What is Economics?

To know what economics is, we must first know what an economy is. Perhaps most of us think of an economy as a system for the production and distribution of the goods and services we use in everyday life. That is true as far as it goes, but it does not go far enough....

A Really Bad Case of Gas

President Bush showed spirited common sense on environmental policies — before he got elected. “I don’t believe in command and control out of Washington, D.C.,” Bush said during the second presidential debate last fall. “Not all wisdom is...

A Usable Black History

John McWhorter, linguistics professor at the Berkeley campus of the University of California, has written a compelling essay in the summer 2001 issue of City Journal titled, “Toward a Usable Black History.” Last year, he wrote “Losing the Race:...

The President Has Spoken: No Microsoft Breakup

What inspiring, bullish news. It’s the dawn of a great new era. I can feel my animal spirits rising. That’s right. Didn’t you feel the same way yesterday when you heard that the Department of Justice wouldn’t seek the break-up of Microsoft?...

Property Rites or Rights?

With police on hand to try to maintain order, the Loudoun County (Virginia) board of supervisors recently imposed severe restrictions on the building of homes, despite angry protesters. The board’s plan allows only one house to be built for every 10 acres in...

Dealing with the Media: Getting This Behind You

The predictable media reaction to Gary Condit’s bobbing and weaving has been to say that he should be candid, come clean and “get all this behind you.” It is the kind of advice that they have offered repeatedly over the years to people in trouble,...