highlighting their significance and features.

Russian GDP in Question

1506. Russian GDP in Question

An argument that Russian GDP statistics may be overstated, with implications for the economy's ability to sustain military efforts amid declining oil revenues.

U.S. interventions in the New World, with leader removal

1507. U.S. interventions in the New World, with leader removal

The discussion evaluates U.S. interventions in Latin America, focusing on leader removals and their utilitarian outcomes, contrasting successes and failures across various historical cases.

Stories Beyond Demographics

1508. Stories Beyond Demographics

An argument that stories should focus on universal human experiences rather than mere demographic representation to foster deeper connections and understanding.

China’s Trade Surplus, Part II

1509. China’s Trade Surplus, Part II

An argument that China's unprecedented trade surplus stems from unsustainable economic strategies, affecting global demand and posing risks to both its economy and others.

Cleaning out my closet — saying goodbye to 2025 links

1510. Cleaning out my closet — saying goodbye to 2025 links

Scott Cunningham reflects on his 2025 experiences, shares insights from various papers, and discusses personal interests and upcoming events as he transitions into 2026.

Reflections on Vibe Researching

1511. Reflections on Vibe Researching

The post explores the implications of AI on research productivity, emphasizing the balance between speed and quality in academic work, particularly in economics.

Why Some US Indian Reservations Prosper While Others Struggle

1512. Why Some US Indian Reservations Prosper While Others Struggle

An argument that institutional quality significantly influences economic prosperity among US Indian reservations, with federal policies often hindering development and investment.

Talking With Eoin Higgins

1513. Talking With Eoin Higgins

Paul Krugman interviews Eoin Higgins about his book on tech billionaires' influence on media and politics, focusing on figures like Matt Taibbi and Glenn Greenwald.

Schedule for Week of January 4, 2026

1514. Schedule for Week of January 4, 2026

Bill McBride discusses key economic reports and indicators scheduled for the week of January 4, 2026, including employment and housing data.

America's chip export controls are working

1515. America's chip export controls are working

Noah Smith discusses the effectiveness of America's chip export controls in maintaining a technological edge over China and their implications for national security.

1516. Economic Inequality Does Not Cause Lower Subjective Ratings of Well-Being

Timothy Taylor discusses a meta-analysis revealing that economic inequality does not significantly affect subjective well-being or mental health, challenging common perceptions.

1517. How Selective Universities Can Increase Socioeconomic Diversity: Admit by SAT Scores

Timothy Taylor discusses how selective universities can enhance socioeconomic diversity by admitting students based on SAT scores rather than other factors favoring wealthier applicants.

Notes on New York

1518. Notes on New York

Paul Krugman discusses New York's recovery, low crime rates, and challenges of affordability under the new mayor, highlighting the city's resilience and immigrant contributions.

Inflation Adjusted House Prices 2.7% Below 2022 Peak

1519. Inflation Adjusted House Prices 2.7% Below 2022 Peak

The post discusses the current state of inflation-adjusted house prices, noting they are slightly below their 2022 peak and analyzing historical trends.

Cuba After Communism

1520. Cuba After Communism

The post discusses the historical evolution of Cuba's political and economic systems, highlighting the impact of communism and recent calls for change among the populace.