Search Results for: KRISTIAN%20NIEMIETZ

27 August 2022

The Institute of Economic Affairs and the Adam Smith Institute are currently running their annual Freedom Week conference at Cambridge … Continue reading

The NHS is not the saintly institution of the popular imagination

21 October 2020

Healthcare

The NHS is not the saintly institution of the popular imagination

Kosta Manis

21 October 2020

A lot has changed since the creation of the National Health Service in 1948. But our collective consciousness remains stuck … Continue reading

Imperial Measurement: my talk at the ESFL conference at Reykjavik University

17 October 2024

Economic Theory

Imperial Measurement: my talk at the ESFL conference at Reykjavik University

17 October 2024

On 12 October 2024, European Students for Liberty (ESFL) and their Icelandic partners organised a conference entitled ‘Markets and Entrepreneurship’ … Continue reading

What do British Millennials and Zoomers mean by “socialism”?

7 March 2023

What do British Millennials and Zoomers mean by “socialism”?

7 March 2023

Our colleagues at the Fraser Institute in Canada, in cooperation with the Foundation for Teaching Economics in the US, the … Continue reading

Socialism: future or failure?

1 October 2019

Society and Culture

Socialism: future or failure?

1 October 2019

On 30 September, the Institute of Economic Affairs and the Taxpayers’ Alliance organised a balloon debate entitled Socialism: Future or … Continue reading

Book review: “The Socialist Manifesto” by Bhaskar Sunkara

8 September 2019

Economic Theory

Book review: “The Socialist Manifesto” by Bhaskar Sunkara

8 September 2019

If you are a socialist, and you are toying with the idea of writing a book – now is the … Continue reading

Interview: Kristian Niemietz discusses the NHS with Ryan Bourne (video)

23 November 2015

Interview: Kristian Niemietz discusses the NHS with Ryan Bourne (video)

23 November 2015

According to the Commonwealth Fund, the NHS is the best healthcare system in the world. But according to the OECD, … Continue reading

Diagnosis: Overrated – An analysis of the structural flaws in the NHS

4 December 2015

Research

Diagnosis: Overrated – An analysis of the structural flaws in the NHS

4 December 2015

Political short-termism trumping best practice in the NHS

Summary: The NHS is part of the UK’s national story – a founding myth of post-war Britain. But like most … Continue reading

Dr Kristian Niemietz

5 August 2016

Department Head, Research

Dr Kristian Niemietz

5 August 2016

Editorial Director

Dr Kristian Niemietz is the IEA’s Editorial Director and Head of Political Economy at the IEA. He studied Economics at … Continue reading

Seven thoughts on the child poverty target

25 June 2015

Markets and Morality

Seven thoughts on the child poverty target

Ryan Bourne

25 June 2015

Child poverty (measured as children living in a household below 60 per cent of median income) has remained unchanged. But … Continue reading

The BMA is wrong about the pandemic and “austerity”

26 June 2023

Healthcare

The BMA is wrong about the pandemic and “austerity”

26 June 2023

In response to the ongoing Covid Inquiry, the British Medical Association (BMA) continues to peddle the old canard that “austerity” … Continue reading

A supply-side agenda to solve the cost-of-living crisis

2 August 2022

A supply-side agenda to solve the cost-of-living crisis

2 August 2022

“[T]oday, the British middle class is being squeezed by a cost-of-living crisis as never before […] Prices of […] essentials … Continue reading

Book review: “Socialism Sucks: Two Economists Drink Their Way Through the Unfree World” by Robert Lawson and Benjamin Powell

4 July 2022

Society and Culture

Book review: “Socialism Sucks: Two Economists Drink Their Way Through the Unfree World” by Robert Lawson and Benjamin Powell

4 July 2022

Preferences for products and brands can sometimes be surprisingly good predictors of political opinions. If you like Richmond Sausages, HP … Continue reading

What has Britain ever done to combat climate change?

28 April 2022

Energy and Environment

What has Britain ever done to combat climate change?

28 April 2022

There are plenty of irritating things about the new eco-militant movement, whether it is the Greta Thunberg faction, Extinction Rebellion, … Continue reading

Twitter is the Instagram of ideas. And free-market liberals need to start taking it seriously

7 July 2021

Society and Culture

Twitter is the Instagram of ideas. And free-market liberals need to start taking it seriously

7 July 2021

If you are a classical liberal, a conservative, or even a centre-left social democrat who likes to argue on Twitter, … Continue reading

The fall of the Berlin Wall, and Millennial Socialism

3 December 2019

Economic Theory

The fall of the Berlin Wall, and Millennial Socialism

3 December 2019

On 28 November, the IEA organised a panel discussion on the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the rise of … Continue reading

Socialism, Capitalism and Millennials

10 July 2019

Society and Culture

Socialism, Capitalism and Millennials

10 July 2019

On 6 July, the IEA held its annual THINK conference at the Royal Geographical Society in London. It included a … Continue reading

Panel discussion: The future of social housing

4 November 2017

Housing and Planning

Panel discussion: The future of social housing

4 November 2017

On 1 November 2017, Stoke Newington School organised a panel discussion on the future of social housing for 6th form … Continue reading

The Goodbye Lenin Delusion

6 October 2017

Economic Theory

The Goodbye Lenin Delusion

6 October 2017

The movie Good Bye Lenin! tells the story of a woman from East Berlin, Christiane Kerner, who falls into a … Continue reading

To properly tackle poverty, we must look at the cost of living

26 November 2013

To properly tackle poverty, we must look at the cost of living

Christopher Snowdon

26 November 2013

First, the good news. Poverty has been on the decline for several years. Since 2007, the proportion of the British … Continue reading

Gambling, the state and the market (Volume 31.1)

31 March 2011

Economic Affairs

Gambling, the state and the market (Volume 31.1)

Institute of Economic Affairs

31 March 2011

How the myths surrounding gambling prevent it being liberated for economic gain

Subscribe to Economic Affairs Contents Main Articles Gambling, the state and the market by Chris Brady (editorial) Prometheus Bound: releasing … Continue reading

Six lessons from the Austrian School of Economics

18 April 2024

Economic Theory

Six lessons from the Austrian School of Economics

18 April 2024

On 15 April, the IEA’s Editorial Director, Dr Kristian Niemietz, gave a talk entitled “Free-Market Schools of Thought” for the … Continue reading

What I learned from debating the NHS

13 April 2022

Healthcare

What I learned from debating the NHS

13 April 2022

A few weeks ago, I took part in a debate at King’s College London, on the crowd-pleasing question “Should the … Continue reading

Debate – is it time to ditch the ‘Norway Option’ for good?

3 August 2018

Government and Institutions

Debate – is it time to ditch the ‘Norway Option’ for good?

