What’s New
Three Essays on Liberty: 250 Years On
- What Were the Cultural Foundations of the Declaration of Independence?
- What is Classical Liberalism?
- How Does Classical Liberalism Differ from the Way People Think Today?
I think you will find these are highly original essays – not the sort of thing you will find elsewhere.
Posted at the Goodman Institute website: https://www.goodmaninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Essays-on-Liberty-7-4-26.pdf
Cultural Foundations of the Idea of Freedom
David Rose has a new essay on the cultural foundations of the idea of “freedom.” This pairs nicely with my own essay on the cultural foundations of the Declaration of Independence. Most economists ignore culture. But David and I have been collaborating on a theory of culture for some time. More on that in the future. For now, here are a few sentences from David to whet your appetite…
What is Socialism?
If you can believe the polls, socialism is more popular than ever. Gallop says that roughly two-thirds of Democrats have a positive view of socialism. The same is true for half of young adults. But what exactly is socialism? If it means anything it means a lack of economic freedom. In a socialist world, people are not at liberty to engage in free exchange with each other. Every economic transaction is regulated or potentially regulated by the state.
Social Security Shortfall: More Than Twice What the Trustees Say It Is
In their latest report, the Social Security Trustees tell us that the program has an unfunded liability of $29.3 trillion. But back on page 231 of the latest report (where they hope no one will see it?) we learn that the real deficit is $71.9 trillion, more than two times the size of our GDP. Professor Laurence Kotlikoff explains the deception in a recent post. More.
How Market Innovation Is Reframing the Climate Debate
By all accounts, climate change alarmists are on the defensive—politically, scientifically, I would even say morally (see Bill Gates’s comment). We could leave it at that. But there may be hope for a truce in this conflict—and if so, capitalism can take the credit.
The US Ponzi Scheme — Transferring from Young Savers to Old Spenders
In 1960, 70-year-olds consumed, on average, about 70 percent of what 40-year-olds consumed. Today they consume about 140 percent!
The US has spent the postwar passing the generational bucket. It has done by borrowing on the books, but primarily off the books. As discussed here, our underfunded official and unofficial obligations to younger generations have reduced US to a position of complete fiscal insolvency. Indeed, we’re now in far worse fiscal shape than is Italy. Yes, Italy’s ratio of official debt to GDP is still higher than that of the US. But its off-the-books liabilities are far smaller as a share of GDP. More
Peter Ferrara, RIP
Peter Ferrara was a graduate of Harvard Law School. He could have been a wealthy DC lawyer. Instead, he spent his life in the less remunerative world of ideas. Peter was one of a kind. We are unlikely to see someone like him again.
To Save Rural Health Care, Bring It Out of The Dark Ages
This op ed is based on a longer publication here on our web site. The federal government is offering the states $50 billion over the next five years, and it’s up to the states to propose ways of spending the money. John Goodman has a number of proposals, including use of drones, greater use of telemedicine along with free market pricing, direct primary care, and deregulation of the hospital sector, health insurance and medical practice law.
Rural Health Care
The federal government is offering the states $50 billion over the next five years, and its up to the states to propose ways of spending the money. John Goodman has a number of proposals, including use of drones, greater use of telemedicine along with free market pricing, direct primary care, and deregulation of the hospital sector, health insurance and medical practice law. Click to view the Publication.
An Alternative to High Deductibles
Next year, the out-of-pocket exposure for someone who buys insurance on the (Obamacare) exchange will be $12,000. It will be $24,000 for a family. If they have chronic health problems, families can face those costs every year.
Congressman Pete Sessions and John Goodman offer a better alternative. Give people a deposit to a Health Savings Account if they agree to be responsible for all preventive care, all primary care, chronic care management, or some other area of care.
The model is Cash and Counseling, the Medicaid program for the home-bound disabled – a highly successful program that has been around for several decades. More