Acton Occasional Series

February 22, 2019

Explainer: Supreme Court constrains civil asset forfeiture

What just happened? On Wednesday the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Timbs v. Indiana that the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution applies to state governments and that some state civil asset forfeitures violate the Clause. Continue Reading...

February 20, 2019

Elizabeth Warren’s universal child care proposal: What you need to know

Senator Elizabeth Warren unveiled a plan for universal child care, to be funded by a national wealth tax, late Monday night. Here are the facts you need to know. What are the details of Warren’s universal child care proposal? Continue Reading...

February 19, 2019

Understanding the aggregate supply curve

Note: This is post #111 in a weekly video series on basic economics. The long-run aggregate supply curve can show us an economy’s potential growth rate when all is going well. Continue Reading...

February 18, 2019

5 Facts about Washington’s Birthday

Today is the U.S. federal holiday known as Washington’s Birthday (not “Presidents Day—see item #1). In honor of George Washington’s birthday, here are 5 things you should know about the day set aside for our America’s premier founding father. Continue Reading...

February 15, 2019

5 facts about Susan B. Anthony

Today is the 199th anniversary of the birth of Susan B. Anthony. In honor of her legacy, here are five facts you should know about the great American social reformer: 1. Continue Reading...

February 14, 2019

Valentine’s Day: Rosy economics?

Alright, I’ll confess: I am often accused of being a miser on St. Valentine’s Day. This is because I usually buy three roses for my Italian wife. Never a dozen like everyone else. Continue Reading...

February 12, 2019

Understanding the aggregate demand curve

Note: This is post #110 in a weekly video series on basic economics. A concept that can help us understand business fluctuation is the aggregate demand–aggregate supply model, or AD-AS model. Continue Reading...

February 08, 2019

Explainer: What you should know about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal

What exactly is the Green New Deal? Yesterday Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) released a proposed resolution titled, “Recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal.” The document is a simple resolution, a proposal that addresses matters entirely within the prerogative of the House of Representatives. Continue Reading...

February 05, 2019

An introduction to business fluctuations

Note: This is post #109 in a weekly video series on basic economics. Rather than moving at a steady pace, economic growth ebbs and flows and has booms and busts. Economists refer to these ups and downs around a country’s long-term GDP growth trend as “business fluctuations.” Continue Reading...

February 01, 2019

Unemployment as economic-spiritual indicator — January 2019 report

Series Note: Jobs are one of the most important aspects of a morally functioning economy. They help us serve the needs of our neighbors and lead to human flourishing both for the individual and for communities. Continue Reading...

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