M. Amara Dukuly, University of Minnesota -- On Christmas Eve 1989, a Libyan-backed rebel group led by Charles Taylor invaded Liberia, sparking the First Liberian Civil War, which lasted until 1997. A second conflict followed in 1999 and ended in 2003. After nearly a decade and a half of civil war, Liberia is one of the poorest countries in the world and half of the population is illiterate.
Yifei Li, Chenbing Zhou, and Tianshu Xia, University of Colorado Denver -- In recent decades, the United States has experienced a continuous decrease in fertility, which raises concerns regarding labor force shortages and the sustainability of old-age welfare programs. Several states have implemented pronatalist policies, but their effectiveness has not been fully examined. This paper analyzes the impact of parental leave and the child tax credit on fertility at the state level between 1999 and 2023.
Rou Yu (Roanne) Yap, University of Oxford -- This paper estimates the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the labour market in Guangzhou. This is done by studying the effects of past disruptive technologies on the city’s workforce and incorporating theories and evidence from the existing literature.
Rachel Costello, Tulane University -- As destruction from weather events has increased, property insurance premiums have also risen. This article utilizes weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and household survey data from IPUMS USA to answer the following question: “Is the increase in damaging weather events causing lower-income households to drop their property insurance policies at a disproportionate rate?”.
Luke Tsuchiya, Tufts University -- This paper examines the effects of trade liberalization on different communities and the importance of regional integration for calculating the effect of trade shocks.
On behalf of the 2025-26 Stanford Economic Review Editorial Board, we are pleased to present the fourteenth volume of Stanford University’s undergraduate economics journal. Readers can see the full paper here. This academic year, we received submissions from across the world, and this publication represents a phenomenal and diverse set of topics. From trade shocks… Continue reading Our 2026 Issue
Nirvaan Pandit, Stanford University -- As Global South club “BRICS” expands, it teeters between potential and paralysis—poised to reshape the global order in a time of volatility, yet just as likely to fade into the background of failed coalitions. For India—caught between Western partnership and Southern solidarity—the dilemma lies in choosing between them.
Araha Uday, Stanford University -- Supervision and regulation as we know emerged following the Great Recession when policymakers vowed to prevent what took place then–billions of dollars in bailouts for the biggest banks—from happening again. Although the majority of bailed-out banks eventually repaid their loans (leading to the federal government profiting $109 billion), some still have outstanding balances. Still, a few missed payments are a small price to keep banks afloat; at least a chance of future repayment remains. A complete bank failure, on the other hand, would mean no repayments at all, highlighting the high stakes in maintaining a stable banking system.
Paul Squatrito, University of Oregon -- Sub-Saharan Africa stands at a pivotal juncture. The region’s population is projected to double by 2050, exceeding 2.5 billion people, placing immense pressure on food systems already struggling to meet demand. Compounding this challenge are climate-induced disruptions, post-harvest inefficiencies, and limited access to modern agricultural inputs. With over 280 million people facing food insecurity, technological innovation is not merely an option but a necessity. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a potent force, capable of addressing systemic inefficiencies, predicting risks, and optimizing agricultural productivity. Yet, the integration of AI into agriculture is fraught with challenges, including technological inequities and the potential displacement of rural labor.
