Commentary

Original essays, new research and data analysis on many of the biggest questions facing cities

A Brief Biography of the Second Amendment

Gun Violence

A Brief Biography of the Second Amendment

Jack Rakove Sep. 10 2025

One Nation Under Guns

History

One Nation Under Guns

Robert J. Spitzer Sep. 10 2025

Forging Firearm Folklore

Foundations: The Wild West and the Nation

Forging Firearm Folklore

Nick Suplina Sep. 10 2025

Let New York Vote for More Housing

City Government

Let New York Vote for More Housing

Roderick Hills Sep. 08 2025

Reality Check: Who’s the Guard Really Guarding in U.S. Cities?

Government Operations

Reality Check: Who’s the Guard Really Guarding in U.S. Cities?

Vital City Sep. 05 2025

Five Years That Shaped the Modern City

culture

Five Years That Shaped the Modern City

Neil Barsky Sep. 04 2025

Mamdani’s Facilitators, Frenemies or Foes

Government Operations

Mamdani’s Facilitators, Frenemies or Foes

David Schleicher Sep. 03 2025

Free Child Care in Real Life: What It Will Take to Implement

What to Do Now

Free Child Care in Real Life: What It Will Take to Implement

Elliot Haspel Aug. 21 2025

When Buses and Subways Were Free

History

When Buses and Subways Were Free

Wendell Jamieson Aug. 21 2025

What’s Behind Baltimore’s Drastic Reduction in Violence

Gun Violence

What’s Behind Baltimore’s Drastic Reduction in Violence

Jeremy Biddle, Ben Struhl Aug. 21 2025

Zohran Mamdani’s Uphill Battle on Public Grocery Stores

City Government

Zohran Mamdani’s Uphill Battle on Public Grocery Stores

Michael Santorelli Aug. 14 2025

New York City's Catholic Church at a Crossroads

History

New York City's Catholic Church at a Crossroads

Eileen Markey Aug. 13 2025