Tag: government
How gun control might be seen 100 years from now
June 1, 2023 | Post
The book Lies My Teacher Told Me by James Loewen was assigned to me during my senior year of high school. I still reflect on its lessons and have found them applicable not just to the past, but, in some cases, to the future. Here is how hypothetical, sweeping new gun control legislation might be seen 100 years from now…
Inefficiency and unintended consequences: why environmental regulations typically fall short
May 30, 2023 | Post
In an era marked by growing concerns about climate change, the role of government in addressing environmental issues has become increasingly prominent. However, as billions of dollars are poured into climate change programs and regulations, it is essential to critically examine the true impact and costs of these initiatives.
Remembering Karl Hess on his 100th birthday
May 25, 2023 | Post
Karl Hess is a figure whose political journey was more complex and revelatory than most. His journey is one that is worth retracing today as a means of understanding the roots of contemporary libertarianism, its early flirtations with radical countercultural politics, and the outdated left-right political paradigm
Up in smoke: why new restrictions on vaping products are not about public health
May 23, 2023 | Post
Australia’s new ban on single use and non-prescription ‘vapes’ will stretch enforcement and health agencies, give rise to an already rampant black market, and force vapers back onto expensive and harmful cigarettes.
What is free-market environmentalism?
April 28, 2023 | Post
Free-market environmentalism combines the ideals of environmental protection with the principles of a free-market economy. It acknowledges that markets can provide powerful incentives for conservation and environmental stewardship, and that private property rights and contracts can be leveraged as tools to protect the environment. But how exactly does this work?
A realistic look at Iran’s nuclear program
April 28, 2023 | Post
Let’s take a brief look at the history of Iran’s nuclear program and former nuclear agreements to see where we might be headed.
The right drug policy: legalize and educate
April 26, 2023 | Post
Decriminalization, as we define it today, removes the penalty for simple possession of drugs, but still enforces penalties on individuals found selling or trafficking.This policy is certainly better than prohibition and will undoubtedly save countless lives. However, it does maintain the worst problems created by prohibition. Here’s why the right drug policy is to legalize and educate…
How sustainable farming is paying off for Australian farmers
April 24, 2023 | Post
Tired of riding the fortunes of the weather, Australian farmers are increasingly turning to regenerative agriculture to sustain their land during periods of drought.
Why disasters should remind us of Bastiat’s wisdom
April 24, 2023 | Post
Disasters, such as the horrific earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria in February 2023, bring up a recurring myth — one that demands the wisdom of Frederic Bastiat.
The tragedy of the commons explained
April 13, 2023 | Post
The tragedy of the commons is a concept that describes the depletion or degradation of shared resources that are not owned or managed by any individual or group. It occurs when multiple individuals, each pursuing their own ends, overuse or exploit a shared resource to the point of depletion, resulting in harm to all users of that resource in the long run.
Silencing dissent: the dangerous precedent set by Tennessee’s partisan expulsions
April 10, 2023 | Post
In a troubling display of political retribution, two Democratic lawmakers in Tennessee, Rep. Justin Jones and Rep. Justin Pearson, were recently expelled by the Republican supermajority in the Tennessee House for violating decorum rules. Their transgression? Participating in a protest on the House floor advocating for gun control in the wake of a tragic school shooting in Nashville. This vote marked the first time in Tennessee’s history that expulsion has been wielded as a partisan weapon against lawmakers on the other side of the aisle.
Political Islam and the violation of individual rights
April 5, 2023 | Post
Can you imagine living in a country where your government can kill you for not following a state-imposed dress code; or jail you for ten years for sharing a video of yourself dancing with your fiance; or kidnap you for daring to speak your mind? Iranians live in such a place.
Is Covid China’s Chernobyl?
April 4, 2023 | Post
Just as COVID has changed our lives in many ways since 2020, Chernobyl changed the world in 1986. These were two great disasters emanating from two major communist nations. The results and consequences of both will affect us for a very long time, maybe even forever.
As many will know, Chernobyl was instrumental in accelerating the end of the Soviet Union and is critical to our understanding of this period. However, could COVID be the key to understanding, in the future, perhaps, the end of Communist China?
Why innovation is the solution to the carbon crisis
April 3, 2023 | Post
The distinctly human capacity for innovation has reduced hunger and poverty, and greatly expanded our life expectancies since the Industrial Revolution. Many industries may have contributed to the carbon crisis, but a new industry will be what solves it.
The TikTok dilemma: privacy risks vs the importance of free choice
March 30, 2023 | Post
TikTok has been under intense scrutiny for its data collection and sharing practices, with concerns raised about the platform’s relationship with the Chinese government and its potential for mass surveillance of Americans. But should it be banned?
A legacy of liberty: the Portuguese Liberal Revolution of 1820
March 29, 2023 | Post
Many are familiar with Portugal’s Carnation Revolution that brought an end to the authoritarian Estado Novo regime in 1974 and paved the way for democracy. Still, perhaps fewer are aware of the fascinating circumstances around the country’s Liberal Revolution, which took place just over 200 years ago.
The do’s and don’ts of medical marijuana in Pennsylvania
March 27, 2023 | Post
For many people who suffer from a debilitating illness or who are in chronic pain, medical marijuana has proven to be an effective remedy. Researchers estimate that over 5.5 million Americans are currently using medical marijuana for a variety of conditions, including MS, HIV or AIDS, cancer, chronic pain, IBS, and glaucoma.If you’re thinking about trying medical marijuana in Pennsylvania, here are some tips…
The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the changing role of government
March 24, 2023 | Post
Alongside economic devastation and a mental health crisis, another legacy of lockdowns will be changed perceptions of the role of government
Minimum wage laws deny low-skilled workers their autonomy
March 20, 2023 | Post
Do minimum wage laws help low-skilled workers? No. Workers are thrown out of work if they cannot produce more than the minimum wage stipulates. If the minimum wage is $15/hour and a worker can only produce $13/hour worth of goods, they will not be hired since no profit-seeking employer would employ someone at a loss.
Out with the coal, in with the nuclear
March 15, 2023 | Post
Despite the economic challenges involved, nuclear power is our best chance of walking that tightrope that allows us to manage both economic and industrial concerns while decarbonizing. Is that not the objective we are all striving for?
Should India repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the North East?
March 15, 2023 | Post
The Armed Forces Special Powers Act gives sweeping powers to members of the Indian armed forces to make arrests without a warrant on the basis of mere suspicion and in some cases even to open fire. New Delhi is keen on a phased, cautious repeal of AFSPA in India’s North East Region, but more can definitely be done.
Born from dissent: social movements and the case of Georgia
March 9, 2023 | Post
In Georgia, social movements have always been a means to democratically express discontent with the status quo. This is true once again in light of the new “foreign agents law”
Georgia’s foreign agent law casts an ominous shadow on its European aspirations
March 8, 2023 | Post
The “foreign agent law” is perilous for all of Georgian society and will derail future progress in many areas, including human rights and anti-corruption. The Georgian people will do everything to make their voices heard and defend the national and European ideals that promise us a better future.
Women’s History Month: Meet 12 women who’ve contributed to a freer future
March 8, 2023 | Post
This Women’s History Month, let’s take a look back at 12 remarkable women who’ve paved the way for individual liberty and a freer future.