By Derek Hosford, American Consumer Institute The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says there are 13.7 million Americans with limited access to healthful and affordable food – a severe problem that is being exacerbated by legislative and regulatory policies that are raising consumer prices and increasing labor costs forcing some grocery stores to close […]
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Regional cooperation to fight marine plastic pollution
“Recommendations for Regional Action to Combat Marine Plastic Pollution” Courtesy of IASS Potsdam In recent years, images of whales and sea turtles starving to death after ingesting plastic waste or becoming entangled in so-called ghost nets have led to a growing awareness of the crisis of marine plastic pollution. The total number of plastic […]
Unions Must Stop Prioritizing Politics Over Jobsr
By Peter Roff, TES Contributor At their peak, unions represented more than a third of American workers. Now, after several decades of continuing decline, less than 10 percent of workers in the private sector are part of organized labor. And with so much of American manufacturing having moved offshore to escape the less-than-friendly […]
Targeted relief boosts lockdown compliance
“Targeted COVID-19 relief programs improve compliance with confinement measures” Courtesy of IZA Until a vaccine becomes available for the entire population, social distancing is doomed to remain a matter of life or death. Compliance with social distancing measures requires civic-mindedness, law enforcement, and the capacity to satisfy basic needs from home. In particular, stay-at-home […]
What does the China trade deal mean for Europe?
“The EU-China Investment Agreement as seen from Europe: achievements with shortfalls” By Frank Bickenbach and Wan-Hsin Liu, courtesy of IFW Kiel After seven years of negotiations, the European Union (EU) and the People’s Republic of China (China) concluded in principle the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) on December 30, 2020. The European Commission has stated […]
Protect the Rights of Independent Contractors
By Edward Longe, American Consumer Institute Of all the economic changes the United States has experienced over the past decade, none have been so profound as full-time employees shunning traditional 9 to 5 employment in favor of the flexibility offered by independent contract work. In 2020 alone, 3 in 10 full-time workers left traditional […]
Will inflation return post-COVID?
By Henning Vöpel, courtesy of HWWI How stable will the global economy be macroeconomically after the COVID-19 pandemic? In addition to a few reasons to be able to relax, there are increasing signs that adversity is looming in the medium term. Inflation could return and that would change the situation suddenly. The two […]
COVID-19 forces us ask what “Public Interest” really means
“A Few Comments on the Public Interest and Its Meaning” By Kurt R. Leube, courtesy of ECAEF “People who intend only to seek their own benefit are led by an invisible hand to serve a public interest which was no part of their intention. I say that there is a reverse invisible hand: People […]
How do U.S. and EU air quality plans stack up?
“A World of Difference? Comparing US and EU Air Quality Legislation” By Adina Spertus-Melhus, courtesy of IASS Potsdam The recent US election has inspired renewed optimism around the prospects of EU and US climate policy. The European Green Deal has positioned the EU at the forefront of climate mitigation, while President-elect Biden hopes to […]
With U.S. distracted by China, Europe can’t stay idle on Russia
“EU-Russia relations and Europe’s global profile” By Zachary Paikin, courtesy of the Centre for European Policy Studies Relations between great powers have worsened in recent years, prompting High Representative Josep Borrell to assert that the European Union must learn to “use the language of power”. When it comes to the EU’s relations with Russia in particular, […]