A Journal of Ideas

criminal justice

Criminally Confidential

In reforming our criminal justice system, we must pay greater attention to one oft-neglected issue: the distorted use of criminal informants.

By Jonathan Blanks

October 16, 2018, 2:46 pm – 9 MIN READ

Moving Beyond the Snake Pit

How prisons became the de facto “treatment” center for those with mental illness.

Summer 2018, No. 49 – 14 MIN READ

The Perverse Power of the Prosecutor

How responsible are prosecutors for holding back progressive criminal justice reform?

February 22, 2018, 5:53 pm – 8 MIN READ

The Sessions War on Marijuana

Although he may not be able to truly destroy legal state markets, the Sessions Memo could have important adverse consequences, including on the opioid crisis.

By Jonathan Blanks

January 26, 2018, 4:02 pm – 4 MIN READ

The Shield Law Dilemma

As the death penalty reaches its lowest support in decades, pharmaceutical companies have become reluctant open participants in executions. Unfortunately, an increasing number of shield laws may stand in the way.

By Rory Fleming

January 4, 2018, 6:18 pm – 7 MIN READ

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Issue Contents

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Features
Yes, Government Creates Wealth
Economics has never accepted the idea that the public sector creates wealth. But it does—and acknowledging that can lead to sweeping change.

By Mariana Mazzucato
September 12, 2018, 3:27 pm – 29 MIN READ

Arguments
Criminally Confidential
In reforming our criminal justice system, we must pay greater attention to one oft-neglected issue: the distorted use of criminal informants.

By Jonathan Blanks
October 16, 2018, 2:46 pm – 9 MIN READ

Arguments
An End to Spoiler Candidates
If more states adopted ranked-choice voting, far fewer elections would include unsatisfactory, binary choices and minority-backed winners.

By Dave Daley
November 1, 2018, 5:15 pm – 6 MIN READ

Arguments
Don’t Let the Last Crisis Go to Waste
Democrats need a concrete plan for the next financial crisis; one that keeps in mind past mistakes and does not cow-tow to deficit hawks.

By Stuart Whatley
November 15, 2018, 5:54 pm – 9 MIN READ

Book Reviews
Yes, Virginia, There Is a Crisis
Once upon a time in southwest Virginia, coal barons took the region’s wealth. Now, opioids sap its will.

By Sarah Jones
September 18, 2018, 8:26 pm – 13 MIN READ