Study of American Capitalism | Charts

Renewable-Energy Subsidies and Electricity Generation

Veronique de Rugy | May 21, 2013
This chart uses data from the US Energy Information Administration to compare federal investments in green energy and the share of green energy in electricity generation.

The Cost of Rent-Seeking: Actual and Potential Economic Growth

Matthew Mitchell | Jul 23, 2012
One of the things holding productivity back and, along with it, compensation, is rent-seeking. When governments dispense privileges to particular firms, entrepreneurs spend their time asking politicians for those privileges instead of devising new ways to create value for customers. Economists call this activity rent-seeking, and research suggests that it depresses productivity growth.

Beyond Bailouts: What Is Cronyism?

Matthew Mitchell | Jul 08, 2012
While the bailouts of hundreds of firms in 2008 are, for many, the most prominent example of cronyism in modern American history, they are only the tip of the iceberg. Bailouts are but one example in a long list of privileges that governments give to particular businesses and industries.

Cronyism In the Sugar Industry: Comparing U.S. to World Prices

Veronique de Rugy | Jul 02, 2012
As a result of these government actions, U.S. consumers and businesses have had to pay twice the world price of sugar on average since 1982.

Food Stamp Spending and Enrollment Double in Five Years

Veronique de Rugy | Jun 25, 2012
Four out of every five dollars in the currently debated bill—roughly $80 billion per year—will be spent on groceries bought with food stamps for one in every seven Americans. An estimated 45 million Americans received food stamps in 2011 at a cost of $78 billion. That’s a two-fold increase from just five years ago, when 26 million people received benefits at a cost of $33 billion.

Who Benefits from the Department of Energy's Loan Guarantee Program?

Veronique de Rugy | Jun 19, 2012
Nearly 90 percent of the 1705 loans guaranteed by the federal government since 2009 went to subsidize lower-risk power plants, which in many cases were backed by big companies with vast resources. It’s hard to imagine that these big companies wouldn’t have access to capital if the project were in such high demand.

The History of Farm Bill Spending

Veronique de Rugy | Jun 11, 2012
The farm bill comes up for renewal every five years, and its specific provisions determine whether major farm programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will continue. As Congress considers reauthorization of the farm bill this year, it is important to put the history of farm bill spending in proper context.

Growth in U.S. Export-Import Bank Authorizations

Veronique de Rugy |