Acton Occasional Series

September 11, 2018

5 facts about the 9/11 aftermath

Today marks the 17th anniversary of the worst terrorist attack ever on American soil. Here are five facts you should know about what happened in the aftermath of the events on September 11, 2001: 1. Continue Reading...

September 10, 2018

Free markets are information systems designed for virtuous people

Note: This article is part of the ‘Principles Project,’ a list of principles, axioms, and beliefs that undergird a Christian view of economics, liberty, and virtue. Click here to read the introduction and other posts in this series. Continue Reading...

September 07, 2018

Unemployment as economic-spiritual indicator — August 2018 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...

September 06, 2018

Sin is a social contagion that threatens freedom

September 04, 2018

The Great Recession and the failure of financial intermediaries.

Note: This is post #92 in a weekly video series on basic economics. What caused the Great Recession of 2008? In this video by Marginal Revolution University, economist Tyler Cowen discusses a couple of key reasons, including homeowners’ leverage, securitization, and the role of excess confidence and incentives. Continue Reading...

August 30, 2018

Alejandro Chafuen in Forbes: The Moral Aspects of Money

Acton’s own Alejandro Chafuen appeared in Forbes to discuss monetary theories from the ancient Greeks to today’s crytocurrencies. The following is an excerpt from Chafuen’s essay, titled Moralists and Money: From Gold to Bitcoin. Continue Reading...

August 30, 2018

FAQ: What is the ‘U.S.-Mexico Trade Agreement’?

The United States and Mexico renegotiated the terms of their free trade agreement, President Donald Trump announced this week, replacing NAFTA with something he dubbed the “U.S.-Mexico Trade Agreement.” Here are the facts you need to know. Continue Reading...

August 28, 2018

Why financial intermediaries fail

Note: This is post #91 in a weekly video series on basic economics. Financial intermediaries serve as a bridge between borrowers and savers. When those bridges collapse the effects can be disastrous: businesses go bankrupt, workers get laid off, and people lose their homes. Continue Reading...

August 27, 2018

Why economic exchange need not be a zero-sum game

August 21, 2018

What do bond markets do?

Note: This is post #90 in a weekly video series on basic economics. Most borrowers, such as individuals and small businesses, borrow through banks. But larger institutions can also borrow from a different financial intermediary: the bond market. Continue Reading...

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