When Awards Give Us More or Less Than We Expect

While awards are all about recognition, inspiration, and appreciation, sometimes they are not exactly what we expect them to be.

The Best (and Worst) Ways to Board an Airplane

Although boarding planes faster is a goal for the major airlines, they have had limited success because of the tradeoffs they are unwilling to make.

The Less Obvious Way To Conserve Wildlife

Attempts to encourage African wildlife conservation have changed incentives that affect African villagers and U.S. hunters.

Why It’s Tough to Give (Campaign Finance) Money Away

When Seattle tried using Democracy Vouchers to support campaign finance, the results were not entirely what they had expected.

How Stock Markets Create Peace

Looking at voting preferences, researchers uncovered a surprising change in attitudes about Israeli/Palestinian conflict resolution from new investors.

The Economics of the Pumpkin Slingshot

For the next bite of a doughnut or the next try at a pumpkin slingshot, economist Alfred Marshall’s marginal analysis helps you decide whether to say yes.

How Your Parking Lot and Your Medical Care Could Be Similar

Our healthcare costs and parking lot spending are influenced by similar incentives that involve paying per visit or with a lump sum for unlimited use.

The Magic of the MetroCard

The introduction of just one small MetroCard transformed NYC by lowering the transaction costs for traveling to work and friends in different boroughs.

A Big Problem That Needs a Little Nudge

Whether increasing tax compliance or discouraging public urination, behavioral economics can encourage socially desirable behavior with the right nudges.

How a Chicken Helped a Pickup Truck

When German farmers got a chicken tax to protect them from U.S. poultry imports in the 1960s, the results were unexpected.