Many economies in the developing world exhibit a dual structure: the formal sector and the informal sector. While large firms operate in the formal sphere, a majority of small- to medium-size firms operate informally. Estimates of the size of the informal econ... More »
When thinking about “dangerous drugs,” illicit substances such as heroin and cocaine usually come to mind. However, there is compelling evidence that alcohol is substantially more harmful to society than illegal drugs; alcohol is the third leading cause of pre... More »
Roughly two years prior to becoming Vice President of the United States, then Governor Mike Pence declared a public health emergency in Indiana. Amid the statewide opioid crisis, and fueled by heightened levels of poverty, Scott County experienced one of the l... More »
When President Obama signed the SPACE Act on November 20, 2015, the U.S. government officially recognized a vision of the future that could previously only be found in the pages of science fiction. Section 51303 of the Act declared: “A United States citizen en... More »
In the early 2000s, police departments across the U.S. began deploying Tasers—devices that deliver an electric current to incapacitate targets—as an alternative use-of-force against civilians. The Taser was considered a non-lethal alternative to firearms and p... More »
Although women have entered the workforce and obtained degrees in higher education in increasing numbers over the past several decades, the wage disparity between genders persists. This phenomenon can be partially explained by differences in choices of college... More »
Since the introduction of the Kalamazoo Public School District’s Promise Scholarship Program in 2005, public school districts across the country have announced similar initiatives, offering college scholarships for students who have attended its public schools... More »
In November 2011, a group of hackers called Guardians of Peace (GOP) attacked Sony Pictures networks in condemnation of The Interview, a satirical movie which targets Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea. Despite the GOP claiming itself to be unaffiliated wi... More »
Globalization and structural changes in African economies are contributing to rapid urbanization—with 50 percent of the population predicted to live in urban areas by 2030, compared to 36 percent in 2010. Simultaneously, climate change is projected to have sig... More »
The Freedom of Information Act in Mexico—also known as FOIA—provides a process for citizens to gain access to information about the way their society is working. Ideally, these requests are fulfilled without regard to the political power of the person making t... More »
Despite possessing over one-third of the world’s wealth, America suffers from higher poverty rates and worse health outcomes than other wealthy countries. Poor health outcomes are not felt equally across the country but, rather, are disproportionately concentr... More »
In the United States, water resources have been historically plentiful, and groundwater consumption is generally not well-managed. However, as demand increases and the effects of climate change strain groundwater resources, the need to monitor consumption habi... More »