America’s founders understood this law of politics: The governing class advances policies that benefit the wealthy and well connected. As George Will notes, “The world is divided between those who do and do not understand that activist, interventionist, regulating, subsidizing government is generally a servant of the strong and entrenched against the weak and aspiring.” […]
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Most folks instinctively believe growth and environmental protection are mutually exclusive. Increased economic activity and growing populations stress the Earth’s “carrying capacity.” In this view, we must choose between protecting the planet or promoting economic progress. Fortunately this is not the real choice. Consider this. Population Growth In 1798, Thomas Malthus published An Essay on […]
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Bozeman’s extended spell of vernal temperatures spurs thoughts of global warming. The preponderance of scientific evidence shows that for whatever reasons (human-induced carbon emissions, natural climatic variation), average global temperatures are increasing. The important question is: What do we do about it? The most common arguments revolve around reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. But this […]
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Imagine a world without borders. Here, businesses are free to move people, products, and capital anywhere with minimal friction. Governmental interference has lessened and economic coordination improved. Critics of globalization and free trade would have us believe the result would be a giant race to the bottom. They expect firms to seek out localities with […]
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For the last two years I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to Bozeman High School’s philosophy classes. It’s an experience I thoroughly enjoy. This column is for them. What are we to make of the situation in which an Indian worker is paid 50 cents to assemble a shirt that sells for $25? Isn’t this […]
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I was asked by a friend about my position on I-147, the initiative to repeal Montana’s ban on cyanide heap leach mining. He knows I am a strong supporter of free markets. He thought I would support repealing the ban, for it would generate jobs. He’s certainly wrong about my position, but his misunderstanding of […]
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In 1968 I had the immense good fortune to work with Garrett Hardin, a distinguished ecologist. His Science article, “The Tragedy of the Commons,” is the most reprinted article in the magazine’s history. Together, Garrett and I produced a book in print for nearly 20 years, Managing the Commons. (A second edition is published by […]
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We’re in the midst of a landscaping project. It includes truckloads of a substance called “Beauty Bark.” Paying for this material reminded me of the difference between economic growth and economic progress. This is a happy story — and not only because of our more attractive yard. It demonstrates how ecological improvements flow from better […]
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Rather than baling hay and irrigating, Ramona and I have spent this summer planning the Mont Pèlerin Society (MPS) meeting. This organization hosts the world’s premier Classical Liberals. Classical Liberalism does not refer to FDR and the big-government New Deal. It originated in the 19th century, committed to limiting political power and supporting individual rights. […]
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In the 1970s I created an institution at MSU, the Center for Political Economy and Natural Resources. Among its programs was one to introduce nationally prominent journalists and editors to environmental economics. We attracted top talents from top publications (e.g. Forbes, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post). When I […]
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