Next Economy

The Alarming, Long-Term Consequences of Workplace Stress

Health problems associated with job-related anxiety account for more deaths each year than Alzheimer's disease or diabetes.

• Gillian B. White and National Journal
• February 19, 2015

For Less Corporate Fraud, Add Female Executives

Hiring more women for the role of CFO could lead to less tax evasion—and maybe fewer accounting scandals.

• Gillian B. White
• February 19, 2015

Can Labor Survive Nevada's Republican Party?

For the first time in decades, the GOP controls the state's assembly, the senate, and the governor's mansion—and they're targeting unions.

• Alana Semuels
• February 18, 2015

How Much Do Waiters Really Earn in Tips?

Gratuities, often paid in cash, are hard to track. A new report sheds light on an estimated $11 billion of annual unreported income.

• Bourree Lam
• February 18, 2015

The Skills Gap: America's Young Workers Are Lagging Behind

New findings suggest that U.S. millennials are far less competent than their peers in Europe and Asia.

• Mikhail Zinshteyn
• February 17, 2015

The Richest Cities for Young People: 1980 vs. Today

Five of the ten richest cities for young Boomers have since seen median wages for young people fall by at least 15 percent.

• Derek Thompson
• February 15, 2015

Is There a Middle Ground Between Renting a House and Buying One?

A program in Vermont makes homeownership more accessible by covering down payments and then splitting the resulting profits.

• Nancy Cook
• February 14, 2015

Where Have All the Construction Workers Gone?

Nevada now employs 60 percent fewer construction workers than it did during the housing boom. Some found new careers. Others left the country.

• Alana Semuels
• February 13, 2015

What If There Was a Middle Option Between Renting and Owning?

An innovative program in Vermont helps low- and middle-income people ease into homeownership.

• Nancy Cook and National Journal
• February 13, 2015

The Alarming, Long-Term Consequences of Workplace Stress

Health problems associated with job-related anxiety account for more deaths each year than Alzheimer's disease or diabetes.

• Gillian B. White
• February 12, 2015

A Better Way to Help the Long-Term Unemployed

One successful program pays for an intensive training class, subsidizes wages for the jobless, and has an 80 percent placement rate. Can it be scaled?

• Alana Semuels
• February 10, 2015

How Black Middle-Class Kids Become Poor Adults

Once grown, African-American children are more likely than their white peers to backslide into a lower economic group.

• Gillian B. White and National Journal
• February 8, 2015

Stock Buybacks Are Killing the American Economy

Profits once flowed to higher wages or increased investment. Now, they enrich a small number of shareholders.

• Nick Hanauer
• February 8, 2015

Is Buying a House Still the Best Way to Build Wealth?

Real estate is a shakier investment than it once was, but it's still one of the most viable options for building a financial future.

• Nancy Cook
• February 8, 2015

Where Did All the Retail Jobs Go?

Since 2007, the private sector has added 2.4 million new jobs. Retail has lost 60,000.

• Derek Thompson
• February 6, 2015

Is Real Estate Still Americans' Best Financial Bet?

Buying a home remains the most promising way for people to build wealth—but only because no one has come up with a better alternative.

• Nancy Cook and National Journal
• February 6, 2015

Does Finance Do Any Good for Society?

One economist argues that a fair and competitive banking sector can exist—but only if dismissive academics and a skeptical public hear each other out.

• Joe Pinsker
• February 5, 2015

The Rich Get Richer—and More Educated

Wealthy Americans have seen major growth when it comes to educational attainment, but the poorest Americans still struggle to graduate.

• Gillian B. White
• February 5, 2015