A Comment on the New History of Capitalism
“Much of the current debate revolves around an emergent historiographical school. Usually referred to as the ‘New History of Capitalism’ (NHC), this school has produced a sizable body of research contending that the institution of slavery was a central building block of American capitalism. At the same time however, the NHC literature has come under intense criticism from economic historians who have long studied the same subject, and who question both its use of evidence and its conclusions.” ~ Phillip W. Magness
READ MORE
Should K-12 classrooms teach from the 1619 Project?
“We need not indulge the bombastic posturing of Trump, or unlikely legislative efforts to strip funding from schools, to conclude that the 1619 Project is still ill-suited for K-12 education. That is a judgement we may make on its scholarly shortcomings alone.” ~ Phillip W. Magness
READ MORE
The Indispensability of Economics
“When we see the potential of freely interacting individuals, economic understanding becomes necessarily built on hope. Hope about innovation, mutual agreement, peace, and prosperity. When people are left to their own devices and the rulers of society are held accountable, this is what results.” ~ Ethan Yang
READ MORE
Slavery Did Not Enrich Americans
“The New History of Capitalism misfires badly, however, in its interpretation of these facts. Slavery was not necessary for cotton, and cotton was not necessary for industrialization. Had chattel slavery never taken hold in the United States, we would very likely be richer than we are today.” ~ Art Carden
READ MORE
The Good Guys Are Winning!
“AIER is convincing the world that lockdowns were poor policies indeed, never to be repeated for this or any similar threat.” ~ Robert Wright
READ MORE
An Open Letter to the Institute for New Economic Thinking
“Treating this as a mistake and correcting it is the right thing to do in response to an unfortunate lapse in judgement. Failure to do so in my opinion would amount to among the most egregious instances of such crass intimidation I have seen.” ~ Max Gulker
READ MORE
Thomas Sowell at 90: Understanding Race Relations Around the World
“Now, at the age of 90, Thomas Sowell continues to offer us understanding and insight into the attitudes and institutions that can bring all people greater peace and prosperity, as well as human liberty.” ~ Richard Ebeling
READ MORE
Racism and the Early History of the American Economic Association
“In order to understand ‘racism and its impact on our profession and our discipline,’ that discussion needs to look inward though at the organization’s own history. Doing so will require a frank, factual, and historically grounded evaluation of the ongoing legacies of formative AEA leaders such as Ely, Commons, and Ross.” ~ Phil Magness
READ MORE
American History Reveals the Alternative to the Police State
“There is ample evidence that decriminalization of Americans’ personal lives, the proliferation of gun ownership, and the encouragement of competitive markets for property insurance and private protection services can greatly improve upon our current monopolistic, union-controlled, taxpayer-funded machines of state repression.” ~ Robert E. Wright
READ MORE
An Open Letter to the Charleston Protestors
“Your cause is just and we hope we can work together in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead.” ~ Robert E. Wright
READ MORE
Japan’s Three Decades of Depressive Stimulus Schemes
“The U.S. and Japan are old welfare states that can’t afford what they’re doing; nonetheless, their politicians can’t seem to succeed electorally without persisting in their profligacy. Japan’s history signals the likely outcome for copycats: prolonged stagnation.” Richard M. Salsman
READ MORE
Letter from a Populist
“Populist beneficence — using funds taken from the populace via taxation and/or inflation — is a favorite tactic of authoritarian and “banana republic” governments the world over.” ~ Raymond Niles
READ MORE
