Sven R Larson, Ph.D., has worked as a staff economist for think tanks and as an advisor to political campaigns. He is the author of several academic papers and books. His writings concentrate on the welfare state, how it causes economic stagnation, and the reforms needed to reduce the negative impact of big government. On Twitter, he is @S_R_Larson and he writes regularly at Larson’s Political Economy on Substack.
Poland, EU Reach Rule-of-Law Impasse

Poland, EU Reach Rule-of-Law Impasse

While the Polish parliament has passed legislation to meet demands from Brussels, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen believes “those measures have not gone far enough.”

August 10, 2022
Tensions Rise Ahead of U.S. Election

Tensions Rise Ahead of U.S. Election

In less than three months, Americans will vote in a midterm election to decide their state-elected congressional representatives. The stakes are high, since many trends in American politics are decided at the state level.

August 9, 2022
Shots Fired on Serbia-Kosovo Border

Shots Fired on Serbia-Kosovo Border

The shooting is the latest in a series of incidents along the border between Serbia and the breakaway province.

August 9, 2022
Yale Russia Report Gets an F

Yale Russia Report Gets an F

I wanted to read irrefutable evidence that the Russian economy had suffered deeply and perhaps irreversibly from the war. As I kept reading the report, my hopes fell flat. This is nothing more than an academic propaganda pamphlet.

August 7, 2022
The Economics of Budget Deficits

The Economics of Budget Deficits

Government officials have carefully ignored the need for more fiscal conservatism. Looking at the threat of a new debt crisis, investors and taxpayers alike expect nothing more spectacular from their current leaders than a new round of put-out-the-fire austerity packages.

August 5, 2022
A Conservative Fix for Future Debt Crises

A Conservative Fix for Future Debt Crises

The socialist welfare state is inherently unaffordable. It destroys its own tax base and leads to economic stagnation.

August 3, 2022
Euro-Zone Inflation Nears Its Peak

Euro-Zone Inflation Nears Its Peak

The inflation rate dropped from June to July in five countries.

August 3, 2022
NATO Ready to Act in Serb-Kosovo Conflict

NATO Ready to Act in Serb-Kosovo Conflict

Last year, Serbian protesters, reacting to the Kosovo government forcing their license plates onto vehicles with Serbian plates, had blocked border crossings with Serbia.

August 2, 2022
Russia Funds Nuclear Power Abroad

Russia Funds Nuclear Power Abroad

Once fully operational, the plant is expected to deliver 10% of Turkey’s domestic electric needs.

August 2, 2022
When Democracy Gets in the Way

When Democracy Gets in the Way

Government officials, elected and unelected, increasingly see democracy as an inconvenience, even an obstacle. How far down the current path does Europe have to go before the Italian example from a century ago becomes a case of retroactive clairvoyance?

August 1, 2022
EU Speeds Up Balkan Expansion

EU Speeds Up Balkan Expansion

Commissioner Várhelyi specifically mentioned the western Balkans as a target of EU enlargement.

July 26, 2022
Hungarian Budget Cuts Deficit

Hungarian Budget Cuts Deficit

The first target of the Hungarian parliament’s adopted budget is to sustain the regulated utilities price scheme, the second is to strengthen its military defense.

July 26, 2022