This new publication is an annual volume of innovative, original articles on current and critical economic and public policy issues. Each article is written by a recognized national expert, most often a senior member of a prestigious university. The overarching goal of the publication is to provide in-depth, imaginative new research on key economic and public policy matters combined with a range of potential improvements and strategies. The inaugural issue includes the following four topics: -Compares the Great Depression and the Great Recession, -Analyzes how the costs of crime and punishment can be reduced -Questions whether or not patents spur more productive activity and analyzes how government protections for intellectual property rights can impact the rate of technological innovation. -Reviews the law and economics behind Chrysler's bankruptcy