Finn Marten, Kiel University & Kiel Institute for the World Economy -- International economic system has changed dramatically over the last few years. Geopolitical events like the US-China rivalry and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine destabilized international economic systems, causing a full-scale trade war and an unprecedented sanctions regime. Such events signal a rise in “geoeconomics”—the strategic use of economic instruments like financial sanctions or tariffs to achieve geopolitical ends.
Griffin Young, American University — The political ramifications of unaffordable housing have already bubbled up in big-city politics, with cities like San Francisco making national headlines for blocking new development while simultaneously dealing with an affordability crisis. Although NIMBY (not in my backyard) views transcend the political spectrum, many of its proponents share a common trait: ownership. While the housing crisis locks many young Americans out of home ownership, rising home prices reward homeowners with a massive increase in home equity. In this way, soaring housing prices create winners and losers.
Thomas Sarsfield, University of Missouri – Saint Louis — “I propose to consider the question, ‘Can machines think?'” So asked Alan Turing in his landmark research essay Computing Machinery and Intelligence in 1950. Six years later, at a conference at Dartmouth College in 1956, researchers would coin the term ‘Artificial Intelligence.’ At the time, many of the researchers believed a ‘thinking machine’ would reach human-level intelligence within a generation, and capital began to pour into research projects aiming to advance AI technology.
Lily Haak, University of Florida — In 2010, before the wave of hyper-consumerism and big data engulfed digital markets, author and academic Debra Satz penned “Why Some Things Should Not Be for Sale.” Satz identifies the qualities of repugnant markets—like those for human kidneys or for services that exploit women’s reproductive abilities, child labor, etc.—and qualifies them all as both economically unviable and ethically compromising. Since Dr. Satz published her book, the tech sector has progressed considerably, with the adoption of social media as a full-fledged marketplace. But as consumers reap the benefits of remote online browsing and enhanced accessibility, they’re inadvertently sacrificing components of their privacy. In this new digital landscape, how do we assess the risks of selling our data—are we being bought and sold digitally?
Alfonso Delgado, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley — Myanmar’s economy is in ruins. CPI inflation is near a decade high, only an estimated 54.5 percent of the population is employed, and the Burmese Kyat is valued at a historic low. However, Myanmar’s current economic distress sits in stark contrast to its previous trajectory. Here’s what went wrong.
Anshveer Bedi, James Burrell, and Alexander Flores, University of San Francisco — Punjab is facing a pressing yield problem. Despite being a vital agricultural hub in India, making up 11% of the country’s agricultural output, Punjab has witnessed severe yield fluctuations for key staples like rice, maize, and wheat over the past three decades. These fluctuations are caused by Punjab’s shifting climate, particularly the increase of hot weather days, rainy spells, and other climatic anomalies.
Jenna Teterin, Stanford University — Earlier this year, tractors formed barricades in highways and streets across Belgium, France, and other European Union countries. Blocking traffic with their personal machinery, European farmers protested against policies and decisions made by the EU to promote sustainable practices across industries, agriculture included. Underneath the surface, however, their protests were also shaped by the most basic rule of economics: supply and demand.
Kyle Feinstein, Stanford University — Olympic host cities incur tremendous costs to welcome thousands of athletes from across the globe. Since the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, economists have debated whether the costs outweigh the benefits for potential host cities and how the International Olympic Committee (IOC) can institute reforms to make hosting a more appealing opportunity.
Richa Upadhyay, Stanford University — One in four Americans report that they or a family member struggles to afford healthcare. The American healthcare industry is facing a critical need to control costs and incentivize high-quality care. Empty hospitals and shorter stays should be seen as a sign of efficient healthcare provision and improved population health rather than a revenue red flag. States must align financial and public health incentives through global budgeting, a form of value-based care, to tie hospital payments to health outcomes.
