Greg Mankiw is one of the more interesting economists around. He is known in the field as one of the leading exponents of “new-Kenysianism.” These are folks who believe that the macroeconomy occasionally suffers from large-scale failure and that government intervention is occasionally necessary to put the economy back on track. Unlike old-Keynsians, however, new-Kenysians [...]
Read More Economics in FocusSo far a Google search produces no Dick-Cheney / Aaron Burr comparisons. Give it time.
Read More A Little LevityIn response to President Bush’s assertion that “America is addicted to oil,” Harry linked to this article in the Wall Street Journal. The author catalogues 35 years of failed energy initiatives designed to free us from dependence on foreign oil. Time and time again politicians have been taken in by the fallacy of composition. Their [...]
Read More Energy and EnvironmentOn December 15, 1791, the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified. It read: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and [...]
Read More ConstitutionalismYoung, inexperienced workers can breathe a sigh of relief. The “living wage” ordinance in Albuquerque failed–but just barely.
Read More Economic FreedomJudge John Roberts has now been confirmed as the 17th chief justice of the US Supreme Court. Bushy is set to name another justice to fill the second vacancy any day (hour?) now. So it seems an appropriate time for another post on constitutionalism. One of the themes Senator Biden sounded during the Roberts hearings [...]
Read More ConstitutionalismCan you believe what Alaskan Republican Congressman Don Young said when someone suggested that he return the money he got for a bridge to nowhere in Alaska to pay for Hurricane Katrina relief?
Read More The BudgetWe’ve heard a lot of platitudes about the Constitution this week. My personal favorite was Joe Biden’s description of the document as “our civic bible.” Most politicians treat the Constitution as some sort of flag: An iconic and patriotic symbol to be revered. It is a convenient symbol for them, easily worked into speeches as [...]
Read More ConstitutionalismReaders of this page will know that constitutionalism is very near and dear to our hearts. Both Harry and I are products of George Mason University, an institution made famous by the pioneering work of Nobel Laureate James Buchanan on the political economy of constitutions. Buchanan’s life-long career might be described as an intellectual defense [...]
Read More ConstitutionalismThe images and stories coming out of New Orleans are just awful. It is nearly impossible to scroll through the pictures without tearing up (of course, I sometimes tear up watching Puppy Chow commercials). Anyway, the politicians will be pledging lots of taxpayer money and accepting accolades for their generosity. If you want to one-up [...]
Read More General Info