At a time when so-called “democratic socialism” is rising in prominence, we are accustomed to hearing about the patibility of socialism and political freedom. Not only is the dismantling of economic patiblewith democracy—we are told—but it is essential to its survival. “Moving towards socialism involves subordinating the economic power of capitalists to the social power of the people,” write Mathieu Desan and Michael McCarthy in a recent essay for Jacobin. “…Only when the private decisions that have massive public implications...

When Pope Francis denounced “libertarian individualism” last year, few people could find a flesh-and-blood example of the philosophy as articulated by the pontiff. However, the gimlet eye of Stream editor John Zmirak may have found a related species in a creature he identifies as Homo Economist – a theoretical person who contrasts pletely with the human person as viewed by advocates of constitutional government, ordered liberty, faith, and adherence to the precepts of natural law. In the pope’s accounting, libertarianism...

World leaders have converged on Africa in recent days, but their development plans may do more harm than good. And increasing foreign aid may be their worst proposal yet, writes Ibrahim B. Anoba in a new essay for Acton’s Religion & Liberty Transatlantic website. “Limiting the power of the government and its cronies, and tempering bureaucratic overreach with a firm respect for individual rights, are prerequisites for economic progress,” writes Anoba, acting executive director of theAfrican Liberty Organization for Development....

Finding the balance between religious liberty and state authority is an age-old concept, but politicians and religious leaders today are ever wrestling with it.This is especially true for the current presence of the Catholic Church in the People’s Republic of China. In an article for the Catholic World Report, Acton’s Director of Research, Samuel Gregg, relates the present tension between the Communist regime in China and the Holy See in Rome. This tension is largely due to China’s new “Regulations...

The News: The city of Philadelphia ended a four-year lawsuit involving what critics said was “policing for profit.” According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, “Philadelphia officials on Tuesday pledged to reform the city’s civil forfeiture program, which had been used to seize thousands of homes and vehicles and millions of dollars in cash from criminal suspects — and in some cases from people never charged with a crime.” The Background:Civil asset forfeiture is a controversial legal tool that allows law enforcement...

The Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah ended last week, and the holy day of Yom Kippur ends tonight at sundown (see also: FAQ: What is Yom Kippur?). Here are five facts you should know about the High Holy Days on the Jewish calendar: 1. In Judaism, the High Holy Days (sometimes referred to as “high holidays”) may refer to (1) the ten days starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur, known as the Days of Repentance or theYamim...

“Not a day goes by when there’s not some concern raised about the state of the economy and how people are faring,” says Curt Biren in this week’s Acton Commentary. “While recent economic growth has been promising, wage growth is lackluster, many say.” The middle class is shrinking. There’s too much e inequality, and the list goes on. These concerns are pelling. Who wouldn’t like to see more opportunity and more growth? People yearn for the good life, to experience...

Note: This is post #94 in a weekly video series on basic economics. When even professional stock pickers are not able to consistently beat the market, you probably shouldn’t invest your life savings on the the hot stock tip from your brother-in-law. Why is it, though, that no one seems to be able to outperform the crowd? The reason, as economist Tyler Cowen explains, is information. In this video by Marginal Revolution University, Cowen explains the efficient market hypothesis, the...

The lighthouse of Christianity shines because it is based on the reality of an objective and universal Moral Code that we mysteriously know and have broken, said C.S. Lewis. It is this truth which makes Christianity’s offer of forgiveness, and its gift of supernatural help towards keeping that Moral Code, so incredible. In this video, Lewis shows that conscience is not an invention of civilization or of great human teachers but is as old as Adam and Eve, and has...

Note:This article is part of the ‘Principles Project,’ a list of principles, axioms, and beliefs that undergirda Christian view of economics, liberty, and virtue. Clickhereto read the introduction and other posts in this series. The Principle: #4F — Social institutions have religious liberty that must be protected. The Definitions: Religious liberty — The freedom to believe and exercise or act upon religious conscience without unnecessary interference by the government. (Source) Social institutions —Groups of persons banded together mon purposes having...