April 27, 2009 | Vol. 173 No. 16

The New Frugality: How Americans Are Cutting Back (The Well / Cover Story)

The Great Recession is transforming how we spend, whom we trust, where we save and what we really value

How to Raise the Standard in America's Schools (The Well / Nation)

Our students are falling behind their counterparts in the rest of the world, threatening the U.S.s economic future. Why national education standards are the only way to fix the system

Arne Duncan: The Apostle of Reform (The Well / Nation)

Education Secretary Arne Duncan on why he favors school choice and believes kids should spend more time in class

Joel Stein Contemplates Circumcision (for His Son)

Whoa! Not for me — for my unborn son. My family's debate over the unkindest cut

No Surrender to Somali Pirate Thugs (Commentary / Viewpoint)

Obama should continue to treat Somali pirates as military foes rather than as quaint Captain Hooks

Spain's Costumed Debt Collectors: Final Notice?

In Spain, costumed debt collectors embarrass borrowers into paying back the money they owe. But new proposed legislation could put an end to the tradition of debt collection by humiliation

Why South Africa's Over the Rainbow (The Well / World)

Tainted by scandal and accusations of corruption, the ruling ANC is no longer the moral force it was under Nelson Mandela. It will win the nation's fourth democratic general election, but angry voters have plenty to grumble about

American Thrift

In our continuing effort to make sense of the new economy, we look at how Americans are cutting back--and looking ahead

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The TIME 100

To help select the world's most influential people, we asked these newsmakers to offer their nominations for this year's list