Topic: Economic Trends

Economic Trends, Free Markets, Regulation, Technology

The Opportunity Costs of FTC Merger Meddling

– August 20, 2023

“Success is never guaranteed in a market economy, and business failure is not uncommon for industry leaders. Blockbuster and Kodak had near monopolistic status in their respective sectors but that couldn’t save them from tech innovations that took them down.” ~ Kimberlee Josephson

Economic Trends, Free Banking, Regulation

In Defense of Interchange Fees

– August 7, 2023

“Interchange fees, long derided as a cost center for vendors that accept credit cards, may serve as a check on hyper-politicized consumer businesses.” ~ Dave Birnbaum

Economic Trends, Fiscal Policy, Government

US Credit Rating Downgraded, Again

– August 3, 2023

“The reduction of the US credit rating is overdue in light of the long and enthusiastic abandonment of fiscal soundness in Washington DC, recently abetted by monetary policy authorities.” ~ Peter C. Earle

Business Conditions, Economic Trends, Inflation

Business Conditions Monthly June 2023

– August 2, 2023

“At present we continue to believe that the US will enter a recession by September 2024, but will adjust our perspectives if and when necessary as new data and facts become available.” ~ Peter C. Earle

Art and Culture, Economic Education, Economic Trends

In Defense of Tipping, Part I: Principal-Agent Problems

– July 27, 2023

“Tipping turns out to be an ingenious mechanism for solving principal-agent problems in a number of service-oriented industries.” ~ Anthony Gill

Capitalism, Economic Trends, Property Rights

The Charge to Change Capitalism and Why the Profit Motive Must be Preserved

– July 26, 2023

“Replacing rather than embracing shareholder primacy is truly a troubling matter given that shareholder primacy is a means for holding business leaders objectively accountable for the management of strategic investments and business operations.” ~ Kimberlee Josephson

Central Banking, Economic Trends, Policy, Property Rights

No Place to Lay Your Head: How Economic Policy Makes Housing Unaffordable for Young Working Families

– July 24, 2023

“There’s artificial scarcity in housing markets, but in that case it’s the planners themselves who put housing in such short supply – and at consequent high prices.” ~ H. Shelton Weeks and Victor Claar

Economic Trends, Property Rights, Unemployment

Where Have All the Workers Gone? Zoning and Its Unintended Consequences.

– July 15, 2023

“Regulations such as the Endangered Species Act, wetlands regulations, and coastal zone management laws may have desirable end goals from one point of view, but invariably make housing more expensive.” ~ Craig Richardson

Books, Economic Trends, Leadership

The Battle for Business Autonomy

– July 15, 2023

“Business leaders must be prepared for congressional hearings more than competitive pressures and entrepreneurial aspirations increasingly require prior approval or must adhere to the scrutiny of external assessment bodies.” ~ Kimberlee Josephson

Art and Culture, Economic Trends, Policy

Cash, Crime, Minimum Wage, and Unintended Consequences

– July 13, 2023

“When a government policy is enacted, it often seeks to change individual behavior. But human beings are clever and will often respond to policy initiatives in ways that either counteract the initial policy’s goals or create new problems in other spheres.” ~ Anthony Gill

Economic Trends, Everyday Price Index, Inflation

AIER’s Everyday Price Index Edges Up in June 2023

– July 13, 2023

“The combination of Fed rate hikes and easing demand is clearly having the intended disinflationary effect on the general price level as measured by the various CPIs.” ~ Peter C. Earle

Economic Trends, Inflation, Monetary Policy

The Inverted Yield Curve and Next US Recession

– July 8, 2023

“When will the start of the next recession be recognized? On average since 1980 the NBER has waited eight months before assigning a starting date (and fifteen months to assign ending dates), so if the next recession were to begin in early 2024 it might be publicized by August.”