Julian Jessop and Dr Kristian Niemietz

3 August 2018

The so-called ‘Norway Option’ (a form of Brexit under which the UK would leave the European Customs Union, but remain … Continue reading

A Patient Approach: Putting the consumer at the heart of UK healthcare

13 August 2015

Research

A Patient Approach: Putting the consumer at the heart of UK healthcare

13 August 2015

Going ‘the whole hog’ in healthcare reform would not require a revolution

Summary: In recent years, the healthcare debate has been dominated by allegations that the ‘privatisation of the NHS’ was in … Continue reading

Home Win: What if Britain Solved its Housing Crisis?

11 April 2024

Research

Home Win: What if Britain Solved its Housing Crisis?

Oscar Gill-Lewis, Siddhi Badole and Edward Teather

11 April 2024

Summary This paper is written in the style of a report from the future (the year 2035), or more precisely, … Continue reading

The tale of two healthcare reports and what it tells us about the NHS

7 December 2015

Healthcare

The tale of two healthcare reports and what it tells us about the NHS

Ryan Bourne

7 December 2015

This article was first published by CapX. When the Commonwealth Fund ranked the UK first for healthcare among developed countries … Continue reading

The red herrings which distort the cost of living debate

22 September 2014

Housing and Planning

The red herrings which distort the cost of living debate

Ryan Bourne

22 September 2014

Since the publication of Kristian Niemietz’s seminal work Redefining the Poverty Debate in 2012, many of us have been arguing … Continue reading

Freedom Week: testimonies from participants

17 October 2024

Freedom Week: testimonies from participants

17 October 2024

From 19 to 23 August 2024, the Institute of Economic Affairs and the Adam Smith Institute organised their annual Freedom … Continue reading

Oiling the cogs of growth: Gove’s office conversion plans

5 April 2024

Oiling the cogs of growth: Gove’s office conversion plans

David Starkie

5 April 2024

At the end of February Kristian Niemietz cast an eye over Michael Gove’s announcement of a revised policy intending to … Continue reading

“Millennial Socialism” is not Bolshevism – it is a confused and shallow knee-jerk socialism

16 July 2021

Society and Culture

“Millennial Socialism” is not Bolshevism – it is a confused and shallow knee-jerk socialism

Chris Snowdon

16 July 2021

My colleague Kristian Niemietz recently commissioned an opinion poll to get the measure of Millennials and Zoomers. He concluded that … Continue reading

Rebuttal: “‘Breaking Bad’ could not have happened in the UK, because we have the NHS”

18 February 2016

Rebuttal: “‘Breaking Bad’ could not have happened in the UK, because we have the NHS”

18 February 2016

The US TV series ‘Breaking Bad’ is about a middle-aged high school teacher, Walter White, who is diagnosed with lung … Continue reading

ESFL conference speech: Why free-marketeers have the best solutions to poverty

30 October 2015

Energy and Environment

ESFL conference speech: Why free-marketeers have the best solutions to poverty

30 October 2015

On 10 October 2015, European Students for Liberty held their London Regional Conference. The IEA’s Kristian Niemietz gave a presentation on … Continue reading

The NHS is not worth defending

19 October 2015

Healthcare

The NHS is not worth defending

19 October 2015

At the 2015 Battle of Ideas festival, held at the Barbican Centre, the IEA’s Kristian Niemietz represented the ‘No’ side … Continue reading

“Right-wing on economics, left-wing on social issues”: on the breakdown of a political heuristic

31 August 2024

Markets and Morality

“Right-wing on economics, left-wing on social issues”: on the breakdown of a political heuristic

31 August 2024

It is still early days for the Starmer Government, and at this stage, we can only really judge it on … Continue reading

Book review: “The road to socialism and back. An economic history of Poland, 1939-2019” by Peter J. Boettke, Konstantin Zhukov and Matthew Mitchel (Part 2)

20 July 2023

Economic Theory

Book review: “The road to socialism and back. An economic history of Poland, 1939-2019” by Peter J. Boettke, Konstantin Zhukov and Matthew Mitchel (Part 2)

20 July 2023

…continued from Part 1 Economic stability Marxists have always seen boom-and-bust cycles as evidence of the fundamental irrationality of … Continue reading

Book review: “The road to socialism and back. An economic history of Poland, 1939-2019” by Peter J. Boettke, Konstantin Zhukov and Matthew Mitchel (Part 1)

17 July 2023

Book review: “The road to socialism and back. An economic history of Poland, 1939-2019” by Peter J. Boettke, Konstantin Zhukov and Matthew Mitchel (Part 1)

17 July 2023

Two months ago, it was widely reported that Poland could economically overtake the UK by 2030. This was not the … Continue reading

Why liberals should engage in the Culture War

25 April 2023

Society and Culture

Why liberals should engage in the Culture War

25 April 2023

My colleague Reem Ibrahim recently ran a Twitter poll on the question “Should libertarians engage with the culture war?”, which … Continue reading

What’s “progressive” about absurdly generous pension systems?

27 January 2023

Economic Theory

What’s “progressive” about absurdly generous pension systems?

27 January 2023

Twitter has been getting very excited lately about the protests in France. In case you missed it, President Macron is … Continue reading

The myth of low-tax Britain

7 October 2022

The myth of low-tax Britain

7 October 2022

On 2 October, the IEA’s Kristian Niemietz took part in a panel discussion entitled “The Wealth Paradox” at the “How … Continue reading

Can we avert a staffing crisis in the NHS?

1 December 2020

Healthcare

Can we avert a staffing crisis in the NHS?

1 December 2020

On 24 November, the IEA hosted a webinar entitled “Is there a doctor in the house? Plugging the gaps in … Continue reading

Has the NHS let us down during the pandemic?

16 September 2020

Has the NHS let us down during the pandemic?

16 September 2020

On 15 September 2020, the Adam Smith Institute hosted a webinar on rationing in healthcare during the pandemic. One of … Continue reading

Socialism: it’s far from over

23 April 2020

Society and Culture

Socialism: it’s far from over

23 April 2020

After years of going from strength to strength, socialists in both Britain and the US have been going through a … Continue reading

Book review: “The Power of Capitalism” by Rainer Zitelmann (Part 2)

3 September 2019

Society and Culture

Book review: “The Power of Capitalism” by Rainer Zitelmann (Part 2)

3 September 2019

…continued from Part 1 The next chapter of Rainer Zitelmann’s book The Power of Capitalism takes us closer to … Continue reading

Book review: “The Power of Capitalism” by Rainer Zitelmann (Part 1)

2 September 2019

Society and Culture

Book review: “The Power of Capitalism” by Rainer Zitelmann (Part 1)

2 September 2019

Dr Rainer Zitelmann’s book The Power of Capitalism could just as well have been titled “The Free Market’s Forgotten Success … Continue reading

Is socialism the answer?

15 November 2018

Is socialism the answer?

15 November 2018

On 13 November, the University College London Debating Society held a debate on the motion “This House believes Socialism is … Continue reading

The Resolution Foundation’s ‘Citizen’s Inheritance’ would be like Help To Buy on steroids

10 May 2018

Economic Theory

The Resolution Foundation’s ‘Citizen’s Inheritance’ would be like Help To Buy on steroids

10 May 2018

Five years ago, the then Chancellor George Osborne launched Help To Buy, which would become his flagship policy. Help To … Continue reading

NHS health outcomes: Don’t take it from me

19 January 2018

Healthcare

NHS health outcomes: Don’t take it from me

19 January 2018

In certain corners of social media, the NHS winter crisis has led to a renewed interest in (i.e. attacks on) … Continue reading

Does Britain need a wealth tax?

