Economics - A Tippling Philosopher (Page 3)

On Free Market Economics: No True Capitalism

Here is my second post in my series on free market skepticism (here is my first). I will start you off with this comment: However let's move onto your left-wing economic degenerate lies where you say You then hit out with this garbage in response to me stating

Economics

Quote of the Day: islandbrewer on Libertarianism

I love this quote, that came out of a burgeoning thread on libertarianism: Singapore is relatively more free than the vast majority of nations. I'd much rather live in Singapore than ... Australia. Really? Death-penalty-for-drug-crimes and caning-for-chewing-gum and no-free-press Singapore is more free than Australia? Oh, wait ... no ... you&

Economics

Why Are There No Libertarian Countries?

Steven Pinker on universal rights and libertarianism: And if you have time, Pinker on the Joe Rogan show:

Economics

How the Republicans Do (Tax) Policy

This is a disgrace to politics. Elizabeth Warren highlights the very broken system that is American politics and law-making.

Economics

Quote of the Day: C. Peterson on Fining

This is so obvious, and yet is something I hadn't before considered. Thanks for C. Peterson who has recently been dropping by: The issue that first drew my attention to this matter of the actual value of money was when I realized that our punitive fine system is

Economics

The Mortal Danger for Environmental Activists

I have posted before about the tension that exists between the free market corporate enterprises and the environment. The free market cannot arbitrate for negative externalities. These are the costs that are caused by corporations in the production of their goods, but are not borne out by the corporations themselves.

Economics

Morality: Regulation, Trump and Brexit

I give myself a wide remit here at ATP, and today I want to talk a bit about regulation. For free marketeers, libertarians and small government and tax right-wingers, "regulation" is a very dirty word. But what is regulation? I think when the word is used, people really

Economics

America Is the Greatest! Pt 2: Opportunity.

This is the second part to this small series. I will repost the intro for those who have not read the first one (on standard of living). Over on another post, there are some raging threads about a number of topics from gun crime to how great America is. It

Brexit

Brexit, Nissan, the Free Market, Protectionism and Government Insanity

A bit of a sidetrack here. Brexit has happened and it looks increasingly likely that the UK will leave the European Single Market. Those on the Remain side have been lauding the issues (falling pound, the banks planning to pull out etc.) whilst the Leavers have been lauding the positives

Economics

UK's Austerity Approach Is an Excuse to Copy America's Free Market Capitalism

This video, an interview between Owen Jones and Ha-Joon Chang, is fascinating. I heavily referenced Chang's work in my substantial series On the Skepticism of Free Market Economics - check it out. This interview is well worth watch.

Economics

Jesus and Trickle Down Economics

I am involved in a conversation on facebook at the moment about free market economics. The conversation includes some theists (such as Nick Peters) who espouse trickle down economics. I have written about free market economics and trickle down economics at great lengths before, but it is interesting to do

Economics

The EU, Free Market Economics, Regulation and Vacuum Cleaners.

Sorry I have been a bit quieter than normal recently, but I have had to prepare for a public debate on the EU referendum obsessively concerning the UK at the moment. I was on a three person panel defending remaining in the EU against three others arguing for leaving. The

Economics

Skewed data from massive inequality in the US

Here is something well worth knowing. What many people do with America is take averages, say of income, earnings etc. However, this skews data. Because the US has the highest inequality, and the rich are super fricking rich, those super super rich raise the average considerably to make the average

Economics

Tourism in Islamic countries: my prediction

Tunisia's second attack in recent times has left the country reeling, and British tour operators pulling out for the next week, at least. This has been the biggest attack on and death of British people in a terrorist attack since the 7/7 bombings in London and the country has been rocked. But not as

capitalism

Dealing with replies to my free market skepticism posts

This chap (to whom the series was directed), Scotty M, has replied to some of my points in the series on Free Market Economics. Unfortunately, he would rather rabidly bash away at You Tube than bring a civil discussion here. The most common issue that Scotty faces is his predilection for straw ma

capitalism

On the Skepticism of Free Market Economics (part 3): free market success stories

Buckle up, this is another sizeable piece... In this series looking skeptically at libertarian claims of free market capitalism being the holy grail of all of reality, I have come to the section where I cast a skeptical eye over some of the more common claims of libertarians. The claim appears to

capitalism

On the Skepticism of Free Market Economics (part 2): No True Capitalism

Perhaps I should call this article the No True Capitalism Apart From When It Suits ME. As I shall explain. I have written a previous and lengthy piece to this debunking certain myths and pointing out certain problems with free market economics in its most fundamental ideal. This is all a result o

capitalism

On the Skepticism of Free Market Economics (part 1)

Free market economics seems to be the cornerstone of both right-wing and libertarian political ideology, broadly espousing that the companies and corporations and consumers of the world arbitrate supply, price and, in some way it is hoped, moral dimensions of product manufacture and consumption. In

Economics

My favourite documentary of all time

This, for me, was a game changer when I watched it. It still has so much to say, perhaps more than ever. When we see lobbyists in the US destroying the fairness of US politics, driven by corporate greed, it is necessary to see what is underpinning the ideal of

capitalism

Does free market capitalism close the inequality gap? No.

I was recently having a debate on You Tube, of all places, with a UKIP supported who refused to take on board any of my points unless the solutions I provided were free market centred. A selection of his comments will follow, this first one was after I pointed out that UKIP are science deniers (and

Economics

Racism and xenophobia in economic downturns

My previous post talked about the rise of the right-wing UKIP in recent polls and elections in the UK. Part of this phenomena, which is predicated upon the blaming of immigrants and immigration for many social woes, is as a result of the recent economic downturn.

By Adrian Pingstone (talk · contribs) (Self-photographed) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

conceptual nominalism

Scottish Independence - my thoughts

Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel and flag-waving the first action of a warmonger. yes-no2 I am British, English, and live on the south coast of the UK. That said, the coming Thursday referendum affects me as much as most people in the country. I will set out what is, for me and m