Most economists agree that economic freedom promotes growth, but fewer agree that more political freedom improves economic performance as well. Chile of the 1970s and 1980s and China today are just two autocracies with strong economies.

Even though the U.S. is one of the world's leading exporters, few companies actually sell abroad. One reason may be that exporting requires a company to be highly productive.

Before the current recession, soaring stock prices and housing values made many Americans feel well off, and thus many were lax in saving for retirement. The current financial market downturn has erased much of the previous gains, leaving many workers unprepared for retirement.

Over the course of the next two decades, an average of 10,000 baby boomers per day will reach retirement age. Their retirement will cause a surge in federal spending. This month's Newsletter shows how the retirement of the baby boomers will affect government programs such as Social Security and...

Which public investment offers greater returns—a subsidy for a sports stadium or early childhood education? It might surprise some, but the answer is an investment in early childhood education. A research study from the Federal Reserve found a 16 percent return on such an investment, with 80...