Economics and Economic Freedom

A free and prosperous society requires a functioning market economy at its foundation. Using a broad array of tools drawn from price theory, public choice analysis, Austrian theory, and classical empiricism, our study of economics and economic freedom explores the underpinnings of the market system, the roots of economic prosperity, and emerging threats to the same in the public policy sphere. Our work includes the measurement of freedom and providing practical economic information for people to make better decisions.

Articles

Everyday Price Index Rises at a Slower Pace in August

“AIER’s Everyday Price Index posted a slower gain in August but is still up 6.8 percent from a year ago. Prices of many goods and services continue to be distorted by the lingering effects of the pandemic and government shutdowns. As these distortions fade, price pressures are likely to ease.” – Robert Hughes

How Experts Can Fail Even When They Are Right

“Like experts on energy efficiency don’t know where to set your thermostat, experts on health risks don’t know which bundle of risks and precautions is the right one given your goals and values.” ~ Art Carden

Identity Politics and Systemic Racism Theory as the New Marxo-Nazism

“The new Marxo-Nazism of identity politics and systemic racism theory would turn back the clock and return us to a time and type of society that America and Americans have worked so hard to place in the past of human history.” ~ Richard M. Ebeling

AIER Leading Indicators Drop Sharply but Remain Above Neutral

“AIER’s Leading Indicators Index posted a sharp decline in August, falling to 58. Five consecutive pullbacks suggest that breadth of growth is likely to narrow in the future. Furthermore, resurging Covid is impacting consumers and threatening the outlook. Caution is warranted.” – Robert Hughes

Military Equipment and the Labor Theory of Value

“Ludwig von Mises once joked that only the government could take a useful commodity like paper, slap some ink on it, and make it worthless. We appear to have a similar problem with military equipment.” ~ Clifford F. Theis