The history of dating – ‘it’s the economy, stupid’ (Part 1)

Madeline Grant
21 November 2018
Economic Theory

The history of dating – ‘it’s the economy, stupid’ (Part 1)

In 1992, the economist Gary Becker received the Nobel Prize for extending economic analysis to spheres of human behaviour previously considered the sole domain of sociologists and psychologists. These included topics as diverse as education, racial discrimination, medicine, drug addiction and even traffic flows. Becker’s ‘people-centric’ approach has been hugely influential. According to his protege ... Continue reading
Madeline Grant
21 November 2018
Share
1 Comment on The history of dating – ‘it’s the economy, stupid’ (Part 1)

While Brexit stands still, the rest of the world keeps turning

Kate Andrews
19 November 2018
Economic Theory

While Brexit stands still, the rest of the world keeps turning

I can only assume that Netflix is bidding for rights to Brexit: The Saga. You might as well download the past 48 hours’ worth of news coverage, upload to the streaming site, and advertise it as how Breaking Bad would have unfolded if set in Westminster instead of New Mexico. The news is pure entertainment. Arguably, that’s ... Continue reading
Kate Andrews
19 November 2018
Share
Leave a comment on While Brexit stands still, the rest of the world keeps turning

Beware the lure of executive pay caps

Professor Len Shackleton
15 November 2018
Labour Market

Beware the lure of executive pay caps

The Labour Party wishes to restrict the pay of ‘fat cat’ executives. This is a policy which is apparently highly popular with the public, even though it brings no direct benefit - unless you believe schadenfreude adds significantly to people’s welfare. One way Labour plans to curb high pay is to impose a 20 to ... Continue reading
Professor Len Shackleton
15 November 2018
Share
2 Comments on Beware the lure of executive pay caps

Is socialism the answer?

Dr Kristian Niemietz
15 November 2018

Is socialism the answer?

On 13 November, the University College London Debating Society held a debate on the motion “This House believes Socialism is the answer”. The IEA’s Head of Political Economy, Dr Kristian Niemietz, was one of the panellists who spoke (surprise, surprise) against the motion. The article below is a rough transcript of Kristian’s opening remarks. - ... Continue reading
Dr Kristian Niemietz
15 November 2018
Share
Leave a comment on Is socialism the answer?

Pay gaps and the limits of central planning (Part 2)

Madeline Grant
14 November 2018
Labour Market

Pay gaps and the limits of central planning (Part 2)

Continued from Part 1.  Those pushing for equality of outcome also fail to acknowledge all-important tradeoffs and unintended consequences of their favoured policies. Unsurprisingly, many who back wide-ranging interventions to ‘fix’ the gender pay gap would also like to increase the size of the welfare state. Yet, as international evidence suggests, this would not be ... Continue reading
Madeline Grant
14 November 2018
Share
1 Comment on Pay gaps and the limits of central planning (Part 2)

It’s time for a genuine free market in the postal sector

David Warren
14 November 2018
Government and Institutions

It’s time for a genuine free market in the postal sector

How has the Royal Mail fared since its privatisation in 2013? As with previous partial privatisations, the government moved a quasi-monopoly industry into the private sector – yet key elements of the former system remain in place. Royal Mail maintains requirements to collect and deliver throughout the UK six days a week – and the ... Continue reading
David Warren
14 November 2018
Share
2 Comments on It’s time for a genuine free market in the postal sector

Pay gaps and the limits of central planning (Part 1)

Madeline Grant
13 November 2018
Labour Market

Pay gaps and the limits of central planning (Part 1)

‘Equal Pay Day’ has passed - thankfully, without the media frenzy which usually attends this non-event. Much of it, I suspect, is down to the stellar work of colleagues like Kate Andrews and others who have so effectively torn apart the shaky logic behind the Fawcett Society’s claims. Readers may be familiar with the Equal ... Continue reading
Madeline Grant
13 November 2018
Share
Leave a comment on Pay gaps and the limits of central planning (Part 1)

The trouble with ‘Design by Committee’

Matt Gillow
12 November 2018
Housing and Planning

The trouble with ‘Design by Committee’

The recent outrage surrounding Roger Scruton represents the latest instalment in the never-dormant culture wars. Scruton’s appointment as the government’s new ‘housing Tsar’ has succeeded in animating the world of Political Twitter and its strange inhabitants. Once again, Left and Right, conservative and liberal, are doing battle over yet another - largely symbolic - government ... Continue reading
Matt Gillow
12 November 2018
Share
4 Comments on The trouble with ‘Design by Committee’

The entire concept of Equal Pay Day is fundamentally flawed

Julian Jessop
11 November 2018
Labour Market

The entire concept of Equal Pay Day is fundamentally flawed

November 10 this year was Equal Pay Day, the day of the year when the Fawcett Society claims “women effectively stop earning relative to men” – a claim which is, to put it politely, complete twaddle. Let’s remind ourselves what the Gender Pay Gap (GPG) is, and more importantly, what it isn’t. According to the ... Continue reading
Julian Jessop
11 November 2018
Share
Leave a comment on The entire concept of Equal Pay Day is fundamentally flawed