28 December 2025

Tax and Fiscal Policy

Does Britain need a wealth tax?

28 December 2025

On 2 December, King’s College London’s Politics Society organised a debate on the question of whether Britain needs a wealth … Continue reading

Dr Kristian Niemietz

30 March 2026

Dr Kristian Niemietz

30 March 2026

Why does the poverty lobby wage war on markets instead of on poverty?

3 January 2013

Why does the poverty lobby wage war on markets instead of on poverty?

3 January 2013

If the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) were to issue a press release this holiday period, which of the following … Continue reading

Economic Affairs (Vol 35.1)

10 February 2015

Economic Affairs

Economic Affairs (Vol 35.1)

Institute of Economic Affairs

10 February 2015

Subscribe to Economic Affairs Contents: Introduction (Pages 1–2) by J. R. Shackleton Regulating Work: Measuring the Scope and Burden of … Continue reading

Planning – killing four birds with one stone

17 October 2013

Planning – killing four birds with one stone

17 October 2013

It is always pleasing to publish an IEA monograph and find that the subject is being talked about for months … Continue reading

[PODCAST] Is the NHS broken and decades overdue reform?

8 August 2019

[PODCAST] Is the NHS broken and decades overdue reform?

8 August 2019

In this week’s podcast, the IEA’s Digital Manager Darren Grimes is joined by the IEA’s Head of Political Economy Kristian Niemietz and Economics Fellow Julian … Continue reading

The Portes-Snowdon bet: will relative child poverty really rise above 37%?

19 March 2018

Economic Theory

The Portes-Snowdon bet: will relative child poverty really rise above 37%?

Jonathan Portes and Christopher Snowdon

19 March 2018

Jonathan Portes: Last week, the Equality and Human Rights Commission published an analysis, by Howard Reed and me, of the impact … Continue reading

Britain’s housing crisis: a self-inflicted tragedy

16 March 2018

Housing and Planning

Britain’s housing crisis: a self-inflicted tragedy

16 March 2018

When reflecting on an important passage in Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical, Deus Caritas Est (published on Christmas Day 2005), the … Continue reading

A tentative, preliminary cheer for the Housing White Paper

3 February 2017

Housing and Planning

A tentative, preliminary cheer for the Housing White Paper

Kate Andrews

3 February 2017

Many politicians use the UK’s cost of living crisis as a talking point, but Javid’s blueprint for a new housing policy … Continue reading

EA Magazine Issue 7 (Spring 2016)

7 October 2016

EA Magazine Issue 7 (Spring 2016)

7 October 2016

Download the full magazine here. Individual Articles from Issue 7 From the Editor – Philip Booth – Read here Interview: Unequal … Continue reading

EA Magazine Issue 7 (Spring 2016)

22 August 2016

EA Magazine Issue 7 (Spring 2016)

22 August 2016

Download the full magazine for free here. Articles from our most recent EA: From the Editor – Philip Booth Interview: … Continue reading

EA Magazine Issue 3 (Spring 2014)

22 August 2016

EA Magazine Issue 3 (Spring 2014)

22 August 2016

This third edition of EA looks at economic reform in India, price controls and our main article on the ‘debt … Continue reading

EA Magazine Issue 2 (Autumn 2013)

22 August 2016

EA Magazine Issue 2 (Autumn 2013)

22 August 2016

Autumn 2013 Articles: Briefing – recommended essential reading. Read the article here. Getting the measure of the money supply – … Continue reading

EA Magazine Issue 1 (Summer 2013)

22 August 2016

EA Magazine Issue 1 (Summer 2013)

22 August 2016

This first edition of EA tackles the issue of the minimum wage and its damaging impact on employment, questions traditional … Continue reading

The future of healthcare

26 August 2015

Healthcare

The future of healthcare

26 August 2015

Which country in the world has the best healthcare? Is the NHS ﬁt for purpose? What are the alternatives? How … Continue reading

Why the NHS needs old-age reserves: The case for a prefunded healthcare system

4 August 2015

Healthcare

Why the NHS needs old-age reserves: The case for a prefunded healthcare system

4 August 2015

Do you remember the time when healthcare professionals used to argue that the NHS was adequately funded, and that further … Continue reading

Why the NHS should be abolished

5 June 2015

Healthcare

Why the NHS should be abolished

5 June 2015

In this video, Dr Kristian Niemietz explains that the ongoing debate about the future of the National Health Service is … Continue reading

The airport debate has forgotten free markets

14 April 2014

Energy and Environment

The airport debate has forgotten free markets

14 April 2014

If you’ve ever wondered why the airport capacity debate has become so problematic, two contributions last week, each exemplifying one … Continue reading

Three cheers for Gatwick’s compensation offer, but now kick out the politicians and let local residents decide

14 March 2014

Three cheers for Gatwick’s compensation offer, but now kick out the politicians and let local residents decide

14 March 2014

Gatwick Airport has offered to compensate nearby residents for the increase in aircraft noise that will result if the operator … Continue reading

Rent controls: a response to Generation Rent

27 August 2024

Housing and Planning

Rent controls: a response to Generation Rent

27 August 2024

Earlier this month, the IEA published the briefing paper Rent Control: Does it work? by Dr Konstantin Kholodolin from the German Institute … Continue reading

What “socialism” means – and why it matters

5 August 2022

Society and Culture

What “socialism” means – and why it matters

5 August 2022

What is socialism? If we go by the dictionary, this seems like a very straightforward and unambiguous matter. Merriam-Webster defines … Continue reading

Viral Myths: my response to the British Medical Journal

27 March 2021

Healthcare

Viral Myths: my response to the British Medical Journal

27 March 2021

The British Medical Journal (BMJ) has published a “rebuttal” of my IEA paper “Viral Myths: Why we risk learning the … Continue reading

Malthus is dead – get over it

28 February 2011

Malthus is dead – get over it

28 February 2011

Anti-consumerists are sometimes criticised for not practicing what they preach. Buying stuff is sinful – as long as it’s the … Continue reading

In defence of Chile’s privatised pension system

3 February 2017

Economic Theory

In defence of Chile’s privatised pension system

3 February 2017

Throughout the summer and autumn of 2016, mass protests erupted all over Chile. Hundreds of thousands of people took to … Continue reading

From Bismarck to Friedman (web publication)

19 December 2006

Research

From Bismarck to Friedman (web publication)

Christopher Snowdon, Kristian Niemietz, and Zion Lights

19 December 2006

Chile's fully-funded private pension system shows impressive results

In the fifteenth IEA Discussion Paper, Kristian Niemietz examines the Chilean pension system. Chile provides the most frequently quoted example … Continue reading

