Post Tagged 'free exchange'

October 31, 2018

This machine trades Halloween candy for Reese’s cups – and teaches us about trade

Have you ever been disappointed by the candy you received from trick-or-treating? Not a sucker for jawbreakers? Think Smarties are dumb? Do Jolly Ranchers leave you sour? You now have two options: Either one will maximize your happiness and benefit others – one of them aiding soldiers overseas. Continue Reading...

July 11, 2017

How ordinary economic thinking helps constrain political chaos

In an age where chaos and cronyism seem to be the defining characteristics of our politics, and where the political system is increasingly decried as being “rigged” by populists from both the left and right, the time seems ripe for a renewed focus on political constraints. Continue Reading...

September 28, 2015

Kickstarter: Capitalism’s Superior Alternative to the NEA

Several years ago, as a music student in college, I remember hearing constant complaints about “lack of funding for the arts.” Hardly a day would go by without a classmate or professor bemoaning the thin and fickle pockets of the bourgeoisie or Uncle Sam’s lack of artistic initiative. Continue Reading...

October 01, 2011

The invisible sources of entrepreneurship

There is great enthusiasm for entrepreneurship these days. There are social entrepreneurs, intellectual entrepreneurs, educational entrepreneurs and even intra-preneurs (entrepreneurs within their own companies). Entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates are held up as model citizens. Continue Reading...