2017 Archives

December 12, 2017

Acton Institute seeks to recognize doctoral students through Novak Award

The Acton Institute is now accepting applications for the 2018 Novak Award. The deadline to apply is March 15, 2018 and the nomination requirement has been removed. The award, named after distinguished American theologian Michael Novak, is open to current doctoral candidates or those who have received a doctorate in the past five years. Continue Reading...

December 12, 2017

Public goods and asteroid defense

Note: This is post #60 in a weekly video series on basic microeconomics. While the probability of an asteroid hitting the planet is very low, its effect would be disastrous for all of us. Continue Reading...

December 11, 2017

C.S. Lewis and Brexit: Breaking the spell

Despite his work as an apologist and essayist of the highest order, C.S. Lewis’ most famous work is the Chronicles of Narnia. The Silver Chair, the fourth novel published in the series, provides a good framework to understand the state of the European Union, writes Stephen F. Continue Reading...

December 11, 2017

How automation could transform the labor force over the next decade

Over the next decade, automation will increase, changing the nature of the way we work. While this will lead to more jobs in the long-run it could also lead to an occupational shift on a scale not seen since the transition of the labor force out of agriculture in the early 1900s in the United States and Europe. Continue Reading...

December 08, 2017

‘Brexit breakthrough’: What you need to know about the new UK-EU report

After frenetic all-night talks, the UK prime minister and the president of the EU announced early Friday morning that the first round of Brexit talks had made “sufficient progress” to go forward. Continue Reading...

December 08, 2017

Unemployment as economic-spiritual indicator — November 2017 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 07, 2017

‘On Islam’: Abraham Kuyper reflects on the Islamic world

In 1905, Abraham Kuyper, the Dutch statesman and theologian, set forth on a journey around the Mediterranean Sea, visiting 80 sites and cities in 20 countries. His travels brought him to ancient lands and some of the most revered sites of Christianity. Continue Reading...

December 07, 2017

News: Alex Chafuen joins Acton Institute to lead international outreach

Alejandro A. “Alex” Chafuen, longtime president of Washington-based Atlas Network, is joining the Acton Institute on January 1 as its Managing Director, International. “As one of our founding board members and earliest supporters, Alex has been an important part of the Acton Institute’s work and mission since day one,” said Acton Institute Executive Director Kris Mauren. Continue Reading...

December 06, 2017

What St. Nicholas can teach us about economic freedom

One of the most beloved figures of Christian history – St. Nicholas, the basis for the legend of Santa Claus – is commemorated around the world on December 6. An historical happenstance shows that his life still holds lessons for the piety and economics of the transatlantic sphere. Continue Reading...

December 06, 2017

Radio Free Acton: Police Chief Mac Tristan on servant leadership; Upstream on Flannery O’Connor

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Sarah Stanley, Managing Editor at the Acton Institute, speaks with Mac Tristan, Chief of Police in Coppell, Texas, on the topic of servant leadership: what is it, how has Mac found it helpful in his line of work, and why it is valuable for leaders in business too. Continue Reading...