Blog Posts by Pardee RAND Faculty

China Stressed a Growing Interest in Global Trade and Governance at Davos
Jan 24, 2017
Timothy R. Heath

President Xi Jinping became the first Chinese leader to appear at the annual gathering of the World Economic Forum last week. He gave a keynote speech that defended global trade and criticized protectionism. Prof. Timothy Heath says his speech reflected, in part, the reality that China has profited enormously from decades of globalization.
Taking Stock of the U.S. Rebalance and the Contest for Influence in Asia
Jan 19, 2017
Timothy R. Heath

Since 2011, the U.S. has carried out measures designed to bolster its influence in Asia, a region that is projected to play a central role in driving global economic growth. Prof. Timothy Heath writes that, despite steady progress, with increased diplomatic outreach to China and its neighbors, doubts about the U.S. pivot to Asia have persisted.
No Company Should Be Able to Keep You from Checking Your Government's Math
Jan 18, 2017
Brian A. Jackson

Data and computer models are becoming more and more important for making policy decisions on everything from prison sentences to tax bills. Prof. Brian Jackson argues that citizens should be able to “check the math” on decisions that affect them.
Trump's Marijuana Options
Jan 17, 2017
Beau Kilmer @BeauKilmer

The new administration will have at least six options for addressing marijuana — they are not mutually exclusive and each comes with tradeoffs, writes Prof. Beau Kilmer. Importantly, they are all compatible with a federal approach that encourages and supports discussions about marijuana prohibition and its alternatives.
The Wrong Terrorism Narrative
Jan 15, 2017
Henry H. Willis @HenryHWillis

Solving the problem of homegrown terrorism in the U.S. requires understanding the true nature of the complex problem of violent extremism. Prof. Henry Willis says that, with such knowledge, authorities and communities will be better able to develop strategies to prevent the next tragic terrorist killing.
Improving MACRA's Chances of Success
Jan 9, 2017
Adam J. Rose, Peter S. Hussey, et al.

Starting in 2019, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act will integrate and potentially simplify performance measurement by combining a number of measures and programs. Research on performance measurement provides a good deal of insight on how to avoid several pitfalls in MACRA's rollout, writes prof. Peter Hussey.
Uncertainty Ahead: Defense Technology and Acquisition Trends in 2017
Jan 3, 2017
Cynthia R. Cook @CynthiaRCook

Prof. Cynthia Cook writes that the change in administration, coupled with the new management structure being imposed by Congress on the Department of Defense's acquisition enterprise, is creating a shifting and unpredictable landscape for 2017.
Walking Away from One-China Policy Imperils Taiwan
Dec 22, 2016
Michael S. Chase, Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman

The U.S. One-China policy has helped keep the peace for decades. Abandoning it now could result in stiffer Chinese resolve. Such a strategy may even backfire by triggering an otherwise avoidable crisis, writes prof. Michael Chase.
Carrier Deal Does Not Carry the Day for American Workers
Dec 21, 2016
Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_, Lynn A. Karoly

Despite the good intentions, pressuring companies like Carrier to keep jobs in the U.S. addresses only the smaller part of the problem, globalization. Professors Krishna Kumar and Lynn Karoly suggest a long-term solution would be to upgrade the education and training system so students graduate with skills for life-long learning.
Cracks in the Chinese Powerhouse
Dec 19, 2016
Timothy R. Heath

Like most countries that have experienced rapid development, China is struggling to transition from a highly successful but unsustainable economic model. Beijing faces the additional challenge of executing difficult reforms in the face of an inhospitable global economy, writes professor Timothy Heath.
Insuring Younger Adults Through the ACA's Marketplaces: Options to Expand Enrollment
Dec 16, 2016
Evan Saltzman, Christine Eibner @Chrissyeibner

Whether or not the Affordable Care Act is repealed, having young adults participate in the individual health insurance market remains critical to achieving affordable premiums for everyone, writes Prof. Christine Eibner.
Support for Postsecondary Education in Prison
Dec 15, 2016
Lois M. Davis @LoisMDavis

Correctional educational programs can reduce incarceration costs and recidivism. But it's critical that former inmates can connect with reentry services in the community to complete their education, writes professor Lois Davis.
Making American Education Great Will Require More Than Charter Schools
Dec 13, 2016
V. Darleen Opfer @VDarleenOpfer

