Economic Policy

Mass Tech Layoffs and Recession

This brief will cover the implications of the mass tech layoffs that have occurred recently and how it has and continues to impact the American economy. The relevance, history, policy positions, and policy recommendations regarding this issue will be detailed throughout the brief.

Regulating the Cryptocurrency Industry

This brief will be an analysis that covers the topic of crypto-currency volatility along with the bill which has been proposed to regulate the industry. The relevance, history, policy positions, and policy recommendations regarding crypto-currency will be explored.

U.S. Economic Shrinkage Throughout 2022

The brief will discuss economic shrinkage that has occurred throughout 2022. Various issues such as a drop in exports, decreases in government spending, and changes to interest rates will be covered. The relevance, history, and policy responses regarding this issue will be outlined alongside certain policy suggestions to revert this economic shrinkage.

Mortgage Rates and Housing Bubbles

This policy brief will discuss interest rate alterations and how they have impacted the housing markets, specifically since the onset of the pandemic and in light of recent increases in interest rates. The issue at hand will be described, the various policy positions/prescriptions will be outlined, and a final understanding will be developed.

Tariffs and their Consequences

The following brief covers the pros and cons of tariffs. From a political point of view, tariffs are an appealing policy if policymakers wish to preserve domestic industry from foreign competition. However, from an economic perspective, we must always consider: what are the opportunity costs behind such a policy, and are the trade-offs a worthy sacrifice of potential benefits?

The Future of Social Security

Social Security—also known as the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program in the United States—is run by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The program is best known for its retirement benefits and is primarily funded (89.6 percent) by payroll taxes. The program also provides income to disabled people who qualify, as well as their family members. Workers must be at least 65 years old and have financially contributed to society for 10 years or more. The longevity of Social Security has been put under question as of late and this brief will attempt to address the conflict regarding Social Security (with a focus on its funding) as well as a recommendation for how it should be approached.

A $15 Minimum Wage on Balance

The idea of increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 is a serious policy prescription in the modern day. This brief will give an overview of the $15 minimum wage, the history behind it, the impact of the policy itself, and end with a policy recommendation.

Monetary Solutions for Inflation after COVID-19

Given that the recent increase in inflation has impacted the U.S. economy in unprecedented ways, the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) response has become increasingly imperative. Namely, the contractionary monetary prescription—which the Fed has supplemented with quantitative tapering—is of critical importance in regards to the future of the U.S. economy. As such, this brief will address imperative issues with the Fed’s actions in regards to tapering, and recommend certain policies that can aid the Fed to reduce the supply of the circulating medium.

Price Controls

This brief will analyze the concept of mandated government price control. This level of severe domestic, economic intervention carries both positive and negative repercussions. The questions of price control sensibility, floor minimums, ceiling maximums, and longevity will all be answered in this brief.

The Debt Ceiling

Fiscal spending is perhaps the single greatest piece of Congress’ agenda in any given year. Congressional discourse regarding caps on spending caps have brought about a plethora of instances when the federal government halted operations. The conversation regarding the debt ceiling is an imperative one as congressional purchasing power is the primary driver of all areas of American policy. Moreover, this brief seeks to thoroughly analyze the affirmative and negative stance on the existence of a debt ceiling. After comparing both viewpoints, this brief will attempt to provide a policy recommendation for Congress regarding the existence and extent of a debt ceiling.

Economic Implications of Evergrande Collapse

The Evergrande company, a massive Chinese property developer once listed as the world's most valuable real estate company, defaulted and has now been ordered to liquidate, posing both short- and long-term impacts on the Chinese economy. The real estate sector, which has been one of the most important drivers of Chinese growth for years, has started to collapse, with the Evergrande serving as only the first domino. Both the economy and the citizens of China will now suffer due to the damaged real estate industry.

Establishing a Limit on Federal Debt

The ideas of a debt ceiling hover in the reasoning explored in this research paper with the intention to create an argument that could be potentially an answer to the question of a debt ceiling effectiveness.

The Willow Project: A Reflection of USA Capitalist Policy

This brief presents a comprehensive exploration of the Willow Project, an ambitious oil drilling project by ConocoPhillips on Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve, and its potential ramifications on the environment and climate change.

Defending Defunding

Cons: Welfare

Common Misconceptions of Economics in a Generation Plagued by Socialist Ideals

Choice: More for Some, Less for Others

When the importance of freedom and autonomy is embedded in the U.S Constitution, the plain assumption is that choice lends to greater well-being. But is choice distributed equally among all people, or should it be considered a privilege? Is choice always a good thing? While the syllogism at the beginning of Markus and Schwartz’s “Does Choice Mean Freedom and Well-Being?” implies that having choice shows signs of freedom, this preconceived notion is not always true. How much choice one has is significantly contingent on culture and socioeconomic class. Although having the ability to choose is a positive thing, the inequality and the lack of opportunity that make mobility more difficult in North America leads to the asymmetric levels of choice available for each socioeconomic class.

Capitalism, the Greatest Economic System Ever

California’s Proposition 22: The Future of the “Gig Economy”

Boom or Bust: The Austrian Theory of the Business Cycle

Biden and Infrastructure: How America’s Foundations are Crumbling

Balancing Efficiency and Ethics: The Case for AI in Law

As artificial intelligence continues to expand, it becomes crucial for attorneys, lawmakers, and stakeholders to grasp the intricacies of its incorporation and harness its potential effectively. Although there are multiple risks associated with introducing artificial intelligence into the legal system, if used ethically and in compliance with regulations, its benefits far outweigh its risks.