December 2016 Archives

December 02, 2016

Unemployment as Economic-Spiritual Indicator — November 2016 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...

December 01, 2016

Paul Bonicelli on Trump’s Carrier deal and upcoming economic priorities

Paul Bonicelli, Director of Programs at the Acton Institute, appeared on CNBC’s Closing Bell on Thursday afternoon to discuss President-elect Donald Trump’s deal with Carrier to keep 1,000 jobs in Indiana, and to offer analysis of the potential economic priorities of the incoming Trump Administration. Continue Reading...

December 01, 2016

What happens when the government ‘forgives’ $108 billion in student debt?

To reduce the number of people defaulting on student loans, President Obama has been promoting income-driven repayment plans. The most widely available income-driven repayment plan for federal student loans—the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan—provides payment caps based on a borrower’s family size and income (150 percent of the poverty level). Continue Reading...

December 01, 2016

Kings without a king: Kuyper on the illusion of independence

“A human kingship imperceptibly came to power, leaving no place for the kingship of Christ.” –Abraham Kuyper The West prides itself on valuing freedom – political, economic, religious, and otherwise. For some, this leads to the promotion of a certain brand of libertinism: the freedom to do what we want. Continue Reading...

December 01, 2016

Profits and an ‘economy of mutuality’

“Money is often seen as intrinsically bad or perhaps a necessary evil in the world,” says Tom Nelson. “However, we must not forget the important role money plays in wealth creation and in facilitating the efficient exchange of goods and services.” Continue Reading...

December 01, 2016

What’s next for religious freedom?

In a new article for the Catholic Herald, Philip Booth outlines the next battle in the fight for religious freedom. The professor of finance, public policy, and ethics at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham, writes that “liberal elites are paying the prices for sidelining” this important freedom. Continue Reading...