The Dodd-Frank Act required the FDIC to change how it assesses banks for deposit insurance. FDIC’s final rule implementing that mandate went into effect on April 1, 2011.

In the latest Asian Outlook, AEI research assistant Dale Swartz examines the Chinese government's vigorous response to domestic unrest in the wake of the "Arab Spring" -- the revolutionary movements for democracy happening all over the Middle East.

The $2 billion loss at JPMorgan Chase (JPM) has reopened debate on the Volcker rule. The proponents of the rule have seized on the story as proof that the Volcker rule is necessary and should be quickly put into effect by regulation. In reality, however, if the facts are as thus far reported, what happened at JPMorgan is proof that the Volcker rule is unworkable and should be repealed. 

Initiatives to expand regulation of the food industries with the overall goal of increasing competition and commodity prices farmers receive often have the unintended consequence of raising consumer prices and lowering farmers’ prices while reducing the quality and variety of food products available to consumers.

Cash for Clunkers is a prime example of the unanticipated consequences of hastily drafted legislation.

Virtually every action of any consequence, private as well as public, has some consequences that were not part of the purpose of the action.

That government policies have "unintended consequences" is a staple of both political rhetoric and policy analysis. In its strongest form, the argument is that policy consequences are not only unintended but perverse--they make the problems they address worse rather than better. These arguments are pervasive, but are they simply rhetorical...