Category: Analysis

Credit Crunch Spells Bad News for Europe

Europe’s banks are in credit-crunch mode. The ECB’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged is meant to help, but it also raises the white flag on inflation.

The Strange Death of the German Left

More than three decades after the end of the communist GDR, the successor to the former state party is being ripped apart by internal divisions.

Inflation Comeback: A Challenge for the ECB

Europe will be facing a recession. The question is whether or not rising unemployment will come with higher or lower inflation rates—and monetary conservatism or monetary expansion.

The EU Taxman Cometh

The EU wants to levy its own taxes. Here is why that is a bad idea.

Libertarianism: A Dead End

Libertarianism: A Dead End

Despite clear and unwavering opposition to socialism, the conservative movement remains reluctant to dip its toes into the debate over the welfare state, the foremost vehicle for socialist policies in democratic countries.

December 26, 2022
Light in the Darkness: How Ukraine’s Transcarpathia Survives the War

Light in the Darkness: How Ukraine’s Transcarpathia Survives the War

Heating, lighting, and electricity come and go in Transcarpathia, plunged into uncertainty and darkness as a result of the war in Ukraine. However, the Ukrainian community that lives on the other side of the Hungarian border struggles to live on.

December 20, 2022
Hungary: An Economic Assessment

Hungary: An Economic Assessment

The best way to understand the thought leadership behind Hungary’s economic success is to examine the 2016 tax reform, which created perhaps the simplest and most ingenious small-business tax in the world.

December 17, 2022
How the European Union Wants To Encourage Surrogacy

How the European Union Wants To Encourage Surrogacy

The ethical struggle is clouded by an institutional issue: according to the treaty on the functioning of the European Union, measures concerning the family are not the responsibility of Europe. Each state is supposed to decide sovereignly in this matter.

December 17, 2022
The Failure of Spanish Democracy

The Failure of Spanish Democracy

A year out from a general election in Spain and the political vitriol is running high.

Health Funding: A Lesson for the Next Pandemic

Health Funding: A Lesson for the Next Pandemic

Health care systems with a high degree of government funding were ill-prepared for the pandemic; systems with a higher degree of private and semi-private funding had a much better capacity to respond.

December 6, 2022
Is A Recession Really Coming?

Is A Recession Really Coming?

Although some countries have recovered, overall economic activity has been disappointing. To make matters worse, a closer look at capital formation—a.k.a., business investments—and consumer spending suggest that a recession is in fact just around the corner.

December 5, 2022
The Creeping Radicalization of ‘Climate Activism’

The Creeping Radicalization of ‘Climate Activism’

Greenpeace openly supports the ‘climate actions,’ pays the lawyers’ bills, and provides space, materials, and know-how. Direct funding comes from the US-based Climate Emergency Fund (CEF), which has already spent $5 million this year.

November 29, 2022
Presidency of Les Républicains: One Debate for Three Candidates

Presidency of Les Républicains: One Debate for Three Candidates

Retailleau clearly distinguished himself from his colleague Ciotti in this matter of ‘image maintenance’ and political correctness, declaring: “I have never fallen for the Left’s moral lessons.”

November 25, 2022
Can Trump Win Again?

Can Trump Win Again?

Whichever candidates Trump will face in the 2024 presidential primary elections, they will be tough contenders. Running for president is not for the faint of heart.

November 23, 2022
End of Inflation in Sight

End of Inflation in Sight

Some forecasters believe that inflation will persist for an extended period of time. I disagree, and if the signs of an inflation peak are as strong as I believe they are, then Europe could be out of this inflation episode before next summer.

November 22, 2022
Les Républicains: Tempted to Play to the Right?

Les Républicains: Tempted to Play to the Right?

Les Républicains are caught in a dangerous trap, between Macronism and the Rassemblement National, which has established itself as the leading parliamentary group on the Right.

November 20, 2022