This report looks at available data on economic growth and various social indicators - including health outcomes and education - in low- and middle-income countries over the last 25 years.

President Obama and the Democratic leadership will undoubtedly have to make some political compromises in order to get a stimulus package through Congress. However, it is important to keep in mind that there will be real costs associated with these compromises insofar as they result in a less...

This paper proposes publicly funding prescription drug trials as an alternative to the present system wherein pharmaceutical companies often finance and conduct tests of their drugs themselves. The report posits that in addition to substantial savings for the government, independent companies...

The decennial census for 2000 shows a much lower employment rate for U.S. adults than the Current Population Surveys (CPS) does. This paper corrects the data from the decennial census for reporting error and still finds a substantially lower employment rate, especially among young blacks and...

This paper explains the basic facts about the current housing market. It lays out the evidence that the rise in housing prices constitutes a housing bubble - and explains what can be expected when it inevitably collapses.

This report finds that the economic realities facing low-income families often make homeownership a less desirable housing option than renting.

Textbook prices are a rapidly increasing cost to college students. This paper examines whether it possible to design policies that would make textbooks less expensive for students by eliminating the rents associated with copyright monopolies.

This paper shows that the "progressive" Social Security benefit cuts endorsed by President Bush in April 2005 would actually hit middle-income workers hardest.

This report compares the ownership and rental costs in 20 major U.S. metropolitan areas. The study finds that in many markets, homeownership costs are in line with rental costs. In these areas, it is practical and desirable to focus on policies that keep homeowners in their homes. The report...

This paper shows that the projected funding gap for Social Security is relatively minor when compared to the rise in other federal budget expenditures. It recommends that policymakers instead focus on the soaring costs of prescription medicine.