I chanced this morning on the superb collection of essays from Ludwig von Mises, The Causes of the Economic Crisis and Other Essays Before and After the Great Depression (PDF). In his Stabilization of the Monetary Unit—From the Viewpoint of Theory written in 1923, he showed considerable foresight: Only the […]
Read MorePost Tagged with: "Ideas"
Counter-terrorism powers are too vulnerable to abuse
I recall vividly the day when a police officer – not one serving in Wycombe – told me of his disgust at a superior’s easy resort to counter-terrorism powers against people not suspected of terrorism. Now the police have taken that resort against a Guardian journalist’s partner, we have a […]
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Book review: Karl Popper, Conjectures and Refutations
Karl Popper’s 582-page Conjectures and Refutations: The Growth of Scientific Knowledge seemed a daunting read. It need not have done: the essays within are written in plain English and a lively style. The central theme of the book is that our knowledge, our aims and our standards develop through trial […]
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Constituency surgeries and the need for general rules
When I hold a constituency surgery, someone will usually ask me to set aside rules which are producing outcomes that cause them real problems. Thankfully, I can’t do it and I would not want to despite my desire to help. In travelling as a politician, particularly to Pakistan and Equatorial […]
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LearnLiberty: Why Do Politicians All Sound the Same?
Via LearnLiberty, In a two-party, majority rule system, moving toward the center is not likely to alienate the voters on the ends because they feel there is not another viable candidate to vote for instead. This means, there really isn’t any penalty for a candidate chooses to move toward the […]
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How conscientious consumers can combat global poverty with a cup of coffee
Via LearnLiberty: See also Fair Trade Without the Froth: When it comes to the purchase of everyday goods such as coffee, tea and sugar, most consumers believe that sellers of Fair Trade products occupy the high moral ground. Despite its strong statements, however, the claims of the Fair Trade movement […]
Read MoreBank reform demands monetary reform – an essay for Banking 2020
Today sees the return of the Financial Services (Banking Reform) Bill to Parliament. It does not do enough. In the book Banking 2020: A vision for the future, my essay summarises the institutional problems with our monetary and banking orthodoxy: The features of today’s banking system As Governor of the Bank of England […]
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The Kings Fund guide to the NHS
Via the King’s Fund, An alternative guide to the new NHS in England:
Read MoreThe Finance Bill 2013 – How to promote special interest lobbying
Yesterday, I spoke against Clause 35 and schedules 15 to 17 of the Finance Bill 2013. They introduce tax relief for “high-end” television production (that is, posh drama and comedy) and video games development. They’re industries I’d like to see flourish but not by granting special privileges. It’s special privilege which is […]
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Book review: Mises, The Ultimate Foundation of Economic Science
Remember the issue of The Economist with a textbook of “Modern Economic Theory” melting away? And HM the Queen asking why economists didn’t see this crisis coming? She might now ask why most economists have also demonstrated their inability to predict even the general pattern of events. Ludwig von Mises’ […]
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![😡 A wise building site carpenter once said to me,
🗣️”A Labour government is the worst kind of government for the working man [and woman].”
🇬🇧 True then. True today. We battle on.](https://www.stevebaker.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/442413775_18432903037051538_3387178564604183858_n-320x320.jpg)
![😡 A wise building site carpenter once said to me,
🗣️”A Labour government is the worst kind of government for the working man [and woman].”
🇬🇧 True then. True today. We battle on.](https://www.stevebaker.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/442413775_18432903037051538_3387178564604183858_n.jpg)
