The RAND Blog

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The O'Neill Review: A Critical Step in Taking Global Action Against AMR

The O'Neill Review aims to increase global knowledge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and generate international consensus about the nature of the problem and the necessary steps to tackle it. A RAND Europe analysis of the potential economic costs of AMR contributed to the Review.

Jirka Taylor, Elta Smith

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100 Stories, 10 Years, 1 Transformation: A Recent History of NIHR's Impacts on the Health Research Landscape

The National Institute for Health Research is now ten years old. What benefits has it had on the health research landscape in the UK since its formation?

Adam Kamenetzky, Jonathan Grant, et al.

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How Can Gaming Help Test Your Theory?

The act of designing a game will force you to articulate your theory or to be more specific about it. It will also require you to operationalize your variables and theoretical constructs of interest into a specific context, and prompt you to anticipate the ways in which it may play out in that scenario.

Yuna Huh Wong

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Behind North Korea's Bid for a 'Peace Treaty'

By insisting on a peace treaty with America, North Korea is probably seeking war. Its leaders likely hope a treaty would lead to a withdrawal of U.S. forces from South Korea, setting the stage for an invasion by the North.

Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett

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The Hidden Costs of Pension Plan Reform

While there are many policy options that may decrease pension liabilities for Chicago and cities and states in similar situations, some options being considered may also have serious consequences for the public sector workforce, now and in the future.

Kristine M. Brown, James Hosek

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A Different Kind of Refugee Crisis

In Jordan and Lebanon, middle-income countries with robust public sectors where a significant Syrian population may be present for years to come, solutions should be more about supporting the expansion of existing national public services, rather than creating new, internationally run parallel services.

Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson

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Partitioning Iraq: Make a Detailed Case, or Cease and Desist

The mostly non-Iraqi voices who want to divide the country into three ethno-sectarian cantonments—Shi'a, Sunni, and Kurd—owe the Iraqi people extensive, detailed clarification. If neither the Iraqi Arab polity nor Iraq's most powerful political factions seek three-way partition, then the case should be closed.

Ben Connable

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If California Legalizes Marijuana, Consumption Will Likely Increase. But Is That a Bad Thing?

Legalizing and allowing profit-maximizing firms to produce, sell, and advertise recreational marijuana would likely increase marijuana consumption. But how would this increased consumption influence the use of other substances?

Beau Kilmer @BeauKilmer

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Conversations at RAND: A Sobering Look at the Opioid Epidemic

Opioid overdoses were the greatest cause of accidental death in America in 2014. A panel discussion at RAND addressed the epidemic, including societal attitudes toward pain and addiction, poor understanding of the mechanics of addiction itself, economic drivers, legal responses, and treatment approaches.

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European Universities Are Pessimistic About Their Room to Innovate

Higher education is changing worldwide and European institutions recognise the need to keep up. Are traditional European universities innovating enough to remain competitive?

Cecile Hoareau McGrath, Emma Harte

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Book Review: 'The Improbable War: China, the United States, and the Logic of Great Power Conflict'

In The Improbable War: China, the United States, and the Logic of Great Power Conflict, Christopher Coker explores historical analogies and strategic narratives. The intellectual journey is pleasant and engaging but lacks a significant final destination.

Andrew Scobell

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In the Event of the Islamic State's Untimely Demise...

If they haven't already, the Islamic State's leaders will soon formulate a contingency strategy, a Plan B that the West will then be forced to contend with.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins, Colin P. Clarke

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Does Increased Social Spending Lead to Better Population Health?

Higher levels of social spending are strongly associated with better health outcomes in many countries, with this link strengthening over time. The association also holds when looking at regional differences within the United States, where spending varies state-by-state.

Alex Sutherland, Charlene Rohr, et al.

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Privacy Preferences for Healthcare Records and Information Across Europe

The general public has a more nuanced preference for the privacy of electronic health records than previously thought. Survey respondents said that they would not be averse to individuals involved in the health and rescue professions having access to their basic health information.

Catherine L. Saunders, Sunil Patil

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The Opt-Out Reckoning

Criticism of standardized testing is nearly as old as the testing itself. Will the opt-out movement promote meaningful and enduring changes in the educational system, and will these changes benefit the most at-risk and disadvantaged students?

Jonathan Schweig