Rev. Ben Johnson

Rev. Ben Johnson is an Eastern Orthodox priest and served as executive editor of the Acton Institute from 2016 to 2021. His work has appeared in a wide variety of publications, including National Review, the American Spectator, The Guardian, National Catholic Register, Providence, Jewish World Review, Human Events, and the American Orthodox Institute. His personal websites are therightswriter.com and RevBenJohnson.com. You can find him on X: @therightswriter.

Posts by Rev. Ben Johnson

April 10, 2017

How global trade enriched your Palm Sunday

This weekend marked Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, when Christians commemorate Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem en route to His voluntary death, burial, and resurrection. On that day, Christians of all backgrounds bless and wave palm branches in imitation of the crowds who cried “Hosanna” as He rode a donkey into the city. Continue Reading...
April 07, 2017

The 100th anniversary of a wealth destroyer

Like the United States, Canada instituted its federal income tax 100 years ago. In the states, the progressive income tax was a demand of the original Populist movement and, after being deemed unconstitutional, was adopted into the U.S. Continue Reading...
April 04, 2017

The ‘Great Repeal Bill’ and the long shadow of EU law

Millions had assumed that Brexit meant that, in the words of Prime Minister Theresa May, “our laws will be made in Westminster, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast.” But the government has announced that it will continue to be bound by thousands of EU regulations, passed in Brussels, for the foreseeable future. Continue Reading...
March 29, 2017

Brexit begins an era of free trade and innovation: Theresa May

With the delivery of Theresa May’s letter this afternoon, Brexit has begun. The communique – which Sir Tim Barrow personally handed European Council President Donald Tusk – expresses her desire to replace the EU with “deep and special partnership,” or as she said in this afternoon’s speech to Parliament, “a partnership of values.”  Continue Reading...
March 24, 2017

Has Brexit ended bank-bashing?

In 2012, François Hollande ran for president of France by saying, “My true enemy … is the world of finance.” This month, the Socialist’s former economy minister, Emmanuel Macron, maintained his lead in the race to succeed Hollande by highlighting his work as an investment banker for Rothschild & Co. Continue Reading...
March 21, 2017

Explainer: What’s the difference between a free trade union and a customs union?

On Monday, Great Britain stood poised to enact Brexit with Her Majesty’s blessing. UK Prime Minister Theresa May announced that her government would send the letter officially triggering the UK’s exit from the European Union, in accordance with Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, on March 29 – more than nine months after the British people voted to extract themselves from the global governance institution. Continue Reading...
March 14, 2017

5 facts about the Brexit vote and Scottish independence

On Monday night, Parliament passed a bill allowing Prime Minister Theresa May to withdraw the United Kingdom from the European Union under Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. On the same day, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called for Scotland to hold a second referendum on declaring independence from the UK. Continue Reading...