Topic: Research Briefs

Storm Clouds and False Silver Linings

– September 12, 2017

As incurable optimists, human beings look for silver linings in the darkest of clouds. It’s an admirable trait, but some silver linings are illusions. Spotting them requires the economic way of thinking.

Research Briefs

National Flood Insurance Is a Disaster

– September 11, 2017

Viewing the heartbreaking damage wrought by Hurricane Harvey, the last thing we should want is for people to be encouraged to live where hurricanes and floods are common. Yet the government has been doing just that for decades.

Cryptocurrency, Gold, Research Briefs

Ball and Blockchain: Company Marrying Gold to Cryptocurrencies

– September 5, 2017

A company is trying to bring the calming influence of gold to the Wild West frontier of cryptocurrencies

Research Briefs

Cost-Benefit Analysis Is Poor Guide to Government Action

– September 5, 2017

Many Americans think of themselves as pragmatists. Pundits often brag they are non-ideological independents. Forget theory; let’s just figure out what works.

Cryptocurrency, Gold, Research Briefs

Might a Bitcoin Standard Be Good as Gold on Price Levels, Exchange Rates?

– September 5, 2017

A monetary standard based on Bitcoin, a digital currency, would act something like the gold standard in making price levels more predictable and stabilizing exchange rates but would likely be undone by politicians and central bankers.

Research Briefs

What Gets Rewarded?

– September 5, 2017

When enthusiasts of the free economy address a social problem by saying, “The market will handle it,” critics accuse them of being simplistic, even glib.

Research Briefs

As ICO Market Takes Off, SEC Throws Wet Blanket

– August 23, 2017

The Securities and Exchange Commission has tossed a wet blanket on initial coin offerings just as they were soaring as an alternative financing vehicle for young companies.

Research Briefs, Taxation

TARP’s Tax Meter Still Running Years After End of Crisis

– August 16, 2017

Taxes are being collected to help end the financial crisis that ended nearly a decade ago.

Immigration, Research Briefs

Unskilled Immigrants Do Not Harm Americans

– August 15, 2017

The Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment Act conveys a valuable lesson in where economic illiteracy can lead.

Research Briefs

‘Hockey Stick’ Climate Change Enforcer Checked Hard in Canadian Case

– August 10, 2017

The Penn State University climate scientist known for his “hockey stick” computer model and hair-trigger litigiousness has suffered a stiff check within the Canadian court arena. According to a story on the educational website Principia Scientific Inte …

Research Briefs

Foreign Investment Breathing New Life Into U.S. Manufacturing

– August 7, 2017

The death of manufacturing in the United States is being postponed, even reversed, by foreign investment including that coming from China.

Free Markets, Research Briefs

Beware the Lure of Social Engineering

– August 2, 2017

Human dignity, autonomy, and social cooperation are best left to the tender hands of politicians and bureaucrats. Not!