February 13, 2019
March 27, 2018
Toward a Godly globalization
Globalization is routinely decried for its disruptive effects, particularly as it relates to the health of our social relationships and community enterprises and institutions. Even as it’s proven to drive significant economic growth, questions remain about its steamrolling influence on the culture and society. Continue Reading...
December 05, 2017
Rome conference on Jesuits, globalization reaps record attendance
On November 29 the Acton Institute filled the Pontifical Gregorian University’s aula magna to maximum capacity with at least 380 participants, a record attendance during Acton’s 17 years of academic programming in Rome. Continue Reading...
August 22, 2017
The cramped morality of trade protectionism
“If a product is seen only as the opportunity for work, it is certain that the anxieties of protectionists are well founded.” –Frédéric Bastiat, Economic Sophisms
Drawing inspiration from a 1847 essay by the inimitable Frédéric Bastiat, economist Donald Boudreaux tackles a popular argument from today’s trade protectionists: namely, “that protectionism is justified if enough consumers or voters are willing to pay higher prices in order to help workers.”
The problem, of course, is that such a perspective debases the value of labor to the value of products and vice versa, ignoring the many other relationships and ripple-effects that production and trade are bound to inspire. Continue Reading...
June 12, 2017
When Lightning McQueen brought jobs to rural America
“Main street isn’t main street anymore. No one seems to need us like they did before.”
Americans continue to face the violent winds of economic change, whether stemming from technology, trade, or globalization. Continue Reading...
May 05, 2017
How free trade creates economic and moral bonds
In our discussions about free trade, it can be easy to focus only on short-term disruptions or long-term material gains, using either to argue for or against it on behalf of the poor. Continue Reading...
April 25, 2017
Why J.D. Vance is bringing venture capital to the Rust Belt
As Americans continue to face the disruptive effects of economic change, whether from technology, trade, or globalization, many have wondered how we might preserve or revive the regions that have suffered most. Continue Reading...
March 29, 2017
Radio Free Acton: Brent Waters on just capitalism
On this edition of Radio Free Acton, we talk with Brent Waters, Jerre and Mary Joy Stead professor of Christian social ethics at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and author of Just Capitalism: A Christian Ethic of Economic Globalization. Continue Reading...
January 05, 2017
Does globalization destroy culture?
Globalization is routinely decried for its disruptive effects, particularly as it relates to local culture and community enterprises and institutions. Even as it’s proven to drive significant economic growth, questions remain about its steamrolling influence on the culture. Continue Reading...
November 28, 2016