Not Invented Here

12 March 2025

Not Invented Here

12 March 2025

Contents Foreword The theoretical advantage of single-issue pressure groups is that they can form broad coalitions, gathering people from across … Continue reading

Hayek’s Nobel: 50 Years On

11 December 2024

Research

Hayek’s Nobel: 50 Years On

11 December 2024

Contents Foreword Friedrich August von Hayek never formally worked for the Institute of Economic Affairs, but he was nonetheless one … Continue reading

The Denationalisation of Healthcare

19 September 2024

Research

The Denationalisation of Healthcare

19 September 2024

Contents Summary Until very recently, Britain’s National Health Service used to be beyond argument. The reverence for the health service … Continue reading

Imperial Measurement: A Cost–Benefit Analysis of Western Colonialism

1 May 2024

Research

Imperial Measurement: A Cost–Benefit Analysis of Western Colonialism

1 May 2024

Summary In recent years, we have seen a renewed interest in Britain’s imperialist past: the British Empire, the slave trade … Continue reading

Abundance of land, shortage of housing

10 April 2012

Research

Abundance of land, shortage of housing

10 April 2012

Government’s timid reform will not solve chronic housing affordability problems

Not enough is being done to reduce the extraordinarily high cost of housing in Britain. This is the finding of … Continue reading

Transforming welfare – incentives, localisation and non-discrimination (web publication)

12 November 2010

Research

Transforming welfare – incentives, localisation and non-discrimination (web publication)

12 November 2010

Radical solutions need to be sought to get people off welfare and back into work

In the thirty-second IEA Discussion Paper, Poverty Research Fellow Kristian Niemietz puts forward solutions which would substantially simplify the welfare … Continue reading

The Key to Affordable Housing

15 September 2016

Research

The Key to Affordable Housing

15 September 2016

A critique of the Communication Workers Union's rent control proposals

Introduction: Rent controls are firmly back on the political agenda. At the national level the reintroduction of rent controls is … Continue reading

When Paternalism Meets Bogus Economics (web publication)

10 March 2010

Research

When Paternalism Meets Bogus Economics (web publication)

10 March 2010

A critique of the New Economic Foundation's 21 hours report

In the thirtieth IEA Current Controversies Paper, Kristian Niemietz critiques 21 hours, a report from the New Economics Foundation (NEF). … Continue reading

British ¡Afuera! #2 – Higher Education

6 January 2026

Education

British ¡Afuera! #2 – Higher Education

Peter Ainsworth

6 January 2026

British ¡Afuera! is a new series of pieces applying the principles of the IEA’s ‘Sharper Axes, Lower Taxes’ and Argentinian … Continue reading

No Room! No Room! The Costs of the British Town and Country Planning System

9 January 2025

No Room! No Room! The Costs of the British Town and Country Planning System

Alan Evans

9 January 2025

Contents New foreword to the 2025 edition I stumbled across a copy of Professor Alan Evans’s book No Room! No … Continue reading

Are “populists” really our main problem? A critique of Nils Karlson’s “Reviving Classical Liberalism Against Populism”

25 October 2024

Society and Culture

Are “populists” really our main problem? A critique of Nils Karlson’s “Reviving Classical Liberalism Against Populism”

Daniel B. Klein

25 October 2024

I was recently watching the video “Are Populists Destroying Democracy?” on the IEA’s Youtube channel, in which the IEA’s Editorial … Continue reading

No, there is no conspiracy to replace the NHS with a marketised system – and more’s the pity

1 November 2023

Healthcare

No, there is no conspiracy to replace the NHS with a marketised system – and more’s the pity

Jess Gill

1 November 2023

It is clear that Britain’s National Health Service is failing. 7.6 million people are on a waiting list, and 41% of them … Continue reading

Why we should not obsess about headline net migration figures

26 May 2023

Why we should not obsess about headline net migration figures

Harrison Griffiths

26 May 2023

Recent ONS figures show that in 2022, net migration into the UK exceeded 600,000 people, with more than 1m people … Continue reading

Optimism Dashed: Reality of housing white paper is all politics, no economics

7 February 2017

Housing and Planning

Optimism Dashed: Reality of housing white paper is all politics, no economics

KATE ANDREWS

7 February 2017

I should not have let my optimistic side get the better of me. 2016 may be behind us, but its … Continue reading

Book review: “Economics in One Virus” by Ryan Bourne

2 March 2022

Economic Theory

Book review: “Economics in One Virus” by Ryan Bourne

2 March 2022

I have zero interest in football. The only times I would ever watch a football match is when I am … Continue reading

An alternative history: what ‘democratic socialism’ would have looked like

27 May 2016

Economic Theory

An alternative history: what ‘democratic socialism’ would have looked like

27 May 2016

I’ve got an idea for an alternative history novel, an alternate timeline in which the fall of the Berlin Wall … Continue reading

An unenthusiastic case for Brexit

12 May 2016

An unenthusiastic case for Brexit

12 May 2016

I won’t crack open the champagne if the Brexit side wins the EU referendum on 23 June. On its own, … Continue reading

The greenbelt is an example of Milton Friedman’s ‘tyranny of the status quo’

10 March 2016

Housing and Planning

The greenbelt is an example of Milton Friedman’s ‘tyranny of the status quo’

10 March 2016

Imagine we had no land use planning system at all. Landowners and developers could do as they please. Anyone could … Continue reading

To solve the housing crisis, we must take on NIMBYs and abolish the greenbelt

3 March 2016

Housing and Planning

To solve the housing crisis, we must take on NIMBYs and abolish the greenbelt

3 March 2016

Housing costs in the UK – both house prices and rents – are among the highest in the world. Since … Continue reading

Yes, of course ‘Breaking Bad’ could have happened in the UK.

22 February 2016

Healthcare

Yes, of course ‘Breaking Bad’ could have happened in the UK.

22 February 2016

The US TV series ‘Breaking Bad’ is about a middle-aged high school teacher, Walter White, who is diagnosed with lung … Continue reading

We don’t need ‘social housing’. We need housing

1 February 2016

Housing and Planning

We don’t need ‘social housing’. We need housing

1 February 2016

The Housing and Planning Bill, which will speed up the sale of social housing, has come under fire from various … Continue reading

Rebuttal: ‘The NHS is wonderful, just underfunded’

13 January 2016

Healthcare

Rebuttal: ‘The NHS is wonderful, just underfunded’

13 January 2016

The NHS funding crisis The NHS is ‘at breaking point’, ‘starved of resources’, ‘on the verge of collapse’, overstretched, underfunded, … Continue reading

Don’t let anti-consumerists kill your Christmas spirit

11 December 2015

Society and Culture

Don’t let anti-consumerists kill your Christmas spirit

11 December 2015

When we talk about ‘Christmas traditions’, we are really talking about a hotchpotch of traditions from different cultures and different … Continue reading

Whatever happened to the anti-globalisation movement? On the anti-capitalist left’s immunity to refutation

