Religion & Liberty Online Archives

Acton Occasional Series

June 25, 2019

The limits of fiscal policy

Note: This is post #126 in a weekly video series on basic economics. The best case for fiscal policy happens during a recession caused by an aggregate demand shock, says economist Alex Tabarrok. Continue Reading...
June 20, 2019

6 Quotes: Supreme Court justices on the ‘Peace Cross’ case

Earlier today the Supreme Court issued its ruling in American Legion v. American Humanist Association—also known as the Bladensburg Cross case. The Court ruled that the 40-foot-tall stone and concrete “Peace Cross” memorial displayed on government-owned property in Bladensburg, Maryland outside Washington, DC does not violate the Establishment Clause. Continue Reading...
June 18, 2019

Fiscal policy: The best case scenario

Note: This is post #125 in a weekly video series on basic economics. When and why does the government might engage in expansionary fiscal policy? When does the government increase spending, or decrease taxes, to combat a recession? Continue Reading...
June 11, 2019

Introduction to fiscal policy

Note: This is post #124 in a weekly video series on basic economics. What is fiscal policy? As economist Tyler Cowen explains, it’s a government’s policies on taxes, spending, and borrowing. Continue Reading...
June 06, 2019

5 Facts about the Nineteenth Amendment

This week marks the centennial anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Here are five facts you should know about women’s suffrage and the amendment: 1. The 19th Amendment doesn’t directly mention women. Continue Reading...
June 04, 2019

When the Federal Reserve does too much

Note: This is post #123 in a weekly video series on basic economics. “If you think through all of the variables that shape a country’s economy, it’s no wonder that monetary policy is difficult,” says economist Alex Tabarrok. Continue Reading...
June 03, 2019

What Christians should know about recessions

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. What it means: The economy shifts from periods of increasing economic activity, known as economic expansions, to periods of decreasing economic activity, known as recessions. Continue Reading...