Evidence-based Policy Versus Policy-based Evidence

The world we live in is full of situations where evidence is created to support policies. Of course, it should be the other way around. Policy should grow out of evidence. Take, for example, attempts to address

Mistrust in American Institutions Fosters New Opportunity

With the decline of confidence in big business and big government, a new opportunity may be appearing which spotlights the hope and trust of the people in small entities: small business, local government and local financial institutions.

Americans,

Standardized Tests Lead to Hard Times in Education

“Now, what I want is, Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else, and root out everything else.”

These are the words with which Charles Dickens began his

Can Congress and the President Get Along This Year?

Throughout history, countless wars have been sparked around the globe. The causes of wars range from relatively small disagreements, to more provocative moves, such as an invasion of another country. While many wars end only after one

How to Limit Prostitution

Sweden met the age-old problem of prostitution with a new approach fifteen years ago using simple economics: target demand (buyers) rather than supply (sellers). This means that the fines and arrests are directed at those buying instead

The Gift of Literacy

The holiday season is the perfect time to be thankful for all the good in our lives. For those living in the United States or other wealthy countries, most of the necessities of life are accessible to

Trust Matters: Examples From The Field

Trust in others and in our institutions is an essential part of maintaining a just and democratic society. However, according to recent research, trust in others and confidence in societal institutions are at their

What Next For Government Intervention in the Economy?

Tax revenues this year will surpass pre-great recession levels for the first time. But has the economy truly healed?

Recently, The Economist published an article entitled “A History of Finance in Five Crises.” The authors argued that financial

Big Data – Delivering Hard Facts about the Soft Dimensions of Human Behaviour

With an exponential increase in the ability to gather, store, access and analyse data, our societies have entered a new phase of “self-expression”, feedbacks, and decision making capabilities. From dearth to an unending torrent of data, the

Let’s Not Forget About The Boys

Going back a century, there existed a great inequality between the sexes with women not allowed in many professions and voting rights only held by men. Today much of this inequality must still be addressed in the

Who Will Be Minding the Shop in 2034?

It is no secret that America’s workforce is aging. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2013 figures, approximately one-half of those currently employed are over 40 years of age; approximately one-fifth are over 55. We have

How Not To Do It

In 1857, Charles Dickens completed serial publication of his eleventh novel, Little Dorrit. Among other things, the novel includes a scathing indictment of a government whose main object is to prevent anything from getting done. This mission