24 December 2015

Trade, Development, and Immigration

Whatever happened to the anti-globalisation movement? On the anti-capitalist left’s immunity to refutation

24 December 2015

As a teenager, I used to read a magazine which had a rubric called “Whatever happened to…”, which was dedicated … Continue reading

The NHS ‘founding myth’: It never happened in the way we think it happened

4 December 2015

Healthcare

The NHS ‘founding myth’: It never happened in the way we think it happened

4 December 2015

Every 14 July, France commemorates the storming of the Bastille, which kick-started the French Revolution. ‘Bastille Day’ is not just … Continue reading

Autumn Statement: splashing central government money around is not ‘devolution’

27 November 2015

Government and Institutions

Autumn Statement: splashing central government money around is not ‘devolution’

27 November 2015

This article was first published by The Independent. One of the good ideas in yesterday’s Autumn Statement was the scrapping … Continue reading

Panel Discussion: The Problems Facing the NHS (Video)

20 November 2015

Healthcare

Panel Discussion: The Problems Facing the NHS (Video)

20 November 2015

What is the future of the NHS? As part of our Paragon Initiative, the IEA hosted a panel discussion to … Continue reading

Anti-capitalism: a booming industry

13 November 2015

Economic Theory

Anti-capitalism: a booming industry

13 November 2015

This article was first published by The Independent. I have long been toying with a business idea, but never had … Continue reading

This is not a ‘neoliberal’ age. This is an age of hyper-statism

6 November 2015

Economic Theory

This is not a ‘neoliberal’ age. This is an age of hyper-statism

6 November 2015

The law of diminishing marginal utility is one of the most basic concepts in economics. What it means is that … Continue reading

Anti-gentrification protests: the economics of coolness

30 September 2015

Economic Theory

Anti-gentrification protests: the economics of coolness

30 September 2015

Last Saturday, several hundred anti-gentrification protesters attacked a ‘hipster’ café in Shoreditch, throwing paint bombs against the windows, and trying … Continue reading

Why greenbelt reform is not a lost cause

25 September 2015

Housing and Planning

Why greenbelt reform is not a lost cause

25 September 2015

The greenbelt is a sacred cow, right? Everybody loves the greenbelt, everybody wants to see it protected, and everybody knows … Continue reading

Attacks on Corbyn are a distraction – it is Corbynomics that needs tackling

18 September 2015

Economic Theory

Attacks on Corbyn are a distraction – it is Corbynomics that needs tackling

18 September 2015

“Nobody advocates socialism anymore. It is now all just about reforming capitalism.” I must have heard this lazy cliché in … Continue reading

Labour has rejected its own legacy of NHS reform – with sad implications for patients

16 September 2015

Healthcare

Labour has rejected its own legacy of NHS reform – with sad implications for patients

16 September 2015

“New Labour officially dead and buried”, tweeted Daily Politics presenter Andrew Neil as the Labour leadership election results came in. … Continue reading

Charging for healthcare: Why it need not be politically toxic

8 September 2015

Healthcare

Charging for healthcare: Why it need not be politically toxic

8 September 2015

The economic case for user charges in healthcare is easily explained. A well-designed system of charges for people accessing services … Continue reading

NHS orthodoxy is dying: Here’s how to put patients at the heart of healthcare

2 September 2015

Healthcare

NHS orthodoxy is dying: Here’s how to put patients at the heart of healthcare

2 September 2015

Surveys often suffer from what is known as “social desirability bias”: when people sense that an opinion they hold, or … Continue reading

A pluralistic and competitive healthcare system wouldn’t require a revolution

13 August 2015

Healthcare

A pluralistic and competitive healthcare system wouldn’t require a revolution

13 August 2015

“The strategy of government ministers has been obvious. Starve the NHS of vital cash and resources then force patients to … Continue reading

Call me a heartless neoliberal, but those taking part in the Tube strike were not victims

7 August 2015

Transport

Call me a heartless neoliberal, but those taking part in the Tube strike were not victims

7 August 2015

As far as I’m concerned, the tube strikes could have gone on for longer. I had made arrangements to work … Continue reading

Why Greece cannot prosper in the eurozone

17 July 2015

Government and Institutions

Why Greece cannot prosper in the eurozone

17 July 2015

About eight years ago, I attended an economics conference in Berlin, where one of the speakers criticised the structure of … Continue reading

Power or productivity? Why we disagree over tube strikes

10 July 2015

Labour Market

Power or productivity? Why we disagree over tube strikes

10 July 2015

“Strikes have the added benefit that they give people a nice opportunity to signal their ideology to others”, a friend … Continue reading

Yes, of course private businesses can run acute hospitals

9 July 2015

Healthcare

Yes, of course private businesses can run acute hospitals

9 July 2015

Hinchingbrooke hospital has had a history of ups and downs. In the 2000s, it lost control of its finances, running … Continue reading

Big Government, not ‘austerity’, has brought Greece to its knees

2 July 2015

Government and Institutions

Big Government, not ‘austerity’, has brought Greece to its knees

2 July 2015

What I admire about the anti-capitalist left is their ability to present their ideas as somehow “unorthodox” and “anti-mainstream”, when … Continue reading

Public attitudes to the NHS: Is market-oriented health reform a lost cause?

16 June 2015

Healthcare

Public attitudes to the NHS: Is market-oriented health reform a lost cause?

16 June 2015

In the UK, people who support a pluralistic, competitive and consumer-driven healthcare system often believe that theirs is a lost … Continue reading

Prefunded healthcare: sensible, but rare

1 June 2015

Healthcare

Prefunded healthcare: sensible, but rare

1 June 2015

Individual healthcare costs are generally unpredictable. We cannot know whether we will need healthcare treatment next year, what kind of … Continue reading

Choice at a price: A response to Civitas’ ‘NHS Contribute Extra’ proposal

23 February 2015

Healthcare

Choice at a price: A response to Civitas’ ‘NHS Contribute Extra’ proposal

23 February 2015

Among the more reasonable supporters of the single-payer model of healthcare, a common argument is that while the NHS may … Continue reading

A&E crisis highlights need for a more subsidiary healthcare system

8 January 2015

Healthcare

A&E crisis highlights need for a more subsidiary healthcare system

8 January 2015

In the early 2000s, long waiting times at Accident and Emergency departments were commonplace. About one in five patients was … Continue reading

Restoring contracting-out: Towards a voluntary system of private pensions

15 October 2014

Welfare

Restoring contracting-out: Towards a voluntary system of private pensions

15 October 2014

William Beveridge is not a popular figure among classical liberals. He is blamed for paving the way for the nationalisation … Continue reading

Cost of living crisis: causes and solutions

11 September 2014

Energy and Environment

Cost of living crisis: causes and solutions

11 September 2014

In this video the IEA’s Senior Research Fellow Kristian Niemietz outlines a free-market approach to the cost of living squeeze. … Continue reading

Air Passenger Duty needs to be overhauled – scrapping two bands is not enough

23 March 2014

Air Passenger Duty needs to be overhauled – scrapping two bands is not enough

23 March 2014

The Budget announced an abolition of the higher rates of Air Passenger Duty (APD). Fair enough, given that average rates … Continue reading

