For most of its history, the U.S. government maintained a policy of transferring acquired lands to private owners and to the states. This changed around the turn of the 20th century, however, as the Progressives preached the “gospel of efficiency,” a doctrine that hailed the scientific management of natural resources by enlightened public servants....
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On December 29th, the world-renowned economist Ronald H. Coase celebrated in Chicago his 101st birthday. Professor Coase received the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 1991, and he is the Clifton R. Musser Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Chicago Law School and the former, highly influential editor of the prestigious Journal...
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Independent Institute Research Director Alexander Tabarrok is interviewed here by Ray Lehmann on the FIRE (Finance, Insurance & Real Estate News) Podcast for the Heartland Institute. The interview discusses many government barriers that exist that block innovation and what policy reforms could be adopted now to restore entrepreneurship and prosperity. Issues addressed include patents...
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This past week the governor of California signed a law that requires the teaching of gay history in textbooks used in government schools. That’s bad, but not for the reasons so-called “conservative” groups imagine. Government schools in California and Texas determine what is used in textbooks nationwide. The textbook boards in California lean toward...
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Greece is reportedly putting into practice Independent Institute Senior Fellow William Shughart’s recommended course of action to insolvent governments: sell off government-held assets, pay off your debts, and get your fiscal house in order for the future. And Greek’s government owns vast swathes of highly desirable property: An umbrella company for most of Greece’s...
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Independent Institute Research Director Alex Tabarrok is interviewed by Stephen Dubner of Freakonomics Radio in “To Catch a Fugitive,” on the enormous advantages of private bounty hunting over government police enforcement of bail jumping. Download audio file (20:14 minutes) Here also is a transcript of the interview. Please also see the following books from...
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The Wall Street Journal reports that the State of Michigan will soon make practicing massage without a license a felony. In the age of Yelp, why the explosion of state licensure? After all, if a masseuse is no good, word will soon get around, and it’s difficult to comprehend, in any event, just how...
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Ronald Coase, winner of the 1991 Nobel Prize in Economic Science, turns 100 today, still publishing. As The Economist magazine pointed out in its recent tribute to his work on firms: He has long chided his fellow economists for scrawling hieroglyphics on blackboards rather than looking at what it actually takes to run a...
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In a new article in the London Guardian, “$2 Trillion Debt Crisis Threatens to Bring Down 100 U.S. Cities,” Elena Moya reports that “Overdrawn American cities could face financial collapse in 2011, defaulting on hundreds of billions of dollars of borrowings and derailing the U.S. economic recovery. Nor are European cities safe—Florence, Barcelona, Madrid,...
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Florida Representative John Mica sent letters to 100 airports suggesting they replace TSA screeners with private security guards, which they are already allowed to do, according to this article. I’m in favor. It wouldn’t eliminate the screenings, which are still required by law, but you might have friendlier service if screeners thought that customer...
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