Why the West sells gold and China buys it
byA number of readers and bloggers have recently suggested there must be collusion between America and China over the transfer of physical gold from…
The economics of the minimum wage
byMinimum wages are a popular topic. Barack Obama proposes a nearly 40% increase from $7.25 per hour to $10.10 and David Cameron has faced…
The way we help people does not help people
byThe highest form of charity, argued the 12th-century Jewish philosopher Maimonides, is when the help given enables the receiver to become self-sufficient. But our…
Rate expectations
by“It is no longer a secret that stocks, like bonds, do poorly in an inflationary environment.” – Warren Buffett, ‘How inflation swindles the equity…
Precious metals in 2014
by“Now the New Year reviving old desires The thoughtful Soul to Solitude retires” – Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam Yes folks, it’s that time of…
The General Treaty for Renunciation of War as an Instrument of National Policy remains in force
byThe 1928 Kellogg–Briand Pact, officially the General Treaty for Renunciation of War as an Instrument of National Policy, is a simple read. It’s so…
Keynes and Copernicus: the debasement of money overthrows the social order and governments
byThe United States Senate moves toward the confirmation of Janet Yellen, now posited for next January 6th, as chair of the Federal Reserve System….
Liberty.me
byJeffery Tucker is a man of great many talents, energy and vision. He has set up an online pro-liberty community: Liberty.me. This will be one for…
The Fright Before Christmas, revisited
by“One good thing about Christmas shopping – it toughens you up for the January sales.” – Grace Kriley. We first published the following doggerel…
Tapering – join the dots and end up with ZIRP
byNow we know: The Fed is going to purchase $75bn of assets, a reduction of $10bn a month. The two other bits of information…