As part of the “austerity†measures just passed by the Greek Parliament, the state will be raising taxes about $40 billion over the next five years. The Greek state had to pass these measures to qualify for a $16 billion
Socialism 
CUPW and the Curse of Machinery
“King Ludd”, Leader of the Luddites. All he needs is a mailbag! The Canadian Union of Postal Workers recently proposed that “[i]nstead of replacing antiquated community mailboxes, the Corporation should provide door-to-door delivery”, in order to, among other things,
Is the Name “Capitalism†Worth Keeping?
Originally published in two parts in The Freeman Online, December 31, 2009 and January 7, 2010. It has been edited for continuity. One of the more interesting developments in the wake of the Great Recession is the use and abuse of
Some Advantages of Austrian Economics in the Defence of Markets
What are the potential benefits in being familiar with Austrian economics? This is the question that I hope to at least partially answer here. I study economics at the Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of
Competition in Mail Delivery: An Idea Whose Time Has Come
Originally Published in the Mid-Atlantic Journal of Business Studies, Fall, 1989. Now that the latest round in the perennial strike of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) against the public is ended, this gives us an opportunity to reflect
Bring On the Lockout
Today the CBC reports that Canada Post has temporarily closed shop and locked out its unionized, striking workers. “Mail delivery across the country has halted.” The mind boggles as it tries to understand the position of the CUPW workers. As
Poor Relief in Ancient Rome
Instances of government relief to the poor can be found from the earliest times. Though the records are vague in important particuÂlars, we do know a good deal about what happened in ancient Rome. A study of that case may
Marx’s View of the Division of Laborx
The division of labor is a subÂject which has fascinated social scientists for millennia. Before the advent of modern times, phiÂlosophers and theologians conÂcerned themselves with the imÂplications of the idea. Plato saw as the ultimate form of society a
The Pied Piper of Hansen
Originally posted on Friday, December 11, 2009 at Mises.org It might take a while to sink in, but the global-warming cause is on the skids. Two issues are taking the whole project down: it is getting cooler not warmer (and
The Myth of Free-Market Healthcare
The AMA Monopoly While most people believe that our healthcare industry is one comprised of free markets, it is anything but. The industry is completely distorted by government manipulation.[ref] The introductory paragraphs that follow, and most historical facts and figures
Subsidies to Early Canadian Railways
According to Joseph Stromberg, “Aside from protection of American manufacturers, perhaps the most flagrant wartime and post-war subsidy consisted of funds lent and land given to the railroads by the federal government to encourage railroad growth. Between 1862 and 1872,
The Poor
Socialists commonly cite the existence of the poor as a reason for socialism, and they claim that their concern for the poor shows compassion and morality. Since the topic of poverty is a key battleground in the war of socialism
Classical Liberalism and Property
Human society is an association of persons for cooperative action. As against the isolated action of individuals, cooperative action on the basis of the principle of the division of labor has the advantage of greater productivity. If a number of
Carter’s Energy Fascism
Several months into his new administration, President Carter was worried. Oh, his image with the public was doing just fine: the cardigan sweater, the phone-ins, the fireside chats, had raised his personal popularity to stratospheric heights. Image is all well
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