Economics | Yale Insights

Can Religious Teachings Help Lift People Out of Poverty?

James Choi
September 17, 2020

A study in the Philippines, co-authored by Yale SOM’s James Choi, suggests that learning Protestant Christian values and theology can boost poor families’ income.
Choosing the Wrong Health Insurance Could Kill You

Jason Abaluck
September 02, 2020

Yale SOM’s Jason Abaluck and his co-authors calculated that the Medicare Advantage plans appreciably influence the survival rates of their enrollees. Shutting down the plans with the highest mortality rates could save thousands of lives per year.
Facebook’s Dominance Is Built on Anti-Competitive Behavior

Fiona M. Scott Morton
June 18, 2020
In a new paper, Yale SOM’s Fiona Scott Morton writes that the company took control of the social media industry by misleading consumers and buying up rivals.
U.S. Jobs Numbers Show an Uptick from a Grim Baseline

Barbara Biasi
June 12, 2020

We asked labor economist Barbara Biasi what can be understood from the latest Employment Situation Summary—including whether the numbers are accurately reflecting the effects of a fast-moving crisis.
The Antitrust Case against Google

Fiona M. Scott Morton
June 08, 2020
State and federal authorities are reportedly preparing to bring antitrust charges against Google. We talked to Yale SOM’s Fiona Scott Morton about the company's dominant role in online advertising and how it limits competition.
Don’t Use COVID-19 as an Excuse to Turn Away Skilled Immigrants

Jeffrey A. Sonnenfeld
May 29, 2020
The Trump administration is reportedly planning to limit immigration for skilled workers in order to boost employment for domestic workers. Yale SOM’s Jeffrey Sonnenfeld writes that such a move would stifle innovation and even endanger Americans’ health.
Will COVID-19 Force Us to Rethink Our Healthcare System?

Fiona M. Scott Morton
May 19, 2020

Since health insurance is tied to employment in the United States, Americans are losing their insurance just as they need it most. We asked economist Fiona Scott Morton, an expert on the healthcare industry, what a better system would look like.
Contrary to Conventional Wisdom, Margins Don’t Rise as a Company Grows

Jacob Thomas
May 14, 2020

Nearly every business plan contains the assumption that as the company grows, its average costs will fall and profit margins will rise. But that isn’t borne out by the numbers.
Faculty Viewpoints: The Economic Policy Response
May 12, 2020
In an online conversation, Yale faculty members discussed the steps already taken to prevent the COVID-19 crisis from turning into economic catastrophe, and the need for more effective healthcare policies.
Faculty Viewpoints: A Global View
May 07, 2020
In an online conversation, Yale SOM faculty members discussed diverging responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for global cooperation.