What are "non-economic damages" and why do tort reformers want to limit victims' ability to recover for them?

A few days ago I reported that the Supreme Court of Arkansas eliminated a ballot initiative that would have drastically capped compensation for “non-economic damages” to victims of medical malpractice and nursing home abuse.  (In fact, it has been reported that the initiative was the brainchild of the nursing home industry.)

In response to this news, the PopTort has posted a good short comment on the nature of non-economic damages and the effects of placing "caps" on them.  You should read it here.