Acton Occasional Series

April 09, 2018

How growth rates affect the wealth of nations

Note: This is post #74 in a weekly video series on basic economics. In the previous video in this series we learned a basic fact of economic wealth—that countries can vary widely in standard of living. Continue Reading...

April 06, 2018

Unemployment as economic-spiritual indicator — March 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...

April 04, 2018

5 facts about the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Here are five facts you should know about the killing of the civil rights leader in Memphis, Tennessee. Continue Reading...

March 27, 2018

Why are some countries richer than others?

Note: This is post #73 in a weekly video series on basic economics. Mexico is wealthier than Central African Republic, and the United States is much wealthier than Mexico. Why is this true? Continue Reading...

March 26, 2018

Explainer: What you should know about the 2018 omnibus spending bill

On Friday, Congress passed—and President Trump signed into law—a massive new omnibus spending bill. Here are some key points you should know about this legislation: What is an omnibus spending bill? Continue Reading...

March 23, 2018

The unintended consequences of ‘ban the box’ legislation

Series note: Most of us realize that, for all our disagreements, our neighbors often have the best of intentions. But when it comes to public policy, good intentions are not enough to create human flourishing. Continue Reading...

March 22, 2018

5 Facts for World Water Day

Today is the 25th annual observance of World Water Day, a global initiative to focus attention on the importance of freshwater. Here are five facts you should know about safe and accessible water: 1. Continue Reading...

March 20, 2018

How real GDP per capita measures standard of living

Note: This is post #72 in a weekly video series on basic economics. If money can’t buy happiness, why do we measure standard of living in economic terms, specifically GDP per capita? Continue Reading...

March 15, 2018

What Christians should know about tariffs and balance of trade

Note: This is the latest entry in the Acton blog series, “What Christians Should Know About Economics.” For other entries in the series see this post. The purpose of the series is not to present a theology of economics, but simply to provide a basic level of understanding that will help Christians think more clearly about how to apply their faith commitments to economics and public policy. Continue Reading...

March 14, 2018

How real GDP helps us know if we’re ‘better off’ than before

Note: This is post #71 in a weekly video series on basic economics. “Are you better off today than you were 4 years ago? What about 40 years ago?” These sorts of questions invite a different kind of query, says Alex Tabarrok: what exactly do we mean, when we say “better off?” Continue Reading...

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