EconLib Newsletter, July 2020

"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."

-Thomas Paine

We hope this finds you safe and healthy, and able to enjoy high summer. We have absolutely loved seeing so many of you in our reading groups this summer. (See below for more info on the next online group.) We have more Virtual Reading Groups planned in the coming months... we think you'll be pretty excited about the topics and discussion leaders. For those of you who were not able to join us in our current Bastiat group, we share the readings with you below. They are all available online.

Session 1: The Law ([link removed])

Session 2: What is Seen and What is Not Seen ([link removed]) , from Selected Essays on Political Economy and Two Systems of Ethics ([link removed]) , from Economic Sophisms

Session 3: A Petition ([link removed]) , from Economic Sophisms and The Balance of Trade ([link removed]) , from Selected Essays on Political Economy

So have a read, and let us know what you think. We'll be adding additional sessions of Virtual Reading Groups going forward, thanks to all the enthusiasm from YOU! Beyond reading groups, what else can we provide to interest you in the economic way of thinking? Drop us a line at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . We love to hear from you.

EconLib Feature Articles, July 2020
The Danger of Benevolent Paternalism:
Socialization and the Role of Government
by Gina Miller Johnson


From the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been calls from the American public for federal and state governments to combat the spread of the virus. These calls may seem quite innocuous and unsurprising, but they represent a dangerous trend in U.S. culture. Specifically, these calls for government action highlight a concerning belief among a wide portion of the American public that, when faced with an economic, social, or political problem, we should first look to the government to “do something” and that the government’s response will be in our best interest. These calls for action demonstrate not only Americans’ acceptance of paternalistic government practices, but our demand for more. Read More. ([link removed])
[link removed]
How Can Economists HELP?
by Michael Davis

The question of whether economists help people has been on my mind a lot lately. This is an extraordinary time... Most of us genuinely want to help. But we don’t know how to hook up a ventilator, we don’t have the local knowledge necessary to deliver fresh milk to the store and most of us wouldn’t even be very good at stocking the cooler once the milk arrives. Do economists have anything to offer? Read More. ([link removed])

Appealing to Empathy to Overcome Polarization
by Arnold Kling



What is the root of the political polarization in America today? "In Mending America’s Political Divide, René H. Levy offers a neuroscientist’s perspective on the phenomenon of political polarization. Our politics is stimulating our tribal instincts, which lead us to lose empathy with the other side. This lack of empathy has dangerous consequences." Read More. ([link removed])
Highlights from EconLog

Bryan Caplan, What I'm Doing ([link removed])

How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed your behavior? In two provocative posts, blogger Bryan Caplan shares what he's thinking ([link removed]) in response and what he's doing. Read More. ([link removed])

More Recent Posts
* Scott Sumner, Living on the one dimensional plant ([link removed])
* Alberto Mingardi, How "socialist" was national socialism? ([link removed])
* Pierre Lemieux, D ([link removed]) iscrimination and State Power ([link removed])
* Sarah Skwire, The Opportunity Costs of J. Alfred Prufrock ([link removed])
* Tarnell Brown, W ([link removed]) hy We Need to Keep Talking About George Floyd ([link removed])
* Peter Boettke, Five Books: The Soviet Butcher's Bill Comes Due ([link removed])
* Rosolino Candela, Transaction Costs are the Costs of Engaging in Economic Calculation ([link removed])

Featured EconTalk Podcast
Agnes Callard on Philosophy, Progress, and Wisdom ([link removed])
Philosopher and author Agnes Callard ([link removed]) talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts ([link removed]) ([link removed]) about the state of philosophy, the power of philosophy, and the search for wisdom and truth. This is a wide-ranging conversation related to the question of how we learn, how to behave ethically, and the role of religion and philosophy in encouraging good behavior. Listen Here. ([link removed])

And don't miss Induction into Intellectual Culture ([link removed]) , our podcast episode Extra to complement and continue the conversation.

More Recent Episodes:
* Rebecca Henderson on Reimagining Capitalism ([link removed])
+ EconTalk Extra: Getting New Guardrails ([link removed])
* Sarah Carr on Charter Schools, Educational Reform, and Hope Against Hope ([link removed])
+ EconTalk Extra: Education on the Ground ([link removed])
* D ([link removed]) iane Ravitch on Slaying Goliath ([link removed])
+ EconTalk Extra: Ravitch's Resistance ([link removed])
* V ([link removed]) ivian Lee on The Long Fix ([link removed])

Join us for our next
ONLINE READING GROUP!

Starting July 20th via #EconlibRead ([link removed]) s. ([link removed])

Join the #EconlibReads Facebook group, ([link removed]) or follow along on twitter.

Get your copy here ([link removed]) .

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