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.
Research Publications for Economics and Economic Freedom
General Institutional Considerations of Blockchain and Emerging Applications
PC Earle, DM Waugh
The Emerald Handbook on Cryptoassets: Investment Opportunities and …, 2023
J Sorens
Publius: The Journal of Federalism 53 (1), 55-81, 2023
J Enninga, RM Yonk
Sustainability 15 (8), 6396, 2023
Gordon Tullock and the Economics of Slavery
P Magness, A Carden, I Murtazashvili
Available at SSRN 4318585, 2023
RE Wright
The Independent Review 26 (4), 513-532, 2022
The History and Evolution of the North American Wildlife Conservation Model
RE Wright
Palgrave Macmillan, 2022
Articles
Auto Sales Hit highest Level Since 2005
“Light-vehicle sales rose again in April, moving above the recent range to the highest pace since 2005. The gain was broad-based across most segments and signals strength for consumer spending.” – Robert Hughes
From AI to UBI?
“AI cannot credibly justify a radical policy like UBI at this point. Misunderstanding AI adds to a natural fear of the unknown though we know that technological change always proves beneficial to the economy and that society will have ample resources to aid anyone who might be displaced by AI in the future. People should concentrate on how AI can automate mundane tasks and stop technological fear mongering. Your job, like the world, will still be here tomorrow.” ~ Robert E. Wright & Aleksandra Przegalinska
The Covid-19 Emergency Did Not Justify Lockdowns
“Whatever the novelty and dangers of Covid-19, the novelty and dangers of Covid-19 lockdowns are at least arguably of the same magnitude. The dismissal of the unknown possible horrors of lockdowns in order to focus attention exclusively on the unknown possible horrors of SARS-CoV-2 is as unjustified by science as it is unpardonable as policy.” ~ Donald J. Boudreaux
Manufacturing Survey Suggests Strong Demand, Materials Shortages, and Rising Prices
“The Institute for Supply Management survey of manufacturers suggests ongoing expansion for the sector in April, but also continued production and logistical issues as well as rising materials costs.” – Robert Hughes
Bitcoin and a Lesson in Electricity Markets
“We should indeed be skeptical of financial fads, of everything in the Everything Bubble. And we should argue over bitcoin’s many monetary attributes – mostly because we therefore highlight how other monetary regimes work. But the environmental accusations of Bitcoin’s mining operations is like hitting your head against brick walls – not a very useful thing to do. Like the great JP Koning concluded this week, ‘It’s not the energy needs of these products that is the problem.'” ~ Joakim Book
Climate, CO2 Optimism
“Climate alarmism, never proven, is speculative—and increasingly so. Climate models are overpredicting real-world warming by half. For climate economists, lower-range anthropogenic warming flips the alleged externality from negative to positive. In any case, as leading scientist Roy Spencer concludes, ‘There is no Climate Crisis. There is no Climate Emergency.'” ~ Robert L. Bradley