Economic Freedom

October 11, 2018

How Michigan’s licensing laws hinder the disadvantaged

Proponents of greater government intervention often argue that some freedoms are well worth sacrificing for greater social stability or public health and safety. Such is particularly the case with occupational licensing and other micro-regulations, where the government routinely imposes barriers with the stated aims of “protecting consumers” or “stabilizing industries.” Continue Reading...

October 10, 2018

Watch Samuel Gregg’s 10 minute defense of religion and freedom

Let me take a moment to brag about my colleague Samuel Gregg, the Director of Research here at the Acton Institute. Almost every week we post an article or video by Gregg here on the PowerBlog, and yes, that’s partially because he’s one of us. Continue Reading...

September 20, 2018

Freer markets, freer press: Study explores the connections between economic liberty and press freedom

At a time when so-called “democratic socialism” is rising in prominence, we are accustomed to hearing about the supposed compatibility of socialism and political freedom. Not only is the dismantling of economic freedom compatible with democracy—we are told—but it is essential to its survival. Continue Reading...

September 17, 2018

How Trump’s tariffs hurt Michigan industry

“President Donald Trump’s continued embrace of tariffs spells danger for Michigan,” says Tyler Groenendal in an op-ed for the Detroit Times. Groenendal, the foundation relations coordinator at the Acton Institute, says though Trump is noted for his “America First” refrain, his call for tariffs will ultimately hurt America the most: Michigan is particularly vulnerable to the consequences of protectionism. Continue Reading...

August 27, 2018

Lord Acton vs. the ‘New Socialists’ on Freedom

Corey Robin, professor of political science at Brooklyn College and the City University of New York Graduate Center, wrote an interesting and troubling piece last week in the New York Times titled, “The New Socialists: Why the pitch from Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders resonates in 2018.” Continue Reading...

August 23, 2018

How ‘democratic socialism’ disempowers minorities

Progressives are known for their blanket denunciations of “big business” and consolidated corporate power. Yet amid their sweeping disdain, such critics somehow manage to maintain a peculiar affection for the consolidation of much, much more. Continue Reading...

August 21, 2018

P.J. Hill on the social power of markets

Economic exchange is often seen as a cold and calculating endeavor—entirely self-focused and impersonal, with sole attention on price and profit and, thus, little regard for actual human needs or well-being. Continue Reading...

August 16, 2018

Sen. Elizabeth Warren brings government muscle to corporate ‘accountability’

It was in Godfather III where Al Pacino as Michael Corleone said it first and said it best: “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!” Before we were able to put away our party hats after celebrating the Supreme Court’s Janus decision in June, Missouri rejected a right-to-work measure at the state’s primary ballot box last week. Continue Reading...

August 09, 2018

The financial crisis is over, but markets still need moral attention

With the financial crisis nearly a decade behind us, and with the latest figures showing 4.1 percent economic growth, the economic woes of yesteryear feel increasingly distant in our past. Even still, it’s hard to avoid the sense that something remains amiss—that beneath the material successes and encouraging metrics about unemployment rates and Gross Domestic Product, our society continues to lack the moral fabric necessary for sustained and holistic economic flourishing. Continue Reading...

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