Political Economy

Author: Mark Biernat

  • How to make money in a bear stock market

    How to make money in a down stock market or crash The purpose of this post is to free you from feeling that money can only be lost in a bear market. Actually in stock market crashes people get rich. The best way to make money in a down stock market for most people is…

  • How to help the poor

    When I was a teenager I really wanted to help the poor. I did not how I thought increasing foreign aid might help the poor or working in poor areas. These things do help and are good, especially in areas of drought and total poverty that need emergency help. However, how do you end poverty…

  • Is capitalism good or bad?

    The purpose of this post is to ask you the question is capitalism good or bad? I am curious myself of the answers that are floating around the collective unconsciousness. Does capitalism work is a very relevant question? After studying economics and living in the USA and a post-socialist country I have an opinion but…

  • Anti-capitalism

    The best way to illustrate anti-capitalism is to tell you a story. I am an American living in Poland, I met another American ex-pat who just moved here, her name is Agatha. We actually are friends now. One of the first things she did was pull me aside and say ‘look Mark we have to…

  • Will the EU survive – Europe II

    Will the EU survive? People are asking the question because of the crisis and elections. The European Union has only seen good economics times, with the first sign of trouble Europe politicians are using the chaos to their advantage by playing on people’s emotions. I am an American living in the EU (I am a citizen…

  • zero sum economy

    Examples of positive-sum, negative-sum and zero-sum economic activity In a capitalistic economy, in aggregate, there will always be more winners than losers. This is because the economy is growing in the long run and both parties benefit from an exchange.   Similarly, in the stock market, there will always be more winners than losers, even…

  • Stock market trading software reviews

    There are pros and cons to using stock trading software. I have a definite opinion on the subject as I not only worked in the financial software industry but also was a professional stock trader. I now write language learning software and trade on my own accounts, therefore, have not needed a real job in…

  • Contrarian investing

    This post is about contrarian investing both past and present and how to successfully apply it to whatever market you invest your capital. To understand contrarian investing you need to understand the origins of the philosophical idea. Understanding original thought is always the most useful information.  Therefore, his post is to: describe the origins of…

  • Does value investing work

    Value investing was described in Ben Graham and David Dodd’s book Security Analysis in 1934. It was popularized by Warren Buffet. The purpose of this post is to address the question does value investing work. What is value investing Value investing is the belief that assets have an intrinsic value.  This intrinsic or natural value…

  • Adam Smith on division of labor

    Call me an idealist but I agree with the enlightenment philosopher Adam Smith when it comes to people’s abilities. I believe the effects of the division of labor, education, and character are responsible for a person a lot in life and not a genius or genetic ability. It is a fairy-tale and lies of some…