Trump and Orbán share an authoritarian playbook—but voters in both countries are increasingly rejecting it.

Trump Copied Orban’s Playbook. Now Both Wannabe Strongmen Are in Trouble

by John Austin April 7, 2026April 7, 2026

Hungary’s illiberal prime minister could lose power in elections on April 12, while Trump speeds toward disastrous midterms.

Plastic Profits: Credit card interest rates have surged to historic highs, delivering record returns to banks while straining household budgets.

The Monopolized Economy

The Case for Capping Credit Card Interest Rates

by Ben Dinovelli January 26, 2026January 26, 2026

Power Concentrated: A data center owned by Amazon Web Services under construction next to the Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Berwick, Pa., Jan. 14, 2025.

Economy

The Dangers of AI and Extreme Wealth Inequality

by David Atkins January 5, 2026January 5, 2026

Love Fest: President Donald Trump shakes hands with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Washington.

Politics

Affordability Wars

by Rob Wolfe November 21, 2025November 21, 2025

AI is disrupting entry-level work, and graduates constitute a growing share of the long-term unemployed. Yet the value of the college degree remains strong, with graduates earning far more over time than non-college workers.

Magazine

No, College Degrees Aren’t Losing Their Value

by Nate Weisberg November 2, 2025November 2, 2025

Second Estate: Jean-Baptiste Charpentier's 1763 portrait of the Duc de Penthièvre and family

Magazine

How America’s Tax Code Built an Aristocracy

by David Cay Johnston November 2, 2025November 3, 2025

Populist Moderate: Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) stands for a portrait in his temporary office on Capitol Hill Jan. 17, 2025. (Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images)

Politics

The Rise of the Populist Moderates

by Nate Weisberg October 28, 2025October 28, 2025

A food truck is parked near the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025.

Health Care

Government Shutdown Fallout: A Reminder That We Still Need Health Care for Gig Workers, Sole Proprietors

by David Atkins October 22, 2025October 22, 2025

Economy

The College Degree Is Not Losing Value

by Nate Weisberg September 30, 2025September 29, 2025

Politics

Democrats Should Prepare for the Return of Debt Politics

by Bill Scher July 10, 2025July 10, 2025

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economic policy

Trump Copied Orban’s Playbook. Now Both Wannabe Strongmen Are in Trouble

The Case for Capping Credit Card Interest Rates

The Dangers of AI and Extreme Wealth Inequality

Affordability Wars

No, College Degrees Aren’t Losing Their Value

How America’s Tax Code Built an Aristocracy

The Rise of the Populist Moderates

Government Shutdown Fallout: A Reminder That We Still Need Health Care for Gig Workers, Sole Proprietors

The College Degree Is Not Losing Value

Democrats Should Prepare for the Return of Debt Politics

Amy Acton Won’t Debate. It’s Worked Before

It’s Time for Our Own Gloria Days

The Health Care Crisis and How to Fix It

The Feminist Was a Spy

A Fitting End for Trump’s Gaudy Ballroom

The New Normal in Kyiv, Ukraine

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