Big-money prize challenges are not exactly a new concept: Think “challenge” grants, The X Prize, the Millennium Prize, or your local public-radio station. [The
The case for doubling Social Security benefits
So far the debate on Social Security has been between the deficit hawks who want to cut Social Security benefits to reduce government debt
Banned or burned, the Koran’s in good company
By the time you read this, an extremist Christian minister in Florida may or may not have burned copies of the Koran. He is
Corruption hurts: Who, where, how much?
“Corruption hurts everyone, and it harms poor people the most.” That basic principle underlies the work of Transparency International [TI], the Berlin-based international group
The United States of Latin America
Latin American nations, following Europe’s model, have been busy forming a variety of economic unions and institutions. Venezuela, Brazil, Bolivia and Cuba are leading
Information is beautiful
David McCandless loves pie. And he loves information, too. But he hates pie charts. So, he’s doing something about that. Calling himself a “data
Anatomy of a coup d’etat
Manuel Zelaya was President of Honduras from January 27, 2006 until June 28, 2009 when he was arrested by the military and removed from
Revealed: the political party circuit
What, you weren’t invited to the Fenway Park bash for Rhode Island’s Democratic Congressman James Langevin on August 25? It must have been a
Mr. Oilman, tear down this rig!
Rep. Raul Grijalva chairs the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands, and co-chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Throughout his congressional career, he
A YouTube for documents and government transparency
Document storage meets social media—with potentially positive effects for government transparency. At Scribd [don’t ask us how to pronounce it], you can upload and