Yes, patents, copyrights, etc., the intellectual so-called property protections are really profits-protection for existing large corporations. The stronger patents and copyrights are, the weaker is innovation and growth. ...weaker IP protections might actually correlate with economic growth,... via Scholarly Communications @ Duke » The joy of statistics.
Day: September 19, 2009
Save the Whales! Abolish Patents!
Well, actually it likely wouldn't save the whales. But, abolishing patents would likely re-invigorate the economy, revive competition, lower costs (particularly healthcare costs), and speed up innovation. Levine and Boldrin help lay out the case against patents in this piece. An excerpt ( I recommend following the link): Abolishing so-called intellectual "property" (IP) won't solve … Continue reading Save the Whales! Abolish Patents!
Brad Delong’s Lecture Audio Files: Before World War I
Brad Delong's lecture audio files (his Econ History course). via Econ 115: Fall 2009: Lecture Audio Files: Before World War I.
Bubbles!
Bubbles! From Calculated Risk: via Bubbles!.
Background in World History: 101 Events and 101 Videos/Pictures
Courtesy of Brad Delong (UC Berkeley) we have links to 101 Events in Background World History. These are for the most part 20th century events. via Background in World History for Econ 115: 101 Events and 101 Videos/Pictures.
Keynes Was Really A Conservative, Not a Socialist
Bruce Bartlett sets the history straight. Contrary to today's populist political rhetoric from right-wing, so-called conservative politicians, Keynes, and Keynesian economics is anything BUT socialist. In fact, Keynes sought to save free-market, private-property capitalism from itself. Follow the link for the complete story. Here's an excerpt: Those on the right have been making this same … Continue reading Keynes Was Really A Conservative, Not a Socialist
Why We Really Need to End the Empire: “We Can’t Cut Spending – Forbes.com”
Bruce Bartlett explains why a "balanced budget" for the US federal government is an impossibility. Unfortunately, most people who strenously object to the deficit and want a balanced budget simply don't understand the realities. They often confuse "millions" and "billions" (it takes 1000 millions to equal a billion). They further operate from greatly distorted ideas … Continue reading Why We Really Need to End the Empire: “We Can’t Cut Spending – Forbes.com”
Memories of the Carter Administration – Paul Krugman Blog – NYTimes.com
Krugman writes on the origins of the split between "saltwater" (Keynesian & New Keynesian macro) and "freshwater" ("rational expectiations, real business cycle) macro economics. Memories of the Carter Administration - Paul Krugman Blog - NYTimes.com.
Economic Inequality: The Wall Street Journal is Just Wrong | It Could Happen Here, Bruce Judson’s Blog
Excellent analysis of income inequality data in U.S. and refutation of the view that the U.S. has not had rising income inequality: Economic Inequality: The Wall Street Journal is Just Wrong
EconProph 