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

Struggles Continue for Single-Family Housing

“Single-family housing activity showed further signs of cooling in July. The combination of shifting housing preferences and rising single-family home prices appear to be dampening demand while labor difficulties and materials shortages restrain supply.” – Robert Hughes

Is Inflation Back?

Gold will return to monetary preeminence not because it can or should, but because it must. Nixon’s temporary suspension will be exactly that; not because he said so, but rather because at some point there will be no other road forward.

Manufacturing Output Posts a Solid Gain in July

“Industrial output rose in July as output jumped in the volatile motor vehicle industry. Ongoing difficulties with labor, logistics, and materials shortages should ease in the coming months and quarters, but the recent surge in new Covid cases does represent a risk to the outlook for industrial output.” – Robert Hughes

Ambrose Bierce’s Pro-Freedom Cynicism

“Freedom fighters need all the comic relief they can find. The laughs that Bierce delivers are combined with lines that pierce perpetual political frauds now more than ever.” ~ James Bovard

Total and Core Retail Sales Fell in July

“Retail sales fell in July and the trend over the last three months is noticeably weaker. Continued recovery in the labor market and gains in wages are needed to support retail sales growth.” – Robert Hughes

How Societies Save For an Uncertain Future

“This is the problem that all societies have tried to overcome – moving value through time and ensuring our individual livelihood when we’re too old to produce the value that sustains us.” ~ Joakim Book