In September 2022, the IEA published my paper Accounts and Accountability, which argued that the government’s proposals for further regulating … Continue reading “Audit reform: a short-lived victory for economic sense”

The idea of a universal basic income (UBI) has gained many supporters over recent decades. Put simply, UBI is an … Continue reading “Universal Basic Income: a pointless trial of a bad idea”

Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the former King of Bhutan, declared in 1972 that “gross national happiness (GNH) is more important than … Continue reading “Is happiness all that matters?”

Should a carbon tax, levied on the carbon content of fuels, be part of plans to combat global warming? Philip … Continue reading “Debate: The pros and cons of carbon taxes”

Mariana Mazzucato is a professor of economics at University College London. She came to prominence following the publication of her … Continue reading “‘The Value of Everything’ adds up to nothing”

You must buy most things you want. But not healthcare. Healthcare is supplied at no charge by the state, funded … Continue reading “How the NHS hurts the poor”

Everyone objects to slavery. Employment should be voluntary. This liberal attitude towards labour does not extend to capital. A recent … Continue reading “Nationalisation misallocates capital – for the same reason that slavery misallocates labour”

The EU’s second Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) came into force earlier this month. According to the European … Continue reading “Statutory regulation vs private regulation”

I have a friend in New Zealand, whose real name isn’t Tim, and who is unusually witty. This gives Tim … Continue reading “Standard socialist fallacies #2: “Ability is power””