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Articles by Robert Lawson
Economic freedom creates paths to prosperity, not inequality Original
Thomas Piketty and his colleagues at the World Inequality Lab recently released the Global Justice Project, a sweeping call to shrink global income and wealth gaps through steep taxes on the world’s richest and a new fund to redistribute the proceeds. Meanwhile, self-described “democratic socialists” are scoring wins or nominations in New York and other blue states for the upcoming midterms. Their chief complaint about American capitalism is its excessive economic inequality.
Economic Freedom of the World: 2025
This is the 30th edition of Economic Freedom of the World and this year’s publication ranks 165 countries and territories for 2023, the most recent year for which data are available. Hong Kong continues to top the list as the world’s most economically free jurisdiction. But there is more to the story than the top-line rankings. Hong Kong’s overall score has declined by 0.52 points since 2018, led by significant declines in three of the five broad areas measured.
Hello from Little Rock, Arkansas
Hey there everyone, I'm 28 and getting tired of paying other people's mortgages for them! I'm seriously considering buying my first home when my current lease is up this fall, and from what various calculators are telling me I can afford about $100k worth of house.
Economic Freedom of the World: 2024
This is the 29th edition of Economic Freedom of the World and this year’s publication ranks 165 countries and territories for 2022, the most recent year for which data are available. In last year’s report, Singapore edged out Hong Kong for the top spot for the first time. In this year’s edition, based on updated and revised data for 2021 and new data for 2022, Hong Kong scored ahead of Singapore in both years. Despite this reversal in the ranking, Hong Kong’s rating continues to fall precipitously.
[Webinar] 2024 North Carolina CLE Institute - February 9th, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm ET | JD Supra
Join us for the 2024 North Carolina CLE Institute, Hosted by Williams Mullen, a virtual legal education program designed to provide timely legal guidance and help you to secure your CLE credits. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL AGENDA. Our 2024 Programs Include: All Eyes on AI: Updates in Privacy and Employment Laws Presented by: Carmelle F. Alipio and Michael C. Lord Commercial Real Estate Leasing Presented by: Robert C. Lawson Legal Ethics for North Carolina Corporate Counsel Presented by: Patrick R.
The Unexpected Parallels Between Chefs and Developers
In a bustling city's heart, as the sun sets, two worlds come alive: the shimmering digital landscape of tech hubs and the aromatic confines of kitchens. At first glance, the chef's feverish orchestration of dishes might seem worlds apart from a developer's serene dance of code. Yet, peel back the layers, and you'll find the two professions simmering together in a pot of shared essence. I've frequently recalled experiences similar to my life in the kitchen in my software developer career.
A blow to liberty: Hong Kong is no longer No. 1 in economic freedom Original
In the late 1980s at the invitation of Milton Friedman and Michael Walker of the Fraser Institute in Canada, I became involved in a project to measure economic freedom. The resulting Economic Freedom of the World (EFW) index, published annually since 1996, provides economic freedom ratings for up to 165 countries and jurisdictions as far back as 1970. In each and every published edition of the EFW index, Hong Kong had been rated as the most economically free economy – that is, until now.
Economic Freedom of the World: 2023
This is the 28th edition of Economic Freedom of the World and this year’s publication ranks 165 countries and territories for 2021, the most recent year for which data are available. Hong Kong and Singapore, as usual, occupy the top two positions—but for the first time in the history of the EFW index, Singapore edges out Hong Kong for the #1 ranking. The next highest‐scoring nations are Switzerland, New Zealand, United States, Ireland, Denmark, Australia, United Kingdom, and Canada.
Is It Better to Be Rich in a Poor and Unfree Country? – DC Journal - InsideSources
Like many economics professors, I frequently get emails from a variety of cranks and conspiracy theorists. Occasionally, I get an interesting email question about my research on economic freedom. It’s complicated, but in a nutshell, my work generally shows that countries with more economic freedom (i.e., lower taxes, stronger private property rights, less inflation, freer trade and fewer regulations) perform better on most, if not all, measures of socio-economic progress.
COVID’s hidden victim: economic freedom Original
The COVID-19 pandemic swept over the planet in early 2020, resulting in more than a million deaths in the United States and many millions more around the world. Unfortunately, these lives weren’t the only casualties. The pandemic also walloped economic freedom – that is, our freedoms to buy, sell, move, hire, fire, invest and earn income and keep it. Economic freedom took a big hit in the global financial crisis of 2007-09 – but this time the blow was three times worse.
