If libertarians were in charge of legalizing marijuana, their first instinct would be to reach for an eraser. That is, libertarians would simply eliminate existing laws that outlaw marijuana, rather than “design” the marijuana market by establishing a licensing board, capping the number of legal marijuana retailers, and the like. Actual state marijuana legalizations, however, … Continue reading Don’t License Marijuana, Legalize It
Category: Liberty
One of the most common phrases to be heard from “the left” is the assertion that someone or some public policy is or is not on “the right side of history.” It has almost become a mantra by those who disagree with, hate, or are fearful of ideas and policies proposed by those generally characterized … Continue reading Marxists Are Not on the ‘Right Side of History’
When I went to graduate school to study the 16th and 17th centuries, I was often asked how that ancient history could possibly be relevant to life in the 21st century. As I’ve had more than one occasion to note, the early modern era seems more relevant all the time. This week provided another stellar … Continue reading Bernie Sanders Is Asking the Wrong Question about Religious Liberty
We tend to demonize people who make money – how dare they have more than us? But that negative reaction forgets the voluntary role we play in profit-making every day. This week in Words and Numbers, Antony Davies and James R. Harrigan discuss just how good it is to earn a profit, and the vital … Continue reading Earning Profits Is Your Social Responsibility
Education reporters frequently make the claim that government ought to fund and operate educational institutions because schooling is a public good. However, since schooling fails both conditions required for a public good to exist, schools should not be publicly operated. Schooling is Not a Public Good According to the economic definition, a public good is non-rival in consumption and non-excludable. … Continue reading Governments Shouldn’t Even Fund Schools
1. HE WAS BORN IN IOWA Newton, Iowa, to be precise—a town of some 15,000 residents in the middle of the Hawkeye State. 2. HE WAS A PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER From 1965 to 1967, Murray volunteered for the Peace Corps, working for Thailand’s Ministry of Health. 3. HE STUDIED HISTORY (NOT POLITICAL SCIENCE) AT HARVARD … Continue reading Charles Murray: 9 Facts You Might Not Know
Politicians seem increasingly likely to (falsely) assert that “hate speech is not protected by the First Amendment.” The mayor of Portland, Oregon, just did so following anti-Muslim violence in his community. Former governor and Democratic Party official Howard Dean said the same last month. The Washington Post does a good job of showing why the claim is false. Courts … Continue reading Hate speech is protected free speech.
