Topic: Free Markets

Economic Illiteracy Is No Virtue

– February 4, 2021

“Leading a misguided crusade ‘to reign in the market’ or to smash capitalism for the working class is not only a recipe for failure according to history, it completely fails to understand what economics is all about. Just because you don’t care about economics does not mean that the world suddenly bends to your wishes. As the late economist, Walter Williams used to say: ‘Politicians exploit economic illiteracy.'” ~ Ethan Yang

Economic Education, Financial Markets, Free Markets

How to Navigate the Stock Market Madness

– January 31, 2021

“There is nothing wrong with partaking in recent fad investing trends; some of them even seem quite promising. However, just like anything else, being prepared and knowledgeable will ensure your success is long-term and not just the prelude to disaster.” ~ Ethan Yang

Financial Markets, Free Markets, Regulation

Paternalism and Robinhood Revisited

– January 29, 2021

“Robinhood and other self-directed apps like it have fundamentally disrupted the market in a good way. Many entrenched interests, be it private firms or the government, are not comfortable with this change. Hopefully, our leaders have seen firsthand the disruption that such abrupt and restrictive actions have on society.” ~ Ethan Yang

Crisis, Financial Markets, Free Markets

Dismiss All the Populist GameStop Hype: Short Sellers Are Heroes

– January 29, 2021

“Keep this in mind as pundits make their silly arguments about GameStop’s price action signaling a shift of power away from hedge funds, and back to the little guy. Such a view isn’t true, plus it ignores the heroics of short sellers. They’re in truth price givers, and the economy couldn’t function without them.” ~ John Tamny

Financial Markets, Free Markets, Monetary Policy

Who’s to Blame for the Rash of Short Squeezes?

– January 27, 2021

“Cantillon Effects, not overzealous short selling or swarming retail traders, are the ultimate cause of the rash of explosive short squeezes in US equity markets.” ~ Peter C. Earle

Economic Theory, Free Markets, History

Tales of the Crypt

– January 24, 2021

“Best of all, nobody was forced to subsidize others. They gave to charity, joined with like-minded people, or sought profit. The system wasn’t perfect — nothing is — but it was a far cry better than taxing people to support inefficient, uniform government educational and welfare programs.” ~ Robert E. Wright

Economic Education, Financial Markets, Free Markets

From the Land of Financial Bubbles

– January 16, 2021

“For the aspiring startup today, perhaps working away in the venture-cap lands of overpriced unicorns, the history of bubble allegations teaches you one thing: be right or be a bubble. Until the dust has settled, nobody can really tell.” ~ Joakim Book

Books, Economic Education, Free Markets

The Physics Behind Freedom

– January 15, 2021

“Bejan’s book shows that freedom is actually scientifically good for society. It truly is a groundbreaking fusion of physics and economics. In his case, he sees things through the lens of energy movement and evolution, the literal workings of the universe. Economists call prosperity the result of free people and free markets. He calls it a force of nature.” ~ Ethan Yang

Authoritarianism, Crisis, Free Markets

Enterprise Perseveres Through the Crisis

– January 14, 2021

“Though many of them are doing so in the shadows, there are entrepreneurs everywhere who are setting to work to solve the most pressing problems of our present and our future. The businesses those innovators introduce to the world will be all the more significant for the hurdles they surpassed.” ~ Peter C. Earle & Fiona Harrigan

Books, Economic Education, Free Markets

More or Less Democratic

– January 11, 2021

“Jones’ discussions are interesting and many of his proposals should definitely be introduced, but they don’t go far enough. Instead, we could do with much less democracy and much more individual liberty.” ~ Joakim Book

Economic Education, Free Markets, Government

“The Market” Can Deliver Pho and Spring Rolls. It Can Deliver Vaccines.

– January 11, 2021

“I doubt we would be in this mess if we had left vaccine production and distribution to Walmart, Amazon, Grubhub, and Chick-fil-A. In the middle of a global pandemic, it’s too important not to.” ~ Art Carden

Economic Education, Financial Markets, Free Markets

Angst Over High Price-Earnings Levels Likely Misplaced

– January 8, 2021

“Despite the severe disruptions and ‘creative destruction’ that occur from time to time, the returns to capital that fuel innovation and prosperity remain strong. The market is always efficient and fairly priced relative to what is known, but the market can also be above or below its long-term enduring norms for good and rational reasons. In the end the historical norms prevail.” ~ Gregory van Kipnis