Econlib Newsletter
July 2021


 

Dear friends,

Today is a national holiday here in the United States. While many are focused on fireworks and cookouts, we of course can't help but think about our American tradition of liberty- where it is and where it's been. Perhaps rather than a singular celebration, we might start to consider a founding "trilogy," as Thomas Koenig suggests in this Speaking of Smith post at AdamSmithWorks. Here at Econlib, our most popular Featured Article ever focuses on the American Revolution- and the positive externalities it has enabled us to enjoy. And of course there's no better place on the web to explore the American Founding than our sister site, the Online Library of Liberty. In its  American Revolution and Constitution collection, you can find everything from Thomas Paine's Common Sense, to the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers, and even George Washington's rules of civility. Now grab a hot dog and set yourself to some good reading!

In addition to suggestions above, here are a few more links we think worth your time:

• We've been debating the proper meaning of corporate social responsibility since the time of Milton Friedman. Today, many customers and employees are demanding that companies take positions on political and social issues. Is this a good thing? Or is it incompatible with the role of business that Friedman lays out? Join our friends at Civil Squared for this online event with Michelle Cirocco to explore these questions on July 15th. Click here to register.
• Have your thoughts about what makes work "worth it" changed? Are we now in the middle of a "Great Resignation" post-COVID? Here's a great collection of articles on the current state and future of work. 
• The American founding represents-among other things- our fundamental right to the pursuit of happiness. Here's another great episode of Yascha Mounk's Persuasion podcast, this time with Arthur Brooks on the elusive science of living happily,

As always, we share the newest content and other highlights from across the site below. Let us know your thoughts on the latest, and tell us what else you'd like to see at [email protected]. We love to hear from you. 

Until next month, stay well, and stay curious.