New America Policy Papers: 2010

Papers and other formal publications from our policy programs are available below. To jump to another year in the archives, please use the links at right.

Creating a Fiscal Turnaround in the United States

  • By
  • Maya MacGuineas,
  • New America Foundation
December 13, 2010

The Unsustainable Debt Trajectory

For decades now, we have known that the United States faced serious long-term fiscal challenges. The aging of society and growing health care costs have led to projected unfunded liabilities in the double-digit trillions of dollars that were clearly unsustainable. Year after year, the long-term fiscal challenges were discussed, but the political hurdles needed to take action were just too high, and changes were delayed.

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The Saver's Bonus

  • By
  • Reid Cramer,
  • New America Foundation
December 10, 2010

The Saver’s Bonus proposal creates an incentive for low- and moderate-income individuals and families to save at tax time. Research has demonstrated that savings outcomes increase when the savings process is made easier and supported by incentives, such as matching deposits. The dollar-for-dollar match of the Saver’s Bonus, available right on the tax form, can motivate individuals to both save and save more than they otherwise would.

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The State Fiscal Stabilization Fund and Higher Education Spending in the States

  • By
  • Jennifer Cohen,
  • New America Foundation
December 9, 2010

UPDATED TO REFLECT NEW INFORMATION ON IDAHO.

By late 2008, the United States was in the midst of its most severe economic recession since the 1930s, brought on by a collapse in real estate prices and exacerbated by the failure of many large banks and financial institutions. Heeding calls from economists, Congress and the Obama administration passed a historic law in early 2009 to stimulate the economy with $862 billion in new spending and tax cuts.

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Youth Unemployment

  • By
  • Shayne Henry,
  • New America Foundation
December 8, 2010

During the last three years, youth employment has taken a large hit, absorbing a significant portion of job losses.  One in four unemployed persons is under the age of 25 and nearly one in five young workers is unemployed.1  The rate of joblessness among individuals aged 16-24 is at its highest level on record.2

The Recession

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A New Deal: A Plan for Sustainable Afghan Stability

  • By Bijan R. Kian and Wayne Porter
December 6, 2010

America’s strategic interest in Afghanistan and South Asia extends beyond the immediate denial of a safe haven for al-Qaeda.  In a wider context, strategic opportunities converge in Afghanistan that could help to stabilize the region, expand a lucrative market for U.S. investors and exporters, help restore America’s credible influence in the Islamic world, reduce narcotics production, and maintain an environment nonconducive to extremism.

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10 Themes Emerging from the New Debt Reduction Plans

November 23, 2010

It is gratifying to see the growing number of plans to address the federaldebt. The recent proposal from the Co-Chairs of the President’s National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform (Fiscal Commission), the Debt Reduction Task Force plan, Esquire’s Commission to Balance the Federal Budget, Bill Galston and Maya MacGuineas’ proposal, Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) Roadmap, and the plan from Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) all dig deep into the budget to recommend ways to bring down future federal deficits and debt.

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The Great Recession Strains the American Social Contract

  • By
  • Lauren Damme,
  • New America Foundation
November 23, 2010

The Great Recession has exposed numerous flaws in our social contract – weaknesses that existed prior to the economic downturn – highlighting the need for changes in our system. This series of policy briefs explores the stresses on our social contract, and the policy changes that must be made to mend it. The six-part series includes:

• Overview: The Great Recession exposes flaws in the American Social Contract.

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Savings and Assets Over the Life Course

  • By
  • Ray Boshara,
  • New America Foundation
November 16, 2010

This paper argues that public policies to promote savings and asset building should be conceptualized and advanced with a “life course” perspective. The paper demonstrates a growing consensus towards this approach and presents relevant data as well as “asset effects” research in support of this perspective. The paper also presents a series of principles and two policy frameworks—behavioral economics and institutional models—to guide policy design over the life course.

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Getting Back in the Black

November 10, 2010

The Peterson-Pew Commission has just released its second report, Getting Back in the Black, offering recommendations for how to fix the broken federal budget process.

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The Battle for Afghanistan

  • By Anand Gopal
November 9, 2010

As Afghanistan’s cultural and political heartland, Kandahar is a province of key strategic importance for foreign forces, the Afghan government, and the insurgency. A sizable chunk of the Taliban’s senior leadership hails from the province, and the cultural and political dynamics of rural Kandahar shape aspects of the movement’s character to this day.

This study attempts to understand the Taliban of Kandahar by looking at the factors that spurred their rise and the networks and structures through which they operate. The findings include:

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