COVID’s hidden victim: economic freedom
The COVID-19 pandemic swept over the planet in early 2020, resulting in more than a million deaths in the United States and many millions more around the world. Unfortunately, these lives weren’t the only casualties. The pandemic also walloped economic freedom – that is, our freedoms to buy, sell, move, hire, fire, invest and earn income and keep it. Economic freedom took a big hit in the global financial crisis of 2007-09 – but this time the blow was three times worse.
Economic Freedom of the World
The foundations of economic freedom are personal choice, voluntary exchange, and open markets. As Adam Smith, Milton Friedman, and Friedrich Hayek have stressed, freedom of exchange and market coordination provide the fuel for economic progress. Without exchange and entrepreneurial activity coordinated through markets, modern living standards would be impossible. Potentially advantageous exchanges do not always occur.
What is the future of electric cars? - Consumer & Society
To keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius this century, most of the world’s developed nations have signed up to the Paris Agreement. To meet this pledge, global emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. One way to reach this goal is, according to climate experts, to speed up the transition from petrol and diesel cars to electric alternatives. After entering the commercial markets in the first half of the last decade, sales of electric vehicles have soared.
Poor Will Suffer Most From World Bank Cancelling ‘Doing Business’ Project – InsideSources
The World Bank recently announced the cancellation of the Doing Business project, one of its flagship research projects, because of accusations of corruption on the part of senior officials.
Who gains from economic freedom? A panel analysis on decile income levels
Who gains from economic freedom? A panel analysis on decile income levels Autores: Robert Lawson, James Dean Localización: Economics and Business Letters, ISSN-e 2254-4380, Vol. 10, Nº. 2, 2021, págs. 102-106 Idioma: inglés Enlaces Texto completo (pdf) Resumen This paper revisits Saccone’s (2020) analysis of the impact of economic freedom on decile income shares for a panel of developed and developing nations during 1980-2014.
Daily Legal News
Bankruptcy 2021-11597 Case Number 2021-11597 Date Filed Thursday, May 6, 2021 Chapter & Region 7 & 471 Debtor Robert J. Lawson 22709 Lakeshore Boulevard, Apartment 446C Euclid, OH 44123 About your information and the public record.
Landlord and Tenant Negotiations for Existing Commercial Leases Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
07.09.2020 Landlord and Tenant Negotiations for Existing Commercial Leases Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic By: Alyssa Carducci Embree & Robert Charles Lawson Real Estate Partners Alyssa Carducci Embree and Robby Lawson discuss the responsibility for rent relief during a forced closure, landlord/tenant workouts for tenant’s continued operation in the premises, and tenant exit strategies if the tenant cannot continue to operate.
Foreign Follies
America's New Global Empire By Doug Bandow Available formats Available formats Checkout will be down for maintenance until April 10 (subject to change). If you have questions, please contact us at catostore@cato.org. About the Book The U.S. once was a traditional republic, remaining aloof from foreign conflicts. Today there is no problem on earth with which Washington is not concerned. The result is an oversize military, perpetual intervention, and constant conflict.
Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, Robert Lawson
Once you have had 6-8 cups of coffee, it’s time to enter the room you’ve designated as a writing area...
Cato Journal: Extending the Economic Freedom of the World Index to the Cold War Era
The Economic Freedom of the World (EFW) index was first published by the Fraser Institute in 1996 and featured data in five-year increments from 1975 to 1995 (Gwartney, Block, and Lawson 1996). Subsequent editions of the EFW index (e.g., Gwartney, Lawson, and Hall 2016) have included data for 1970 and annually since 2000.
Fall Movies 2017: The 20 Adaptations We Can't Wait For -Signature Reads
With the popcorn-adventure high jinks and effects-laden bombast of the summer blockbuster season finally winding down, the chillier autumnal climes are now ushering in the fall cinema season. Notably the period where studios begin to trot out the more thought-provoking – and Oscar hopeful – heavy-hitters, this season also features its fair share of expected blockbusters and franchise lead-ins, not to mention some of the year’s most anticipated television.
Young Americans for Freedom adviser weighs in on 9/11 display controversy
I have been serving as a faculty adviser for the SMU Young American’s for Freedom (YAF) since the group’s founding. The university’s new policy that requires student organization displays, including YAFs annual 9/11 flag memorial, be moved from the Dallas Hall lawn to the lawn on the corner of Bishop Boulevard and Binkley Avenue has generated considerable controversy.
