American Freedom Institute

August 13, 2020November 9, 2020 American Freedom Institute Politics, Regulation

The Negative Impact of Barriers to Entry on Income Inequality

Barriers to entry such as fees, licensing, or educational requirements, make it more difficult to start businesses in many countries. Problematically, many barriers to entry are due to regulatory capture and only serve to benefit incumbent firms and businesses. These regulations that are created and enforced by the government often make it exceedingly difficult for low-income individuals to start new businesses or new careers in many industries. By discouraging or even denying individuals access to higher paying occupations, barriers to entry tend to increase income inequality. In this analysis, we estimate empirically the effect that barriers to entry have on income inequality.

May 22, 2020 American Freedom Institute Philosophy, Regulation, Trade

Adam Smith and Lessons on Trade Policy

Although Adam Smith lived in the 18th century, the father of modern economics still has much to teach the world today. Smith's world famous book Wealth of Nations is arguably the most important piece on economics in history. It greatly influenced other scholars, thinkers, and eventually policymakers away from the then-dominant global policy of mercantilism toward freer trade.

April 28, 2020April 29, 2020 American Freedom Institute Philosophy, Politics, Regulation, Welfare

Price Gouging Laws

The practice of price gouging has become a concern in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many consumers are stockpiling essential goods ranging from food, medical supplies, to even toilet paper. A natural consequence of a sharp influx in demand is a substantially larger price tag, falling within the parameters of the immutable Law of Supply and Demand.

March 24, 2020 American Freedom Institute Fiscal Policy, Philosophy, Politics, Regulation, Welfare

“We Are All Keynesians Now”

The world has been thrown into chaos over the course of the past several weeks with the rapid spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The virus has spread from China to some of the most remote islands on Earth. Since it has begun to spread, markets have been extremely volatile and many businesses have been forced to shut down, both voluntarily and by government mandate.

March 5, 2020 American Freedom Institute Foreign Policy, Philosophy, Politics

Are International Organizations’ Legal Personalities Legitimate?

International Organizations are assumed to possess international legal personalities that allow them to operate and represent themselves globally without the need for state authority.