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.
The Rise of the Socialist Welfare State

The Rise of the Socialist Welfare State

In practice, the merger between mainstream Keynesian economics and welfare-state policy was exactly what drove most of Europe into its current state of stagnation.

May 11, 2022
Nordic Countries Lead World Press Freedom

Nordic Countries Lead World Press Freedom

Estonian Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets explained that “Estonia has a leading role in defending media freedom in the world.”

May 10, 2022
Norway Pledges More Natural Gas Output

Norway Pledges More Natural Gas Output

News of the Norwegian production increase is expected to cool off the price hike that followed proposals for new European sanctions against Russia.

May 10, 2022
Economic Resiliency Post Pandemic: U.S. vs. the EU

Economic Resiliency Post Pandemic: U.S. vs. the EU

While the U.S. has its economic problems, the runaway government debt being an ominous example, its unending reliance on domestic spending for domestic prosperity is a winning recipe over time.

May 9, 2022
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