Fr. Robert Sirico was recently interviewed by Fr. Robert McTeigue, S.J., on The Catholic Current. Their topic: ‘Socialism & Venezuela: What Can Catholics Learn?’ The conversation was wide ranging. It begins with a consideration of the disastrous mitment to central planning and its present fruit of shortages, starvation, and totalitarianism in Venezuela. The role of profits, rule of law, and morality in the market economy is also explored with an in depth discussion of the unique contributions of Catholic social...

Alejandro Chafuen, Acton’s Managing Director, International, writes today in Forbes with his annual analysis of think tanks’ use of social media. While social media stats shouldn’t be our only or even primary measure of success, no one can deny the prevalence of social networks in today’s world, and many groups expend considerable energy in their efforts in this field. The prehensive ranking of think tanks is produced by the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program at the University of Pennsylvania....

Note: This is the latest entry in the Acton blog series, “What Christians Should Know About Economics.” For other entries inthe series seethis post. What it means: The Earned e Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable federal tax credit available to eligible workers earning relatively low wages. (Tax credits provide a dollar-for dollar reductionof your e tax liability.) The Explanation: As the Congressional Research Service (CRS) points out, the EITC has evolved from a relatively modest tax benefit to a...

After the second World War, support for free markets and modern conservatism became more prominent—and both were often interlinked. But skepticism, if not outright rejection, of free markets has remained an undercurrent in a large section of the conservative movement. This has e increasingly noticeable in the past few years as many on the right have rushed to embrace statist ideologies, such as nationalism and populism. Yet while criticisms abound, there are few workable alternatives being offered by conservatives to...

I have been involved in the Kuyper Conference at Calvin College & Seminary for the last couple of years, and this year’s conference features a number of elements of notable interest. Acton is a headline sponsor of the event this year, and our Journal of Markets & Morality is also sponsoring the confernece. The journal has published a number of items focused on Abraham Kuyper and neocalvinist social thought over the years, including an article that originated as a paper...

Last week in Rome, U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Callista Gingrich invited think tank leaders, journalists, and human rights advocates to the private colloquium “Stand Together to Defend International Religious Freedom.” Among the many experts giving brief testimonies and talks were Msgr. Khaled Akasheh, secretary of the Pontifical Council of Interreligious Dialogue, Sr. Clare Jardine from Our Lady of Sion Congregation and Dr. Roberto Fontolan, chairman of the StandTogether digital platform which received promotional attention at the event. Cardinal...

In the wake of rapid globalization and widespread consolidation, many have grown weary of human institutions, whether in business, religion, politics, or beyond. Threatened by their structure and slowness, we have tended to detach ourselves, opting instead for more “organic” approaches to human interaction. These “bottom-up” countermeasures surely have their value and necessity, but our modern resistance has also created a certain societal vacuum. Indeed, as our culture continues to fragment—increasingly defined by social isolationandpublic distrust—it is the places with...

Is it possible for people to improve their lives through hard work, or is the system riggedagainst you? Your answer – and your results – may depend on your faith. On EWTN, Carl Cannon of RealClear Politics discussed a poll in which the organization asked people whether the American dream is alive “for you personally.” Only seven percent of Americans say the American dream is “dead,” while 27 percent say it is “alive and well.” But Cannon pointed out a...

On this episode of Acton Line, Caroline Roberts speaks with Sarah Estelle, professor of economics at Hope College, to revisit the life and work of F.A. Hayek on the 75th anniversary of the publishing of “The Road to Serfdom.” On the second segment, Caroline then speaks with Tyler O’Neil, senior editor at PJ Media, about the film “Unplanned” and how its release highlights issues such as human rights, censorship and more. Check out additional resources for this podcast: “‘The Road...

Both The Hill and The Washington Post reported this week that the Trump Administration has decided to dismantle the Office of Personnel Management. Unless you work for the Federal Government, you are unlikely to have heard of this particular bureaucracy. But until now, its prime responsibility has been to manage the Federal Government’s civilian workforce. But what is interesting about this move is the way it is being reported. The Hill, for instance, stated that “the OPM would be the...