Economic Concepts

Interpreting Election Polls

Why focusing on polling margins leads us astray and how we should interpret elections polls.

Aug 24 • Pawel Langer (Nominal News)

Why Economists Don't Actually Make Predictions

Don’t ask economists to predict the future. Ask them what the impact will be. It sounds similar, but it isn't.

Aug 11 • Pawel Langer (Nominal News)

Should We (Ever) Tax Trade? A Theoretical Guide

Are there instances in which tariffs can improve welfare?

Jul 28 • Pawel Langer (Nominal News)

How The World Cup Builds Nations

Football may seem like just entertainment, but it helps build national identities.

Jul 1 • Pawel Langer (Nominal News)

How ‘AI’ Could Lead to a Rise in Research Slop

GenAI may make statistical abuse much easier to implement.

May 18 • Pawel Langer (Nominal News)

How Spousal Preferences Impact Career Outcomes of Men and Women

Spousal preferences impact women's career choices, desired work hours and salary negotiations.

Apr 14 • Pawel Langer (Nominal News)

Why Expanding Roads Fails to Reduce Traffic Congestion

Increasing lanes sounds like it should reduce traffic congestion – research shows it doesn't.

Mar 22 • Pawel Langer (Nominal News)

Why Good Economic Policies Can Fail – The Need for Incentives and Reminders

A study on HIV medication adherence exemplifies how incentives and reminders can boost effectiveness of assistance programs and policies.

Mar 18 • Pawel Langer (Nominal News)

The Rise in Startup Fraud

Venture capital-backed firms have become more friendly to founders, but this, in turn, is leading to increased fraud.

Mar 10 • Pawel Langer (Nominal News)

Something is rotten in the state of … Economics

A recent podcast with Jon Stewart ignited a debate about economics

Feb 17 • Pawel Langer (Nominal News)

Gifts in the Workplace

Unlike many headlines suggesting gifts are inefficient, gifts from employers increase workers' productivity.

Dec 25, 2025 • Pawel Langer (Nominal News)

Locked In: How Homeownership Limits Mobility

High house-wealth can unintentionally trap people in an area going through a downturn.

Dec 17, 2025 • Pawel Langer (Nominal News)

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