Depoliticising airport expansion

16 December 2013

Depoliticising airport expansion

16 December 2013

‘After years of sustained increases in demand for locally brewed beer, London’s brewery industry is facing a formidable capacity crisis, … Continue reading

Single parenthood: the poverty industry’s kryptonite

6 March 2013

Single parenthood: the poverty industry’s kryptonite

6 March 2013

Poverty cannot be meaningfully debated without due regard for a population’s demographic risk profile. When it comes to child poverty, … Continue reading

Freeing the poor from the cost of environmentalism

4 February 2013

Freeing the poor from the cost of environmentalism

4 February 2013

Even in its current shackled and constrained form, modern capitalism still has a lot to show for it. One of … Continue reading

Childcare: how to price the poor out of the market, and then subsidise them back in again

28 January 2013

Childcare: how to price the poor out of the market, and then subsidise them back in again

28 January 2013

When New Labour came to power, one in five children lived in a household with no adult in work, so … Continue reading

Abolish the CAP, let food prices tumble

18 January 2013

Abolish the CAP, let food prices tumble

18 January 2013

Imagine there was a Food Tax which had the effect of raising food prices by, say, 17% on average. The … Continue reading

Planning reform must be a key ingredient in an anti-poverty package

15 January 2013

Planning reform must be a key ingredient in an anti-poverty package

15 January 2013

Econometric literature is notorious for its inconclusiveness. Even for seemingly straightforward issues such as the impact of minimum wage laws, … Continue reading

The poverty lobby: single-issuers whose single issue is no longer relevant

8 January 2013

The poverty lobby: single-issuers whose single issue is no longer relevant

8 January 2013

Anyone who has ever read half a page in a Public Choice textbook will, if nothing else, at least have … Continue reading

What is the ‘poverty industry’?

22 December 2012

What is the ‘poverty industry’?

22 December 2012

When I began working on poverty issues, I had the naïve idea that a child poverty activist was somebody who … Continue reading

How Hayek’s “Road to Serfdom” became relevant again

19 July 2024

Economic Theory

How Hayek’s “Road to Serfdom” became relevant again

19 July 2024

On 17 and 18 July, the Vinson Centre at Buckingham University held its annual “Conference in the Classical Liberal Tradition”. … Continue reading

Why Britain should not be proud of the NHS

4 July 2024

Healthcare

Why Britain should not be proud of the NHS

4 July 2024

On 24 June, Sacred Cows, a debating society which organises talks on controversial subjects, held an event entitled “Why Britain … Continue reading

Imperial Measurement: a rejoinder to Will Hutton and the Guardian/Observer

7 May 2024

Economic Theory

Imperial Measurement: a rejoinder to Will Hutton and the Guardian/Observer

7 May 2024

Observer columnist Will Hutton is not a fan of my latest publication Imperial Measurement: A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Western Colonialism. … Continue reading

The IEA begins. The origin story of the “Tufton Street” cabal

25 April 2024

Society and Culture

The IEA begins. The origin story of the “Tufton Street” cabal

25 April 2024

Over the third week of April, the IEA hosted three international delegations (two from Sweden and one from the Netherlands), … Continue reading

Privatisation vs Nationalisation: the case of healthcare

20 February 2024

Privatisation vs Nationalisation: the case of healthcare

20 February 2024

On 14 February, the IEA and the Vinson Centre – ever the hopeless romantics – organised a conference for teachers … Continue reading

Book review: “The Capitalist Manifesto: Why the Global Free Market Will Save the World” by Johan Norberg (Part 2)

20 November 2023

Economic Theory

Book review: “The Capitalist Manifesto: Why the Global Free Market Will Save the World” by Johan Norberg (Part 2)

20 November 2023

…continued from Part 1 Chapter 4 addresses the old Marxist idea that wealth must be built on exploitation, but … Continue reading

Book review: “The Capitalist Manifesto: Why the Global Free Market Will Save the World” by Johan Norberg (Part 1)

9 November 2023

Economic Theory

Book review: “The Capitalist Manifesto: Why the Global Free Market Will Save the World” by Johan Norberg (Part 1)

9 November 2023

I first came across Johan Norberg almost exactly 20 years ago, when the German translation of his book In Defence of … Continue reading

NHS Crisis: How can we improve Britain’s health service?

3 October 2023

Healthcare

NHS Crisis: How can we improve Britain’s health service?

3 October 2023

On 2 October, the IEA organised a panel discussion entitled “NHS Crisis: How can we improve Britain’s health service?”, as … Continue reading

The Socialist Calculation Debate – then and now (Part 3)

25 September 2023

Economic Theory

The Socialist Calculation Debate – then and now (Part 3)

25 September 2023

On 20 September, the IEA’s Head of Political Economy, Dr Kristian Niemietz, gave a talk at King’s Maths School in … Continue reading

The Socialist Calculation Debate – then and now (Part 2)

22 September 2023

Economic Theory

The Socialist Calculation Debate – then and now (Part 2)

22 September 2023

On 20 September, the IEA’s Head of Political Economy, Dr Kristian Niemietz, gave a talk at King’s Maths School in … Continue reading

The Socialist Calculation Debate – then and now (Part 1)

21 September 2023

Economic Theory

The Socialist Calculation Debate – then and now (Part 1)

21 September 2023

On 20 September, the IEA’s Head of Political Economy, Dr Kristian Niemietz, gave a talk at King’s Maths School in … Continue reading

The housing crisis: causes and solutions

20 September 2023

The housing crisis: causes and solutions

20 September 2023

On 19 September, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) organised a panel discussion entitled “The Housing Crisis: Causes & Solutions”. One … Continue reading

The Road To Serfdom revisited: was Hayek right?

25 May 2023

Economic Theory

The Road To Serfdom revisited: was Hayek right?

25 May 2023

On 22 May, the IEA organsied a panel discussion with the title “The Road to Serfdom: Was Hayek Right?” The … Continue reading

On woke anti-capitalism

24 January 2023

On woke anti-capitalism

24 January 2023

A common interpretation of the “Great Awokening” is that for the radical Left, identity politics has replaced economics. The story, … Continue reading

The economics and politics of nationalisation and privatisation

2 December 2022

Economic Theory

The economics and politics of nationalisation and privatisation

2 December 2022

On 30 November, the Aldenham School Business Society in Hertfordshire invited the IEA’s Kristian Niemietz to give a talk on … Continue reading

Britain’s housing crisis: still the single biggest driver of poverty

8 November 2022

Housing and Planning

Britain’s housing crisis: still the single biggest driver of poverty

8 November 2022

On 8 November, Ursuline Sixth Form college and The European Atlantic Movement organised the “Politics and Inequality – the true … Continue reading

Moral panics and conspiracy theories around NHS “privatisation” (Part 2)

26 August 2022

Healthcare

Moral panics and conspiracy theories around NHS “privatisation” (Part 2)

26 August 2022

The Institute of Economic Affairs and the Adam Smith Institute are currently running their annual Freedom Week conference at Cambridge … Continue reading

Moral panics and conspiracy theories around NHS “privatisation” (Part 1)

25 August 2022

Healthcare

Moral panics and conspiracy theories around NHS “privatisation” (Part 1)

25 August 2022

The Institute of Economic Affairs and the Adam Smith Institute are currently running their annual Freedom Week conference at Cambridge … Continue reading

The rise and mutation of Millennial Socialism

18 May 2022

Society and Culture

The rise and mutation of Millennial Socialism

18 May 2022

On 16 May 2022, the Holborn & St Pancras Conservative Association book group organised an event where they discussed the … Continue reading

Motion: Should the NHS be privatised?

