Category: Policy Shop

I had 3 posts over at Demos’ Policy Shop this week. Here is a rundown with links: There Is No Such Thing As Free Contract. Excerpt: The point here is that the gospel of mutually beneficial transactions makes little mention of the fact that transactions are only mutually beneficial within circumstances established by public policy.… Continue reading Policy Shop Weekly Digest: Free Contracts, Hoppe, Polanyi

I had 2 posts over at Demos’ Policy Shop this week. Here is a rundown with links: Libertarianism’s Battle With History. Excerpt: But as much as market fanatics tried, they never could succeed in casting the economy as something separate from or above social order. Instead, what we saw (and what we see in developing… Continue reading Policy Shop Weekly Digest: The Week of Polanyi

I had 3 posts over at Demos’ Policy Shop this week. Here is a rundown with links: What Would It Look Like If Income Gains Had Been Shared?. Excerpt: Every income group except the top 20 percent would be better off. Instead of receiving an income $16,900 in 2007, the poorest fifth of families would… Continue reading Policy Shop Weekly Digest: Income Inequality, Student Debt, Racial Inequality

I had 4 posts over at Demos’ Policy Shop this week. Here is a rundown with links: Let’s Stop Worrying About Food Stamp “Fraud”. Excerpt: But check this out: giving people food stamps is basically the same thing as giving them more cash. Suppose I am spending $300/month feeding my family. Then I get on… Continue reading Policy Shop Weekly Digest: Food Stamps, Poverty, Libertarianism, Homelessness

I had 2 posts over at Demos’ Policy Shop this week. Here is a rundown with links: What to Do About Social Capital Inequality?. Excerpt: Where differential social capital generates differential economic opportunities, it presents a deep problem for justice. Because individuals tend to associate with similar others, the most powerful, wealthy, and prestigious people… Continue reading Policy Shop Weekly Digest: Social Capital Inequality, Public College Costs