The nomination of Betsy DeVos for U.S. Secretary of Education has shone a spotlight on charter schools, writes professor Darleen Opfer. While charters could become an important part of a great education system, this burst of attention poses a risk that other issues will be ignored.
The Risks of an Accelerating Rivalry Between China and Japan
Dec 12, 2016
Timothy R. Heath

China and Japan have a long history of antagonism but their competition for influence in Asia has recently expanded in the economic, diplomatic, and security domains. The U.S., although a staunch ally of Japan, has served as a mediator. Weakening the U.S. role could aggravate Sino-Japanese tensions to a destabilizing degree, writes professor Timothy Heath.
How States and Districts Can Leverage the Every Student Succeeds Act to Improve School Leadership
Dec 12, 2016
Rebecca Herman, Susan M. Gates

The Every Student Succeeds Act provides states and districts with new chances to invest in school leadership. A review of interventions can serve as a starting point to enact relevant solutions and build the evidence base for what works, writes professor Susan Gates.
Putting Health into the Health Care Debate
Dec 10, 2016
Jeffrey Wasserman

How much return is the United States getting for spending over 17 percent of its gross domestic product on health care? Not nearly enough, says professor and alum Jeffrey Wasserman (cohort '85), vice president and director of RAND Health. The health care debate should focus on improving population health and ensuring the country is getting the biggest bang for its bucks.
How to Rethink Data Privacy
Oct 5, 2016
Osonde A. Osoba @OsondeOsoba, John S. Davis II

Society benefits from the exchange of large-scale data in many ways. Anonymization is the usual mechanism for addressing the privacy of data subjects. Unfortunately, according to professors Osonde Osoba and John Davis, anonymization is broken.
How to Be Safer in the Arctic
Oct 3, 2016
Abbie Tingstad, Timothy William James Smith

The Arctic is more accessible than it once was, but it's still a formidable place to travel. An emergency involving a cruise ship or a downed plane could stress the search-and-rescue system. But modest investments and planning measures can make a big difference, write alum Timothy Smith (cohort '13) and prof. Abbie Tingstad.
How to Prevent Drones Colliding in Crowded Skies
Sep 14, 2016
Kenneth Kuhn, William Welser IV, et al.

The federal government should work with private firms to develop drone traffic management systems and test drone designs, write professors Kenneth Kuhn, William Welser, and Jia Xu. This could help stimulate the development of drone aviation. It could also help modernize the air traffic control system.
Central Bank Perversity: The Downside to Aggressive Monetary Policy
Sep 13, 2016
Charles Wolf, Jr.

Aggressive monetary policy has negative effects on retirees, on income inequality, and on market stability—both domestically and globally—writes Prof. Charles Wolf.
Your Questions About Marijuana Legalization, Answered
Sep 13, 2016

At least five states will vote on legal recreational marijuana this November. Drug policy expert and Pardee RAND professor Beau Kilmer hosted an “Ask Me Anything” session on Reddit to shed light on this and other issues.
How 'Star Trek' Inspired a Boy to Become a Scientist
Aug 26, 2016
William Marcellino

Prof. William Marcellino discusses how “Star Trek” convinced him at an early age that science and the advancement of human knowledge could make the world a better place.
The U.S.-China Cyber Agreement: A Good First Step
Aug 1, 2016
Scott W. Harold @ScottWHarold

China's apparent compliance with the cyber agreement might represent little more than a temporary shift in tactics. Prof. Scott Harold says the U.S. should make clear that indictments may once again be sought if Chinese hackers resume cyber espionage against U.S. firms.
How to Counter Putin's Subversive War on the West
Aug 1, 2016
William Courtney @courtneywmh, Martin C. Libicki

Russian cybercrime, Olympics doping, and other active measures have one thing in common: Moscow admits no wrongdoing. These scandals exacerbate the frigid relations between Moscow and the West. Diplomacy sometimes works slowly, but it helps, writes prof. Martin Libicki.
The High Cost of Free College
Aug 1, 2016
Trey Miller

Subsidies may make institutions inclined to raise tuition since the government would foot the bill. One way to address this issue, writes prof. Trey Miller, is to develop and implement policies that encourage greater productivity from higher education institutions.