The Nordic countries, particularly Sweden, are often trotted out as great examples of superior social systems. But a closer look at the details raises concerns
Referring to American millennials’ purported fascination with socialism, someone recently cracked that perhaps they’re confusing the term with social media. But wickedly irreverent though that crack might be, it fails to do justice to millennials and their aspirations. However, the question remains: What exactly do these socialism enthusiasts have in mind? Unlike left-wingers in the…
Blame free-market globalization, and the accompanying wage stagnation and declines in middle-class living standards
Even Donald Trump’s most ardent supporters admit that he's impulsive and about as presidential as a bull in a China shop. In normal times, Trump would never have been nominated by the Republican Party and would certainly not have been elected president of the United States. But these aren't normal times. Far from it. After…
The U.S. senator is using baseball to decry the inequalities that crop up in capitalism. That’s just nonsense
Somewhere in heaven, baseball pioneer Curt Flood is smacking his forehead with his palm. The reason for Flood’s exasperation? Comments from avowed socialist and Democratic Party presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. On the stump, the Vermont senator is using baseball to decry the inequalities that crop up in capitalism. “If we are a nation that can…
Peer-to-peer platforms such as Airbnb bring more resources to the market, increasing supply and lowering prices
Uber drivers in Buenos Aires ask passengers to ride up front to avoid vigilante attacks, since an Argentine judge has ruled Uber illegal and the country’s banks have cut off Uber’s access. The city’s taxi cartel has shut down roads and brought violence and arson upon Uber drivers and vehicles. Yet Uber’s popularity has exploded…
They need to reinvent the capitalist system to fully unleash that creativity and establish an economy that’s more just and balanced
If you dare to ask, young people today will tell you their generation is screwed. Why? Because they were told, “Be creative, get an education and you can be whatever you want to be.” Oops, wrong! Struggle through a creative career and it's almost impossible to buy a home or escape from student-loan hell. In…
Milton Friedman was wrong. Paying attention to other stakeholder interests is not a diversion, it's management's job
The National Post's Terence Corcoran is a celebrated champion of free markets. In his latest post, “Milton Friedman is right, profit is a company's only purpose,” he champions one of the most controversial principles in global capitalism. Corcoran's primary fear is that “a long list of academics, consultants, business leaders and politicians – many of…
It’s time to give individuals personal ownership of their data and, in essence, an equity stake in the new means of production
Canadians turning their gaze south are becoming increasingly concerned that the United States is descending into anarchy and despotism. Apart from the chaotic White House, the dysfunctional Congress and the astronomical public debt, American society is becoming dangerously divided as powerful forces continue their relentless concentrations of wealth and power. This is a far cry…
The rise of intangibles is the most significant transformation in capitalism since the industrial revolution. Now we have to monetize it
Alberta's economy has lurched toward crisis and panic this year. With the energy industry floundering, is there an alternative economy that could lead Alberta out of the wilderness? Surprisingly there is. And we don't have to start from scratch to renew growth. The resources are right in front of us, hidden in an obscure place…
Raising taxes to fund spending on the poor discourages wealth creation and productive work effort, shrinking the economic pie
Instead of having government take more from the rich in hopes that it will go to the poor, a far better poverty reduction strategy is to encourage economic growth and innovation. Yale University economist William Nordhaus was one of the winners of the Nobel Prize in economics this year for his work on analyzing the…
The economic benefits of demolishing a monopoly business practice aren’t worth the environmental and human costs
Uber is embroiled in public controversy yet again with its Twitter release of an embarrassing dash-cam video of Ottawa Senators players mocking a coach while using the ride-sharing service. The tweet of the private conversation, captured on Oct. 29 when the National Hockey League team was between games in Las Vegas and Arizona, has reportedly…
Referring to American millennials’ purported fascination with socialism, someone recently cracked that perhaps they’re confusing the term with social media. But wickedly irreverent though that crack might be, it fails to do justice to millennials and their aspirations. However, the question remains: What exactly do these socialism enthusiasts have in mind? Unlike left-wingers in the…
