Money & Politics
Money & Politics are virtually inseparable. Learn more about some of the most important political and economic issues of our time.
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Who Wins and Loses in a Trade War?
Who takes the hit when the U.S. president levies tariffs on our trading partners?
How NATO Works
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is built on an alliance between 29 North American and European countries. But it's much more than that.
Does Paying People to Relocate to a State Work?
Many Midwestern and New England states are hoping to attract more residents by offering cash, student loan forgiveness and other incentives. But surprisingly, no one has studied whether these programs are effective.
The True Story of Blood Diamonds
Diamonds weren't even very popular before the 1930s. And it wasn't until a savvy copywriter created an ad slogan that the stones became synonymous with love.
Who Wins (and Loses) If U.S. Imposes Steel Tariffs?
President Donald Trump wants countries exporting steel and aluminum to the U.S. to pay steep tariffs. Could these tariffs spark a global trade war?
U.S. Politicians Prioritize Coal Mining Jobs Above Other Industries, Despite Data
U.S. politicians talk a lot about trying to save coal mining jobs, while saying little about losses in significantly larger sectors like retail. Why the disconnect?
Estonia's e-Residency Gives Brexit Businesses a Way to Stay in the EU
Post-Brexit, applications for Estonia's e-Residency program are soaring. But what does becoming an Estonian e-Resident actually allow you to do?
Want to Define Poverty? Consider More Than Just Income, Study Says
Poverty has always been measured with money in the U.S., but a new study finds that when we focus only income, there's a lot we don't see.
What Are the Panama Papers?
The guys from Stuff They Don't Want You to Know catch you up on the largest single leak in human history.
New Research Finds Financial Hardship Causes Actual Physical Pain
Financial difficulty can produce measurable negative impacts on physical well-being, including real pain and a lowered pain tolerance.
How Dark Money Works
Let's shed some light on how and why political donations can be so tricky.
How the Fiscal Cliff Works
The New Year may produce more than a hangover; America may be going over a fiscal cliff as well. How did the U.S. get there, and what can stop it?
Can the president control gas prices?
Gas prices have been pretty volatile for the past few years. Is there anyone who has any control over how much you'll pay at the pump? Well ... kind of.
How the Bush-Era Tax Cuts Work
When George W. Bush signed two tax bills into law in both 2001 and 2003, he lowered tax rates for the vast majority of Americans as well as taxes on capital gains and investment dividends. So why are these bills so controversial?
What was the economic impact of September 11?
It's hard to quantify the economic impact of the events of Sept. 11, 2001 -- and pretty much impossible to tally the emotional cost of that fateful day. How did the events of 9/11 affect the U.S. economically?
How Conflict Minerals Work
The gold, tin, tantalum and tungsten inside your gadgets are necessary to make them work. But if these elements come from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, they may have been mined with forced labor.
How does President Obama plan to fix the federal deficit?
On April 13, 2011, President Barack Obama proposed a plan for reducing the United State's debt and strengthen its fiscal reputation. But what does it really take to save sums of money so large they hardly seem real?
How Collective Bargaining Agreements Work
We often hear about high-end contract negotiations in the entertainment world, but it's easy to forget that these rich guys are still laborers working under the auspices of a union. But how does the regular working stiff handle these negotiations?
Are blood diamonds making a comeback?
Diamond mining has long been associated with war, death and greed. The Kimberley Process made it possible to regulate the diamond market, but is it on the brink of collapse?
10 Most Expensive Presidential Perks
The U.S. president rakes in a salary of $400,000 and lives in a 132-room mansion. With a full-time pastry chef and a private cinema at his disposal, the leader of the free world wants for nothing. But which perks are the priciest?
Does trickle-down economics apply to a down market?
It's a pretty simple idea: Whatever revenue wealthy citizens generate will eventually trickle down to the lower classes. But it's tough to find the logic in the theory of trickle-down economics when mainstream America is going hungry and the upper cr
How Trickle-down Economics Works
Want to get a debate going? Ask a group of politicians if trickle-down economics really works. For a few centuries now, theorists have been postulating that giving society's top earners tax breaks will help the lower classes in the long run. Think it
How Labor Scabs Work
They range from factory workers to plumbers to professional athletes. Labor scabs -- sometimes under threat of bodily harm -- fill jobs when union workers go on strike.
How will the U.S. government spend the $700 billion bailout funds?
There's no disputing the fact that $700 billion is a lot of money, but there's been plenty of argument over a proposed government bailout plan. Will this plan save the flailing U.S. economy?
Does campaign finance reform restrict free speech?
Even with fundraising restrictions, in the 2008 United States presidential election it's estimated that candidates will spend more than $3 billion on advertising. Yet many people argue that campaign finance reform restricts free speech.
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