by Dan Mitchell | Feb 10, 2019 | Blogs, Economics, Free Market
International development experts often write about a “middle-income trap.” According to this theory, it’s not that challenging for nations to climb out of poverty, but it’s difficult for them to take the next step and become rich countries. The theory makes sense to...
by Dan Mitchell | Feb 8, 2019 | Blogs, Economics
I did not like Bill Clinton’s 1993 class-warfare tax hike, and I also opposed Barack Obama’s 2012 fiscal-cliff tax increase on the so-called rich. But those were incremental measures. Today’s leftist politicians have much more grandiose schemes, such as 70 percent tax...
by Dan Mitchell | Feb 7, 2019 | Blogs, Economics, Trade
Donald Trump and other populist leaders frequently are condemned for undermining the “rules-based system” that is the basis of the “postwar order.” What exactly is meant by this criticism? In the case of Trump, is it disapproval of his protectionism? Yes, but that’s...
by Dan Mitchell | Feb 6, 2019 | Blogs, Economics
I wrote a couple of days ago about America’s best and worst cities for pro-market policy, and I noted that there are several rankings of economic liberty for statesand nations. But what if you want to know the place with the most overall freedom? In other words, what...
by Dan Mitchell | Feb 5, 2019 | Blogs, Economics, Taxation
Mark Perry of the American Enterprise Institute is most famous for his Venn diagrams that expose hypocrisy and inconsistency. Taxation and incentives The War on Drugs Minimum wage Food and Drug Administration Consenting adults But he also is famous for his charts. And...
