Briefs

The stated goal of antitrust laws is to ensure that businesses operate fairly and to protect consumers by ensuring that a competitive marketplace gives them access to more choices, low prices, high-quality goods, and innovative products. In 2021, Congress proposed several new pieces of antitrust legislation, and dozens of antitrust lawsuits are pending. This wave of antitrust actions will likely reshape the business and regulatory landscape, impacting both businesses and consumers.

The purpose of The Policy Circle Engagement Guides is to provide context and resources related to local engagement opportunities, so that any organization, group, or individual can participate in what’s happening in the community in which they operate and live. This opens opportunities to be a part of the fabric of the community, and build a network of local community members, all of which will ultimately improve business outcomes. This guide focuses on local businesses and entrepreneurs, their role in the community, and the ecosystem of relationships between local government, community, business and employees.

This Brief dives into the basics of campaign finance at the federal level, specifically key terminology and debates surrounding it, the types of political organizations that raise and spend money in the political process, the laws and court cases that have shaped it, and helpful information to know before you donate.

The way processing systems function means personal data online is part of regular life, as are the dangers that come with it. What exactly are the dangers of unprotected data? What are the roles of citizens, businesses, and the government when it comes to technology and data? How can these stakeholders work together to promote safe cybersecurity practices and frameworks that protect data without infringing on individual rights and freedoms?

The Dodd-Frank Act was signed into law in 2010 following the 2008-2009 economic recession. But what caused the housing and economic crisis of 2008? Was it greedy bankers? Was government policy to blame? Read on to see the role government policies played in incentivising overrated subprime mortgage lending and the lessons that can be applied to Dodd-Frank reform.

Innovation in education involves leveraging technology to enhance learning experiences and create more personalized and accessible education opportunities. To keep pace in our ever-changing world, educational practices must continue to evolve. This Brief gives an overview of the latest innovative practices in education and demonstrates the types of policies and practices that can encourage more of it.

What would you do if your child was not thriving in his or her school environment? What if you could use the money your state sets aside for him or her to tailor a better educational fit? Vouchers, Education Savings Accounts, and Tax-credit scholarships allow the flexibility of choice for parents facing this dilemma. What exactly are they and how do they work?

In a democracy, the government derives authority from the electorate's consent. Holding elections and exercising the right to vote are essential to democracy. Many laws and rules govern the people and resources involved in campaigns and voting to ensure elections are competitive and inclusive. This brief will focus on election basics and ways to protect free, fair, and secure elections.

Community, civic life, and faith all work together to form society. Social capital and groups have been declining since the late 20th century, forcing a special focus on these bonds and their importance. This Brief will cover the history, decline, and conversation about the role of faith in civic activity.

The free-enterprise system is the only system that has been proven to create opportunities for everyone, even the most vulnerable. This brief is a compilation of foundational work helpful for understanding and articulating the power of free markets and individual freedom in unleashing what human creativity can accomplish in a free market economy.

The United States political system was originally founded on the idea of consent of the governed. Today’s government relies on thousands of administrative officials, which makes it difficult for citizens to know who is making decisions. Only with transparency at the administrative level can citizens know the decision makers and the decision making process, which allows them to hold elected and appointed officials accountable for the results of those decisions.

The impact of sports in the United States is undeniable: sports teams have had lasting social and economic effects at the local level in their own communities and at the professional level across the country. What goes into the economic value of sports teams? What do sports bring to communities? What should the role be, if any, of government in fostering sports in community development?