The Story of Ferdinand
All the other bulls run, jump, and butt their heads together in fights. Ferdinand, on the other hand, would rather sit and smell the flowers. So what will happen when Ferdinand is picked for the bullfights in Madrid? has inspired, enchanted, and provoked readers ever since it was first published in 1936 for its message of nonviolence and pacifism.
How to Negotiate a Lease to Protect Your Business: Top 10 Tips for Retail Tenants
Below is a key list of 10 tips that retail tenants should consider when negotiating their commercial lease agreements. Other than consulting an attorney, hiring a knowledgeable commercial real estate broker is probably the most important item a retail tenant can do to protect its interest. A broker will ask the tenant the important questions to make sure the tenant has picked the best location, agreed to the appropriate length of the lease term, and settled on the correct rental rate.
Report: Illinois pension debt grew to record $130 billion in 2016
Illinois is facing a profound pension debt crisis, and a new report from the Commission on Government Forecasting Accountability shows that on average, each household in the state is responsible for about $27,000 in unfunded liabilities. That amount of pension debt represents a $4,000 per household increase from last year. While pension outlays make up more than 25 percent of the state's annual expenditures, the report showed that the state is not getting a handle on its debt.
Mayor's office clarifies lawsuit in police-fire pension matter
DALLAS – The Dallas Mayor's office has clarified why it is seeking legal action to prevent funds from being withdrawn from a pension fund in crisis and stated its official position.
Security expert discusses best cyber protection strategies for law firms and legal professionals
Cyber crime and hacking seem to be featured in the news more often than ever in this technological era, and many legal professionals wonder how they can protect their firms from attacks and breaches of security. The Record reached out to Joe Marquette, a cyber security expert in Cleveland with Accellis Technology Group Inc. to get the scoop on best practices. Marquette discussed some of vulnerabilities in IT structures and data practices that attorneys and those in the legal field face.
Experts weigh in on Roundup class-action suit
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Monsanto faces a batch of lawsuits alleging its Roundup fertilizer product can lead to developing a non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and two experts weighed in on the developments for The Florida Record. At least two recent cases have been filed against the agriculture supply and chemical company. In December, James Mitchell v. Monsanto was filed in the Northern District of Florida for the 11th Circuit. The other lawsuit was brought forth by a Nebraskan also diagnosed with the disease.
Madison County judges hosted event for National Adoption Day
EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County Chief Justice David A. Hylla worked with other judges in the county to promote adoption awareness by holding a special event at the courthouse for National Adoption Day. National Adoption Day, held on Nov. 19, is heavily promoted by organizations such as the Dave Thomas foundation. Several thousand children per year wait to be adopted in the Unites States, including those whose natural parents lost parental rights.
Revealed! Three Book Club Choices for November. Happy Reading.
Because nothing boosts happiness more than a great book, each month, I suggest: Shop at IndieBound, BN.com, or Amazon (I’m an affiliate), or your favorite local bookstore. Or my favorite, visit the library! For all the books I choose, I love them; I’ve read most of them at least twice if not many times; and they’re widely admired. Drumroll… Some readers have said that they wished that I’d describe and make the case for my book choices, instead of just providing links.
Unclaimed life insurance law goes into effect; Insurers must check 'master death list'
Robert Lawson Sep. 22, 2016, 9:20am SPRINGFIELD—A change in Illinois law will force life insurance companies to periodically check government death records to ensure their policyholders' beneficiaries are properly paid out. The Unclaimed Life Insurance Benefits Act cleared the Illinois state legislature and was signed into law Aug. 26. The Illinois Treasurer's Office, which was instrumental in advocating on behalf of beneficiaries in this fight, announced the new change in state law.
Robert A. Lawson: Economic freedom is down again in America
Newspapers and websites are filled with headlines about the latest economic crisis, whether it’s Greek sovereign debt, the Chinese stock market or the price of oil. These are all important stories. People want to know what’s going in their world. But just as the weather forecast is more newsworthy than a scientific study of the slowly changing climate, long-term economic trends are often hidden from view amid the hullabaloo of the economic crisis du jour.
Economic Freedom of the World
Economic Freedom of the World The foundations of economic freedom are personal choice, voluntary exchange, and open markets. As Adam Smith, Milton Friedman, and Friedrich Hayek have stressed, freedom of exchange and market coordination provide the fuel for economic progress. Without exchange and entrepreneurial activity coordinated through markets, modern living standards would be impossible. Potentially advantageous exchanges do not always occur.
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