Topic: Regulation

Is There a Problem? vs. Is this Competitive?

– October 30, 2023

“Amazon’s offering lower prices compared to online rivals undercuts the FTC’s assertion that it is a proof of its monopolistic abuse, yet it is completely consistent with Amazon’s pro-consumer explanation.” ~Gary M. Galles

Economic History, Government, Regulation, War and Peace

The Original MAGA: Tariffs, Trade, and the True Cost of Protectionism

– October 27, 2023

In this episode of Liberty Curious, Kate Wand sat down with Phillip W. Magness to discuss the true implications of tariffs and protectionism and how they have shaped America’s economic landscape.

Authoritarianism, Crisis, Regulation, Research

Leviathan Rising

– October 26, 2023

“Much of the growth of the SEC can be seen as a variation of the ‘Baptists and bootleggers’ story, where the SEC is the bootlegger earning bigger budgets by combining with people who believe that its nostrums protect investors, even when they do not.” ~Robert E. Wright

Authoritarianism, Environmentalism, Regulation

Badgers and Environmental Laws

– October 26, 2023

“As ever more stringent measures are taken to ‘curb climate change,’ for instance, ever more anger will erupt over their impositions. The days of distant elites toying with our lives, in other words, are numbered.” ~Paul Schwennesen

Energy, Environmentalism, Regulation

Transition This, Transition That

– October 25, 2023

“As a civilization, we don’t replace prior energy sources; we add to them with better ones. Clarification: Better means cheaper or denser energy sources that therefore packs more punch.” ~Joakim Book

Economic Trends, Free Trade, Regulation

Do Shortages Signal the Fragility of Free Trade?

– October 23, 2023

“If protectionism makes supply chains more robust, then we should expect to see that in the data. A quick overview shows, however, that protected industries are more vulnerable to shocks than less-protected industries.” ~Jon Murphy

Fiscal Policy, Healthcare, Regulation

Junk Insurance

– October 23, 2023

“Obamacare offerings are often inferior to those available in the short-term market, even with huge taxpayer subsidies and transfers from the real suckers who are forced to overpay for their care.” ~Gary M. Galles

Capitalism, Economic Trends, Entrepreneurship, Regulation

The FTC’s Amazonian Snipe Hunt

– October 21, 2023

“The FTC argues that Amazon’s market power inhibits the ability of competitors to enter the retail superstore marketplace. Such concerns are likely overblown.” ~David Gillette and Warren Barge

Books, Classical Liberalism, Free Trade, Regulation

Not Only to No Single Person, But to No Council or Senate Whatever

– October 18, 2023

“Some Republicans’ apparent assumption that the American economy would benefit if American companies operated fully within the US badly misperceives the basic realities of globalized trade.” ~David B. McGarry

Capitalism, Economic Theory, Free Markets, Regulation

Bookstore Protectionism

– October 16, 2023

“Both past and present suits claimed that the problem was dominant sellers unfairly harming independents, which thereby undermined competition. But in that, they misrepresented both what competition means and who was harming less-successful competitors.” ~Gary M. Galles

Government, Property Rights, Regulation

Abolish Parking Minimums. Yes, All of Them

– October 15, 2023

“Zoning codes require parking based on rough estimates of demand for ‘free’ parking at the time of development, ignoring how subsequent economic changes could affect demand.” ~Jason Sorens

Economic Education, Free Markets, Healthcare, Regulation

Why Pfizer and Moderna Are Suddenly Charging 500 Percent More for COVID Shots

– October 14, 2023

“Pfizer has a lot of leeway in the price it chooses to charge for its vaccine — especially when one considers almost all rival competitors have been sidelined by the Food and Drug Administration.” ~Jon Miltimore