by Dan Mitchell | Nov 6, 2018 | Blogs, Economics
The theory of “economic convergence” is based on the notion that poor nations should grow faster than rich nations and eventually achieve the same level of development. This theory is quite reasonable, but I’ve pointed out that decent public policy (i.e., free markets...
by Dan Mitchell | Nov 5, 2018 | Blogs, Economics
Brazil appears to be a tragic example of what happens when societal capital erodes (or never gets established in the first place) and too many people in the country see government as a vehicle for redistribution. That environment leads to statist policies. Which...
by Dan Mitchell | Nov 4, 2018 | Blogs, Economics, Taxation
There are three reasons why the right kind of tax reform can help the economy grow faster. Lower tax rates give people more incentive to earn income. Less double taxation boosts incentives to save and invest. Fewer loopholes improves incentives for economic...
by Dan Mitchell | Nov 1, 2018 | Blogs, Economics, Keynesian
I wrote in 2010 that Keynesian economics is like the Freddy Krueger movies. It refuses to die despite powerful evidence that you don’t help an economy by increasing the burden of government. In 2014, I wrote the theory was based on “fairy dust.” And in 2015, I said...
by Dan Mitchell | Oct 27, 2018 | Blogs, Trade
In doing some research about how to present the best case for free trade and against protectionism, I found some excellent commentary on why trade deficits don’t matter. Here are some excerpts from a column by Don Boudreaux, a professor at George Mason University....
