Peter Jacobsen
Contributor
Peter Jacobsen teaches economics and holds the position of Gwartney Professor of Economics. He received his graduate education George Mason University. His research interest is at the intersection of political economy, development economics, and population economics.
Follow him on Twitter @PeterPashute
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Trump’s $5,000 Offer Reveals How Washington Works
Politicians routinely promise benefits to current voters at future taxpayers’ expense. The president’s offer simply strips away the pretense.
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What Zohran Mamdani Could Learn From His Father
Mahmood Mamdani’s research showed why people often don’t behave the way central planners wish they would. His son faces a similar test in New York.
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Should Smartphones be Banned in Schools? A Look at the Research
Students react poorly at first but show improvement over time. Unfortunately, government schools are tricky places to run experiments.
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Sports Betting and the Zero-Sum Trap: How Gambling Drains Wallets
Economic reasoning explains why sports gambling reliably makes the average bettor poorer. Point-shaving scandals and information asymmetries reveal why the odds are stacked against participants.
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Markets, Dignity, and Moral Responsibility: an Economist’s Response to Pope Leo XIV’s Dilexi Te
Even free market purists don’t think the invisible hand is the only one we can extend to the poorest among us.
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What Families Gain at the Dinner Table
Regular family dinners — with conversation instead of screens — continue to correlate with positive outcomes for young people.
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New Study: California’s $20 Minimum Wage Killed 18,000 Restaurant Jobs
Wage floors destroy opportunities, harming the poor most of all. Californians just got a hard lesson in basic economics.
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Should We Stop Adding Fluoride to Drinking Water?
When experts disagree on costs and benefits, markets offer a way forward. Let individuals choose.
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The Economics of Divorce: A New Paper Examines the Harm to Children
Even controlling for children within the same families, the long-term economic impact of parental divorce remain stark.
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Why Warner Bros. Sunk Batgirl
“The company likely believes the cost is greater than the benefit. And given the recent track record of DC movies, I don’t doubt they’re right.” ~ Peter Jacobsen
-
•
Trump’s $5,000 Offer Reveals How Washington Works
Politicians routinely promise benefits to current voters at future taxpayers’ expense. The president’s offer simply strips away the pretense.
-
•
What Zohran Mamdani Could Learn From His Father
Mahmood Mamdani’s research showed why people often don’t behave the way central planners wish they would. His son faces a similar test in New York.
-
•
Should Smartphones be Banned in Schools? A Look at the Research
Students react poorly at first but show improvement over time. Unfortunately, government schools are tricky places to run experiments.
-
•
Sports Betting and the Zero-Sum Trap: How Gambling Drains Wallets
Economic reasoning explains why sports gambling reliably makes the average bettor poorer. Point-shaving scandals and information asymmetries reveal why the odds are stacked against participants.
-
•
Markets, Dignity, and Moral Responsibility: an Economist’s Response to Pope Leo XIV’s Dilexi Te
Even free market purists don’t think the invisible hand is the only one we can extend to the poorest among us.
-
•
What Families Gain at the Dinner Table
Regular family dinners — with conversation instead of screens — continue to correlate with positive outcomes for young people.
-
•
New Study: California’s $20 Minimum Wage Killed 18,000 Restaurant Jobs
Wage floors destroy opportunities, harming the poor most of all. Californians just got a hard lesson in basic economics.
-
•
Should We Stop Adding Fluoride to Drinking Water?
When experts disagree on costs and benefits, markets offer a way forward. Let individuals choose.
-
•
The Economics of Divorce: A New Paper Examines the Harm to Children
Even controlling for children within the same families, the long-term economic impact of parental divorce remain stark.
-
•
Why Warner Bros. Sunk Batgirl
“The company likely believes the cost is greater than the benefit. And given the recent track record of DC movies, I don’t doubt they’re right.” ~ Peter Jacobsen