9 February 2022

Healthcare

Motion: Should the NHS be privatised?

9 February 2022

On 8 February 2022, the King’s College London Conservative Association and the King’s College London Labour Society co-hosted a debate … Continue reading

Book review: “Free Lunch Thinking – How Economics Ruins the Economy” by Tom Bergin

13 April 2021

Economic Theory

Book review: “Free Lunch Thinking – How Economics Ruins the Economy” by Tom Bergin

13 April 2021

Introduction When I first read the blurb of Free Lunch Thinking, my initial reaction was “Oh please, not yet another … Continue reading

Rent controls: the revenge of Econ 101

19 August 2020

Economic Theory

Rent controls: the revenge of Econ 101

19 August 2020

One of the frustrating things about being an economist is that people listen to you when they shouldn’t, and refuse … Continue reading

IEA Debate: Is a German-style social insurance system for social care the way to go?

30 July 2020

Healthcare

IEA Debate: Is a German-style social insurance system for social care the way to go?

Kristian Niemietz vs. Philip Booth

30 July 2020

YES – says Kristian Niemietz The “Dementia Tax”, which was essentially a more stringent means-testing regime for determining eligibility for … Continue reading

What would Einstein say about the London riots?

10 November 2011

What would Einstein say about the London riots?

10 November 2011

It was Albert Einstein who once said: ‘The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again … Continue reading

IEA Debate: Should we privatise the statues?

8 July 2020

Society and Culture

IEA Debate: Should we privatise the statues?

Steve Davies vs Kristian Niemietz

8 July 2020

YES – says Dr Stephen Davies There is a big debate right now about statues of famous people with much … Continue reading

The 99ers and the 53ers: when two groups quarrel, a third rejoices

7 November 2011

The 99ers and the 53ers: when two groups quarrel, a third rejoices

7 November 2011

A group of American conservatives have set up an initiative called ‘We are the 53%‘, echoing the Occupy movement’s ‘We … Continue reading

How the NHS religion is turning us against each other

10 February 2020

Healthcare

How the NHS religion is turning us against each other

10 February 2020

On the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the NHS, I took part in an episode of BBC Radio 4’s … Continue reading

How, and how not, to disagree on healthcare

6 August 2019

Healthcare

How, and how not, to disagree on healthcare

6 August 2019

A while ago, I got an e-mail from someone who had recently finished reading my book Universal Healthcare Without The … Continue reading

Calm down, Guardian: the NHS is (still) not being privatised

23 July 2019

Healthcare

Calm down, Guardian: the NHS is (still) not being privatised

23 July 2019

On Sunday evening, Twitter exploded with rage. That, admittedly, doesn’t mean much. If you have ever been on Twitter, you … Continue reading

Why we need to be more honest with ourselves on immigration

9 May 2019

Trade, Development, and Immigration

Why we need to be more honest with ourselves on immigration

9 May 2019

On 7 May 2019, the FREER group held a panel discussion entitled “Freer movement? Immigration post-Brexit”. One of the panellists … Continue reading

Socialism: will next time be different? (Part 2)

26 June 2018

Economic Theory

Socialism: will next time be different? (Part 2)

26 June 2018

…continued from Part 1 On 21-24 June, the Alliance for Workers’ Liberty organised the conference ‘Socialism Makes Sense: Ideas … Continue reading

Socialism: will next time be different? (Part 1)

24 June 2018

Economic Theory

Socialism: will next time be different? (Part 1)

24 June 2018

On 21-24 June, the Alliance for Workers’ Liberty organised the conference ‘Socialism Makes Sense: Ideas for Freedom 2018’ in London. … Continue reading

Did underfunding cause the winter crisis on the NHS?

15 January 2018

Healthcare

Did underfunding cause the winter crisis on the NHS?

15 January 2018

Last week, in response to something I tweeted about the NHS winter crisis, someone asked me whether such winter crises … Continue reading

Motion: “This House believes that the Hammer and Sickle should be considered a hate symbol”

5 December 2017

Economic Theory

Motion: “This House believes that the Hammer and Sickle should be considered a hate symbol”

5 December 2017

On 04 December 2017, the University College London (UCL) Debating Society organised a debate with the above title. The IEA’s … Continue reading

No, socialists are not Nordic-style social democrats. They are socialists

16 September 2017

Economic Theory

No, socialists are not Nordic-style social democrats. They are socialists

16 September 2017

The IEA’s video clip ‘Has ‘real socialism’ ever been tried?’, released three months ago, seems to have struck a chord. … Continue reading

“But that wasn’t REAL socialism!” (Part 3: Venezuela)

4 August 2017

Society and Culture

“But that wasn’t REAL socialism!” (Part 3: Venezuela)

4 August 2017

Between 3 – 8 July 2017, the Institute of Economic Affairs and the Adam Smith Institute jointly held Freedom Week, … Continue reading

How the housing crisis has created a generation of socialists

2 August 2017

How the housing crisis has created a generation of socialists

2 August 2017

I saw a first sneak preview of Corbynmania about two years ago. It had nothing to do with Jeremy Corbyn, … Continue reading

“But that wasn’t REAL socialism!” (Part 2: Mao’s China and the GDR)

28 July 2017

Economic Theory

“But that wasn’t REAL socialism!” (Part 2: Mao’s China and the GDR)

28 July 2017

Between 3 – 8 July 2017, the Institute of Economic Affairs and the Adam Smith Institute jointly held Freedom Week, … Continue reading

“But that wasn’t REAL socialism!” (Part 1: the USSR)

21 July 2017

Economic Theory

“But that wasn’t REAL socialism!” (Part 1: the USSR)

21 July 2017

Between 3 – 8 July 2017, the Institute of Economic Affairs and the Adam Smith Institute jointly held Freedom Week, … Continue reading

“Harmful” tax competition: new actors, same old plot

3 August 2009

“Harmful” tax competition: new actors, same old plot

3 August 2009

Nobody likes competition when it takes place in their own backyard. Tax-hungry government officials are by no means an exception. … Continue reading

Disability benefits: beware the cheap moralism of Ken Loach’s ‘I, Daniel Blake’

9 January 2017

Markets and Morality

Disability benefits: beware the cheap moralism of Ken Loach’s ‘I, Daniel Blake’

