Note: This is post #32 in a weekly video series on basic microeconomics. What parative advantage? And why is it important to trade? In this video by Marginal Revolution University, economist Don Boudreaux guides us through a specific example surrounding Tasmania — an island off the coast of Australia that experienced the miracle of growth in reverse. Through this example we show what can happen when a civilization is deprived of trade, and show why trade is essential to economic...

The State Department recently released its International Religious Freedom Report for 2017.A wide range of U.S. government agencies and offices use the reports for such efforts as shaping policy and conducting diplomacy. The Secretary of State also uses the reports to help determine which countries have engaged in or tolerated “particularly severe violations” of religious freedom in order to designate “countries of particular concern.” A major concern addressed in this year’s report is that “international religious freedom is worsening in...

In our discussions about free trade, it can be easy to focus only on short-term disruptions or long-term material gains, using either to argue for or against it on behalf of the poor. But at a more fundamental level, what does the expansion of trade really involve? As Kishore Jayabalan explains in the following excerpt from PovertyCure, trade is ultimately about human relationships. “You’re creating a whole system of social interaction,” he says, “where people feel much more involved in...

Economist Russ Roberts has produced a charming new video, “It’s a Wonderful Loaf”,that reveals the “hidden harmony that is all around us.” In the animated poem, Roberts looks at the “seemingly magical ways” that we anticipate and meet the needs of each other without anyone being in charge. While the poem is helpful in seeing the hidden order in markets, it’s missing a key explanation. Roberts claims this order is not designed but just “emerges” by the actions of humans:...

What should American citizens think of Emmanuel Macron and the impact he will have as the next president of France? His outsider status, entrenched opposition, andimprecise political platform may createthe perfect storm for France to continue marching in place, according to anew essay in Religion & Liberty Transatlantic. “The French don’t like change; they like what’s new,” writes Christophe Foltzenlogel, a jurist for the European Centre for Law and Justice (the counterpart to the ACLJ, founded by Jay Sekulow). How...

French citizens will choose a new president this Sunday, and one of them – Emmanuel Macron – recently announced that, if elected, he will urge the European Union to impose sanctions against the nation of Poland. Polish writerMarcin Rzegocki asks “Does Macron want the EU to punish Poland for its charity or its success?”in a mentary forReligion & Liberty Transatlantic. Macron said he would ask the EU to punish Poland for its refusal to admit its prescribed share of mostly...

pictured: Leonard Leo With Neil Gorsuch elected to the Supreme Court in mid April, and a slate of other candidates on Trump’s radar for the lower courts, there is a mitment by the Trump administration to the election of conservative appointees to the federal judiciary. Could this be a judicial renaissance of sorts? Will there be a resurgence of true conservatism and originalism in the courts? To find e join us on Thursday May 11 at Acton’s headquarters in Grand...

Note: This is post #16 in a weekly series of explanatory posts on the officials and agencies included in the President’s Cabinet. See the series introductionhere. Cabinet position:Attorney General Department:Department of Justice Current Secretary:Jeff Sessions Succession:The Attorney General is seventh in the presidential line of succession. Department Mission:“The Judiciary Act of 1789 created the Office of the Attorney General which evolved over the years into the head of the Department of Justice and chief law enforcement officer of the Federal...

If people of faith want to reduce global poverty, they must begin by accurately measuring the problem. But a well-publicized report on international poverty distorts the problem and promotes solutions that would leave the world’s poorest people worse off, according to two free market experts. Every year, Oxfam releases a report on global wealth inequality to further the agenda of the World Economic Forum. This year’s entry, titled “An economy for the 99 percent,” was released with the headline: “Just...

With economic growth gradually declining since the 1980s and in the first quarter of 2017 possessing a growth-rate of only 0.7 percent, the United States is not headed in a direction of growth and prosperity. In a new article for The Stream, Acton’s Director of Research, Samuel Gregg, highlights this current trend, pointing to an aging population and over-regulation as likely culprits. He also affirms the necessity of innovation and the alleviation of burdensome regulations. Gregg begins by articulating the...