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.
ECB Normalizes Monetary Policy

ECB Normalizes Monetary Policy

In its press release, the ECB reports that bank credit to euro-area residents grew at 5.9% in March.

May 6, 2022
Growing Worries about a European Super-State

Growing Worries about a European Super-State

The Conference for the Future of Europe displayed a lack of expertise on the limitations of EU powers as enshrined in the Union’s constitution.

May 4, 2022
Slow Growth in EU Economy

Slow Growth in EU Economy

At 3.0%, Sweden ranked lowest in year-to-year GDP growth; Germany came in second from the bottom at 3.7%

May 4, 2022
Moral Computers? Trusting AI with Right and Wrong

Moral Computers? Trusting AI with Right and Wrong

Over time, as artificial intelligence gets more entrenched in the realm of moral decision-making, it is entirely possible that the AI’s used for those decisions become standardized. But is this desirable? The answer has less to do with the form under which the decision is made—an algorithm or a human brain—and more with what moral values the decision maker applies to the problem.

May 1, 2022
Turkish Opposition Activist Given Life Sentence

Turkish Opposition Activist Given Life Sentence

Kavala is accused of having contributed to the funding of the protests in Gezi Park in Istanbul in 2013.

April 29, 2022
Hungarian Wages Outpace Inflation

Hungarian Wages Outpace Inflation

In addition to statutory changes, wages in the Hungarian labor market are also affected by strong demand for labor.

April 29, 2022
Spanish Economy Needs Major Reform

Spanish Economy Needs Major Reform

While short-term adjustments in spending can boost government efficiency and eliminate wasteful programs, a permanent solution to economic stagnation and unending budget deficits must focus on the ideological core of the welfare state.

April 28, 2022
No NATO Referendum in Sweden

No NATO Referendum in Sweden

It looks increasingly unlikely that the Swedish people will get to voice their opinion on the question of NATO membership.

April 27, 2022
Sweden: Free Speech in Peril after Muslim Riots

Sweden: Free Speech in Peril after Muslim Riots

The assertiveness and coordination of the riots convey a simple yet brutal message: the Islamist movement in Sweden is not going to tolerate the country’s free-speech laws anymore, and it will use whatever means necessary to achieve its goal.

April 25, 2022
Anacyclosis and the Limits of Liberal Democracy

Anacyclosis and the Limits of Liberal Democracy

Liberal democracy is centered around the idea that a majority vote in parliament should have unrestricted jurisdiction to change society as the majority sees fit. By contrast, Hungary and America have constitutions that protect the country against runaway majorities.

April 23, 2022
No Rate Hike from ECB Despite Market Pressure

No Rate Hike from ECB Despite Market Pressure

Despite higher inflation and upward pressure on treasury yields, the European Central Bank (ECB) maintains that this is not the time to raise interest rates. In an April 14th press release, the ECB reaffirmed its commitment to both unchanged rates and its tapering of the Asset Purchasing Program. The Bank explained that APP-related purchases of […]

April 21, 2022
Swedish NATO Accession Facing Problems

Swedish NATO Accession Facing Problems

With my direct experience and decades-long analysis of Swedish politics, I question whether the Swedish Parliament can sustainably fund a NATO membership. However, even if they do, there is another, more controversial aspect: the rise of radical Islamism.

April 20, 2022