Declining Male Workforce Participation Reflects Supply, Not Demand, Says New Paper

– The Wall Street Journal 

Weakness in the labor market doesn’t adequately explain why fewer men are working or seeking jobs, according to a new paper published by George Mason University. One big contributor is the rising number of men in their prime working years — aged 25 to 54 — who are getting federal disability benefits, or report being disabled, and who are not actively searching for jobs, the study concludes.

 

The History of Sears Predicts Nearly Everything Amazon Is Doing

– The Atlantic 

One hundred years ago, a retail giant that shipped millions of products by mail moved swiftly into the brick-and-mortar business, changing it forever. Is that happening again?

 

The Politicization of Everything

– The Wall Street Journal 

The Wall Street Journal editorial board condemns the Trump-NFL fracas and laments the politicization of everything. For operators, there may be another takeaway — in this supercharged political environment, brands may be expected to take a public position on issues that they would have ignored in the past.

 

The Rise of Public-Sector Crowdfunding

– CityLab

Around the country, local governments are soliciting donations for everything from dog parks to public defenders. Is this a practical response to budget cuts or a sign that publicly funded services are in trouble?