by Dan Mitchell | Sep 2, 2019 | Blogs, Economics, Free Market
I’ve periodically explained that capital formation (more machines, technology, etc) is necessary if we want higher wages. Simply stated, workers get paid on the basis of what they produce and the most effective way of boosting productivity is to have more saving and...
by Dan Mitchell | Aug 10, 2019 | Big Government, Blogs, Free Market
Having been inspired by Ronald Reagan’s libertarian-ish message (and track record), I’ve always been suspicious of alternative forms of conservatism for the simple reason that they always seem to mean bigger government. There was George H.W. Bush’s “kinder and...
by Dan Mitchell | Aug 7, 2019 | Blogs, Economics, Free Market
For libertarians, there aren’t many good role models in the world. There are a few small jurisdictions such as Bermuda, Monaco, and the Cayman Islands that are worth highlighting because of strong rule of law and good fiscal policy. There are also a few medium-sized...
by Dan Mitchell | Aug 3, 2019 | Blogs, Economics, Free Market
Back in 2014, I shared two videos – one narrated by Deirdre McCloskey and the other narrated by Don Boudreaux – explaining how the world went from near-universal poverty to mass prosperity (at least in the nations that embraced free markets and the rule of law)....
by Dan Mitchell | Jul 25, 2019 | Blogs, Economics, Free Market
I’ve applauded China’s economic progress. It’s economic liberty score jumped from 3.64 in 1980 to 6.46 in the most recent edition of Economic Freedom of the World. That shift toward markets (which started in a village) helped to dramatically reduce poverty and turn...