Economic Policy

A doorman hoses down a sidewalk outside a building in the Upper East Side neighborhood of New York City, on April 14, 2026.

How Working People Are the Canaries in the Coal Mine How Working People Are the Canaries in the Coal Mine

While it’s nice that politicians are finally talking about the “affordability crisis,” working folks are wondering: Where have you been?

Apr 17, 2026 / Gwen Frisbie-Fulton

The Last Cheap Ride

The Last Cheap Ride The Last Cheap Ride

The collapse of intercity bus service isn’t an accident of the market. It’s the result of treating transportation as a privilege.

Apr 13, 2026 / Zachary Shell

Billionaires have accumulated vast tracts of real estate across the country, including in Indian Creek Village, Florida, pictured here on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

Lust for Luxury Lust for Luxury

The real estate gluttony of the superrich is truly eye-popping.

Apr 1, 2026 / Michael Massing

People walk by the New York Stock Exchange as the Dow plunges 700 points in response to the US-Israel war against Iran, on March 5, 2026.

How Trump’s Economy Is Crushing Everyday Americans  How Trump’s Economy Is Crushing Everyday Americans 

As costs surge and safety nets shrink, millions of Americans are struggling to afford the basics.

Mar 24, 2026 / Katrina vanden Heuvel

Donald Trump at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, on March 7, 2026.

Trump’s War Is Destroying the Global Economy Trump’s War Is Destroying the Global Economy

Spiraling financial chaos might be the only thing that can force the president to pull back from this conflict.

Mar 9, 2026 / Jeet Heer

At the austerity pulpit: Former treasury secretary Larry Summers delivers the laudation for German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble, the recipient of the 2017 Kissinger Prize, at the American Academy of Berlin.

Larry Summers, We Knew Ye Too Well Larry Summers, We Knew Ye Too Well

The former Harvard president and Treasury secretary has resigned over humiliating disclosures in the Epstein files. But will that be enough to keep an ardent neoliberal down?

Mar 2, 2026 / Maureen Tkacik

A television on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange broadcasts news about the Supreme Court striking down Donald Trump’s global tariffs.

The Giant Mess Behind the Supreme Court’s Tariffs Ruling The Giant Mess Behind the Supreme Court’s Tariffs Ruling

The 6–3 decision was a rare victory, but it was crafted out of conflicts that leave almost nothing certain—including future tariff rulings.

Feb 24, 2026 / Elie Mystal

Anti-ICE demonstrators rally at a demonstration organized by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, on February 15, 2026.

The Urgency of Marrying Affordability to Anti-Corporate Populism The Urgency of Marrying Affordability to Anti-Corporate Populism

For all the good news, Democrats are at a dangerous moment politically.

Feb 19, 2026 / Mike Lux

Looking for plastic bottle trash at a garbage dump in Aceh province, Indonesia.

Why Do Americans Consume So Much? Look to the Military. Why Do Americans Consume So Much? Look to the Military.

We consume far beyond our means because our military keeps enough of us feeling secure, and we have such a large military because we consume far beyond our means.

Feb 2, 2026 / Andrea Mazzarino

A farmer shovels snow from the roof of his building on December 09, 2025 near Belvidere, Illinois.

The Farmland Revolt The Farmland Revolt

America’s farmers are fuming over Trump’s tariffs. Democrats need to channel their anger.

Jan 26, 2026 / Column / Erica Etelson

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