As we step into March, we reflect on a month filled with thought-provoking discussions and insightful conversations about economics. From explorations into the impact of government policy on market behavior to fascinating looks at the intersection of economics and personal liberty, our community has been actively engaging with content that challenges conventional thinking.
As always, we’re grateful for your continued support and engagement, and we’re excited to share the best of February’s content with you in this month’s newsletter. Here’s a quick look at some of the standout pieces you may have missed or want to revisit.
📈 Must-Reads from the past month: Revisit the content that captured the most attention and ignited conversation.
Scott Sumner noted that the New York Times seemed to change its stance on immigration. His TL/DR: Denmark has shown that an enlightened progressive government can preserve its welfare state by adopting fairly restrictive policies on immigration. Thus, it’s now OK for American liberals to switch to a position of opposition to large-scale immigration.
At EconLog, Craig Richardson challenged American welfare policy when he asked the seemingly simple question, Why Can’t Food Stamps be Used for a Rotisserie Chicken?
The beginning of a new semester always brings interest in our College Topics Guides! The concepts of market failure and opportunity cost garnered particular attention.
"Minimalists and Hoarders" with Michael Easter: This EconTalk episode explores the psychology behind our possessions, discussing how both minimalism and hoarding may stem from similar impulses to cope with uncertainty.
📚 Around the Liberty Fund Network: Here are some of the pieces that most piqued our interest recently:
Douglas Irwin on Talking About Trade and Commerce: In this episode of The Great Antidote podcast, Irwin discusses the history, benefits, and challenges of trade and commerce, offering insights on how to communicate the value of free trade effectively.
Helmut Schoeck’s Envy: The OLL added this classic title to the library. Schoeck explores the role of envy in shaping social structures, economic behavior, and human interactions throughout history.
Adam Abducted! AdamSmithWorks released a new, longer-form comic on Smith’s infamous “abduction” by gypsies.
At A Call to Liberty, David Womersley reflects on the role of education in challenging tyranny, linking the Declaration of Independence, Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations, and Edward Gibbon’s History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire in a thought-provoking essay.
We appreciate you being part of our community of curious and engaged minds. Happy reading, and here’s to more great ideas in 2025!
With our thanks,
The Econlib Team