9 January 2017

The UK’s first nationwide programme of sickness benefits was introduced in 1948. It initially cost around £2bn per annum in … Continue reading

An alternative history: Britain without the NHS (Part 2)

16 December 2016

An alternative history: Britain without the NHS (Part 2)

16 December 2016

Continued from Part 1 Between 1946 and 1948, there was an attempt at a government takeover of healthcare, which … Continue reading

An alternative history: Britain without the NHS (Part 1)

15 December 2016

An alternative history: Britain without the NHS (Part 1)

15 December 2016

In a universe not far from our own: The announcement by the ‘Big Eight’, the UK’s major health insurance … Continue reading

Universal healthcare without the NHS: a preface of sorts

14 December 2016

Healthcare

Universal healthcare without the NHS: a preface of sorts

14 December 2016

Long before the EU referendum, Eurosceptics and Europhiles used to disagree over whether there is such a thing as a … Continue reading

93% of junior doctors would back “complete privatisation” of the NHS, if it meant “substantially” increased salaries

6 December 2016

Economic Theory

93% of junior doctors would back “complete privatisation” of the NHS, if it meant “substantially” increased salaries

6 December 2016

Around the time of the first junior doctors’ strike, I was occasionally contacted by journalists who wanted to hear from … Continue reading

Black cabs, Uber and the sharing economy: the case for private regulation

4 November 2016

Regulation

Black cabs, Uber and the sharing economy: the case for private regulation

4 November 2016

In September 2015, Transport for London released a consultation document which proposed various new regulations for private passenger transport operators. … Continue reading

Motion: “This House would privatise the NHS”

2 November 2016

Healthcare

Motion: “This House would privatise the NHS”

2 November 2016

On 31 October, the Bath University Debating Society organised a motion entitled ‘This House would privatise the NHS, and replace … Continue reading

The UK health system: a response to critics

27 October 2016

Healthcare

The UK health system: a response to critics

27 October 2016

“[W]hen we want to believe something, we ask ourselves, ‘Can I believe it?’ Then […] we search for supporting evidence, … Continue reading

The never-ending saga of airport expansion

20 October 2016

Economic Theory

The never-ending saga of airport expansion

20 October 2016

When I was writing my paper on airport expansion in 2013, I had a nagging fear that it would soon … Continue reading

Shooting the messenger: Rent controls have always and everywhere ended in failure

15 September 2016

Housing and Planning

Shooting the messenger: Rent controls have always and everywhere ended in failure

15 September 2016

Rent controls are back on the political agenda. Their reintroduction is now official Labour Party policy, and the Conservatives will … Continue reading

Two-thirds of a cheer for “Save the Children”

1 February 2010

Two-thirds of a cheer for “Save the Children”

1 February 2010

Save the Children has recently been quoted regarding their findings on “severe child poverty”, which is rising. Indeed, it was … Continue reading

We are the 6.6%! Why everybody is wrong on rent controls

5 August 2016

Housing and Planning

We are the 6.6%! Why everybody is wrong on rent controls

5 August 2016

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has recently published the paper ‘How to repair the housing market quickly – A crisis … Continue reading

The alternative to the wealth tax

25 November 2025

Tax and Fiscal Policy

The alternative to the wealth tax

25 November 2025

On 23 October, the IEA’s Editorial Director Kristian Niemietz gave opening remarks to a roundtable discussion on the UK economy’s long-term … Continue reading

Introducing: British ¡Afuera!

29 October 2025

Tax and Fiscal Policy

Introducing: British ¡Afuera!

29 October 2025

British ¡Afuera! is a new series of pieces applying the principles of the IEA’s ‘Sharper Axes, Lower Taxes’ and Argentinian … Continue reading

Britain’s bonsai tree economy

21 October 2025

Economics

Britain’s bonsai tree economy

21 October 2025

On 7 October, the IEA organised a panel discussion entitled “Restoring Britain’s Dynamism: Removing Barriers to Economic Growth” at the … Continue reading

The Case for a liberal YIMBYism

5 June 2025

Housing and Planning

The Case for a liberal YIMBYism

5 June 2025

On 15 April, the IEA’s Kristian Niemietz gave a talk at an event organised by the London New Liberals. The article … Continue reading

In defence of capitalism

15 April 2025

Economic Theory

In defence of capitalism

15 April 2025

On 13 February, The Philosopher’s Yard, a debating society at Birmingham University, organised a panel discussion on capitalism. The IEA’s Kristian … Continue reading

NHS England is Dead

13 March 2025

Healthcare

NHS England is Dead

13 March 2025

This article was first published on the Institute of Economic Affairs Substack There is no “British DOGE”, but the idea … Continue reading

On socialism and capitalism at different stages of economic development

6 February 2025

Economics

On socialism and capitalism at different stages of economic development

6 February 2025

This article first appeared on the Institute of Economic Affairs Substack Have you heard about the Niemietz Diet? It is … Continue reading

Colonialism – the foundation of Western prosperity?

29 May 2024

Economic Theory

Colonialism – the foundation of Western prosperity?

29 May 2024

On 28 May, the IEA hosted the panel discussion “Colonialism – the foundation of Western prosperity?”, on the subject of … Continue reading

A Socialist Carol (Part 3)

25 February 2019

Economic Theory

A Socialist Carol (Part 3)

25 February 2019

…continued from Part 2. Stave 4: The Ghost of Socialism Yet to Come Owen woke up again, to the sound … Continue reading

A Socialist Carol (Part 2)

22 February 2019

Economic Theory

A Socialist Carol (Part 2)

22 February 2019

…continued from Part 1 The room went dark. When the lights went back on again, the room had changed. People … Continue reading

A Socialist Carol (Part 1)

21 February 2019

Economic Theory

A Socialist Carol (Part 1)

21 February 2019

Stave 1: Hayek’s Ghost At a university debating society event, 2013 “The reason why previous, nominally socialist projects failed…” Owen … Continue reading

Can tackling the housing crisis be left to the market?

26 November 2018

Housing and Planning

Can tackling the housing crisis be left to the market?

26 November 2018

On November 22, the Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution (HLSI) held a debate on the motion “This house believes that … Continue reading

Are Millennials more libertarian than we think?

25 September 2018

Society and Culture

Are Millennials more libertarian than we think?

25 September 2018

On 8 September 2018, several IEA staff members took part in the Big Tent Ideas Festival in Cambridge. Dr Kristian … Continue reading

Socialism: The failed idea that never dies

21 February 2019

Research

Socialism: The failed idea that never dies

21 February 2019

IEA releases new, comprehensive book on socialism

Summary: Socialism is popular in the UK – not just among students, but also among people in their 30s and … Continue reading

Universal healthcare without the NHS

14 December 2016

Research

Universal healthcare without the NHS

14 December 2016

Poor NHS performance is costing thousands of lives a year

Summary: Despite some relative improvements in the last fifteen years, the National Health Service remains an international laggard in terms … Continue reading

Campaigning for the status quo is not an option

14 February 2013

Campaigning for the status quo is not an option