Acton Occasional Series

April 11, 2017

Why government regulation of airline fares created ‘quality waste’

Note: This is post #28 in a weekly video series on basic microeconomics. If you flew on an airplane prior to 1978, when the government regulated air fares, you probably noticed the high quality of air travel—wide seats, good food, friendly service. Continue Reading...

April 07, 2017

What you should know about Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch

Today the U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia. President Trump will swear in Judge Gorsuch early next week. Here is what you should know about the next associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Continue Reading...

April 07, 2017

Unemployment as economic-spiritual indicator — March 2017 report

Embed from Getty Images Series Note: Jobs are one of the most important aspects of a morally functioning economy. They help us serve the needs of our neighbors and lead to human flourishing both for the individual and for communities. Continue Reading...

April 05, 2017

Understanding the President’s Cabinet: Commerce Secretary

Note: This is the eleventh in a weekly series of explanatory posts on the officials and agencies included in the President’s Cabinet. See the series introduction here. Cabinet position: Secretary of Commerce Department: Department of Commerce Current Secretary: Wilbur Ross Succession: The Commerce Secretary is tenth in the presidential line of succession. Continue Reading...

April 04, 2017

The minimum wage as a price floor

Note: This is post #27 in a weekly video series on basic microeconomics. Minimum wages are a type of price floor, and as with all prices floors, when prices are kept artificially high they can lead to several consequences that hurt the consumer. Continue Reading...

March 29, 2017

Understanding the President’s Cabinet: Defense Secretary

Note: This is the tenth in a weekly series of explanatory posts on the officials and agencies included in the President’s Cabinet. See the series introduction here. Cabinet position: Secretary of Defense Department: Department of Defense Current Secretary: Jim Mattis Succession: The Secretary of Defense is sixth in the presidential line of succession. Continue Reading...

March 28, 2017

Explainer: What you should know about congressional caucuses

Wait, why should I care about this topic? Americans tend to view partisan politics as being mostly binary—between Republicans and Democrats. But within Congress there are also factions that shape legislative agendas and determine the laws that affect our daily lives. Continue Reading...

March 28, 2017

What you should know about rent controls

Note: This is post #26 in a weekly video series on basic microeconomics. Rent controls are a type of price ceiling where the government regulates the amounts charged for rented housing. Continue Reading...

March 24, 2017

6 Quotes: Friedrich Hayek on economics and freedom

Yesterday was the 25th anniversary of the death of the Austrian and British economist Friedrich Hayek. Throughout his life the Nobel-winning philosopher defended civil liberties and political freedom and warned against the Keynesian welfare state and of totalitarian socialism. Continue Reading...

March 23, 2017

Explainer: Why you should care about ‘Chevron deference’

Embed from Getty Images Even if you’ve been closely following the Supreme Court nomination hearings of Judge Neil Gorsuch, you probably missed this seven-word statement by Democrat Amy Klobuchar: ““You were clearly talking about overturning Chevron.” Continue Reading...

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