America
The President Didn't Always Have Power Over Trade Deals
Until the 1930s, it was Congress that set the terms of U.S. trade negotiations with other countries and raised and lowered tariffs as it saw fit, while the president did little but sign his name.
Unseen America
An introduction to a four-story package on the misunderstood middle of our nation.
What a Troop Withdrawal in Afghanistan Would Mean for the U.S. and the Taliban
The American military is closing in an agreement to withdraw its troops in return for the Taliban refusing access to anti-American organizations on its territory.
Patriotic Americans Are Pro-Immigration
New research finds nationalism is not strongly associated with anti-immigrant views.
Celebrating July 4th in 2018
For Independence Day, we highlight some of our favorite stories of what it means to be American.
Taking Freedom: Modern-Day Slavery in America's Prison Workforce
On the labor issues connected with using inmates as extremely low-paid workers in state and federal prisons.
PS Picks: Emily Mester's Sharply Observed BuzzFeed Essay on Costco
PS Picks is a selection of the best things that the magazine's staff and contributors are reading, watching, or otherwise paying attention to in the worlds of art, politics, and culture.
America Is Experiencing a Front Porch Resurgence
People around the U.S. are rediscovering their fondness for a classic architectural staple.
American Hubris: The Mythologizing of Christopher Columbus
How the blurred lines between history and politics turned an architect of destruction into a national icon.
Coffee Talk: Celebrating National Coffee Day 2017
Sit back, and sip on some of our finest brewed stories about coffee.
Celebrating the Fourth of July in 2017
A look at some of our stories for U.S. independence day.
Americans Are Less Religious Than Ever
Yet slightly more of us believe in an afterlife.
A Future History of the United States
In 'The American Slave Coast: A History of the Slave-Breeding Industry,' Ned and Constance Sublette offer a radical re-interpretation of American history. It’s brutal and uncompromising, and, for better or worse, it’s how we should understand the country.
Inequality in American Cities Is on the Rise
A new report finds that falling wages for low-income earners is driving rising inequality in America's cities and metropolitan areas.
What's Eating White America?
Why has the mortality rate among middle-aged white men jumped drastically over the past 15 years?
The American Diner at Age 143
The definitions and décor may change, but the diner remains our home, even when we've forgotten where home is.
Addiction Is Different in America
Whether it's our drug use, our laws, or the treatment options we have on offer, the U.S. frequently stands out. And that's not always something to celebrate.
The International Trade of Talent: The Immigration-iPhone Connection
Just because a net migration number is negative doesn't mean there is brain drain. A shrinking population doesn't always indicate a dying place.
Does America Need a Robin Hood Tax?
A tiny fee charged to the biggest banks could generate hundreds of billions of dollars every year for social services, but what effect would it have on Wall Street?
Does the Declaration of Independence Still Mean Something in 2014?
A remarkable document in human history, without precedent or rival, the Declaration outlines not what the United States should be, but what it should not be, defining America in opposition to Britain.
What Do Expats Think of America?
It's actually not half bad! Well, except for the guns.
World’s Weird America: How Our Most Popular Products Are Seen Overseas
Why David Hasselhoff and Baywatch hit it big in Germany, Mister Donut took off in Japan, and the ritual of Slurpee-filling is so different in Taiwan than in your local 7-Eleven.
Why the United States Will Rule the Legacy Economy
Talent is the new oil, and our universities—talent production facilities—are the best in the world.
The Other Connecticut, the Other America
A wealthy state keeps its beautiful, hard-working, and historic cash cow in chains.