Poverty
Our coverage of poverty in America, which policies help reduce it, and why it’s so hard to achieve economic mobility.
The Republican fight over SNAP benefits has deep historical roots.
How do we ensure no person dies as a result of bringing life into this world?
Housing expert Matthew Desmond argues poverty has stagnated in America, but misses something big.
People living in tents has become one of the most urgent issues in American politics.
The Cornell political scientist is doing groundbreaking research on why marginalized people’s demands are often ignored.
The economist’s recent work offers a street-eye view of how to stop urban violence.
The Yale economist has spent his career seeking out what’s most effective in helping the poor.
How a WWE wrestler, corrupt Mississippi officials, and Brett Favre allegedly siphoned money away from poor people.
Effective altruism has gone mainstream. Where does that leave it?
US public policy is a disaster on guns — and so much more.
A guaranteed income program designed by and for Black women.
Forecasting what’s shaping up to be another bumpy year.
Our batting average in forecasting 2021.
The child tax credit accomplished in one month what other policies took a decade to achieve.
Stop throwing your food away.
The first war on poverty cut it in half. Joe Biden could do it again.
What we got right: Biden as the Democratic nominee, Brexit finally happening. What we got wrong: Trump reelected, the Supreme Court unchanged.
With cellphones in widespread use, getting everyone access to banking is within reach.
The Canadian government gives parents money each month. Listen to this episode of The Impact to find out how the program has made a real difference.
Randomized controlled trials and the debate over them, explained.
Why discrimination against voucher holders is a big problem.
The new economics, and how it can create a more just America.
Alaska gives each resident a check every year. It’s cut poverty — and warped the state’s politics.
Public support for unions is high. But that doesn’t necessarily help unions grow.
Stereotypes about race and cleanliness have harmed black people — and their communities — for generations.
Four economic ideas disproven by reality.
Low-income communities are finally feeling the expansion. The Fed is noticing.
Openly talking about reparations for the descendants of enslaved men and women is a notable shift for Democrats. But the conversation has often lacked substance.
At the Poor People’s Campaign forum, candidates opened up about how they plan to help low-income Americans.
Congress’s official think tank finds the Republican tax cuts helped corporations, not workers.
It’s a subtle but important change.
A new survey asks how cash transfers stack up against services. People want their government to provide the latter.
A map from ProPublica shows who the taxman really inspects.
The most important report on child poverty in years is finally out.
A new wave of critics say even the most generous billionaires are bad. Are they right?
Forget the horse race — here’s how 2020 Democrats want to fight poverty.
It’s not a full UBI, but it’s a huge step.
MLK’s speech highlighted the unfulfilled promise of economic freedom for black Americans — and the White House feared the aftermath.
Studies have shown it hasn’t really lifted people out of poverty. But it’s still made a difference in the lives of the poor.
Why making it someone’s job to use evidence-based thinking in government could yield big benefits.
