Note: This is post #101 in a weekly video series on basic economics. As we saw in the last video, some forms of unemployment—such as short-term, frictional unemployment—can indicate a healthy, growing economy. But what about persistent, long-term unemployment? When a large percentage of those who are considered unemployed have been without a job for a long period of time and this has been true for many years, it’s considered structural unemployment. Structural unemployment can result from shocks to an...

On this episode of Radio Free Acton, Trey Dimsdale, director of Program Outreach at Acton, speaks with Adam MacLeod, professor of law at Faulkner University, on the definition of a basic human right and how the concept is understood today. Then, Senior Editor at Acton, Rev. Ben Johnson, talks about Brexit with Rev. Richard Turnbull from the Center for Enterprise, Markets, and Ethics. They analyze the aftermath of Brexit and the events that led up to the split between Britain...

After much anticipation, Amazon announced yesterday that it will open its new headquarters, HQ2, in two locations: Queens, New York, and Crystal City, Virginia. It will also open a third “Operations Center of Excellence” in Nashville. Controversy attended the announcement, as all three cities promised pany subsidies and tax incentives topping $2.2 billion. New York pledged $1.525 billion between tax incentives and grants. Virginia and Arlington agreed to an $800 million package, more than half-a-billion of it in cash grants....

Is participating in government a duty or a sin? When Christians have asked how they should engage the public square, Protestant leaders’ responses have run the gamut plete separation (because “this world is not my home”) to the belief that government service is “the most sacred, and by far the most honorable, of all stations in mortal life.” How should Bible-believing Christians look at peting views? Rev. Richard Turnbull, Ph.D. analyzed four historic teachings about the Christian’s role in public...

In battling poverty in the developing world, the West is often consumed in debates about foreign aid. Yet many of the core problems stem from more basic lack of access to the pond and opportunities create, participate, and collaborate therein.Last spring, in an effort to address those problems, 44 African leaders and government officials agreed to create theAfrican Continental Free Trade Area(AfCFTA), seeking to improve access to markets and bolster intra-Africa trading relationships across the continent. The participating countries have...

As we survey the modern economy, individual ownership appears to be on the demise. We see an increasing preference for access over ownership and collaborative consumption,from the streaming- and cloud-centric features of the latest technology to the increasingly “share-happy” habits of American consumers amid a burgeoning “gig economy.” On the surface, such a shift would seem to bring endless benefits: more options, more flexibility, better quality, cheaper prices, fewer risks, and (presumably) more freedom. Yet despite such benefits, a void...

Today is the official observance of Veterans Day, a U.S. public holiday set aside to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the armed forces both in wartime or peacetime. (Because the federal holiday falls on Sunday this year, the official observance is moved to Monday.) Here are five facts you should know about veterans in the United States: 1. The Veteran’s Administration estimates there are currently 19,998,799 living veterans (18,115,951 men and 1,882,848 women). Out of that...

“What Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors,” says C.S. Lewis, “was the idea that they could ‘be like gods’—could set up on their own as if they had created themselves—be their own masters—invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside God, apart from God. And out of that hopeless attempt e nearly all that we call human history—money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery—the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God...

“Work: Theological Foundations and Practical Implications”presents a thoughtful prehensive guide to the intersection of theology and work. The text’s contributors are made up of scholars from a variety of studies, including economics, church history, and theology, among others, who offer unique perspectives on work. In the introduction, editors R. Keith Loftin and Acton’s Director of Program Outreach, Trey Dimsdale, ask the question, “Why would anyone remain interested or indeed e interested in a religion that ignores nine-tenths of their life?”...

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:#14G — To alleviate and eliminate poverty, we need to identify and measure it correctly. The Definitions: Consumption — The use of goods and services by households. Poverty — The condition of not having sufficient resources to meet basic needs including food, clothing, and shelter....