Economic concept
Why don't we have more nuclear power plants? In seeking an answer, Duke University economics professor Michael Munger builds on Clemson University economist Bruce Yandle's insight on the regulatory alliance…
The Cato Institute regularly publishes a report titled Freedom in the 50 States.1 According to the most recent edition, since 2010, North Carolina has improved substantially, advancing from 26th to…
RALEIGH — Overregulation of alcoholic beverages in North Carolina stifles entrepreneurs hoping to expand a growing industry across the state. That’s one of the key findings of a new John…
One can understand why some environmental activists might push for government rules that discourage people from using gasoline. But why would big power companies join forces with their usual foes?…
Barry Smith reports for Carolina Journal Online on a pair of proposals to permit crowdfunding in North Carolina. The Daily Journal reviews a book that exposes the economic losses linked…
Environmental activists tend to bash electric utility companies like Duke Energy. But the activists and Duke both support efforts to mandate use of so-called “green” or “clean” energy. Anti-smoking advocates…
Lachlan Markay of the Washington Free Beacon documents the latest example of the classic “Bootleggers and Baptists” scenario regarding social regulation. A shadowy Bermudan company that has funneled tens of…
Obama’s former regulation czar, Professor Cass Sunstein, has a new book out which continues his quest for a more paternalistic government that “nudges” us to make what he thinks are…
The latest Bloomberg Businessweek offers us this shocker: Businesses usually vehemently oppose rules that raise their costs. But Maersk Line, the world’s biggest container-shipping company, says it’s willing to continue…
The latest edition of Max Borders‘ Ideas Matter update includes an item on unions’ role in Baptist and bootlegger scenarios. The really successful rent-seekers are the ones who instinctively understand…
By now most people have heard that NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proposing that the city government ban sugared soft drinks sold at restaurants that come in larger than 16…
Max Borders‘ latest Ideas Matter update features an entry that highlights the problem of regulators who end up “captured” by the interests they regulate. It’s troubling, but most people don’t…