Econ Blog

your daily dose of economic commentary

Letting Markets Work: Urban Planning

101. Letting Markets Work: Urban Planning

Marcos Falcone critiques government intervention in urban planning, advocating for market-driven solutions to improve community living and reduce inefficiencies.

Inflation Adjusted House Prices 2.7% Below 2022 Peak; Price-to-rent index is 10% below 2022 peak

102. Inflation Adjusted House Prices 2.7% Below 2022 Peak; Price-to-rent index is 10% below 2022 peak

The discussion focuses on the current state of inflation-adjusted house prices and the price-to-rent index, highlighting their decline from 2022 peaks.

An Autocracy of Dunces

103. An Autocracy of Dunces

An argument that the current political climate reflects a decline in democratic norms, exacerbated by incompetent leadership and the prioritization of loyalty over competence.

104. John Stuart Mill, Avowed Socialist

Robert Vienneau discusses John Stuart Mill's views on meritocracy and socialism, highlighting Mill's belief in social justice and the protection of the vulnerable in society.

Light Vehicle Sales Increased to 16.4 Million SAAR in September

105. Light Vehicle Sales Increased to 16.4 Million SAAR in September

Light vehicle sales rose to 16.4 million SAAR in September, reflecting a 2% increase from August, with concerns about future sales in Q4 due to various market factors.

VIDEO: Trump's tariffs, changing markets and what an uncertain economy means for you

106. VIDEO: Trump's tariffs, changing markets and what an uncertain economy means for you

NPR Staff discusses the uncertainty surrounding Trump's tariffs and their potential effects on the economy.

My excellent Conversation with John Amaechi

107. My excellent Conversation with John Amaechi

The discussion centers on leadership, personal experiences in the NBA, and the complexities of athlete motivations and identities.

Nowcasting Private NFP for September

108. Nowcasting Private NFP for September

Menzie Chinn discusses the challenges and methodologies in nowcasting private nonfarm payroll employment using ADP data and its correlation with BLS data.

Trump's controversial nominee drops bid to head vital data-gathering agency

109. Trump's controversial nominee drops bid to head vital data-gathering agency

A nominee for a key data-gathering agency has withdrawn amid widespread criticism, with the White House planning to announce a new candidate soon.

Supreme Court says Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook can stay -- for now

110. Supreme Court says Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook can stay -- for now

The Supreme Court has halted President Trump's effort to dismiss Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, raising concerns about the central bank's independence.

Bulging Biceps Don’t Win Modern Wars

111. Bulging Biceps Don’t Win Modern Wars

An argument that modern warfare relies more on technology and intelligence than physical strength, criticizing misguided military leadership and outdated notions of masculinity in combat.

Government shutdown could delay key economic reports at an especially sensitive time

112. Government shutdown could delay key economic reports at an especially sensitive time

A government shutdown is expected to postpone important economic reports, notably the monthly job market update, at a critical time for the economy.

MBA:Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest Weekly Survey

113. MBA:Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest Weekly Survey

Mortgage applications fell significantly due to rising rates, impacting refinance activity and purchase applications, influenced by broader economic conditions and job market health.

Network State, or a Network of States?

114. Network State, or a Network of States?

The post explores the concept of network states, highlighting challenges in their formation and proposing solutions for creating stable, functional communities in a digital age.

Devotees of the mysterious Mothman descend on its West Virginia hometown

115. Devotees of the mysterious Mothman descend on its West Virginia hometown

Bill Chappell discusses how the legend of Mothman has revitalized tourism in its West Virginia hometown, attracting thousands of visitors annually.

Why China's ride apps are asking for odor ratings

116. Why China's ride apps are asking for odor ratings

Anthony Kuhn discusses how China's ride-hailing companies address issues of cleanliness in vehicles where drivers often sleep due to long working hours.

Change is brewing in the coffee industry. What lies ahead?

117. Change is brewing in the coffee industry. What lies ahead?

James Doubek discusses the challenges coffee growers face, including climate change, labor shortages, and low incomes, highlighting the industry's current state.

Guest Contribution: “How do UK and Australia relations with China react to US-China shocks”

118. Guest Contribution: “How do UK and Australia relations with China react to US-China shocks”

Menzie Chinn discusses the evolving geopolitical relations between China, the UK, and Australia in response to US-China dynamics.

119. Save the Whales by Pricing the Ship Noise Externality

An argument that maritime shipping noise negatively impacts whale populations, suggesting economic solutions to mitigate this environmental externality while balancing trade benefits.

Conference Board: “A sharp deterioration in consumers’ views of the current economic situation weighed on confidence”

120. Conference Board: “A sharp deterioration in consumers’ views of the current economic situation weighed on confidence”

Menzie Chinn discusses the decline in consumer confidence and its implications for economic sentiment and consumption patterns across different income groups.