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Provincial Government Buildings on the Meuse are depicted above, where the Maastricht Treaty (formally, the Treaty on European Union, TEU) was signed on 7 February 1992.

The Euro Illusion: From a Project of Integration to a Green Planned Economy

At first it seemed as if the new President of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde would simply continue the loose monetary policy of her predecessor. But now she has announced a green policy shift. This marks the beginning of a whole new act in the euro drama.

Capitalism is Good for the Poor – and for the Environment

The wealth-creating dynamic of capitalism remains widely misunderstood. Few know that it is also the solution to our environmental problems. The imbalance of capitalism today, on the other hand, is caused by politics.

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Young entrepreneurs and the challenges they face

Economist and young entrepreneur Agostina Lorenzini talks about the challenges facing young entrepreneurs and about practical issues concerning product price and costs.

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Crony Capitalism: Feature or Bug?

“Crony capitalism” – the entanglement of big business and big government – is not the capitalism of the free market. Kishore Jayabalan (Acton Institute) provocatively asks whether it is inherent in capitalism.

Philipp Bagus: “The Fear of Deflation Is Unfounded”

Many economists, policymakers, and central banks are afraid of deflation. Generally speaking, they do not even distinguish between different causes of price deflation—i.e. between price deflation caused by growth and price deflation caused by contractions in credit. In this interview, the economist Phillipp Bagus says that these fears of deflation are misguided.

How Much State Does a Just Society Need?

The title question I was asked, “How much state does a just society need?” assumes that a just society requires a superior power—the state. The question is about “how much

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The environment, free markets and Catholic social teaching

Philip Booth (St. Mary’s University) at the Austrian Academy points out that the more natural resources are in private hands, the more environmentally friendly they are used.

Market Capitalism and Christian Social Ethics: A Contradiction?

Capitalism and free markets are widely considered to be incompatible with Christian social ethics. At a closer look, however, market capitalism turns out to be the economic order most consistent with the basic principles of Christian ethics.

Freedom of Expression and Democracy: Opening Lecture at the Students for Liberty Regional Conference

Freedom of expression is a fundamental right without which a free and democratic society cannot exist. We all grew up in this culture of freedom. But Political Correctness and conformism endanger it.

The Ethics of the Market Economy: A Critical Appraisal of Ludwig von Mises’ Utilitarian Interpretation (Academic paper)

Mises’ interpretation of market capitalism is flawed. In truth, Mises is best interpreted in a non-utilitarian way.

The True Meaning of ‘Social Justice’: A Catholic View of Hayek (Academic paper)

Hayek’s dismissal of the concept of “social justice” is well-known. While we can basically agree with Hayek’s critique, we should not entirely reject this concept. There exists a true meaning of social justice.

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