Policy Briefs

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National Security

This series animates succinct policy explanations from various talks, podcasts, and presentations given by policy experts. These videos explain first principles and real world examples in a way that are easy to understand and share with your friends.

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Michael Auslin on Engaging with China

Michael Auslin explains why we cannot accept what the government of China says at face value.

Lee Ohanian on Sweden's Experiment with Socialism

Lee Ohanian discusses Sweden’s experience with both socialist and free-market economies.

Victor Davis Hanson on Essential Workers

Victor Davis Hanson discusses the need for a fundamental shift in how we define and compensate workers for essential jobs.

H. R. McMaster on Restoring Confidence in American Democracy

H. R. McMaster explains how to restore confidence in America and our democratic institutions.

Condoleezza Rice On What Unifies Us As Americans

No matter their origin, Americans are unified by their ability and desire to improve their lives.

Larry Diamond On Promoting Liberty And Free Societies

The United States must regain its sense of purpose in the ideological struggle for freedom and liberty.

Larry Diamond On Countering Chinese Propaganda With Truth

America must rebuff China’s covert, coercive, and corrupting efforts to gain cultural and informational influence in the United States.

George P. Shultz On The Danger Of Empty Threats

Former Secretary of State George Shultz discusses the dangers of making empty threats.

James Ellis On The Energy Density Advantage of Nuclear Power

Nuclear power has an energy density advantage over every other method of generating electricity.

Lanhee Chen On Competition in the Health Insurance Market

Competition among insurers has gone down and premiums have gone up as a result of Obamacare.

Scott Atlas On Why Competition, Not Laws, Will Make Health Care Prices Visible

More patient control over health care spending will lead to more price visibility and lower costs.

Scott Atlas Discusses How Health Savings Accounts Push Health Care Prices Down

Health Saving Accounts (HSAs) are an effective and proven method of reducing healthcare prices for everyone, not just those with HSAs.

John Cochrane On Why a Complicated Tax Code Leads to Negative Outcomes

To raise necessary revenue with minimal damage to the economy, we should lower marginal rates, broaden the base, and simplify the tax code.

Morris Fiorina On Why Political Parties Have Polarized

As a result of ideological sorting, political parties are far more polarized today than they were before.

Abbas Milani Explains How Authoritarian Regimes Use Fear To Stay In Power

In spite of systematic gender discrimination at every level, Iranian women have continued their fight for inclusivity.

Edward Lazear On How To Reduce Income Inequality

To address income inequality, we need to focus on improving the skills at the bottom of the income distribution.

Josh Rauh Warns Why Taxpayers Will Have To Bail Out Public Pensions

State and local governments are claiming that they’re running balanced budgets, when in reality they’re relying on future investment returns to pay for pension benefits to retirees.

Michael Auslin On Spying And National Security

It is important to understand the scope of foreign infiltration in order to prevent it.

Peter Berkowitz On The Prevention Of Abuses Of Power

A well-designed constitution protects individual freedoms by preventing the abuse of power by the government.

Adam White On How The Unelected Judiciary Prevents The Tyranny Of The Majority

The judicial branch plays an important role in preventing the rights of minorities from being abused.

John Cogan Tells Us How To Think About Entitlements

Entitlement programs fulfill an important humanitarian goal, but they need to be weighed against the trade-offs they impose on the return to work.

Michael Boskin On When A Tax Cut Isn't Actually A Tax Cut

A tax cut is not a true tax cut unless it is accompanied by reduced spending, because eventually the loss of revenue has to be paid for.

Terry Anderson Asks Who Washes A Rental Car?

Free market environmentalism uses lessons from the market to solve the environmental problems stemming from the tragedy of the commons.