Topic: Government

A Tragedy in Waiting

– April 28, 2023

“Taking away someone’s means of self-defense, making her vulnerable to criminal attacks, is a violation of that person’s rights. Waiting periods for gun purchases do precisely that.” ~ Jason Sorens

Free Markets, Government, Taxation

“Whatever one thinks about a proportional income tax, the principle of declining marginal significance of income doesn’t justify progressive income tax rates. Neither does it justify progressive mortgage interest rates.” ~ Charles W. Baird

Economic Education, Free Markets, Government

It Depends—Is This an Economics Exam or the Real World?

– April 25, 2023

“Because of how important it is to recognize the initial questions which must be asked to move toward large numbers of real-world judgments, I have modified my exams to force students to confront those issues on occasion.” ~ Gary M. Galles

Authoritarianism, Government, History

Eliminating Property Rights Destroys Social Order

– April 25, 2023

“The parallels are never exact, but we can learn from history. When a foundation of a free society, such as property rights, is abandoned, the destruction of social order and hardship for countless millions follows.” ~ Barry Brownstein

Economic Education, Free Markets, Government, Regulation

Some Factual and Economic Errors of “Common Good Capitalism”

– April 25, 2023

“Arguments for ‘common good capitalism’ are chock-a-block both with factual errors and faulty economic reasoning of a sort not found in arguments for true capitalism.” ~ Donald J. Boudreaux

Classical Liberalism, Education, Free Markets, Government

What Are We For? A Challenge for Classical Liberals in the Academy

– April 24, 2023

“The solution, the way to navigate the rapids downstream of where we are now, is clear, but not easy. It is to refocus on making the moral case for capitalism, on providing a positive, optimistic vision of the world that can be remade.” ~ Michael C. Munger

Central Banking, Economic Education, Government, Monetary Policy

Yes, the Fed Is a Failure

– April 24, 2023

“DeSantis is right to call out the Fed. And honesty compels one to acknowledge the Fed’s failures, even if those failures are pointed out by politicians of whom one disapproves. Anything less subjects responsible policy analysis to rank partisanship.” ~ Alexander William Salter

Energy, Free Markets, Government, Regulation

The Gas-Powered Banning Bandwagon: Why Politicians Should Leave Leaf Blowers Alone

– April 23, 2023

“Given that there is already a severe shortage of labor in the landscape sector, the concern won’t be over what equipment is being used, but rather who will even opt to use it.” ~ Kimberlee Josephson

Art and Culture, Free Markets, Government

There is Cosmic Wisdom in this Simple Question

– April 23, 2023

“Despite too many flaws to count, my dad had a strong sense of dignity and fundamental equality. He greeted those who overstepped with a simple question that is woefully under-appreciated today: Who do you think you are?” ~ Max Borders

Environmentalism, Free Markets, Government

Earth Day, Waste and Productive Complements

– April 22, 2023

“The analysis of productive complements opens the door to understanding the incentives that private property rights and markets provide to reduce waste and pollution, which is so at odds with one of the most common defamations made against them.” ~ Gary M. Galles

Economic Education, Free Markets, Government

Focusing Exclusively on “Creating Jobs” Can Do More Harm Than Good

– April 21, 2023

“Public policy should seek to free up entrepreneurs to invest in improving productivity, and be sure not to create incentives that discourage the accumulation of productivity-enhancing capital.” ~ Brian Balfour

Economic Education, Free Trade, Government

Protectionism Benefits Some at the Expense of Others

– April 20, 2023

“We shouldn’t want our lawmakers to play favorites between domestic interests, and people should be more skeptical when policymakers dip into protectionist rhetoric.” ~ James M. Hohman