Interview: What Robert Caro learned about power after studying it for 50 years
01 Nov 2026 Leave a comment
in economic history, politics - USA
A Libertarian Perspective on the 2026 Election
01 Nov 2026 1 Comment
in libertarianism, politics - USA
Why we should vote “Democrat by Default” for federal offices – with a few rare exceptions. I build on a post by political philosopher Dan Shapiro.
A Libertarian Perspective on the 2026 Election
All About Tariffs
31 Oct 2026 Leave a comment
in applied price theory, economic history, history of economic thought, industrial organisation, international economics, politics - USA, Public Choice, rentseeking Tags: tarrifs
I have made no secret of me deep skepticism about President Trump’s tariff policies since he announced his “Liberation Day” tariffs in April 2025. My first-blink “Thoughts on the Trump Tariffs” from a few days after the announcement has held held up reasonably well, and I have posted follow-ups on the subject a number of…
All About Tariffs
The Law and Democrats Allegedly Recruiting Second “Dan Sullivan” to Run in Alaska Senate Race
31 Oct 2026 Leave a comment
Election law expert and UCLA Prof. Rick Hasen (Election Law Blog) has a post about this; an excerpt: Today’s New… The post The Law and Democrats Allegedly Recruiting Second “Dan Sullivan” to Run in Alaska Senate Race appeared first on Reason Magazine.
The Law and Democrats Allegedly Recruiting Second “Dan Sullivan” to Run in Alaska Senate Race
I like maps
31 Oct 2026 Leave a comment
in economic history, International law, politics - USA Tags: maps
Creating Voter Confusion About Candidates’ Names is Bad – But Exploiting Voter Ignorance About Policy Issues is a Much Bigger Problem
30 Oct 2026 Leave a comment
in economics of information, politics - USA, Public Choice
Democrats’ apparent effort to confuse Alaska voters about candidates’ names is reprehensible. But politicians’ routine lying and exploitation of ignorance about policy issues is much worse.
Creating Voter Confusion About Candidates’ Names is Bad – But Exploiting Voter Ignorance About Policy Issues is a Much Bigger Problem
John McWhorter goes back to antiwoke
28 Oct 2026 Leave a comment
in economics of education, law and economics, liberalism, Marxist economics, politics - USA Tags: free speech, political correctness, regressive left
The other day I expressed dismay that NYT writer John McWhorter produced a piece heartily endorsing land acknowledgments (“LA”s). That was out of character for a man who got a lot of attention for his “antiprogressive” stands, encapsulated in his book Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America. My objection to the…
John McWhorter goes back to antiwoke
The California billionaire tax is very likely a net revenue loser
28 Oct 2026 Leave a comment
in applied price theory, econometerics, entrepreneurship, politics - USA, public economics Tags: California, taxation and entrepreneurship, taxation and investment
This paper examines the revenue and migration impact of the 2026 California Billionaire Tax Act, a one-time 5 percent tax on the worldwide net worth of individuals exceeding $1 billion. Using data from the Forbes Billionaire List, news reports detailing the residential real estate holdings of California billionaires, and public announcements of billionaire departures from…
The California billionaire tax is very likely a net revenue loser
Bob Woodward Reveals He Spoke With Justices Stewart, Powell, White, Blackmun, and Rehnquist for “The Brethren”
27 Oct 2026 Leave a comment
in economics of media and culture, politics - USA
Steven Goldberg, one of Brennan’s clerks, provided Woodward with the 75-page case history of U.S.v. Nixon.
Bob Woodward Reveals He Spoke With Justices Stewart, Powell, White, Blackmun, and Rehnquist for “The Brethren”
Some Links
26 Oct 2026 Leave a comment
in applied price theory, entrepreneurship, fiscal policy, human capital, income redistribution, labour economics, labour supply, macroeconomics, politics - USA, poverty and inequality, Public Choice Tags: California, taxation and entrepreneurship, taxation and investment
TweetMegan McArdle writes insightfully about California’s pending proposal to soak the rich. Three slices: These days, legislators generally don’t enact tax hikes so confiscatory that they trigger an immediate, obvious response. They adjust income tax rates by a few percentage points, fiddle with the deductions or impose new levies on some tiny portion of the…
Some Links
The Economic Consequences of Different Ways of Propping Up Social Security
24 Oct 2026 Leave a comment
in fiscal policy, income redistribution, macroeconomics, politics - USA, Public Choice, public economics Tags: social insurance
My Ph.D. dissertation last century was about Australia’s system of personal retirement accounts, so I have a long-time interest in how to fix America’s Social Security system. Which leads me to a good news-bad news situation. The good news is that politicians will probably be forced to deal with Social Security at some point in […]
The Economic Consequences of Different Ways of Propping Up Social Security
What Happens to Representative Ilhan Omar’s Congressional Seat if the United States Files Suit to Denaturalize Her?
23 Oct 2026 1 Comment
in politics - USA Tags: constitutional law
[This post was co-authored with Professor Seth Barrett Tillman.] There have been many news reports suggesting that the United States… The post What Happens to Representative Ilhan Omar’s Congressional Seat if the United States Files Suit to Denaturalize Her? appeared first on Reason Magazine.
What Happens to Representative Ilhan Omar’s Congressional Seat if the United States Files Suit to Denaturalize Her?
Guest Post: Woke 1 was crazy. Are you ready for Woke 2?
22 Oct 2026 Leave a comment
in discrimination, economics of crime, gender, law and economics, liberalism, Marxist economics, politics - New Zealand, politics - USA Tags: free speech, political correctness, regressive left
A guest post by Alex Penk: “Woke 1” was crazy. Don’t take my word for it; that’s what Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said. The globally influential US politician made the comment when asked to explain some of her past positions, like defunding the police, and the internet went, well, crazy. But the most interesting thing is what the…
Guest Post: Woke 1 was crazy. Are you ready for Woke 2?
Measure to reform the California recall process (Yes on 5)
22 Oct 2026 Leave a comment
in constitutional political economy, politics - USA, Public Choice Tags: California, constitutional law
In this November’s election, Californians are presented with a proposed state constitutional amendment to reform the process of recalling and replacing elected officeholders. It was placed on the ballot by the state legislature as Proposition 5. I am in favor, and I urge California voters to support it. Below are some excerpts from the voter […]
Measure to reform the California recall process (Yes on 5)
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