2008 represented something of a milestone for Britain’s charity sector as it was the year in which it received more … Continue reading “How the government uses charities to lobby itself”

It’s election time again in the UK, where the local elections – in particular the high-profile contest for Mayor of … Continue reading “Mayoral elections show the shortcomings of political decision-making”

Mancur Olson is best known for his 1965 book, The Logic of Collective Action, in which he explained why small, … Continue reading “The deeper causes of Britain’s economic stagnation”

Britons attentive to political affairs in Canada will be aware of its latest political scandal: allegations abound of electioneering shenanigans … Continue reading “‘Legalised plunder’ warps electoral morals”

Politicians are always exhorting us to take more interest in our community, in the government of our country, and the … Continue reading “Public Choice – A Primer”

The mention of public choice theory to those on ‘the left’ of politics can prompt a variety of reactions. Some … Continue reading “‘The Left’ and Public Choice Theory”

Nearly ten years ago, IEA author Mark Pennington argued that British land use planning policies were characterised by public choice … Continue reading “Housing policy in the public choice trap”

Students of public choice theory will recognise the rationale behind the Canadian government’s recent effort to cut waste. In response … Continue reading “Sidestepping the bureaucrats to cut government waste”

‘Generation Rent’ seems to be the media catchphrase of the day, and this should come as no surprise. Over the … Continue reading “Generation Rent: rational ignorance or rational irrationality”